Wednesday, September 5, 2012

'Bama Q

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On Monday, Virginia took us to lunch at Birmingham institution, Saw's Soul Kitchen. This hovel is a temple of Alabama barbecue and Southern cooking. 

Feeling completely lost, I asked the lady at the counter what I should eat. (I often do that when I'm in an unfamiliar eatery. It works.) So, that's my meal in the second picture: grits covered in collard greens covered in pulled pork (light sauce, a bit tart and vinegary, perfect on the greens) covered in onion rings (the lightest I've ever tasted). Yum-umm-y, but not endorsed by 9 out of 10 cardiologists.

As you can see in the following pictures, the locals take their BBQ seriously. The tiny place is so busy that spillover seating is on a picnic table in the alley.

I wondered where the name Saw's came from. An occasionally reliable source with a thorough knowledge of B'ham culture and history informs me that decades ago the owner was known as Sorry Ass Wilson. It stuck, if only in an acronym.

Hope to get back to commenting on my friends' blogs later today. We got up at 4 this morning to make our early flight home. Need to go to sleep.

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7 comments:

  1. OlivierSeptember 5, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    Hummm la "Soul Kitchen" c'est de delicieux. A Harlem, il y a le restaurant de Sylvia Woods (qui malheureusement vient de mourir cette annee) qui est delicieux.
    Belle serie de portraits

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  2. Memphis MOJOSeptember 5, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Sometimes, hole in the walls have the best food. When thinking about great BBQ, don't forget Memphis!

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  3. William KendallSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Now I'm famished!

    Some of the food listed isn't quite the fare you'd see on this side of the border... I wonder what that place would make of poutine...

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  4. VirginiaSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    Saw's has got to be our premier Hole In The Wall! Just seeing this makes me want to run right over for take out. In all honesty, your dish is one I"ve not ordered but maybe it will be soon. I"m glad you liked it.
    V

    PS It's only been in this location for less than a year. Formerly the Quick and Split for YEARS!

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  5. VirginiaSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    And one more thing: Bob and Carolyn fit right in like locals! Well sort of.
    V

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  6. JackSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Virginia really treated you to the high life, didn't she? I might have passed. Then again, I might have missed out on a special treat.

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  7. PerthDailyPhotoSeptember 6, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    I'm a little scared to ask what 'grits' are Bob...no on second thoughts don't tell me. I'm so conservative with my eating I'd have probably had a chicken sandwich haha!

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