Smokey C's Bar-B-Que & Wings — Restaurant in Decatur

I took a special trip out to try Smokey C's. I'm always hunting for the best bbq and I was feeling like a nice drive, so I hopped in my car and drove out to Decatur to give this place a go.

Out on the highway away from the main body of the city, I found Smokey C's to be VERY busy at lunchtime. Looks like they're only open for lunch, so I guess you gotta get it while you can! It's well air-conditioned inside (a must in this heat) and has a decent amount of unobtrusive seating. Lots of factory and construction type workers eating in. There are a couple picnic tables out front too. A line was backed up and around the inside of the dining area from the ordering counter in the back.

The good: despite being very busy, the service was GREAT and very fast. Lots of the sides and some of the meats are served pulling from a hot bar. They had 2 employees on the bar and a third at the cash register, with a couple more being sent back and forth for more involved bbq items like ribs. Despite the line being very long, it moved remarkably quickly. Each staff member greeted me warmly and took special care to ensure my order was right.

The menu is large and has plenty of options. Pretty much every type of bbq meat you can think of is here: wings, turkey, chicken, pork, etc. They have some interesting items like a bbq burrito. Numerous sides, some of them fairly uncommon at bbq shops, like mashed potatoes and gravy.

Prices are also pretty fair. They have some great lunch specials and you can even get a small portion of ribs for an affordable price.

Unfortunately, the food didn't wow. I had a better time than my husband, who was sorely disappointed (he gave a 2/5 to his meal), but nothing really wowed me either. I ordered the lunch special (4 oz pulled pork, two sides - Mac n cheese and mashed potatoes and gravy for me) and husband had the small rib plate with with macaroni and cheese and baked beans. When they say small rib plate, they mean small in terms of quantity. The ribs themselves were fairly large, but only two bones came in an order. That was okay by us per the price and our desire to have a smaller sized lunch, but something to keep in mind if you're hungry.

The best item was the red bbq sauce. It was sweet and thick sauce, which is my preference. It had a very, VERY subtle heat (really only noticed it at the end of the meal, lingering on my tastebuds). The pulled pork was also alright. Didn't have a ton of smoke flavor, but a little at least, and it was neither dry nor too fatty. Mashed potatoes and gravy weren't anything too special, but they were still mashed potatoes and gravy -- can't be too mad about those.

Neither of us were too fond of the macaroni and cheese. It wasn't terrible, but also just not super good. Neither of us finished our servings. Too fake cheese-tasting for me. Husband said he was absolutely certain the baked beans were Bush's baked beans doctored up with a little extra bbq meat. I trust him on this -- he went through a major Bush's eating phase for a while, lol. That's not awful, either, but you'd hope for more while out at a restaurant.

What was pretty bad was the ribs. Husband didn't even finish them, which is unusual for him; he's good about eating food we paid for. I didn't try them after they met with his disapproval (if he doesn't like something, I certainly won't, lol). He described them as tasting smoky, but in a very, very bad way. Not sure what went wrong there, but not good.

Service really wowed here -- genuine kudos on that front. However, if I were to return, I'd probably try other items than what I ordered...

Hands down the best BBQ in Alabama! Cant speak on the ribs, I prefer baby back ribs and these are St. Louis style, but the pulled pork is the best you will find in the south... take that Memphis! I work nearby so lunch there is always an option. I am so glad they dont reheat or microwave. I would rather miss out on something one day knowing its because they dont compromise on quality. Love the vinegar sauce for the pulled pork and the Turkey is worth dreaming about. My only advice to them is NEVER change a thing. And my advice to first time customers...

GET THERE EARLY

You want to talk about some damn good food, Smokey C's is the place.

Ribs, buffalo wings (they smoke their wings) mannnnn the sides deviled eggs , green beans , they got nanner pudding and much more!

I'm telling you , this is some good food!

Just make sure you get there early because if you don't get there in time they will possibly run out of certain food that they serve, which they have signs everywhere saying that It's a possibility so don't be surprised if you get there late that's your fault.

6 out of 5...