The Great BBQ Quest: Old Gin House Bar-B-Q

Friday, October 14, 2011

Old Gin House Bar-B-Q

Quest Log – Old Gin House Bar-B-Q
Elkmont, Limestone County

I am Captain Ahab, and this is my white whale.

The Old Gin House Bar-B-Q in Elkmont was supposed to be really good. Authentic atmosphere, authentic food, great locality inside an old cotton gin – a sure fire Top Ten contender, I was assured by people who live in this part of Limestone County.

I’ve been there three times.
The first time on a Monday in April, with my wife. The restaurant was closed. No service on Mondays. Well, it’s a forty-five minute drive from our house, so it took us a while to try again. But when we showed up in July, they were on summer break.

And today, they had a sign outside saying that they are closed for good.

Ahab was eventually killed by his whale, so I guess I should not complain. But it frustrates the heck out of me, nonetheless.

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What I am looking for in a BBQ place ...

First and foremost, its about the food. And although it is certainly a very prominent factor, the quality of the meat is only part of the equation. The sides, the sauces, the hushpuppies (what do you mean, your place doesn't serve hushpuppies ...?!), and the desserts are also very important.
Then there is the question of authenticity and style. Part of every dining experience is the atmosphere of the place you eat the meal, meaning that not only the taste-buds have to be pleased, but also the other senses, too.
Living in the South for quite some time now made me realize that the human body and mind can process a lot more dirt and filth without being harmed then commonly expected, so cleanliness is certainly a virtue, but not a strict requirement. At some places, the mummified flies on the window sills just belong there.
An absolute must is friendly people who make you feel welcome at their restaurant. But that is generally not an issue here in the BBQ Belt at all, for all the rude and brisk folks very seldom seem to cross the Mason-Dixon line.
So, I guess what I am looking for in a BBQ place is what you generally find here anyway. And if your favorite restaurant does not appear on the Dirty Dozen list below, don't fret. This is only my very narrow personal view of things, and your mileage will invariably be different. Just be thankful to live in the promised land of BBQ, and keep on going to the places you like best. Don't mind me at all, I do not have the philosopher's stone in my possession, just a knack for BBQ and Southern culture.

Outside of Northern Alabama

Of those BBQ places I visited that are not in the original Quest area of the Counties of Madison, Limestone, Lawrence, and Morgan in Alabama, these are the ones I like best:

1. Boogie's BBQ, Nürnberg, Germany

2. Corner Pit BBQ, Dellrose, TN

3. Yellow Dog Eats, Windermere, FL

4. Dave Poe's BBQ, Marietta, GA

5. Nolens Barbecue, Columbia, TN

6. Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que, Orlando, FL
7. Larry & Harry's Bar-B-Que, Winter Garden, FL
8. Pruett's Bar-B-Q, Gadsden, AL
9. Ken's Bar-B-Que, Oneonta, AL
10. Sparky's Barbeque, Hatch, NM