That is an up to date model of a 2016 article.
Alabama is house to numerous nice barbecue eating places, however for a lot of people, Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa will all the time sit on the prime at that checklist — in any case, there’s a cause why their motto is “ain’t nothing like ‘em nowhere.”
In the case of ribs, sandwiches and all issues barbecue, Dreamland has developed a critical fanbase all through its greater than 60 years in enterprise because of its distinctive grilling fashion and signature sauce.
Whereas Dreamland Bar-B-Que and its now world-famous ribs could have gotten its begin as a small cafe, the Alabama chain has turn into one of the vital beloved barbecue joints within the Southeast and past.
Need to discover out extra about how Dreamland Bar-B-Que started and the restaurant’s wealthy historical past? Right here’s 12 belongings you may not find out about Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
The Authentic Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa. (Ben Flanagan/al.com)Ben Flanagan/AL.com
Dreamland Truth #1
The primary Dreamland Bar-B-Que location, initially referred to as Dreamland Cafe, was opened in 1958 in Tuscaloosa by John “Big Daddy” Bishop after he had a dream wherein God visited him and stated to open a restaurant.
Dreamland Truth #2
Dreamland Truth #3
Dreamland now has 10 places unfold all through Alabama and into Georgia.
Dreamland Truth #4
Whereas many barbecue eating places cook dinner their ribs from two to 4 hours, Dreamland cooks theirs by flipping every slab of ribs about six occasions over a scorching mattress of hickory coals for round 45-55 minutes earlier than basting them in sauce. In 2014, Dreamland regional supervisor Matt Kilgore informed AL.com the rationale for that was “Mr. Bishop used to say he had better things to do than watch a piece of meat smoke all day.”
Ribs from Dreamland Dreamland Bar-B-Que on the FOOD+ Hearth occasion at Sloss Furnaces. The occasion was a part of the inaugural FOOD+ Tradition competition in Birmingham. (Shauna Stuart| AL.com)Shauna Stuart
Dreamland Truth #5
Dreamland acquired a shout-out in 2014 throughout the “Top 10” checklist of “The Late Show with David Letterman” because the No. 6 “things overheard at George Clooney’s Wedding.” The quote was “Next Stop: Alabama Dreamland Bar-B-Que.”
Dreamland Truth #6
Whereas the menu at Dreamland retains it easy today, serving up a small collection of barbecue and sides, it wasn’t all the time that approach. To start with, Dreamland Cafe bought all the things from its iconic ribs to burgers to even postage stamps.
Miss Alabama contestant Paige Ip exhibits off her rib-eating abilities in 2014 at Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Birmingham. An annual rib-eating contest has been a longstanding custom for Miss Alabama contestants.(AL.com file photograph/Tamika Moore)
Dreamland Truth #7
Dreamland Bar-B-Que serves ribs to over a million folks per 12 months, in keeping with Go to Tuscaloosa.
Dreamland Truth #8
In 2019, Dreamland Bar-B-Que founder John “Big Daddy” Bishop was inducted into the Barbecue Corridor of Fame by The American Royal Affiliation — an honor awarded to a few people every year for his or her important contributions to the barbecue group.
Dreamland Truth #9
When you may assume gamedays could be the busiest for a barbecue joint in Tuscaloosa, house of the Crimson Tide, you’d be mistaken. As an alternative, the Fourth of July is the busiest for Dreamland, in keeping with Go to Tuscaloosa.
Dreamland Truth #10
Can’t make it to Tuscaloosa? That doesn’t should cease you from having fun with Dreamland’s well-known ribs. The restaurant presents delivery on its ribs, sausages, sauces and extra so you will get your repair irrespective of the place you reside.
