Are you ready to try Birmingham’s first whole-hog BBQ joint? Martin’s BBQ opens in Vestavia

Bar-b-que lovers, grab your bibs and get ready to chow down! Renowned whole-hog Bar-b-que Martin’s BBQ Joint will open in Vestavia Hills off Pumphouse Road on Thursday, November 8. 

What started out as pit-master Pat Martin’s retirement gig, quickly became a full-time dedicated career once again for this BBQ professional. Martin’s BBQ has locations in Tennessee and Kentucky, with Vestavia being it’s first Alabama location.

The newest Birmingham BBQ restaurant will feature plenty of TV’s for sports, an outdoor beer garden and string lights to emphasize the fun and familial atmosphere of Martin’s. 

If you’re looking for your run-of-the-mill BBQ joint, perhaps you should look elsewhere. Martin’s boasts not one microwave or freezer in any of his restaurants, and Birmingham will be no exception. The “whole hog” BBQ concept means 24 whole hours of cooking delicious pork. Hogs go on the fire each evening, to be served the following day. 

A menu that’ll make you go hog wild 

Notable entrees include the Whole Hog Barbecue Sandwich topped with slaw (“it’s the way God intended,” Martin always says), the signature Brisket Burger with a custom ground beef patty, melted American cheese and grilled onions, topped with smoked brisket and Smoked Wings tossed in Martin’s house-made Alabama White Sauce.

Entrees are served with all your favorite southern-style sides like broccoli salad and hushpuppies. Most sides are made fresh from Martin’s family recipes, just like the dessert offerings, including favorites like coconut cake and pecan and fudge pies. 

Grillin’ (and givin’) for Birmingham

Martin’s is also more than ready to give back to the Vestavia community. 

“With strong ties to the Vestavia Hills community, John Michael [co-founder of Martin’s, who is from the Birmingham area] and I plan to use the advertising budget to instead support local youth, schools, churches, cops and fire departments,” says Martin. 

Martin’s BBQ is located on 3029 Pumphouse Road. It’s open from 11am-9pm Sunday-Wednesday and 11am-10pm Thursday-Saturday.