At This Alabama Restaurant, The Dinner Rush Starts Early Because Plates Sell Out Fast
At Lannie’s Bar-B-Q Spot in Selma, Alabama, the dinner rush is serious business.
Plates disappear fast, and locals know to arrive early for the smoky, savory barbecue that has earned a devoted following.
From tender ribs to flavorful sides, every dish is crafted to keep guests coming back.
Visitors quickly understand why this spot fills up so quickly. Every meal feels like a celebration of Alabama flavors, making each visit unforgettable.
Family Legacy Since the Mid-1940s
Five generations of the Hatcher family have kept the smoker burning at Lannie’s, passing down recipes and pit secrets like heirlooms.
What started nearly 80 years ago as a humble neighborhood spot has become a Selma institution.
Grandkids now work alongside parents and grandparents, keeping traditions alive while serving hungry locals and tourists.
That kind of continuity is rare in the restaurant world, and you can taste the history in every bite.
Rebuilt After the 2023 Selma Tornado
When an EF-2 tornado ripped through Selma on January 12, 2023, Lannie’s took a direct hit. The building was destroyed, but the Hatcher family refused to let a century of barbecue tradition end there.
After months of hard work, they reopened in June 2024 with a brand-new space and the same beloved recipes. Resilience tastes even better when it’s slathered in spicy red sauce.
USA Today’s 2025 Restaurant of the Year
National recognition isn’t easy to earn, especially for a small-town barbecue joint.
Yet Lannie’s landed on USA Today’s prestigious 2025 “Restaurants of the Year” list, proving that great food speaks louder than flashy marketing.
Judges praised the authenticity, flavor, and community spirit that define every plate. For a place that survived a tornado and kept cooking, the honor felt like a well-deserved victory lap.
A Civil Rights Era Safe Haven
During the height of the civil rights movement, Lannie’s operated as one of the rare non-segregated restaurants in Selma.
Activists marching for justice could sit down together, share a meal, and recharge for the fight ahead.
Feeding folks regardless of race was a quiet but powerful act of resistance. Today, that legacy of equality and hospitality remains woven into the restaurant’s identity and mission.
Signature Pulled Pork with Cracklin’
Tender pulled pork gets drenched in a tangy, spicy red house sauce that has customers scraping their plates clean.
But the real showstopper? A crispy cracklin’ perched on top like a crunchy crown of pork glory.
That contrast between smoky, soft meat and salty, crisp skin is pure barbecue magic. One bite and you’ll understand why people set alarms to beat the sellout.
Sold Out Before Closing Time
Most restaurants worry about leftovers, but Lannie’s runs out of food before the clock strikes closing.
On busy days, the last plate might disappear hours ahead of schedule, leaving latecomers disappointed and hungry.
It’s not a marketing gimmick; they simply smoke a limited amount each day and refuse to compromise quality for quantity. Smart diners know to arrive early or risk missing out entirely.
Midnight Pit Sessions for Morning Freshness
While most of Selma sleeps, someone at Lannie’s is loading meat onto the pits around midnight.
That overnight slow-smoke means breakfast-hour customers can enjoy barbecue that’s been cooking for hours and tastes impossibly fresh.
By the time the doors open, the aroma has already drifted through the neighborhood. Early birds get perfectly tender, smoky meat that’s worth setting an alarm for.