Bob Sykes BAR-B-Q
Bob Sykes BAR-B-Q things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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My husband and I placed a to go order through their website 9-29 around 8PM and the website was easy enough to manage and the order said it would be ready in 15-20 minutes. My husband was the one who picked it up so I can’t speak the atmosphere or service there. I ordered a pulled pork plate with a side salad and Mac and cheese. The side of Mac and cheese was really tiny but it’s some of the best I’ve ever had. The side salad was a good portion and even came with packets of croutons which impressed me but they gave me fat free ranch instead of regular so it tasted funny :( The pulled pork was good meat, not a lot of fat or gristle in it (which is a huge issue for me at other BBQ places because I can’t eat it if it’s got too much) so that was good but it was almost as if it hadn’t been smoked very long?? There just wasn’t a good smoky flavor to it which is weird because the whole block smells like them grilling all throughout the day every day. The BBQ sauce that came with the pulled pork was actually really good and I used it on my meat which I hardly ever do so that’s saying something. My husband got a combo plate with pulled pork and 1/2 chicken fried okra and corn on the cob. Let me just say that’s some of the best BBQ chicken I’ve had in my life and if we go back I’ll probably just get that. He said it’s the same sauce as what I got with the pulled pork but it tasted WAY better so idk, maybe it’s just because it was all over the chicken so it had a nice Smokey flavor because the chicken actually had that. He said the okra was good and he was impressed it was a full corn cob and not one of the tiny ones. He also ordered a pecan pie and he said it was just alright. I got us a gallon of tea and it was warm, they told him when he got there that they had just run out and just made fresh tea but it tasted sour and had an odd hint of BBQ/Smokey flavor to it, so I don’t know how much I believe it was fresh and if it was they need to clean whatever the make tea in WAY more frequently and/or thoroughly. We spent $50 which I feel like is a little steep for what we got compared to other places but I’m not totally mad at it either because it was at least a decent portion of meat although the side of Mac and cheese left more to be desired for sure. We’ll probably be back and give the pulled pork another chance.
SamanthaSamantha
00
Not the best experience. My first time visiting for taco Tuesday very disappointed won’t get them again. I ordered a quesadilla it was decent plenty of chicken cooked just right soft and tender. The tortilla its self needed to be crispier. I would have like the chicken to be shredded. That way the tortilla could get crispy and really tie the ingredients in together. It was too loose and could have did without the lettuce. The lettuce should have been on the side like the pico gallo was. I enjoyed the pico gallo it was fresh and had just enough cilantro. Coming from a bbq place I expected bbq sauce not just a packet of sour cream. The pork taco was awful I didn’t even eat it I tasted some meat off the top. The meat was so dry and hard it’s like they took the burnt pieces and just made a taco out of it. The taco was thrown together meat on one side tomatoes on the other with just a lime no cheese or toppings. I did like that there was a lime I used it on my quesadilla since there was no sauce. A bbq chipotle sauce would go well and add a nice touch to the taco Tuesday menu. Also there are no hard tacos it’s kind of weird not to have hard tacos on taco Tuesday. Please take notes from dream land bbq they really now how to make a good quesadilla!
A Blessed TravestyA Blessed Travesty
00
Ok 1st I'd like to say, I don't know what yall call BBQ but this isn't it. I'm sure it's good here but this would never pass for it where I'm from. Texas has some of the best BBQ in the country. Im not saying that because I'm from Texas but out of experience. I've been to several great places in the state of Texas with amazing BBQ. This was going to be my first taste of Alabama BBQ that I was really looking forward to. Let me explain why I rated this a 1 star. What I thought I ordered was a sliced brisket plate turned out to be beef steak pieces. The beef had no flavor and looked like it was steam cooked. The bbq sauce was more of a watery tomato gravy that I guess was suppose to make up for the flavorless meat. The potato salad tasted weird, and the fries were soggy as if they were left out all day. Also, I don't mind paying high price for great BBQ but the price for this wasn't worth it. I would've rated this a zero if I could for the poor quality of food. I hardly write bad reviews but my experience here was a complete fail. One positive thing I would say is that the staff was friendly and kept the line moving fast. As a matter of fact, I would rate the staff 5 stars for a great job. Too bad the food was a disappointment.
D TexanD Texan
00
If you’re in the Birmingham area and want and understand what real BBQ is, you will have to hit Bob Sykes. The moment you walk in you are greeted by a monstrous BBQ pit full of meat and an old school aesthetic. Well, calling it an esthetic is a bit of an insult, it IS old school, the aesthetic as just a byproduct. You have the choice between pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. All of which are on the pit when you walk in. I had the “Big Bob” pork sandwich with okra and Mac & Cheese, my wife had a regular pork sandwich. We both laughed at the portions when the food came out. The sandwich’s were both humongous and the side portions were large also. Everything was good, the pork sandwiches were more like a sloppy Joe with the amount of sauce that came on them, but good none the less. The only non made in store item we noticed was the fried okra was pre-breaded, but was fresh and crunchy. Bob Sykes simply puts your normal Bham BBQ to shame. Demetri’s, Blue Moon, Jim and Nicks, Dreamland (franchises), etc all of the automated, non pit BBQ can not hold a candle to Bob Sykes. Give them a try, the drive isn’t bad, and the food makes the short trip worth it.
R MR M
00
I used to love taking my grandad here to eat after his doctors appointment but this place has lost its uniqueness. One thing I hate is being rushed to place my order. The cashier Stephani was terrible. She wouldn’t let me finish my order without saying, “ is that it? Is that it ?” NO ITS NOT!!! LET ME FINISH TALKING!!! Then I had to repeat the order three times because she was too busy talking to other people. Very aggravating. She told me the burger would take 15 minutes for the burger to cook. Which was fine, no rush. But when I got it the top bun was HARD and the burger was warm, not HOT as it should’ve been to take 15 minutes to be cooked. The cheese wasn’t melted. The fries were super hot but I was disappointed with my burger. I wanted to ask for a refund for my food because I wouldn’t have dared asked for another one. My grandad seemed to be satisfied with his food so I didn’t push the issue. I just won’t let it happen again, that’s the first and last time because I won’t return. The cake was awesome as usual but for $30+ for 2 meals and desserts is alot of money for WARM food. I’ll just start going to Full Moon for barbecue now. Sorry.
Dawn WallaceDawn Wallace
00
This was my second visit to Bob Sykes, the first time in 2022. Just as in 2022, the food is just as I remembered! DELICIOUS!! I had the ribs which were seasoned very well, but not too much. The sauce is spot on!! The meat was tender and not dry. I also ordered fries and Cole slaw. The cole slaw for me was perfect. Not soggy, but crisp and fresh. I also liked the touch of sweetness in the slaw. My next go to item was the red velvet cake! The frosting, was fresh, topped with walnuts; the cake is spot on moist and so good! My cousin ordered the pull pork sandwich. She said it was really good with just enough sauce for her liking. She also ordered the fried okra. She said is was fresh, hot and she would order again. She also bought the red velvet… the slices are plentiful; enough for two… we both ate ours in two days. I also bought the Carmel cake for my husband… he devoured it!! I highly recommend Bob Sykes! The staff was friendly and the atmosphere is good. The restaurant was clean. Don’t come to Birmingham / Bessemer without stoping here!
Gwen PennGwen Penn
00
Nearby Attractions Of Bob Sykes BAR-B-Q
Bin Depot Bessemer
DeBardeleben Park
Torme Foods
Gifts & Gadgets
My Jeweler
iCellphone
Standard Furniture & Mattress
Kikstart Store
The Bright Star Catering Company
Grade A Cafe & Lounge

Bin Depot Bessemer
4.2
(513)Click for details

DeBardeleben Park
4.5
(255)Click for details

Torme Foods
4.2
(251)Click for details

Gifts & Gadgets
4.3
(176)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Bob Sykes BAR-B-Q
Bright Star Restaurant
Fish & Wing
Harry's & Billie's Lounge
Alabama Owl
Perfect Pizza Delivery
Good Health To Be Hail
Sneaky Pete's
TK Chicken is Now Hot Spot Wings And Chinese
Meme's Coffee Deli
El Loco Taco

Bright Star Restaurant
4.6
(1.3K)Click for details

Fish & Wing
4.3
(273)Click for details

Harry's & Billie's Lounge
4.3
(118)Click for details

Alabama Owl
4.1
(93)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
1724 9th Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020
Map
Phone
(205) 426-1400
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Website
bobsykes.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.4
(1.4K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Retro decor adorns this storied smokehouse known for a family sauce recipe & generous portions.
attractions: Bin Depot Bessemer, DeBardeleben Park, Torme Foods, Gifts & Gadgets, My Jeweler, iCellphone, Standard Furniture & Mattress, Kikstart Store, The Bright Star Catering Company, Grade A Cafe & Lounge, restaurants: Bright Star Restaurant, Fish & Wing, Harry's & Billie's Lounge, Alabama Owl, Perfect Pizza Delivery, Good Health To Be Hail, Sneaky Pete's, TK Chicken is Now Hot Spot Wings And Chinese, Meme's Coffee Deli, El Loco Taco
