Ken’s Hickory Pit BBQ

Saw this place on Unilocal when I was in the area,
gave it a try, glad I did. Good prices, a variety of options and sizes, good flavor, and excellent service.
I was very impressed with the service. I was asked several times if I needed anything and when I did ask for something, it was gotten immediately. Sitting at the counter may have helped with this.
I got the three meat sampler sauced. Good way to try a few meats and it came with three sides. The perfect bite was a scoop of slaw, stab some meat drenched in sauce, then stab a piece of bread (bread coated in sauce is optional). I ate it all! On the sides… Loved that fresh crunchy slaw. The collard greens were good. I didn’t like the mac and cheese (left most of it behind). The banana pudding was so tempting… Had to get that. I liked it overall but there was something about the meringue I didn’t like.
Overall 4. Great service… that couldn’t have been beat. Good food… I have had better but if it is lunch time and I’m in this part of town I will return.

Horrible. Brunswick stew is the worse I have ever eaten. BBQ chicken had no favor, BBQ beans disgusting. Thank God for the fries.

Sides were excellent, pulled pork was very good, sauce is kinda sweet and ketchupie… ribs were fatty and not good at all. Would say if you stay away from ribs you will be good. Service was excellent and brought it up to 3 stars.

Love Kens. Super friendly, great food (especially breakfast), and a good price! Highly recommended.

Stopped by for a pork plate. Pork was tender with just the right mix of outside/​inside meat. Slaw was fresh. Beans good and spicy. Fries were crisp. Sauce is one of my very favorites. Really good today. Makes me want to come back in about 12 hours for breakfast. It’s really good too. Excellent.

Ken’s Hickory Pit Barbecue
4817 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35 215
I was visiting my home town last weekend and had the opportunity to take my kids to lunch at one of the very best bbq dives around Birmingham. Its a small place on hwy 79 near Jeff state jr college called simply, Ken’s bbq. The place opened in the early 70s and Ive been a customer on and off since then. I once worked down the street for several years and during those days, I stopped there for breakfast nearly every day!
The ownership has changed hands over the years but some of the same folks still work there. They’ve upgraded the décor and moved the pit into the back of the kitchen, but they kept all the recipes the same. Essentially, everything I had for lunch was just like it was in the 70’s. All I can say is «If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!» They’ve added some new things to the menu as well. My kids had a side of onion rings and they were fried to perfect crispiness!
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the friday lunch crowd (and it was packed) I ran into an old school buddy, Bill, who I think to be the kitchen manager. He stopped for a minute and I asked him about the pit and he explained that they moved it about 4 years ago and upgraded to a gas/​wood smoker that will do a 100 butts at a time. It only burns two pieces of wood a day. Talk about green, wow! Additionally, he explained they have expanded and now opened a Kens in Oneonta and soon to be another in Trussville on hwy 11.
We all had the pork plate, I got the small, with classic beans, slaw, fries and a piece of white bread. My kids got the regular plate but neither could finish theirs. The portion sizes are just enough for a good lunch. The pork was chopped and nicely smoked, the slaw is a tangy and slightly sweet and the beans are just like I remember them from years ago, just plain good!
The fries and onion rings were all made to order. I didn’t sample the pies but they’ve always been known for their desserts as well.
They open early for breakfast and are known for ham and biscuits. Don’t order this unless you’re really hungry! Ive had this before and eaten until Im stuffed and still carried a togo box out with enough for another days breakfast!
This is a good place with a down home small town feeling. They have quick service and a friendly wait staff. The food is fantastic!
Urban Cowgill

Such a great establishment. I have fond memories of my dad taking me here when I was younger and it’s still great today. Some of the best bbq in the state. It can be easy to miss and looks like a dive bar but that just adds charm to it. The service here is very friendly and will make you feel welcome.

We had Breakfast this morning at Ken’s and it is outstanding. The items we ordered were tasty and the serving sizes on the Ham, Bacon and smoked sausage were huge. If you order the ham get a ½ size because the whole ham is about a quarter inch thick and covers the entire plate. The Biscuits, sausage gravy (all the gravy and biscuits you want, just ask with every plate) and hash browns are all delicious. On top of everything else the service was excellent and the staff was friendly. It’s a little like going back in time, places like this are rare. I highly recommend Ken’s for Breakfast:-)

Ribs are fine; chicken with spicy sayse is better. Good bandanna pudding. Very friendly service.

This is the best breakfast in town. No crepes or bellinis here though. Just great eggs, meat, grits, and biscuits.

My father has been bringing me out here for over 20 years. The décor has evolved nicely and the food has always been perfect.
The pork has the greatest balance of smoke and moisture I’ve ever tasted. The baked beans are tremendous with a touch of spice and a bit of celery seed. Come hungry and eat slow to savor the best BBQ, possibly ever.
No kidding, it’s the best!

Oh MY Lahd, the breakfast here is great! The best biscuits and country ham in Birmingham.

I am not from Birmingham, but I make sure that if I ever pass by the area, Ken is on my meal schedule. Foodies take note, this is a hole in the wall place that you will love. If you pass by the area, do make a stop.
My favorite thing here is breakfast. I cannot say enough about how good the breakfast there is. For 5 $ you get a meal that is fit for a King. Take that McDonalds! My absolute favorite there also is the Lemon Pie. I make sure to get that every time I visit.
Although I am not from the area, I was treated like a family. It felt great! And tasted great too.

Excellent food and you’re always treated like a local. Breakfast is the best but pork sandwich and even the burgers are a solid choice also for lunch.

Lunch is okay, but what you should really go for is the breakfast. Growing up, my PawPaw would always take us here. It is definitely a hole in the wall, but you will get the best tenderloin, biscuits and gravy you’ve ever had. The grits are pure southern and eggs are however you like (but best over-​easy).

Not much to look at… kinda of a hole in the wall but has some of the best BBQ around. The breakfast is outstanding.

Best breakfast ever

Ken’s BBQ is a diamond in the rough. This little shack off of Highway 79 is located such that many people don’t know about it becuse the only people who drive past it live out in the county, though its just a short drive from town. The place looks old from the outside, but its clean on the inside and as BBQ afficianados know, older pits create better flavor. The people are friendly. The atmosphere is good old, country BBQ. They don’t take credit cards, but they do take checks. Most importantly, the food is outstanding. They’re BBQ is some of the best in town. Better than the BBQ though is the breakfast. The breakfast is out of this world. You won’t believe the amount of food that get for the price. Order a full ham plate and you could feed two people for a few bucks. The grits are always just right. The biscuits are tender and fluffy. Its just amazing food all around.