Immediately after launching The Alabama Barbecue Chase, I messaged my friend group and told them about my venture. One of the very first recommendations was BBQ 65, a gas station restaurant in Greenville. While that may sound iffy, restaurants sharing space with a convenience store is common, with many national brands participating in the practice. Some of the best home cooking can be found in rural gas stations, where meats and vegetables are made fresh every day. You want to keep your folks happy as there’s only so many of them to go around.

Don’t let the outside scare you off. There’s nothing fancy about it, but there are good barbecue signs. A giant smoker is visible from the side parking spaces and the smell of smoke hits you as soon as you exit your car. Inside the dining room is spacious, allowing for a private meal or joining tables together for large groups. The feel is very rustic and it has character. I’ve been in many dining rooms that are stark and cold. BBQ 65’s custom space keeps it fun.

The pork itself was mild in flavor with an aroma that reminded me of pot roast. The bark was salty and gave a good texture contrast. The pork married well with the house sauce, which was a thick and tomato-forward sauce with very mild seasoning. Nothing here to blow out your palate, which is good because I didn’t need anything to hinder the mac n cheese. Their version is baked, with a soft noodle and strong cheddar flavor. I love mac n cheese when it’s baked and this one hit all the notes.

The biggest surprise was finding blackberry cobbler on the menu…AS A SIDE!!! Uh, YES!  They didn’t skimp on the portion either. It was HUGE, with real blackberries in a thick filling and TONS of crust! It’s my favorite way to have cobbler. It was tart with the perfect amount of sweetness. Overall, it was well-balanced, soft, flaky, and scrumptious. It’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever had and I could’ve eaten multiple servings in that one sitting. You’ll definitely find it on our You Gotta Try… list.

I love discovering Alabama! This adventure barely took us off the beaten path, but it was exciting. The thrill of discovering something unexpected can be addictive, just like that blackberry cobbler. I wonder when I’m heading through Greenville again?