As I continue to visit as many BBQ joints in central Alabama as I can, I have to tell you about my hometown joint, Bob Sykes in Bessemer. I have dined here many times, but I guess I forgot to leave a review. The building, both inside and out, just yells BBQ at you. From the huge pit as you enter to the sports-themed pictures on the wall, there is lots of seating, and at lunchtime, expect those seats to be taken. I always order the pork plate, sliced, with double fries. The portions are always huge and filling. The meat is smoked just right--right on the edge of juiciness and tenderness--and this is not a bad thing. The sauce, as with all BBQ sauces, fits the cook of the meat. Like others, you cannot take their sauce and expect it to work somewhere else. I mean that in a good way. The fries are hand-cut from the potato; they are good, but not the best. However, pouring some of that delicious BBQ sauce over them brings them to life! Now, those onion rings... yeah, they hit different. Fried soft and not crispy like most is what Bob Sykes does differently. The flavor and taste remain and are not lost while sitting in some deep fryer. Definitely order some onion rings. Another perk for me is the fact that they serve Mountain Dew; there is something about an ice-cold Dew and BBQ. The photos I have attached are actually from a carryout order. Dine in, carryout, drive thru...it doesn't matter as long as you get here. read more

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I had some takeout from Bob Sykes Bbq recently. My order consisted of ribs, corn on the cob and okra. I also had some banana pudding. These are some of the BEST ribs!! They are so tender and meaty! These are top 3 of my fav ribs in Birmingham. The sides were delicious too. The portions are generous. I didn't love the banana pudding but everything else was exceptional!!! read more

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Service- visit through the drive-thru. Cannot comment on table service. Drive-thru service was friendly and expedient. Ambiance- Drive-thru only this visit. Food- I ordered the pulled pork sandwich sauce on side, and onion rings. The pork was rather dry and plain in flavor. The barbecue sauce lacked viscosity and tasted like warm ketchup and vinegar. The onion rings were bland , and saturated with grease; but did come with a sauce that complimented them. Price- considering that onions are a cheap vegetable and pork is less than $2.00 per pound wholesale. I cannot justify almost $16.00 for this lunch. Breakdown a pound of onion rings cost $1.00 6-8 ounces of pork maybe $1.00 Bread .50. No mystery here why folks are tired of overpriced food in 2026. It is not inflation. It is the overhead that a business owner must absorb. read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

Drive thru was clear and the cashier was very personable. Chicken & Ribs combo plate plus Red Velvet cake ordered was $25 total. On my way home I got frustrated since I forgot to ask for extra sauce. My order was correct and packed well. Including about 5 ounces of sauce wrapped in a container plus clear plastic to prevent spillage! Meat was fresh, juicy but sans glazed sauce from time on grill. Guess it makes cleaning up easier. Ribs were big center cut pieces with tender grizzly ends that my dog appreciated very much. Why would a BBQ joint toast white bread? Well, it's a Monday so I assume it's to cover up the bread wasn't freshly baked recently? I was frustrated with that cost saving cover up! They should either make croutons for salads or sell bread pudding to save money on stale bread instead of that bad decision. I dunked it into my sauce to soften it up. It improved it some but I still wished I had soft fresh slices of bread instead. I loved the corn! It was a whole ear that was tender, hot, juicy and only needed Accent and Lawry's sprinkles to make it outstanding. Putting their "Whipped Butter like" product in the same bag as hot corn produces a liquid plastic product that's bad for the body. Trashed it! It may be cheaper than butter but if it wasted did it save money in the long run? My own unsalted butter I used isn't perfect but it's better on the heart in moderation. I consumed the corn first and was glad I was home in private without witnesses watching me. Someone please tell their cook that potatoes must be salted as they cook! A little salt in the water bets lots of salt afterwards. Or sprinkle it on the hot potatoes and it will absorb better! Anyway after mixing Lawry's and Accent to the potato salad will make it taste better when I eat it later. This plate will fed me at least 3-4 times. Their cook time on the boiled eggs is perfect. I threw the pieces to my dog simply because I don't like the white parts of boiled eggs. Now let's get to the piece de la resistance! The reason I sometimes return to a business I swore off years ago when my order was wrong and they didn't do the right thing to maintain a good customer! Just offered to swap out the plate without any consideration of my time, gas and inconvenience! I hadn't taken a bite of the order! The reason I give them my business is due to one item! The Red Velvet Cake! I'm not a sweet food type of eater! I usually decline desserts at events. However, the combination of that moist batter and nutty cream cheese frosting is something I really enjoy! It melts into a delicious mound I can't resist! Not all RV cakes, just the ones sold here! Whatever, they are paying their baker is not enough! The Red Velvet cake is the only reason I got lunch there today! As I mentioned everything else was either ok or needed a little dockery to improve the taste. That cake is absolutely amazing as is! I'm going to give my experience today a passing grade. My ordered was correct, packed well and exceeded my expectations because of the sauce surprise. I received the correct chicken parts I requested. Everything was fresh except for the bread. I still remember how badly I was previously treated so I still wont grab an order everytime I'm in the area like I used to do weekly. But as long as they have that dessert on the menu, I can't resist stopping by yearly. read more

The barbecue salad was delicious and the portions were generous. I would definitely eat there again. read more

I would have to say that Bob Sykes is easily among the top five best barbecue places that I've ever eaten at. Everything is outstanding.

Yelp. We ate inside of Bob Sykes today! What a fun spot. We have been coming here forever for drive thru and decided to eat inside. Great choice. Today we have the luxury of being served by the Oak Grove Jr High cheerleaders for a fundraiser. They are amazing, we have been asked over and over, do you need anything? I love this. Thanks cheerleaders! Now about this food. First off , we can't eat all this food. I got my usually the large ham sandwich with fries, I took that home for later. Always good. Since we eating inside, I got a 3 bone rib sandwich with half and half tea. I ate ONE bone, Pretty good, loves he sauce. Bae got a rib plate with onion rings and baked beans. Pretty good. I'm not a piglet, so I rarely eat ribs anywhere. They can hold them ribs hostage for me, but y'all already know, I will be back forever for that delicious ham sammich with a slice of red velvet cake. it did not disappoint. read more

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There's many things to choose from on the menu if pork isn't quite your thing. The food tastes great and the staff is even better. The dine in area is spacious so it would be perfect for large families. The only thing I didn't like was after I left I noticed the back door was propped open, I imagine to air out the hot kitchen but that method was a playground for flies to enter. I wish they would not do this, otherwise I could've given a higher review. read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - The big baked potato with chopped chicken. - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

An Open Editorial to Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q: A Loyal Customer's Disappointment For as long as I can remember, Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q has been a landmark in Bessemer, Alabama. Long before its current location, the restaurant was supported by the Black and Brown communities who helped build its reputation through generations of loyal patronage. It has been more than a restaurant--it has been a tradition. I have proudly been one of those loyal customers. Anyone who knows me knows that the moment my plane lands in Alabama, my first stop--before I even check into my hotel or visit family--is Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q. That is how much I have loved and supported this establishment over the years. Unfortunately, my recent experiences have left me deeply disappointed. As I prepared for my family reunion, I reached out to the restaurant several times requesting a donation. I sent three emails and left two telephone messages. I was not expecting a guarantee of support, but I did expect the courtesy of a response. Even a simple "no" would have demonstrated respect. Instead, I received complete silence. That was disappointing, but it was not the only issue. I also purchased chicken for my family, only to discover feathers and hair on the chicken. It was obvious that the chicken was not fresh and appeared to be a pre-packaged frozen product rather than freshly prepared. Serving food in that condition is unacceptable, especially from a restaurant with such a long-standing reputation. The following day, I returned the chicken. Rather than being greeted with concern or an apology, I was met with an unpleasant attitude from the cashier. Fortunately, once she realized I was serious about the issue, she processed my refund. While I appreciated receiving my money back, the interaction only added to my disappointment. Customer loyalty should never be taken for granted. Businesses thrive because of the communities that support them year after year. Those same customers deserve quality food, respectful customer service, and the basic courtesy of communication. It saddens me to write this because Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q has been one of my favorite restaurants for decades. However, after these experiences, I have reached a difficult conclusion. For the first time in many years, I can honestly say that I am done with Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q. My hope is that this editorial serves not to tear down a local institution but to encourage reflection. Longtime customers deserve to be valued, heard, and respected. A business's legacy is built not only on its history but on how it treats the people who continue to support it. read more

Felt like eating Bbq last night, so checked out place close to our stay. Pulled up to Sykes and noted that it is a good sign from locals that drive/up was busy for an older place. When compared to some of the other better known Bbq places in the south, my experience tonight was good, but would I purposely detour to make a stop here again? No. I had the two meat platter, choosing chopped pork and white chicken (brisket was not available that night??). My chosen sides were baked beans (good) and onion rings. Now I like my rings a bit crispy and these were more on the soggy side. Also, anytime a place has coconut pie, I will try it even if I have to get it to go. I like my cct pie on the creamy side but this was a bit more whipped and it leaned more toward tasting like grocery store-bought pie. Wife tried to get a side salad but for some reason she could only get a full salad with her baked potato with bbq chicken (good) unless she ordered a plate. One would think with all their menu options, a simple side salad would be available with any order. Overall, worth a try if visiting, traveling through or staying nearby but not worth a special trip. read more

I've eaten here for 30 years. Every time I go back home I eat here. The meat is so flavorful and the burgers are fresh and awesome!! The sauce at this place is really good. I have never had a bad meal here. Delicious! read more

Good food . I ate the brisket and it was very good. The sides were good . Okra and French fries. You can see the meat cooking over hickory. Good place read more

Had not been here in several years and so glad we did. Nice, quick service and the food was prepared well. Had the Bbq beef sandwich which was hearty, thinly sliced and moist and tender. The Mac and cheese & fries were good. The pork plate was generous, excellent meat with a nice portion with coleslaw and corn on cob. The red velvet cake is still to die for-so moist and tasty. Will definitely return soon! read more

I went to Alabama and wanted some brisket. I lived in Alabama for several years, but never went to Bob Sykes. I see why I didn't go. I learned they only have brisket on Wednesdays. I ordered a salad with turkey and fried okra. The okra was amazing. The salad was not the freshest and the smoked turkey did not taste smoked. I would definitely go back for the okra. Anything else, I will recommend Full Moon. They never disappoint. read more

Bar Bee Que and it is delicious. Service was exceptional. A fundraiser was happening and the young ladies were on their game. I had a 2 meat combo plate with 2 sides,Mac & Cheese and BBq Beans Goodt. When in Bessemer add this place to your food bingo card read more

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TERRIBLE MANAGER! THE MANAGER KEPT ME ON HOLD FOR 12 MINUTES! I literally heard her taking orders as the phone laid on the counter. The phone hung up, we called back and she AGAIN said Bob Sykes please hold. I immediately said no, I just have a question. She puts me on hold anyway. I called back again and this time someone else answers. I explained I was simply trying to get a question answered and was put on hold for 12 minutes. She puts the MANAGER who put me on hold. The manager gets on the phone, yelling at me, telling me I was wrong, then she HANGS UP ON ME! DO NOT go to this place! She's terrible and shouldn't be managing anyone or anything! read more

Very good cue. Ribs, turkey were very tasty. Good baked beans and corn bread. Order the counter and grab a tray

Never had a bad meal at Bob Sykes. From the pork to the ribs, chicken and sausage it is always good!

The food and service is excellent. The macaroni and cheese is delicious. Occasionally I'll treat myself to the delicious peach cobbler.

Very good. I got the Pork plate with slaw and potato salad. Busy place. I'd eat it again

Their tagline says it all - "Keeping the fire going since 1957". And their food is still great!! I decided to purchase our Fourth of July AND Labor Day meals this year instead of cooking. My mama knew what she wanted for both holiday meals - the 1/2 BBQ Chicken meal with coleslaw and baked beans. She said that their coleslaw is the only one in the city that is chopped small and is easier for her to eat. After looking over the menu, our Fourth of July meal was the 1/2 pound BBQ Beef with a pint of Mac and Cheese. We already had burgers, so this was an addition to what we had. For Labor Day, we ended up doing the Tailgate Dinner, which was the slab of ribs, two pints of side dishes, thick toasted bread, and a gallon of sweet tea. I also added a pint of coleslaw, since my mama loves it so much. The service was excellent. Everyone there seemed to want to help you get the best meal that would feed your family enough and make you come back for more. We only stayed long enough to get our food for the Fourth of July, and I ordered online for Labor Day, but the ambiance was casual/picnic style. The booths had paper towels and all the condiments you would need to enjoy your meal. I wish that I had taken pictures of all the food we received! When I say that they feed you well, I mean it!! I emptied the containers into my own glass containers when I got home, and the pint size containers gave enough side dishes for two people to eat a couple of days. The slab of ribs in the Tailgate dinner fed my husband and I almost the whole week. The tea was really sweet, and we had to cut it with some extra water. Next time, I will pay extra for the lemonade, although my husband said it might be sweet as well. The BBQ beef we had on the Fourth was delicious too - super tender and full of flavor. It was cut into shreds so you could eat it on sandwiches or stand-alone. So good! We will definitely be going back, especially to try their homemade cakes and pies. They aren't open on Sundays, but that is fine - I don't mind heading in that direction for delicious food during the week or on Saturday! Yum!! read more

We drove WAY out of the way to visit Bob Sykes because of its notoriety. Upon arriving the outside seemed to live up to the hype! Super cute, homey, and a giant pig on the roof! This is gonna be GOOD! Upon entering, WOW! The smell is FANTASTIC! Holy cow! (pun intended!) "BOB & MAXINE WELCOME YOU!" Printed on an old-time photo enlarged on the wall. The staff is very friendly and everyone was busy taking and making orders, they gave us plenty of time to look over the menu. Next to where you order is an open woodfired pit where they are cooking and smoking ribs, chicken, and sausages, terrific display (again smelled great!). I was surprised that this was more or less a no thrills order at the counter operation vs. sit down, especially given the price point (combos plates are $16.79) They give a generous amount of food that could easily be enough for 2 people. So now the food... I got the rib combo with pulled pork, onion rings, mac, and cheese. I was really looking forward to the ribs but they were a total letdown! Chewy, I had to gnaw the meat off the bone, it was not good at all. Super disappointed. The good, however: The pulled pork was great and so were the sides. I kinda wish I had just stuck to them and not spent so much on the combo plate. All of us agreed that our 40-45 min drive out of our way was not worth it. read more

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Food was really good the service was great. And the atmosphere was great as well very friendly. read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

I love Bob Sykes. I'm a fan! However my visit today was not stellar. I called the order in for the brisket sandwich. The brisket was a little dry and unappealing. There was no flavor outside of the sauce. I'm definitely going back to Bob Sykes but not for the brisket read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Brisket Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

3 Meat Combo: sausage, pork, and chicken wings... meats were not smoky, no flavor, very dry. Didn't have any ribs ready. Sides: beans and slaw, nothing significant. Sauce: not really any flavor- not spicy, savory, sweet, smoky. Banana pudding was fine. Kinda slow service (30 minute wait). Extremely disappointed after driving from Montgomery after being highly recommended. read more

We ordered on line a d picked up our order. The online app is fairly painless. The user interface is straight forward. The drive through was packed when we arrived. I had to wait a little longer Than anticipated for our order. Unfortunately, my salad was all white-iceberg lettuce with fine shredded cheese and two pieces of tomato. None of the cucumber I ordered. My order was also missing my pickle as my other side. The ribs were good. My spouse ordered a chicken BBQ sandwich. It said it was ok. His order was complete as expected. read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

Having lived nearby , I had eaten here a good bit . Last 3 years or so work.hours kept me from getting by here. Went this past Friday and honestly wasn't impressed . Seems different and not in good way. Order was taken quickly, friendly staff, but food took forever to arrive. BBQ was ok, beans had been cooked for several days...would have been better used for road patching. Sadly no more real good BBQ places around here. read more

I was not able to find where I wanted to eat while in T-Town that I haven't already tried. So on my way back, I decided to stop at Bob Sykes. It's been about 6 years since I last had something from here, so very excited. I pulled up and was greeted as they directed everyone based on their ordering method, very friendly throughout the drive-thru experience!!! Ok, so I ordered the rib plate with four bones (sauce on the side), potato salad and macaroni and cheese and it came with one slice of bread. The sides were decent. Those ribs, oh my!!! Dry, tough, and did I say dry. Not sure if I should try a non- holiday (Labor Day 2020) but the ribs were either cooked too long or I ordered at the wrong time. It will probably be a while before I return but when I do, a sandwich is up next with extra crispy okra. read more

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Bob Sykes is an institution in Bessemer and the long lines are a testament to the popularity of this establishment. While the long lines can attribute to the popularity, the food attests to the quality and love put into the food and suddenly those long lines make sense. I had the Big Bob sandwich, stuffed full of pork, and it was satisfying and fillings. The price point was just over six dollars. I would recommend here and will be returning myself. read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

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Everything went Well, the Food, so Good and the Service, So Professional Staff. I Always Enjoy Myself when I Go. Bob Sykes Barbecue, The Best In Town. read more

Got their sandwiches catered, I was a huge fan of the pulled pork sandwich. Arguably one of the best I have ever had! Super juicy, perfectly sauced, and generous portions. Comes with pickles too if that's your thing. I look forward to going and trying more of their bbq. read more

I was in Bessemer to visit some family and decided to stop by Bob Sykes... mainly I stopped because of thier awesome homemade desserts! Although the dining room was closed, this place wasn't missing a beat. The parking lot was filled with patrons waiting to have thier food brought out to their cars, and the drive thru was around the building. We opted for the drive thru which moved pretty quickly. I was impressed by that. I got the Big Bob special which is a large pork sandwich with two sides and a drink for $10.99. A great deal. I got okra and fries. My sis got the same special but she got potato salad and okra. I also got strawberry shortcake and she got red velvet cake. The food was ready by the time we arrived to the window. I want to give the review 3.5 because they forgot to give us our drinks. I guess we were excited about the food because we didn't realize until we were aways down the road. We munched on my fries and okra in the car... both were good (they just lacked salt). I got home and ate half my sandwich and was not disappointed. I ate the rest of my food and some of my shortcake the next day for lunch and it was still good. If you are in Bessemer with a barbecue craving... stop by Bob Sykes... it's a local favorite. read more

The food is always good. I've been eating there for over 20years. I only get the Barbeque sandwiches. Inside chopped with extra sauce. They always serve it the way I like it. read more

The food is Great! But the RED VELVET cake is so good. Tastes just like home, so moist and the best Red velvet cake in Bham.

quite frankly i'm not a fan of the food here but they have the BEST red velvet cake !! literally its better than your granny, auntie, mama, cousin, wife, WHOEVER ! IYKYK. i will gladly spend those $6.90 each and every time and the portion is good for 2 servings. 5 STARS FOR THE RED VELVET CAKE ONLY! read more

Bob Sykes Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Bessemer, Alabama

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They always have great food. I m love to get ribs & fried okra also get the lemon icebox pie

If I could give this place no stars. That's exactly what I would do. I guess the native Bama locals. Don't know any better. Because they've never traveled out of the State. Too sad for them but it's their choice. Bob Sykes what I call Q. Is just that lacks flavor and for the price. It's basically a slider. Yet it will hit your wallet hard. You'll be looking in the bag for the rest of the sandwich. The smell will make your mouth water. Until you take the first bite. It's just smoked pork with no seasoning at all. There's a few other BBQ places around Alabama. Honestly they're nothing to rave about either. Don't waste your money following the crowd. Only to fall off a cliff. I'm world travelled. No professional food critic. But as a woman whom loves good well seasoned foods. Bob Sykes misses the whole mark. The ribs are just okay the sauce could use some improvement too. I will say if your counting calories. Their salads are worth trying. Otherwise don't waste your time or gas. Alabama isn't the state for good BBQ at all. read more

Overpriced long wait and I've had a better catfish sandwich from the convenience store

Bessemer born and bred I've been coming here all my life! I haven't lived in this area for a while but my parents do I completely forgot how good they were b/c it's easy to take for granted what's always been around any sandwich you order won't disappoint but I recently had their roast beef sandwich & OMG!! My only complaint which was my fault was I didn't get enough sauce to go but man the meat was so tender my husband had the rib sandwich and my daughter had the pull pork all delicious! But the star of it all the red velvet cake the banana pudding and the lemon cake! It will literally make you slap yo momma & daddy too! I highly recommend them s/n lemon cake available Tuesday only read more

Best cheeseburger you will ever have. Make sure to ask for extra sauce and pickles. And the red velvet cake is a must