Two Alabama restaurants made Southern Living’s 2023 “South’s Best Awards.”

After developing a survey asking readers to select their favorite barbecue joints, local restaurants, cities, hotels, local restaurants, small towns and state parks, the results are in.

Saw’s BBQ made the cut for the best barbecue joint in every state. Southern Living’s blub for the beloved barbecue joint paid homage to Saw’s pitmaster and founder Mike Wilson, who died in 2020, before offering a review of the restaurant’s most popular items, including “hefty” sandwiches loaded with pulled pork, meaty ribs and smoked chicken with the signature Alabama white sauce:

“Throw in crowd-pleasing extras like creamy deviled eggs, loaded baked potatoes, and ‘goodness & greens’ (pork or chicken served with greens over cheese grits), and it’s no wonder SAW’s has won over so many loyal fans.”

The reader pick for favorite locally owned Alabama restaurant is The Bright Star, the state’s oldest family-run restaurant.

Southern Living’s blub starts with a history of the acclaimed Bessemer dining spot (the original Bright Star opened in 1907) before a rundown of beloved dishes:

“Gulf seafood is a staple here, don’t miss the Greek-style snapper, crab and lobster au gratin, and gumbo. Many dishes on the menu, like the Baklava Cheesecake, have a Greek influence, thanks to brothers Jim and Nick Koikos, who emigrated from Greece. In 1925, they bought the restaurant from founder Tom Bonduris, and have kept it in the family ever since.”

Southern Living readers also ranked Alabama’s best cities, hotels, and state parks. For the full list of rankings, see www.southernliving.com.