fbpx
Rons BBQ

Eat Like a Local: Ron’s Goode BBQ

Article By Abby Parks

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Everybody loves a great comeback story. And what could be better than one that involves tasty, southern-style smoked barbeque? Wayne and Cutter Goode, a father and son duo with a passion for providing great food in their community (already owning Cutter’s Pizzeria in both Alexandria and Oxford), have teamed up with a barbeque aficionado with a reputation that precedes himself. Wayne, Cutter, and Ron Dover have opened Ron’s Goode BBQ in the very building Ron once ran his own barbeque restaurant at 8314 AL 144 in Alexandria, Alabama. 

Walking in, I was very impressed by the warm, friendly atmosphere. A smiling staff member sat me down in one of the two adjacent dining areas. Lots of families were coming and going, but Cutter, one of the owners, shared that it was actually a bit slower compared to how it had been. A steady stream of folks has been dining there ever since its door first opened. I was not surprised, after eating their classic pulled pork barbeque plate. The smoky flavor of the tender, juicy meat held enough flavor on its own, but I topped it with their special recipe sauce, which really had some tangy kick to it! That day they were serving white queso mac & cheese, but the waitress told me they switch between that and a cheddar recipe, depending on the day. The fresh, light coleslaw was the perfect secondary side in this combo, topped off with Texas toast.

Alexandria had the perfect barbeque restaurant from 2000-2010 owned and operated by Ron Dover. It was a local hot spot for years until Ron had to close its doors due to some health setbacks. But the restaurant had made a lasting impression on a couple of men–Wayne Goode and his son, Cutter. Cutter shared with me that he ate at Ron’s restaurant as a child with his parents and grandparents, and cherished the sense of community that it brought to the small town as much as he loved the down-home cooking. After Ron’s restaurant closed, a couple of other restaurant businesses set up shop there, then closed. Recently, the space became available and the Goodes seized the opportunity to make it their own. 

However, they didn’t want to take on the task of running a barbeque restaurant without help from the legend himself. Ron Dover came on board with his classic recipes that won the hearts (and stomachs) of so many folks in the past. Besides his staple tangy barbeque sauce, Ron is an expert at smoking meat like pork and chicken to perfection. One new feature in the restaurant is an impressive smoker stationed just outside, tempting passing drivers with its smoky aroma to stop in for a bite.

Classic menu favorites include the pulled pork or smoked chicken baskets (featuring a sandwich) or plates, BBQ ribs, buffalo chicken tenders, wings, and loaded baked potatoes (a fan favorite). New items that have made the cut on the menu are the Slaw Hog Sandwich, Smash Cheeseburger, and Bologna Sandwich. If you are looking for a perfect addition to your main item, try their creamy mac & cheese (some days cheddar, some days white queso), green beans, or dig into their homemade baked beans, potato salad, or slaw. 

Another specialty item they sell is their freshly made pig skins which go for $2.99/bag. Their beer and liquor license is in the works, and they also offer patio dining. A future event in the planning stages would be a Catfish Night. Cutter Goode emphasized that all the plans they have will be community-focused, celebrating the history as well as the closeness of the Alexandria populace. 

Hours of operation for Ron’s Goode BBQ are currently Thursday thru Sunday 11 am-8 pm. Besides dine-in, they also offer take-out and even delivery within about a 5-mile radius. If you are not only seeking a good meal, but a place that feels like a piece of home, you’ll love sitting down to sup at Ron’s Goode BBQ, located at 8314 AL 144 in Alexandria, Alabama.

Share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *