Saw's BBQ

Saw's BBQ in Homewood—a suburb immediately south of Birmingham, Alabama—has emerged as one of the region's most respected barbecue restaurants since its founding in 2009. Operating out of an unpretentious roadside building on Oxmoor Road, Saw's built its reputation on two pillars: the pulled pork sandwich dressed with Alabama white sauce and a broader smoked-meat repertoire that includes chicken, turkey, and brisket. Alabama white sauce—a mayonnaise-based condiment with apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and horseradish—originated in Decatur, Alabama, in the 1920s at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q and has since become a defining regional preparation. Saw's produces one of Birmingham's most-cited versions: tangy, peppery, and richly cohesive on smoked chicken and turkey. The pulled pork sandwich is built on a bun with the meat piled generously and finished with house slaw. Smoked chicken quarters are among regulars' preferred orders: the skin renders under the low heat and emerges mahogany and crackled. A turkey sandwich with white sauce has developed its own following as an alternative to pork. The banana pudding, scratch-made daily, is considered essential by regulars and disappears early on busy days; ordering it at the counter when placing the main course is advisable. Saw's has expanded to multiple Birmingham-area locations over the years, but the original Homewood building on Oxmoor Road retains the most devoted following and is the founding kitchen. The restaurant is casual and operates counter-service style; no reservations are accepted and the line moves quickly even during the midday rush. Parking in the lot is tight at lunch; street parking one block north is usually available. The restaurant serves a full daily menu from opening through the evening, making it one of Homewood's most consistent and accessible meals at any hour.