Johnny’s Bar-B-Q

We entered the resturant just as they were opening. We immediately got the look like we were definitely in the wrong place. You know… in the, «My Cousin Vinnie» kind of way. We were seated by a verbally pleasant student who gave us no eye contact but used the right tone and words to pass her EEOC semester final. Seconds later we were greeted by an older woman who smiled, told us her name, and took our drink order. She soon returned, wearing the same smile with the drinks and she took our lunch orders. When asked what was good, she recommended everything on the menu. She gave us awesome service. The food was hot, but just okay. The prices are great for the portions. We ordered smoked chicken and a loaded baked potato. After finishing we asked for a to-​go (the potato was huge and I could jazz it up at home) and the check. NOW HERE IS WHAT GOT ME BIG TIME! As we are paying at the register the clerk, ANOTHER NO EYE CONTACT employee with a tacky tone (she must have failed the final) asked us about including the tip. HUMMM!!? WHAT… Okay!!! Once you run my debit card and give me the receipt I will select the appropriate amount to tip Flo/​Alice and I, at that time, will then write it on the line that says «TIP». Readers, we travel a lot and we search for small dining gems. This place may have been a gem in the 1950’s when the laws and cooks in the kitchen were different but as for my experience, it is not a place that will have me running back any time sooner or later.

The barbecue is just okay and the sides are kind of lackluster. Great onion rings, though.

The restaurant supposedly closes at 9 pm, so we went through the drive-​thru at 8:45 to pick up a pound of meat.
The woman opened the window and when my husband started to order, she said, «We done closed.» and shut the window in his face. My husband said, «The sign says 9.» She opened the window to ask him what he said and he repeated himself. She said, «Ok then. Whatcha want?» He told her never mind.
In a town with multiple BBQ places, there was zero reason to be rude to a customer. My husband has always loved Johnny’s, but I’d imagine we won’t be back.
Less than 5 minutes later? We are at the Jim n Nick’s drive thru, getting good BBQ and great customer service. A couple of seconds of kindness goes a long way.

A quick lunch stop on a work road trip. I knew it was a good choice even before I read over reviews as the parking lot was packed at 1240ish.
I have never had a better bbq chicken sandwich. I got the sand which platter and while the fires were nothing to write home about the potato salad and coleslaw were full of flavor and different then your run of the mill cold salads. I also added on three hush puppies because who can pass up hijab puppies.
Also I used the white sauce on the chicken sandwich and it was amazing!!!

I am new to the area and will return to Johnny’s over and over again. I recommend the half or while chicken dinner. It is crisp outside and tender inside. Then with the white sauce as a compliment is heaven. I have eaten here four times and can’t order anything else but the chicken. Service and atmosphere make the meal even more satisfying. A 5 Star recommendation.

After some serious thought, probably more than I should have, I decided that the good reviews for this restaurant were from people who have been eating the food all their lives and are really dedicated to the restaurant. It’s in a small town and maybe you just can’t get any better food there.
The meat had a good smoke flavor, but that was the only good thing about the food.
The sauce tasted like puréed tomatoes with no salt, or any other spice.
The coleslaw was cabbage mayo, water and sugar, no salt, no pepper, no vinegar. Tasteless.
The beans were cheap canned with maybe some chopped onions thrown in for good measure. No spices whatsoever. Even Bush’s from the store are better than these.
My husband got a burger and it was a frozen thin patty with no seasoning.
We were really bummed and thought for sure a small town barbecue joint would rock.

I used to go to Cullman High and this is by far the best spot to get BBQ in town. It’s just awesome.

Everything was delicious. This was a great stop on our way to Nashville, I highly recommend it, especially for the pork sandwich.
— Super friendly service (family owned & run since the 60s which is a plus)
— ribs were awesome. meat fell right off the bones and just a touch of sweet and slightly hot BBQ sauce. If you want it smothered in sauce you have it on the table so go nuts
— the pork sandwich was my favorite
— the jumbo baked potato was a great addition, baked to perfection with the right amount of cheese and butter.
Mm mmmm mmmm

This is the kind of hometown restaurant where the waitress will call you «hon» and it is endearing rather than annoying. The décor has changed over the years, but the atmosphere has stayed the same — no frills and welcoming. They serve typical north Alabama barbeque, with a white sauce that certainly gives Big Bob Gibson’s a run for their money (in my book, it’s actually better). The smoked chicken is crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and about as delicious as you’ll find anywhere. And my favorite, the pork stuffed potato, sets the standard for any baker I try at any other bbq joint. I’m probably biased, because this was the first barbeque I ever had as a child, and subsequently the first barbeque I ever loved — but I’ve traveled a bit for a gal of my roots, and I like to eat bbq everywhere I go. I’ve had Memphis’s ribs, South Carolina’s hash, brisket at Salt Lick in Texas, and loved them all! But Johnny’s still is my favorite.

Hands down best bbq in central/​north Alabama. I drive up from Birmingham a few times a month just to eat here.
I love the ¼ or ½ dark meat chicken! And/​or the pork stuffed baker.
If you are in the area you must stop by.

Fantastic food, great service, low prices. As everyone else says about this place, the loaded potatoes with BBQ pork on top is to die for.

Good bbq, great service, clean. Now if you want fancy this is not the right place, but good quick food with friendly service then go here!

Docking the one star for consistency, but overall this is a great find and convenient place to stop and grab a local bite off the highway. Don’t look any further than the BBQ-​stuffed baked potatoes! Bookmark this for a trip and check it out!
Pros: The potatoes are amazing, love! Location is great, whether visiting Cullman or passing through. Everyone’s super-​nice, perfect Southern hospitality. Their pork is perfect!
Cons: Can’t really think of any off-​hand, though I’ve had spotty service so I would say consistency could be a con.

We had the half chicken which my husband said was some of the best he had ever had. I had the chicken sandwich with the white sauce and a baked potato both of which where very good. Great place to stop not too far off the highway if you are looking for an alternative to fast food. We would defiantly stop in again.

Decent food, very nice people, great place… I like more of a sweet BBQ though.
Thanks

I eat here frequently. The BBQ pork, roast pork sandwich, and cheeseburger are my favorites. I like the sweet BBQ sauce, the fries are alway hot and crispy. The cole slaw is German, or vinegar based, and I don’t care for it, but that’s a personal preference. One of my favorite holes in the wall.

Johnny’s BBQ
4^th st sw
Cullman al
I had fond memories of the BBQ at this place from my childhood. However, a recent visit turned negative. The pork sandwiches we had were cold and the meat didn’t really have that good bbq flavor that I had remembered from my childhood. The beans tasted like they opened up a can and warmed them and the slaw tasted old. The waitress acted offended when we spoke up and the cashier didn’t offer a refund either. We left most of the food on the plate and walked away. I won’t be visiting this place again. Johnny’s better pick it up if they want to compete.
Urban Cowgill

Went to Johnny’s BBQ on Friday evening. I ordered half rack ribs plate, Friend ordered sandwich. The Ribs are VERY tender, sauce is fairly normal. I wished they had more smoked flavor, but they were very good. sides were bbq beans but no meat in them, potato salad was Ok but tasted store bought, not enough dressing in it. I would visit this establishment again.

This was a very nice find. The bbq pork was good and all of the fixings. I suggest the dinner plates.

The BBQ here was okay and I live near Chicago, we have better Q joints near us. I took my brother here for a nice meal after 10 hours of driving, to just enjoy some good hometown food. The meal was just okay and the pulled pork was very dry and when questioned I was told that is Southern BBQ. I had gone to a different southern BBQ joint in April 2012, Gibson’s, near Decatur, AL, a better place by all standards.
I think upon next time we visit area we will stop back in Decatur to get great BBQ and service too.