Buddy's is amazing! I absolutely loved my 1/2 slab of ribs and baked beans from here. The food is packed with flavor and definitely has that homemade touch! This isn't a big establishment and likely would be considered a whole in the hall. That's totally fine with me because I love a good hole in the wall. You walk in and you get a good view of the grill. That's where the magic happens! Hickory smoked meat perfection!! The staff was so nice and didn't rush me at all as I was trying to decide what to order. I have passed Buddy's many times in the past. I'm so glad I decided to stop in to grab dinner while I was in the area. Food is amazing!!!! The menu boasted a good variety so I'm excited to try more of their menu options. I will definitely be back real soon!!! read more

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Sometimes I forget about Buddy's since they don't advertise or have any online presence so to speak. You just seem to go 'oh yeah" when you drive by. Buddy's was the first of the BBQ places in Alabaster; been here since before the Shelby county boom. It's simple; nothing fancy here. We got the pork plates. It came with 2 sides, so fries and potato salad. Fries were good. The potato salad was runny. There was a little too much sauce, but the meat itself had a good flavor to it. I need to make more of an effort to come back more often and try some different sides. But I do recommend the burgers; always worth the wait. read more

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A bajillion years ago when we moved to Alabaster, back before there was the shopping center, a state championship football team, and just about any chain restaurant you can name--including the big boy barbecue joints, there was Buddy's Bar-B-Que. It sits back from the road, so you might miss it were it not for the wafting smells of smoked ribs et al. billowing forth from the little smoke stack. There's only a small table or two outside, unprotected from the elements, so best just take your plates, and pounds, and pudding and enjoy them at home, if you can wait that long to dig in. I've gotten Buddy's burgers several times, and they're very good. But so is the pork plate--chopped or sliced, ever how you like. Most recently, I got the pork plate with fries and potato salad. Now the potato salad was a little wetter than I like, but it had okay flavor, and of course, the fries are always good. We went back later that week when they were open on a usual off day for the holiday weekend and got some ribs, smoked sausage, and baked beans. Lots of folks think they're the best baked beans around since there are bits of meat in them. The ribs were perfectly cooked, and we were glad we went early, because they were almost out before lunch had gotten swinging. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, or you want to enjoy a little something sweet later, there's always banana pudding available or a homemade cake. read more

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Over priced. Inept management. No wonder it's for sale. Buddy knew how to run it for decades.

Ok. I admit I was built up to try this place. It is a walk up and order place only. No dining area. There is one table outside by the pig. I wanted to try this place for some time now. I went on a Saturday late which seemed to be a good time. I got a pound of pork which came with red sauce. It did not come with buns so I had to splurge a get those. I also ordered my fav. Banana pudding. The pork with BBQ sauce was phenomenal. The banana pudding was like garbage in my mouth. It was gritty and not like any other I had tasted. I took a couple bites and tossed it. The other bad parts are the customer service is lacking too. The cashier made my order while an older man came out of the back room and took the wrapper off the banana pudding and sampled the banana pudding off the wrapper. Ewww. Finally, this place isn't cheap. I recommend other BBQ joints in town. read more

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The food is great, thank you Danny for keeping an alabaster tradition open. Y'all stop in and get lunch or dinner. Mike's mobile mechanics read more

I'm sorry, I really wanted to rate Buddy's higher than 2 stars. And if this was a year ago, I would have gone with 5 stars. Unfortunately, ever since the owner died last year and the business was taken over by the family the quality has gone way down. We recently got the pork plate and a chopped pork sandwich. The pork on the plate tasted like it had been boiled, just no flavor and it was watery. The pork on the sandwich was equally as bland. It's supposed to be smoked but had no smoke flavor at all. Again I'm sorry but it was availability disappointing. read more

Buddy's is a staple for my family! We go at least once a week. Food is always delicious and made to order! One of my favorites is the homemade potato salad! They make you feel like family and always remember you when you come in. read more

This is mediocre BBQ for the area, if not slightly below even that. I won't be back and regret eating there. The pork on the sandwich was mushy, without texture (or bark). Not much smoke taste. Ribs were tender but overdone. The bone was easily bitten in to. Again, not much smoke flavor. Sausage was just sausage. Nothing special. The sauce, which can make or break you, was not good, yet everything was smothered in it. Fries were fine. Keep driving. read more

Buddy's Bar-B-Que - Ribs over cooked. Bone is quite soft. - Barbeque Near Me - Alabaster, Alabama

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The food is great and prepared to our liking. We have been eating their BBQ for 20+ years. Glad to see the family to continue the tradition of Buddy. read more

Hands down the best ribs I've ever had. This place has been around close to 40 years and for real good reasons. They make BBQ like no other. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great BBQ spots in Alabama, but nothing quite like this. Of course, it's not for every occasion and more of a takeout spot. The hut is tiny and only one table outside, so if that's taken, you are out of luck. The ribs were very flavorful by themselves and not drenched in sauce. Sauce was served on the side instead, loved that touch. The woody and smokey flavor was well absorbed into the meat and was absolutely delicious. read more

Buddy's Bar-B-Que - Half slab of ribs - huge portion! - Barbeque Near Me - Alabaster, Alabama

For three decades I've driven past Buddy's and admired the delicious aroma but never stopped. So glad I finally did! BBQ done to perfection! Highly recommend. read more

I had high expectations since the local that took me here told me it was the oldest business in the city. It's basically carry out only unless the weather is good and there is room at the one and only picnic table outside. I ordered the beef "brisket" and it was ok but swimming in a mediocre bbq sauce. The bbq beans were better than the brisket but I wouldn't go back, I'm hoping I can find a better bbq spot on my next visit to the area. read more

I've been eating here for years..but no more..be careful the menu says one price but they went up on prices and not telling you before ordering..also they charge you extra for using a credit card..your low down buddy for treating your customers this way..shame on you.. read more

Not sure what the $.99 service charge is for in addition to the almost $18 spent on a large bbq sandwich and order of onion rings. Onion rings are really good but price over all is really high. read more

This is an old hole in the wall BBQ joint with no seating inside, smoke coming out of the chimney, excellent smoked pork, chicken, and beef, and southern charm behind the counter. This isn't upscale dining or trendy, it's what I remember when I think of an old school roadside BBQ joint. read more

Early this evening my husband placed a phone order for 3. He also requested there to be sauce only as a side item and none to be put on any of the food. After about a 20 minute wait we purchased the food and headed home. Once home, we found that sauce was on all meats and we didn't get a side that was ordered. He called back and they offered to remake our order. We might have agreed had time, distance and inconvenience not been issues. Better barbecue and better customer service are reasons we will be eating elsewhere. read more

I have eaten at Buddy's many times in the 26 years I've lived in Pelham. It has progressively gotten worse over the last 2-3 years. I ordered a pork plate today with Cole slaw and baked beans, the pork was awful, no BBQ flavor or smoke flavor at all. Was so concerned that I call them to confirm that it was not old meat from last week. The person that answered the phone confirmed it was fresh but was not cooked in pit over coals but was oven cooked and steamed. They should change their name or tell customers that it not BBQ. Just because it's a Boston Butt doesn't make it BBQ. Last time eating at Buddy's. read more

My friend and I had spent the afternoon in Alabaster/Pelham/Calera furniture shopping and were famished. We wanted something good to eat and so we Yelped what was nearby. My friend is not a fan of BBQ but saw they had a burger so she agreed. The place is small and doesn't look like much but the food and the service are both incredible. They don't have indoor seating but they allowed us to stand inside and eat since it's so cold out. We both had a burger (delicious) and my friend got the onion rings (AMAZING!!! Hand battered, fresh onions). I had the potato salad, it was great and very obvIously homemade. We also shared a slice of chocolate cake - made from scratch and delicious. Go here, you won't be disappointed. read more

Just plain old good bbq. The ribs are fall off the bone, bbq is tender and sauce isn't bad to be tomato base.

This IS "THE PLACE" for ribs!!! Without a doubt our ribs made a great impression as we found them full of flavor, tender, and meaty. The BBQ sauce is excellent but I found it hard to apply it since the meat was so tasty. read more

Buddy's is a small little mom & pop operation, but very good chopped pork bar b q. The baked beans and fries were wonderful as was the sweet tea. This is just a carry out place unless you on the picnic table outside. Prices were pretty reasonable compared to Jim & Nicks or Full Moon. Service was very friendly and fast. I will definitely go back and highly recommend this little place. read more

Recently tried this place again after trying it over a year and half ago. It is with much regret to report that this place did not taste or have the quality of food like it did the first time we tried it..... We wanted to try Burgers and let me tell you!!! When I arrived to pick up the call in order it took sometime for the order to be bagged; so I had already paid but observed cooks touching food with bare hands, a older gentleman was sitting watching TV in a chair in the kitchen and he just got up and walked over to the grill and pulled burgers off with a spatula and transferred them to where the other cook was preparing other burgers!!!!! The fries were okay and I didn't even get the side I ordered but I was so disappointed and quietly disgusted that I forgot I was even suppose to have a side!!!!! When we got home and attempted to eat our burgers the bread was weirdly soggy in random places, the lettuce was wilted to the point that it was a dark color, among some other concerning things......we didn't eat them just the fries. Sad to say it has changed drastically in quality!!!!! We want be going back......... read more

Buddy's is the best BBQ in Alabaster. It's as good as any I've ever had. I've been eating Bama BBQ for 50 years and I would put Buddy's against any! read more

Excellent as always. I have always made it a point to stop and get a chopped pork sandwich when in town. It is always just an amazing combination of perfectly smoked pork, bread and saturated with sauce. I did try the ribs yesterday. Not bad, but probably won't order them again. Seasoning was good but I prefer mine basted with sauce. This place is amazing if you aren't in a hurry (you can call in) and you know you have to go in and wait in a tiny lobby. Parking is odd, but doable. read more

Good Q. No frills. Assembly line style of preparation. Seems like they've been doing this for years. They know what they're doing. I've only had the pulled pork. The sandwiches come in old-fashioned wax paper like the good ol' days. Worth a quick trip down 31. Make sure you have another stop to make the trip worthwhile though. There is no inside seating, so if you're looking for a comfy inside dining experience this is not the place. read more

It's a great BBQ sandwich where sauce is king and trumps meat I personally prefer pork or a giant potato good price feeds a family of 4 for about 20 bucks not to bad read more

Great BBQ. Now your going to eat it in your car or the one picnic table. This is no fancy joint. Just GREAT BBQ and Sweat Tea!! The way it should be. Freindly service too. read more

The ribs and sausage are the best around and are a must try. The staff is always super friendly. Highly recommend them.

Yum! I've passed this place too many times to count. Finally one day was nearby, and smelled this heavenly aroma..it lead me here, I ordered a barbecue beef sandwich and a barbecue pork to try it out (& share with hubby). Also got a side of fries. Everything was delicious, friendly, helpful service, and very quick to order! Impressed & will be back. read more

We wanted to try a different BBQ place while visiting in Chelsea. Decided to go look at tulips at the American Village and spotted at Buddy's. This wasn't a good move when you are on a limited time schedule. It would be best to order ahead for pickup and take home or somewhere else to eat. BBQ was okay but nothing special and the sweetcorn was extremely slow. I will not be returning. read more

Best BBQ I've had! Buddy's just a small building with a very small order area. Two picnic tables outside. Most people order to go. Not enough sauce on the pork sandwiches so I usually order extra sauce. Catering very good too. Sides are good. Even their hot dogs are tasty! Haven't tried Buddy's ribs yet but will someday. Much better than Jim 'n Nicks BBQ and Full Moon BBQ. Worth the visit! read more

Good food but surprisingly expensive. Very limited seating - just a picnic table outside.