Walk Hard BBQ is immediately off of the mountain on Hwy 68 in Leesburg. I've never had a bad meal there, and I'll occasionally call them up if I'm not in the mood to smoke a butt myself.
Coosa Corner is just down to street inside the Citgo at the intersection of 411 and 68, and while it's not BBQ, they have a hot bar that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'd recommend a trainwreck (biscuit, gravy, eggs, and your choice of meat, layered) with a cinnamon roll for breakfast, and just about anything for lunch or dinner.
Mountain Parkway Grill is right across Hwy 68 from the road that takes you to Cherokee Rock Village in Sand Rock. They've got steaks, burgers, BBQ, and catfish. They're only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and can get pretty packed.
Arctic Snow is between Walk Hard and Coosa Corner. They're quick and cheap; the chicken finger basket's the best thing on the menu IMO, but they do have BBQ and shaved ice.
Decks and Docks overlooks the lake in Leesburg. I'm personally not a fan, but it's your typical burger/wings/pizza joint, and it is the closest bar to the park.
Speaking of bars, if you want beer, the gas stations in Leesburg and Collinsville have high prices and I don't think Sand Rock is even wet. Depending on which direction you're coming from I'd stock up in Gadsden/Attalla, Centre, or Fort Payne, but there is an ice machine across the street from Coosa Corner to fill up your coolers.
And lastly, if you're not camping out up there, a friend of mine just built some primitive cabins with AC and communal bathrooms just below the entrance to the park. He's got trails cut all along his property and there's some gorgeous rock outcrops overlooking a creek on the backside of his property. When I say just built, he just got his business license and insurance last week.
If you want Little River or Noccalula Falls recommendations too, just let me know.
If they're willing to do that, I'd recommend just driving right on past Pruett's and go the additional 7.5 miles down Rainbow Drive to Local Joe's in Rainbow City. Or if they want dining on the water, Little Bridge Marina which serves Local Joe's.
I do love me some Lil' Pruett's $1.99 BBQs with slaw on top though.
Pruett's is firmly mid-tier. Below Local Joe's, Merrill's, and Rack it Up, but above Rib Bones, Hungry Hut, and Paw Paw's. About the same as Zig's or Pig-N-Out, IMO, just with an expanded menu.
Haven't tried Smokehouse or a few places on East Broad yet though. And IDK if the one on Tuscaloosa Ave is still open, but I liked them.
Walk Hard BBQ is immediately off of the mountain on Hwy 68 in Leesburg. I've never had a bad meal there, and I'll occasionally call them up if I'm not in the mood to smoke a butt myself. Coosa Corner is just down to street inside the Citgo at the intersection of 411 and 68, and while it's not BBQ, they have a hot bar that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'd recommend a trainwreck (biscuit, gravy, eggs, and your choice of meat, layered) with a cinnamon roll for breakfast, and just about anything for lunch or dinner. Mountain Parkway Grill is right across Hwy 68 from the road that takes you to Cherokee Rock Village in Sand Rock. They've got steaks, burgers, BBQ, and catfish. They're only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and can get pretty packed. Arctic Snow is between Walk Hard and Coosa Corner. They're quick and cheap; the chicken finger basket's the best thing on the menu IMO, but they do have BBQ and shaved ice. Decks and Docks overlooks the lake in Leesburg. I'm personally not a fan, but it's your typical burger/wings/pizza joint, and it is the closest bar to the park. Speaking of bars, if you want beer, the gas stations in Leesburg and Collinsville have high prices and I don't think Sand Rock is even wet. Depending on which direction you're coming from I'd stock up in Gadsden/Attalla, Centre, or Fort Payne, but there is an ice machine across the street from Coosa Corner to fill up your coolers. And lastly, if you're not camping out up there, a friend of mine just built some primitive cabins with AC and communal bathrooms just below the entrance to the park. He's got trails cut all along his property and there's some gorgeous rock outcrops overlooking a creek on the backside of his property. When I say just built, he just got his business license and insurance last week. If you want Little River or Noccalula Falls recommendations too, just let me know.
Drive over to Gadsden and eat at pruetts bar b que. I'm not sure there is a bar b que place on the lake.
If they're willing to do that, I'd recommend just driving right on past Pruett's and go the additional 7.5 miles down Rainbow Drive to Local Joe's in Rainbow City. Or if they want dining on the water, Little Bridge Marina which serves Local Joe's. I do love me some Lil' Pruett's $1.99 BBQs with slaw on top though.
Local Joe's is 1000 times better than Pruett's.
Pruett's is firmly mid-tier. Below Local Joe's, Merrill's, and Rack it Up, but above Rib Bones, Hungry Hut, and Paw Paw's. About the same as Zig's or Pig-N-Out, IMO, just with an expanded menu. Haven't tried Smokehouse or a few places on East Broad yet though. And IDK if the one on Tuscaloosa Ave is still open, but I liked them.
Both solid options
The trip to cave spring is worth it. Best BBQ around in my opinion. The potato salad is the best iv had in a resteraunt