Alabama’s OG BBQ Sandwich Lives Here!

There are two types of people at cookouts… Those who fire up the grill and those who quietly hope someone else volunteers first. If you’re in the second group, Golden Rule BBQ is your kind of backup plan— especially around crowd-favorite cookout days like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and game-day weekends. This Irondale mainstay lets you skip the smoke and still roll up with a tray of pulled pork and sides like you’ve been cooking for hours. Just preorder, pick up, and take the credit (we won’t tell!).

Golden Rule BBQ has been serving hungry Alabamians since 1891. That’s not a typo—it’s the oldest restaurant in the state and proudly claims the title Home of the Original BBQ Sandwich. Today, Golden Rule is still slinging chopped pork and brisket, but its menu has grown alongside the crowd. Think 4.5 lb. sandwiches (see: the Big Pig Challenge), full-service catering, and desserts that deserve their own holiday. Between the baked potato bar, boxed lunches, and legendary banana pudding, they’ve figured out how to make feeding a crowd a whole lot easier.

And mark your calendars for August 9th, 2025—Golden Rule BBQ’s 135th Anniversary. Every second Saturday in August, they throw it back in the best way possible: serving up their classic BBQ pork sandwiches for just 95 cents, the same price folks paid back in the 1970s. It’s their way of saying thanks to the community that’s kept them smoking for over a century. And if you’re more of a beef rib fan, don’t sleep on Thursdays—that’s when the Texas-style beef ribs hit the pit, and regulars know to show up hungry.

With mouthwatering BBQ, 135 years of tradition, and a reputation for treating customers like family, it’s no surprise they just picked up a 2025 Best of Alabama Award—voted on by people who know the difference between decent BBQ and the real deal. With two locations—one in Irondale and one inside the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Downtown Birmingham—Golden Rule is still staying true to what’s worked since day one. Same name, same sauce, same signature sandwich—just with better hours, more side options, and a heartfelt commitment to the community. They’re especially proud to serve those who’ve served us, saying with pride: “We love our Veterans.”

Contact
Phone: 205-224-2014
Address: 2405 Crestwood Blvd, Irondale, Alabama 35210
Email: daniel@goldenrulebbq.com
Website: www.goldenrulebbq.com