The Original Golden Rule Bar-B-Q
2506 Crestwood Blvd.
This restaurant, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in continuous operation in Alabama, has branched out into Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia.
Now, the original Original Golden Rule Bar-B-Q opened in 1891, but that particular location is not around anymore; however, the current Irondale location (pronounced “i-RON-de-lay”; there is also a “gar-DEN-de-lay” and a “ful-TON-de-lay” in the greater B’ham area) is very, very close to the old 1891 location.
This just in: The Original Golden Rule has given American Idol star Taylor Hicks free barbecue for life!
Golden Rule, I may not be mentioning you on national TV, but I’m putting you on my blog as the Know Tea Barbecue Establishment du jour. That’s got to be worth something, right?
6 responses so far ↓
1 Mark // May 22, 2006 at 16:00
There was a Golden Rule BBQ that opened in Decatur for a little while. They always had an empty parking lot. NASSSSTY!
I think they had this Chef working there:
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2006-05-11/news/feature_full.html
Letters to the Editor:
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/current/news/letters.html
2 Vrouw_Jonker // May 22, 2006 at 21:31
Since my trips to Abalama are limited, I must admit to being less-than-attentive. I know that if I pay close attention, I’ll just feel deprived. I’m sure all these establishments are “must-try”s. But I do hope that you will give the nod to our Tuscaloosa friends and include: “you know who”.
Now, the J’s are in need of recipes for home grilled brisket, and we don’t have a smoker.
3 RevJATB // May 22, 2006 at 21:40
I had thought about including “You Know Who” (and no, I’m not talking about Voldemort), but I did say I was going to highlight a different Birmingham establishment every day. And while they do have locations in the B’ham area now, to me it’s just not the same, since it’s not at all like the real thing (especially with respect to atmosphere). But it does deserve a nod, so maybe after Memorial Day . . .
Now as far as the brisket, I’d advise against putting that sucker on the grill, unless you have the coals on one side and the meat on the other (or if you’re using a gas grill, light only one burner and put the brisket over the unlit burner). The heat from direct charcoal or gas heat is so high, that’s going to be one tough brisket.
When it comes to brisket, I’m still a firm believer in sear it under the broiler, braise it in a slow oven, refrigerate it overnight, and cook it all day the next day in the Crock Pot.
4 RevJATB // May 23, 2006 at 15:32
Now, Mark’s story just illustrates that a franchised deal is seldom, if ever equal to the original. (Which again is why I have not included You-Know-Who, since the original is in Tuscaloosa).
Interesting tidbit: I was reading a restaurant review today from the Milkwaukee Sentinel Journal. The food critic there is apparently a friend of Birmingham’s incredible Chef Frank Stitt (of Highland’s and Bottega fame). Anyway, the food critic was on a visit to Birmgingham, went to eat at Highlands, and asked Frank to recommend a barbecue place. Frank Stitt recommended the Original Golden Rule.
The critic went to You-Know-Where, because everyone told him they had the best ribs anywhwere. His verdict? So-so. Then he went to the Original Golden Rule and said, “Those were the best ribs I’d ever had.”
5 RevJATB // May 23, 2006 at 15:34
OK, so some of you believed me about the i-RON-de-lay pronunciation. Tee hee!
6 Mark // May 24, 2006 at 10:27
I have never had their ribs. I came late to the party on ribs. I never really liked them til I moved to DC.
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