Meridianville Pit Barbecue — Review by Brennen Taylor
Meridianville, United States — Barbecue
Meridianville Pit Barbecue is a 47-year-old barbecue establishment with strong meat offerings, particularly the seasoned half chicken and pulled pork sandwich. While the ribs were unavailable and some menu items like the chili dog disappointed, the authentic Alabama white sauce and quality of their barbecue meats made it worth a visit if passing through the area.
What was great: The half chicken was delicious with excellent seasoning and Alabama white sauce, and the pulled pork sandwich was flavorful and well-seasoned despite the soggy bun. The burger was surprisingly good with the special vinegar sauce.
What could improve: The ribs were not ready after 40 minutes so they had to substitute, the chili dog had a gritty, sandy texture on top with a hot dog that had no snap or pop, and some items appeared poorly presented and thrown together
The Dishes
The reviewer ordered a half chicken, pulled pork sandwich, chili dog, and ultimately a cheeseburger when the ribs were unavailable. The half chicken arrived with Alabama white sauce and proved to be the standout dish of the meal, featuring excellent seasoning and tender meat, though the breast was slightly dry. The pulled pork sandwich was well-seasoned with a good texture and benefited from the special mild vinegar sauce, though it came with a soggy bun. The cheeseburger was surprisingly good and held together well despite being assembled last-minute. The chili dog, however, was disappointing with a gritty, sandy topping that tasted like sawdust and a hot dog that lacked any snap or flavor.
The Experience
The restaurant has a distinctly sketchy appearance from the outside but operates as a busy establishment with both dine-in and drive-thru options. Staff was friendly and welcoming initially, but the ribs situation created friction when they revealed a 40-minute wait after already pitching the item. The owner, a woman who has run the business for 30 years, was honest about the situation and refunded the difference when the reviewer substituted for a cheeseburger instead.
Value and Pricing
The total came to $36 for multiple plates, which the reviewer found reasonable. The price would have been $26 if the ribs had been available, making it an affordable barbecue option. Good value for the quality of meat, though the wait time issue and substitution added frustration.
Notable Moments
You hear about Alabama white sauce a lot, but you're never really in Alabama trying white sauce unless you live in Alabama and you try white sauce.
The reviewer was initially disappointed by the appearance of the food and the ribs situation but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the barbecue meats once tasted.
The Verdict
Meridianville Pit Barbecue is best for those seeking authentic barbecue meats, particularly their chicken and pork, with a unique Alabama white sauce. While the full experience has its drawbacks, it is worth a stop if you find yourself nearby, especially if you have time to wait. The reviewer would return primarily for the barbecue meats but would not make it a primary destination given the wait times and inconsistency in other menu items.