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Hometown Bar-B-Q

Stop for
Bar-b-que
Ahead
Childersburg
THE DOWN LOW
Three weeks! That’s how long it had been since my last barbecue meal. For me, that’s a dang long time. My writing queue was empty and I needed a new joint to review. Since I’m a multi-tasker, and needed a haircut, I planned to knock both of them out in one afternoon.
First of all, shout out to Beauty Salon in Childersburg. I always hated haircuts before I met Barri and Amber Jean. I love their place and Barri helped me find my look. Every visit is relaxing and I leave with a sharp cut and no stress. Check them out if you’re around Talladega County.
Second, almost directly across Hwy 280 from their shop is Hometown BBQ & Grill. After years of noticing them, it was time for a taste. I didn’t know much about them but learned they’ve been around for more than a decade, a hopeful sign for sure. I’d also noticed their small, but usually packed, parking lot. Consistent traffic is enough to convince me to give it a go. A haircut and barbecue aren’t a classic combination, but here we go anyway.
Hometown is a small, little place. Order at the counter then grab a seat at one of eight tables. The food and drinks are brought to you, politely served with occasional check ins. I was quite comfortable in the corner at my two-seater as a large, cold Coke came out first, quickly followed by a plate of chopped pork, baked beans, and fries. I entered this with no expectations, but first glance now had my anticipation rising.
I’m always a little leery of pork barbecue that can be served sliced, which is how it’s offered when you order. I always choose chopped, and this comes out finely chopped with bits of bark mixed throughout, giving each bite great texture and a firm chew. It has a smoky essence that rushes through your nose while you’re chewing, a neat trick that you have to pay attention to notice. While it’s a subtle sensation, it’s a sign that the meat was given a good smoking. Alone the meat was a bit dry, but that’s OK because Hometown has a buffet of sauces that deliver big flavor!
The white sauce was my favorite. Thick and creamy, I believe it was made with some spicy brown mustard, Cajun seasoning, and pepper. Whether I’m right or not, it had great flavor and a luscious texture. The house sauce was brown in color and sweet, but well balanced, well-seasoned with a hint of spice on the back end. These are two really excellent sauces and I would go back just to have them again.
I went with my traditional side of baked beans. These came in a thin sauce with a strong bell pepper flavor. Onion and pork were also incorporated to round out the flavors, but you have to like bell pepper to enjoy these. The fries were a simple frozen crinkle cut, but they were fried crispy and served salty. They were perfect and added a crunch to my predominantly soft meal.
All around, Hometown delivered a really great barbecue meal. My favorite bite was the white sauce on the chopped pork. After nearly two weeks, I still have a craving for it. That lingering memory continues to raise Hometown’s status and call me back through their doors. Looks like a may be getting a lot more haircuts.






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