The best barbecue restaurant in New Orleans has picked Huntsville for its second ever location. How exciting is that?!
Blue Oak BBQ plans to open summer 2022 at MidCity, the multi-use development home to a mix of restaurants, retail and the upcoming Huntsville Amphitheater, a venue slated to open next spring.
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The restaurant’s best known for their ribs, pulled pork, brisket and smoked chicken wings.
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Blue Oak has received coverage from media outlets including the “Today” show, Eater, Forbes, Washington Post, Playboy and Thrillist. In 2020, the restaurant was named “best barbecue” by local alt-weekly Gambit.
Blue Oak BBQ was founded by Philip Moseley and Ronnie Evans, New Orleans natives and friends since the fifth grade. Moseley says they made several road-trips to Huntsville during their decision making and planning process for a second location.
Moseley explained why they chose Huntsville:
“…But one of the biggest things that attracted us was the opportunity to bring something new and fresh to Huntsville. Also, so many people are so passionate about that city, it resembles the passion New Orleanians have about New Orleans.”
Classic pit barbecue is the root of what Blue Oak does. They use oak as their wood for smoking meats. But their food also draws from New Orleans cuisine, naturally, and central Texas influences.
They’ve found accessible ways to innovate, whether its updating classic barbecue sides (ginger sesame slaw, roasted garlic mac & cheese), wing sauces (kung pao, orange teriyaki) or Instagrammable specials like a brisket Philly sandwich. Their spicy chicken sandwich has “a cult like following,” Moseley says.
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Blue Oak’s barbecue sauces include a house sauce on the sweeter side, a spicy Carolina vinegar-based sauce and Caribbean style jerk (which Moseley describes as “very aromatic”).
The Blue Oak at MidCity, address is 5909 University Drive, will be about 5,000-square-feet, and have a patio. In NOLA, the restaurant employs a staff of around 50 or so. Moseley anticipates Huntsville building up to about that same number.
Expect the Huntsville Blue Oak BBQ sound system to play lots of classic NOLA jams by the likes of The Meters and Dr. John. They’re still working out the restaurant’s interior, but Moseley says they’ll “have some funky stuff in there.”
Huntsville architect firm Matheny Goldmon, known for their work on the Von Braun Center Propst Arena and other major local projects, is designing the building.
We can’t wait for the grand opening!
Opening: Summer 2022
Location:
Source: al.com
