This Alabama Restaurant Shuts Down Early Because Everything Sells Out Nightly
There is something special about a place that draws crowds long before dinner time, and New Market BBQ in Alabama has mastered that kind of pull.
The moment the doors open, the smokers have already worked their magic and the trays start emptying faster than you would expect.
Locals line up with the kind of excitement usually reserved for big events, not weekday meals. By the time evening rolls around, the lights go out because the food is gone.
They’re Only Open Three Days a Week
New Market BBQ operates exclusively Friday through Sunday, making every visit feel like catching lightning in a bottle.
Forget stopping by on a random Tuesday because you’ll find locked doors and an empty parking lot. This limited schedule adds serious pressure to get there early.
Weekend warriors plan their entire schedules around snagging some of that legendary smoked meat before the inevitable sellout happens, usually hours before the posted closing time would suggest.
The Smoked Mac and Cheese is Award-Winning
Forget everything you thought you knew about macaroni and cheese.
New Market BBQ’s version earned a spot on Alabama’s top 100 foods to eat before you leave this world, and customers drive hours just for this side dish alone.
The secret lies in smoking the entire dish, infusing every creamy bite with that unmistakable barbecue flavor.
People become legitimately obsessed, with regulars admitting they come back four or five times yearly specifically for this mac and cheese fix that haunts their dreams.
The Turkey is Unexpectedly the Star
While most barbecue joints hang their hat on pork or brisket, New Market BBQ’s smoked turkey steals the show.
Reviewers can’t shut up about how juicy and perfectly cooked it is, calling it world-class and demanding return trips.
Turkey usually plays second fiddle at barbecue restaurants, often ending up dry and forgotten. Not here.
The smoking process transforms this bird into something so tender and flavorful that families specifically request it by the pound, then come back the very next weekend craving more.
It’s a Genuine Hole-in-the-Wall Experience
Walking into New Market BBQ feels like stepping onto someone’s back porch rather than a traditional restaurant.
Limited seating lines the front windows, and the whole vibe screams authentic small-town Alabama charm without any corporate polish or pretense.
One reviewer perfectly described it as a time machine, capturing that old-school barbecue joint atmosphere that’s rapidly disappearing.
There’s even outdoor seating under a pavilion by the river, where you can demolish your plate while watching the water flow by and wondering why all restaurants can’t be this real.
They Offer Two Different Slaws
Coleslaw might seem boring until you realize New Market BBQ serves both vinegar-based and mayo-based versions, giving customers actual choices instead of forcing one style down everyone’s throat.
Both varieties get rave reviews from people who actually care about their side dishes. The vinegar slaw brings that tangy punch that cuts through rich smoked meats beautifully.
Meanwhile, the creamy mayo version offers traditional comfort for those who like their coleslaw smooth and familiar.
Smart diners try both to figure out which camp they belong to, though some rebels just order extra of each.
The Portions Spark Serious Debate
Portion sizes at New Market BBQ create wildly different reactions depending on who’s ordering.
Some customers rave about generous helpings that satisfy completely, while others complain that seventy bucks should feed an entire family without Dad going hungry.
The truth probably lives somewhere in the middle, affected by which items you order and how many mouths need feeding.
What nobody debates is the quality, with even portion critics admitting the food itself remains outstanding.
Maybe order extra meat if you’re feeding a crowd, or risk becoming that hungry parent watching everyone else eat.
The Beans Pack Unexpected Heat
Most barbecue beans play it safe with sweet molasses flavors that bore you to tears.
New Market BBQ decided boring wasn’t their style, loading their beans with actual spice and zip that wakes up your taste buds instead of putting them to sleep.
Customers mention this kick with pleasant surprise, clearly not expecting their side dish to bring any real excitement.
The heat isn’t overwhelming or ridiculous, just enough to remind you that beans can actually be interesting when someone bothers to season them properly with some backbone and personality.