Montgomery has plenty of spots to grab a plate of smoked meat, but one tiny smoke-stained cinderblock pit on Mobile Road keeps stealing the spotlight.
Locals, road-trippers, and food writers keep circling back to Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit, a historic roadside joint dating to 1942 that has quietly become a bucket-list stop for serious barbecue lovers. 😋🔥
Why This West Side Smoke Pit Converts Skeptics After The First Messy Bite
Back in 1942, Jereline Bethune fired up a hickory pit on Montgomery’s west side and started serving smoky ribs and plates of classic Southern BBQ to the neighborhood.
She wasn’t chasing trends; she built what many now call a “smoke‑pit treasure” where the hickory perfume seeps into every rib and chopped pork sandwich and where regulars have returned for generations.
Today, the pit is run by the father–daughter team of Larry Bethune Sr. and Donetta Bethune, and that family touch shows in the long lines that still snake out from the small order window.
Guests and writers rave about meaty pork ribs that need only gentle gnawing, tangy tomato-based sauce, and old-school sides like egg‑yellow potato salad, sweet BBQ beans, and camp stew with okra. 🍖
It’s the kind of spot people seek out right after exploring Montgomery’s civil rights landmarks, turning a history-filled day into a soul-warming BBQ pilgrimage.
Food Highlights
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Pork Rib Plate: Thick, smoky ribs with a peppery bark, around five meaty bones, and classic sides like potato salad and beans deliver a deeply satisfying, slightly messy feast that feels like a true iconic Montgomery BBQ experience. 🍖. 🍖
- Pig Ear Sandwich: This chewy, richly seasoned pig ear sandwich is a bold, nostalgic Southern specialty that rewards adventurous eaters with a uniquely textured bite and the thrill of checking off a true must-try on any Alabama BBQ bucket list.
- Camp Stew: The hearty, tomato-based camp stew loaded with mixed meats, vegetables, and okra eats like a comforting stew from grandma’s kitchen, giving visitors a warm, rib-sticking pause in their day that feels straight out of classic Southern BBQ guides.
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Chopped Pork Sandwich: The tender chopped pork stacked on soft bread with tangy sauce and fries creates an old-school BBQ plate that tastes like a time capsule of roadside Southern cooking, giving guests a relaxed, no-frills Montgomery food road trip vibe.
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Potato Salad & BBQ Beans: Bright egg‑yellow potato salad and sweet, smoky baked beans round out each plate with creamy and gently sweet notes, offering customers the full classic BBQ combo that locals love when exploring Montgomery restaurants and shops.
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Whiting Fish Sandwich & Fried Fish Plates: Light, crispy fried whiting that’s clean-tasting and not overly fishy surprises guests who expected only meat, giving them a satisfying yet slightly lighter option that still feels like a soulful stop on a Montgomery soul food adventure. 🐟
Atmosphere
Brenda’s is a true hole-in-the-wall BBQ pit on Montgomery’s West Side, where you order at the window and breathe in hickory smoke while you wait.
The building is modest, but the steady line of locals, travelers, and regulars tells you everything you need to know about what’s happening inside the pit, making it a perfect stop on any Montgomery BBQ crawl.
Guests describe the staff and fellow customers as warm, welcoming, and quick with conversation, even as cars pull up and orders fly across the counter.
It’s largely a takeout-focused, cash‑only spot that keeps things simple and focused on the food, which only adds to the charm for travelers chasing authentic roadside BBQ experiences in Alabama.
Bottom Line
Rich history since 1942, legendary ribs, old-school sides, friendly locals, and a true West Side BBQ experience in under an hour are what you can expect when you take a bite from Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit’s smoky creations. 🔥
Address:
1457 Mobile Rd, Montgomery, AL 36108
📞 (334) 264-4517
🕔 Open Thu–Sat, 10:30 AM–7 PM (Closed Mon–Wed, Sun)