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Merrill's BBQ — Barbecue in Gadsden

Merrill's BBQ

BarbecueGadsden, AL

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(602 reviews)

Quick info

+1 256-543-7457
2525 Forrest Ave, Gadsden, AL 35904, United States
$10–20 · Reported by 41 people

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About Merrill's BBQ

Merrill's BBQ is a barbecue restaurant on Forrest Ave in Gadsden, in the Alabama City area. The menu runs beyond the standard BBQ sandwich to pulled pork sandwiches, smoked chicken, and BBQ pork plates, alongside a hamburger, cheeseburger, and roast beef sandwich for non-barbecue orders. Sides include mac and cheese, slaw, potato salad, and baked beans, and cornbread comes with meals. Out of 47 items on the menu, the kitchen covers both smoked meats and short-order standards. Seating is walk-in, with no reservations taken, and a table wait is common, sometimes stretching to two and a half hours. The restaurant opens Monday through Friday and stays closed on weekends.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Walk-in only
  • Parking
    Free of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Plenty of parking
  • Accessibility
    Has wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · Has kids' menu

Menu & Prices

47 dishes · mains $1–37
  • BBQ Sandwich$7.99
  • Hamburger$8.98
  • Cheeseburger$9.98
  • Roast Beef Sandwich$8.98
  • Smoked Ham Sandwich$8.98
  • Smoked Chicken Sandwich$8.98
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.5/5
602 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, coleslaw and tangy bbq sauce.

5★
432
4★
100
3★
26
2★
15
1★
29

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers consistently point to the pulled pork and BBQ sandwich as the draw, often calling the sauce tangy and the meat tender, with the roast beef sandwich also singled out by one diner as a standout compared to other sandwich chains. Close behind, the sides earn repeat praise, especially the mac and cheese, slaw, potato salad, and cornbread, and several mention generous portions and fast service even amid long waits, with one traveler noting a two and a half hour line. Burgers and the rib plate also get called out favorably. One dissenting reviewer found the bbq salad skimpy on meat, noted no ribs were available until later in the week, and was unhappy with the tomatoes. Overall, most describe a small, out of the way spot that surprised them with fresh, flavorful food and friendly staff, with several travelers saying they stumbled onto it by accident and left having sampled extra sides on the house.

Featured reviews

  • Adam Dozier
    “Nice little place here. Great burgers among other food. I stopped by to review the cheeseburger. Catch the video review at Bama Burger Reviews on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram.”
  • Chris Honeycutt
    “Headin’ back from Georgia today with my belly rumblin’ like a freight train, I went huntin’ for a BBQ sandwich. Stumbled across this little gem online, and buddy, it was every bit as good as folks claimed. Service was top‑notch, and they even let us sample the slaw and potato salad—both of ’em downright phenomenal. If I hung my hat in Gadsden, this joint would be on my weekly roundup list without question.”
  • Coraline
    “Some of the best food I have ever eaten and I don’t say that often ngl the Mac and cheese taste better then how mom makes everything taste homemade and I think it is which makes it better 100000/10 and cheap for the things that they have”
  • David Ford
    “Merrill's is a great choice when around the Alabama City area. They've got plenty of choices of meats and sides, and you'll get it fast.”
  • Paula P.
    “Found this little local place by accident while traveling and, oh my goodness, it was delicious!! My husband loved his pulled pork sandwich and I got the smoked chicken and Mac and cheese. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. If you're in the area and hungry for bbq, don't miss this little local gem!”

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Highlights

  • Has great tea selection
  • Serves local speciality
  • Popular for popular for lunch
  • Popular for popular for dinner
  • Popular for good for solo dining

Amenities

  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Free of charge street parking
  • Has outdoor seating
  • Offers delivery
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
Show more amenities
  • Good for kids
  • Casual
  • Serves comfort food
  • Has catering
  • Serves dessert
  • Has great tea selection
Offerings· 2
  • Quick bite
  • Serves small plates
Dining options· 3
  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Has seating
Facilities· 1
  • Has toilet
Family-friendly· 1
  • Has kids' menu
Popular for· 3
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining
Atmosphere· 1
  • Quiet
Parking· 2
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking
Service options· 1
  • Has drive-through
Highlights· 1
  • Serves local speciality
Crowd· 1
  • Popular with tourists
Accessibility· 3
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Location

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