THREE YEARS! That’s how long it took to get to A Slab and More. The first online recommendation I received after publishing thealabamabarbecuechase.com was for A Slab and More, a little joint in Demopolis. The main challenge is that Demopolis isn’t on the way to anything. It has to be your destination. While it is rich in history and a beautiful river city, an extra boost can be needed to make such a long voyage.

That incentive came from follower Jennifer Cook, who invited me to Christmas on the River, Demopolis’ official ringing-in of the holiday season. Nothing welcomes the most wonderful time of the year like a festive parade through the crisp air of winter. The lengthy parade through downtown is impressive enough, but it’s followed by an evening nautical parade on the Tombigbee River. It’s a celebration worthy of a day trip, especially when lunch at A Slab and More is part of the party.

The restaurant’s exterior looks rather pedestrian, no frills with the most important feature being the entrance. The inside is quaint with tile floors, red and white checkered tablecloths, and SEC paraphernalia on the walls. It’s clean and neat and makes a good first impression. Order at the counter, seat yourself, and let the fun begin.

I stuck with my customary order of pulled pork and baked beans but went off the board with mac n cheese and a side of ribs. Since I came all this way I might as well go all the way. The pork was shredded, tender and moist, with a mild smoke flavor and spice that caught the back of your tongue. The soft bark added texture and saltiness, balancing out the sweet sauce that was served over the top. While I prefer sauce on the side, this duo mixed well. It was flavorful with a light spice and deep red color. I didn’t let any go to waste, wiping up the remaining bits with white bread. White bread and sauce is technically an appetizer in the South.

The ribs were rich in smoke that permeated each bite. They had a good pull and catching the bark meant a piece of glazed crust that only comes from cooking over fire.  The baked beans were firm, seasoned with onion and ground beef. On this cool day, they were warm and satisfying. The mac n cheese was creamy and very, very cheesy. It was seasoned well with pepper and finished in the oven for a nice layer of baked cheddar on top. The fried okra was perfectly golden and crisp yet soft on the inside. It was a salty bite that I could have eaten like popcorn.

On a day where celebration was big, A Slab and More more than held its own. Demopolis is a beautiful town with lots of reasons to visit; Gaineswood estate, White Bluff, the Tombigbee River, an historic downtown, Rooster Day, and now barbecue. That’s the one thing no road trip should be without.