A trip to Birmingham just wouldn’t be complete without a cheese biscuit and pulled pork gorging at my favorite barbecue joint—Jim ‘N Nick’s. In the past, The Astronomer and I have been known to eat here more than once during a short stay, but sadly this time around we were only able to fit in one meal.
Since our last visit, the powers that be have decided to make Jim ‘N Nick’s beloved cheese biscuits complimentary. Whereas in the past diners ordered a portion of cheese biscuits to accompany their meal, these days, fresh biscuits are served tableside before orders are even taken. Woot! Woot!
It’s unclear how this muffin product earned its biscuit title, but what’s important is their terrific taste. To quote myself, cheese biscuits are “warm, crisp around the edges, moist within, sweet, and slightly cheesy. These little gems are heavenly.” It’s good to know that my three-year-old commentary still stands true. The next time a hankering for cheese biscuits hits, I’m going to test out this recipe for homemade cheese biscuits.
The Astronomer and I were grossly overfed during our Alabama stay, and palate fatigue had set in as a result, so we decided to share a single two-meat platter with pulled pork and beef brisket. For our sides, we chose the macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes. Both meats were tender and saucy, the mac and cheese was as mushy and satisfying as I remembered, and the fried green tomatoes were lightly battered in cornmeal and fried to a firm and tangy crisp. The meats were great and all, but what I love most about ‘Bama barbecue are the sides. Texas barbecue needs to step it up.
We finished off the meal with a slice of lemon ice box pie. All I’ve got to say is Southerners make a mean (and massive) cream pie.
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Jim ‘N Nick’s
1912 11th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL
Phone: 205-320-1060
Thanks for the link to the cheese biscuits recipe - I think I might try that this weekend with some slow cooker pulled pork!
County Line is a chain and isn’t authentic central Texas bbq. East Texas bbq is sweet with slathered on sauce that is reminiscent of Memphis bbq.
Su-Lin - That’s a great idea! Saucy, tender pork with sweet cheese biscuits sounds like a delectable feast.
Jaye Vee - My friend Esme who hails from Austin and takes her barbecue very seriously recommended County Line to me. The meat was excellent, especially the sausage, but the coleslaw and beans were bland compared to the sides in Birmingham. Same goes with The Salt Lick.
My hometown is Austin; so strange that an Austinite would actually recommend a chain that we consider to be like a bbq version of Applebee’s. The Salt Lick is overrated and is a fave of visitors and new Austin transplants and students. Their sauce has a bit too much sugar and oil in it, resulting in the only central TX bbq I’ve ever had with a sauce that’s higher in calories than the meat.
If there’s a next time, try Louie Mueller’s just north of Austin in Taylor, TX. A James Beard award winner, their meat (omg the pork ribs) is unmatched… and their mustard potato salad reminds me of my dad’s German potato salad. However, I’m not a fan of their sausage.
The best sausage comes from any bbq joint that has it shipped in from a central Texas sausage maker. That’s probably why you can get great sausage when it’s not actually sausage made on the premises.
The best sides also come from joints with Southern/soul roots. Rudy’s, Iron Works work too.. To go with just amazing sides, there are a couple of soul food restaurants that offer primarily just that. Hoover’s for one. So it makes sense that this place in Birmingham would have great sides.
Jaye Vee - Thank you for taking the time to give me some solid recs! I certainly hope there is a next time and I’ll be at Louie Mueller’s when it comes
Oh gosh, I’d hate to think that I’ll have to go all the way to Alabama for a slice of that amazing lemon ice box pie!
I’m not much of a sweet eater, but lemon cream pie’s definitely give me cravings. The pictures looks fabulous!
Can’t find the recipe for the mac & Cheese - any suggestions??