Date Archives: November 2021

Alabama is known for many iconic foods: boiled peanuts, fried okra, pecan pie, banana pudding, grits, and fried green tomatoes. But there's also fabulous barbecue. Fueled by hickory wood, and sometimes oak and pecan, Alabama is most famous for its distinctive pork, including ribs, shoulder, butt, and ham. However, the chicken and brisket are great, too. All in all, Alabama barbecue holds its own among the other Southern states that form the barbecue belt: Georgia, the Carolinas, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Ready to try it out? Fortunately, there are several great BBQ joints near Tuscaloosa homes for sale. Our real estate agents are happy to make some recommendations.

1. Thomas Rib Shack. 2931 15th St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
   Thomas Rib Shack bills itself as a soul food joint, and that's fair. Barbecued ribs or any kind of barbecue might be called the original soul food. Pair it with the trimmings or go rogue and try the chitlin dinner, side of oxtail, pan trout, or catfish. It's not fancy, but it doesn't need to be because it's authentic. Check out their Facebook page so you can watch for announcements on Soul Food Sundays.
   
   
2. Dreamland Tuscaloosa. 5535 15th Ave. East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
   Dreamland Bar-b-que, like any famous Alabama barbecue joint, is noted for its ribs — but that's not all. You can get a half chicken, smoked sausage, and turkey breast, plus delicious sides including baked beans, potato salad, mac n' cheese, and coleslaw. What's the perfect dessert to follow barbecue? Why scrumptious, creamy banana pudding, of course.
   
   
3. Archibald's and Woodrow's BBQ. 4215 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
   Depending on how hungry you are, choose one of Archibald's and Woodrow's BBQ plates, platters, or sandwiches. Take your pick of fabled ribs, sliced pork, chicken fried steak, or chicken, or opt for delectable fried catfish. For the calorie-conscious, there's whiting prepared several different ways. Sides are varied: potato salad, corn on the cob, beans, coleslaw, or collards, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and fried green tomatoes. Leave room for banana pudding.
   
   
4. Buddy's Rib and Steak. 2701 Lurleen B. Wallace Blvd., Northport, AL 35476
   Buddy's Rib and Steak is just down the road from Tuscaloosa, so you don't have to go far for some memorable barbecue. The menu is basic: plates of sirloin, chicken, beef, or pork and two sides for lunch, while dinner offers several steak choices, plus plates with ribs, beef, or pork.
   
   
5. Hoo's Q. 101 15th St. E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
   Deservedly well known for their "Q" sauce, Hoo's Q serves up plates of ribs, chicken, meatloaf, and more with the special sauce. There are also tender wings, as well as salads — and a big favorite among Southerners — pimento cheese. Sides include grilled okra (as good as fried, many Southerners maintain), baked beans, and coleslaw. Don't skip dessert: fried pecan pie, peanut butter pie, and banana pudding. There's also Hoo's Q and Brew in N. Tuscaloosa (1825 Mcfarland Blvd., N. Suite No. 110, 35406), which has some of the same fare but with more of a brewpub flair.
   
   
6. Bama Barbeque. 3076 McFarland Blvd. #14, Northport, AL 35476
   After you take in the Tuscaloosa River Walk, get in the car and drive the short drive (3 miles or so) to Bama Barbeque and Grill in Northport. Enjoy plates or sandwiches with pork, beef, ribs, smoked sausage, chicken, or catfish. Sides include the usual suspects: coleslaw, beans, corn, and potato salad. Finish up with lemon, strawberry cream cheese, or pecan pie.

Have questions about Tuscaloosa? Contact us today.

It's already November, and that means the holidays are approaching fast. Catching up with family and friends in a Tuscaloosa home for sale over home-cooked meals can be one of the most rewarding things you'll do this year, but it also means you may not have as much free time as usual. Before you host guests this holiday season, our real estate agents recommend finishing up the following projects.

Make Sure Appliances Are In Working Order

Your oven becomes quite the workhorse during the holidays. Before roasting turkeys and hams, make sure your oven is in proper working order and is also clean. Food debris can become charred and smokey if left unattended, so it's best to do a deep clean before putting your oven to work. Your dishwasher will also be working overtime, so if you know of any issues, even small ones like a faulty or broken tray, it's a good idea to fix it now. If your dishes aren't hot after a cycle, there could be something wrong. Don't forget your washer and dryer either — these can upend your plans if they act up.

Do A Deep Clean

Some people think you should reserve the deep cleaning for spring, but that's not true! Now's a great time to start cleaning your home for two reasons: you'll be hosting guests, and it will mean less work later. If you deep clean now, you'll only need to do some surface passes during the holidays. A deep clean involves dusting above cabinets, sweeping under the fridge, washing all sheets in the house, and shampooing the carpet if you have access to a carpet cleaner. This can add up to a lot of work, so try involving the entire family.

Complete A Safety Check

This one is simple, but it's perhaps the most important project. Check all smoke detectors to make sure they're working — or change out their batteries now, so you don't have to worry about them for the rest of the year. Also, take a peek at your dryer vent and remove any lingering lint balls. These can become a fire hazard if accumulated or not venting outside properly. Lastly, make sure your fire extinguisher still has pressure. If it doesn't, you can have it recharged, or you can buy a new one. If you don't own a fire extinguisher, now's the time to get one!

Finish Up Any Put Off Projects

Were you planning to put in new drawer pulls but never got around to it? Or how about how you wanted to change out the light fixtures in your kitchen and dining room? If you have projects you meant to get around to but just couldn't find the time, try allocating a weekend day to finish these up. Little things like these are usually cheaper compared to other major projects and can transform a room, especially if you've had the same drawer pulls for years, for example. That way, you can really wow your guests when they arrive.

Decorate!

Decorating is what you wanted to do all along, but you should save this for last. Once your home is clean, and all appliances are in working order, then you can shift your focus to turning your home into a seasonal getaway. Wreaths are fashionable in fall and winter, and string lights can help set the mood. Double-check that you don't have any burnt-out bulbs, and consider switching to LEDs that will last longer and don't get hot.

Need more tips on how you can keep your home in top shape this holiday season? Contact us today.