On a recent boys day out I took a few of my Buds to check out this new addition for Arizona BBQ,…read moreyeah you read right, Arizona. Colt Grill BBQ & Spirits just opened in downtown Foley, AL, and I was curious to see how their smoked meats and Western vibe would fit in with our Southern scene. This place is a big deal for Foley, it's set up in the historic Foley Bakery building, a 100-year-old landmark that's been closed since 2007. The building, at the corner of North Alston Street and West Laurel Avenue, got a major facelift over the past year, and now it's home to this BBQ joint downstairs, with apartments and an office upstairs. Colt Grill started in Arizona, with four locations there, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, and Village of Oak Creek. Foley's their first venture outside Arizona, and they picked it because they loved the South's charm and Foley's small-town feel.
Walking in, the place feels cozy yet upscale for a BBQ spot. The exposed brick walls and custom furniture, sourced from the owner's family of furniture builders, give it a warm, authentic vibe. Brenda Marie Clouston, the owner, has a background in interior design, and it shows. The setup is pretty unique for the area: you order at the counter, but there's a full-service bar where bartenders bring your food if you sit there. My buds and I grabbed a table, but the bar looked tempting with its lineup of bourbons and signature cocktails like the Foley Bushwacker and Colt Margarita but only one pal took advantage of the spirits. And they have happy hour :-)
The menu's got all the BBQ classics, but it's not just ribs and brisket. They smoke nearly everything pork, chicken, turkey, even their mac-n-cheese over oak hardwoods. I went for the sampler platter to try a bit of everything that included baby back ribs with campfire sauce, pulled pork with Kansas City sauce, brisket, smoked turkey, and a turkey brat sausage. The meats were tender and packed with smoky flavor, and the variety of sauces let me mix it up. Classic sliced white bread was served with mine but we tried the jalapeño cornbread, which was a standout, spicy but not overwhelming. The guys got a brisket plate and a pulled pork sandwich. They liked it but I thought the brisket could have been a little moist and tender. Overall the food was good and I will return.
Service was friendly, though it got a bit hectic during the lunch rush. The staff was hustling, and you could tell they're still finding their rhythm since opening in early this yesr. I liked that they give back to the community every "Cowboy Cookie" sold donates a portion to Secret Meals for Hungry Kids, a local charity. The atmosphere was lively and the Western decor made it feel like a little piece of Arizona in Alabama.
Bottom line: Colt Grill's a great addition to Foley. It's not just another BBQ joint, it's got heart, history, and some seriously good food. My buds and I are already planning our next visit. If you're in the area, check it out and come hungry!
For more about their story, here's a solid article:
https://www.gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/colt-bbq-spirits-opening-soon-in-downtown-foley-in-historic-bakery-building,162695