Saw's BBQ

Even though Saw’s is technically in Homewood, a municipality that’s less than 10 minutes from downtown Birmingham, this BBQ spot belongs on any best of Birmingham list for one simple reason: the pulled pork. Doused in a housemade vinegar-based BBQ sauce, the meat is tangy with the regulation amount of crispy burned bits that give it that occasional satisfying crunch. When it comes to the sides, the baked beans have some nice heft and spice.

Saw’s is number one on celebrity chef Paula Deen’s list of best barbeque places in America, and if anyone knows a thing or two about southern cooking, it’s Paula Deen. Saw’s has a signature sauce that makes everything on their menu delicious and unique. Try their sandwiches, ribs, stuffed potatoes, hot dogs, pulled pork, and more.

Standing for “Sorry Ass Wilson,” Saw’s BBQ joint was founded by the not so sorry Mike Wilson who brought his North Carolina heritage along with his impressive culinary resume to Birmingham’s barbeque scene in 2009. Since then, Saw’s BBQ has been voted the Best Barbeque in America by Men’s Journal, and you can find multiple Saw’s BBQ locations in the Homewood, Southside, Crestline, and Avondale neighborhoods. Chef Wilson’s perfect barbeque features meats like ribs, pulled pork, and chicken smoked to perfection and served with your choice of three different house-made barbeque sauces, not to mention all the amazing Southern sides.

Asking Southerners where to get the best barbecue can be a polarizing question. While everyone has their favorite spot, most Birminghamians can agree on the many merits of SAW’s BBQ. The original Homewood location opened in 2009, but thanks to its popularity there are now six locations sprinkled around town. Favorite orders include Carolina-style smoked pulled pork, chicken, and ribs with sides like vinegar-based slaw, potato salad, and the most heavenly whole-fried okra you’ll find anywhere.

If there’s must-eat restaurant in Birmingham, Saw’s BBQ is it — and any of its four Birmingham locations will do. Join the line at the register and place your order for Saw’s Carolina-style smoked pulled pork, chicken or ribs — and whatever you do, don’t miss Saw’s legendary sweet tea chicken sandwich. The breast is marinated in sweet tea and pickle brine before being fried and honestly, I think some sort of hoodoo incantation is performed over it as well because it is out.

Multiple Birmingham residents made us promise not to visit their city without a stop at Saw’s BBQ. Now that we’ve been, we can understand what all the fuss is about. The brainchild of a former test chef for Cooking Light magazine, Saw’s now has four locations in Birmingham and each one is packed with people on any given day. Saw’s fans love the ribs and pulled pork, but the sweet tea chicken sandwich is amazing.

The menu features Carolina style smoked pulled pork, chicken and ribs, served with one of three styles of sauce. Sides include baked potatoes, beans, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw and banana pudding. In 2012, Wilson partnered with Brandon Cain to open a second location of Saw’s, called SAW’s Soul Kitchen, opened in the former Quick & Split Cafe at 215 41st Street South in Avondale.

Dubbed the best barbecue in Birmingham, Saws BBQ offers a variety of Southern staples. Their “Pork N’Greens” is the south on a plate with collard greens served over creamy cheese grits, pulled pork, and topped with fried onion rings. At Johnny’s, multi-James Beard semi-finalist chef Timothy Hontzas specializes in Southern dishes with Greek influences inspired by his family heritage.

With locations in Homewood and South Side, you're never far from some of the city's best barbecue. Both spots serve up plates of smoked meats like pulled pork, ribs, and smoked chicken with Alabama-style white barbecue sauce. The menu also includes several styles of "stuffed taters," plus hearty, Southern-style sides like baked beans, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese.

It is a safe assumption to say that if you have been in Birmingham for longer than 20 minutes you probably heard Saw’s mentioned when speaking to a local about the best BBQ joint in town. Saw’s has a pretty impressive reputation in the BBQ realm of Birmingham. Between the original Saw’s and the more recent Saw’s Juke Joint, you have multiple locations to choose from.

1008 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 This review of Saw's BBQ originally appeared Dec. 1, 2014. One of the (very) few drawbacks of the world’s greatest job is that I almost always have to leave home immediately after Thanksgiving. This means I miss out on the ultimate day of channel-surfing through football games while devouring comfort-food leftovers on my couch.

SAW’s BBQ in Edgewood has been serving up barbecue and racking up accolades since 2009. This is some can’t-miss barbecue, ladies and gents. And the quaint Edgewood sidewalk patios, with locals chatting each other up, is a great place to enjoy soul food and soul-nourishing camaraderie.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (385 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1008 Oxmoor Rd In Edgewood area of Homewood, Homewood, AL 35209-5318- Read more on Tripadvisor

With three locations, SAW BBQ is one of the best Birmingham restaurants for barbecue. Since 2009, this hole-in-the-wall chain has been focused on authentic Southern-style barbecue, served with a signature housemade sauce. The sauce is so good, you can purchase bottles to go!

There’s nothing quite like the delicious smell of southern barbeque. Luckily for residents of Oxmoor Grove, a delicious local barbeque restaurant is less than 15 minutes away!. Add Saw’s BBQ to your list if you’re a fan of smoked barbecue that bursts with Southern flavor.

SAW’s BBQ in Edgewood has been serving up barbecue and racking up accolades since 2009. This is some can’t-miss barbecue, and the quaint Edgewood sidewalk patios (typically with locals chatting each other up) are a great place to enjoy soul food and camaraderie.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. This should help make your mind up about what’s for lunch or dinner on this fine Wednesday !!!. Come see us and we’ll get you right!!

The laid-back vibe, picnic tables, and quick service make it a winner with kids. Bonus: they serve up some of the best mac and cheese around (which we all know is a major kiddo crowd-pleaser).