Kar's Char — Restaurant in Alabama

This! Place! Needs! More! Hype!

Okay, back to typing normally.

Kar's Char is a relatively new Texas-style bbq place inside of Lowe Mill. It occupies the full restaurant space that used to belong to The Veggie and belonged to Happy Tummy before that. It's to the left of Piper and Leaf as you face P&L from the parking lot. I only belabor this point because some folks do have a hard time navigating Lowe Mill and no one should miss out on giving this place a try because they can't find it.

I saw a few posts about Kar's Char when they first opened and have had them bookmarked since then. Recently, I was in the area after work around 2 PM and looking to kill some time before a doctor's appointment. I was feeling hungry and figured why not give them a go and enjoy a little time at the Mill while I waited.

I arrived and took a few minutes to look at the menu. I am, admittedly, freakishly obnoxious and snobby about barbeque and was determined to have a positive experience, so I decided not to play with fire that day and instead decided to order one of their burgers, which I'd seen a few people rave about online. I selected their hatch green chili cheeseburger and placed an order for that. It comes with one side and I decided on macaroni and cheese. They have bottled drinks available next to the register and so I grabbed a water out of the cooler to round things out.

My burger was cooked fresh just for me so I had a few minutes to hang around and take in the fun, nerdy, classic Lowe Mill ambiance. This is a truly local business and they seem very dedicated to supporting and uplifting their fellow businesses in and around the Mill. The service I received was incredibly kind and welcoming -- they really do seem like lovely folks here.

My burger came out piping hot and cooked perfectly, with slightly crispy, charred edges and a juicy center. It was a delicious burger, slightly spicy but nothing scary, and I especially loved the chili lime aioli -- added a nice creaminess and moisture. To my pleasant surprise, the soft, lightly toasted bun held up to all the goodness pretty well! Next time I will probably ask for no pickles -- I found their flavor a little overwhelming -- but I am also hot and cold on my feelings about pickles so your mileage may vary! I say keep them on if you're a big fan, and take them off if not. :)

The macaroni and cheese was enjoyable but not as good as the burger. Next time I come I will probably try out a different side.

Overall, 4.5/5, with extra high marks for the hatch green chili burger and the charming, welcoming staff/owners. I'll be back to try the actual barbeque, and certainly to have...

First time in Kar's Char today. The gentlemen behind the counter, who I assume were the owners, were quite pleasant and professional. Ordered the meat sampler with brisket, sausage and burnt ends and collards and pinto beans for my sides. Comes served on a cookie sheet with toast and a dill spear. Let me begin by stating that Texas-style BBQ is not my forte so I cannot judge "authenticity", only how this food suited my palate and preferences. Just because something isn't to my particular taste, or I prefer others' food, doesn't make it "bad". That being said, the sausage was my favorite of the meats. It was mild and flavorful, not too smoky or overcooked. Very tasty! The brisket was juicy and tender, but lacking in seasoning & smoke. I tend to prefer a smoky, more heavily seasoned brisket. It did pair well with the sauce on the table. The burnt ends were not my thing. I believe them to be simmered in a thick sauce. I prefer them to be naturally caramelized during the cooking process. The collards were well seasoned and did well with a splash of the pepper vinegar on the table. The pinto beans struck me as chili style beans. They were hot and tasty. I will add that I do not believe that their meats are smoked on site. I'm pretty sure that they prepare their meats elsewhere and then reheat them to order. Not all of my meat was particularly hot or seemed like it was just prepared. I also felt like I spent a little more than I would have liked, right at $34 with tip. However, I got full and didn't leave anything...

I got the chili cheese fries, a combination I’d never had before! The food was good, though not as flavorful as I expected. I’d heard tallow fries were to die for and they didn’t taste much different to me. They had an amazing selection of sauces on the table, though, including house varieties and a local hot sauce brand, so I was able to customize the flavor to my heart’s content. I was surprised by how sweet the BBQ sauce was, but I guess that’s Texas style. I prefer more vinegary BBQ, but it was still good. The staff were so helpful and friendly! The interior is casual and great for families or groups of friends - 4 long tables. Simple and straightforward, especially since most people grab food to then walk around Lowe Mill. But not exactly the kind of place to chill for date night. I most appreciated the variety of prices on the menu! There were some $30 brisket and meat sampler dishes, but also great sides for under $5 and smaller plates for $6-9. It’s rare to find good food for under $10 anywhere anymore, but that’s exactly what I was looking for today. For that reason alone I would absolutely come back and recommend it to friends looking to pop in and out with tasty, filling,...