Some places make you slow down the second you pull in. Not because someone tells you to, but because the setting does the talking. Just outside Huntsville in the community of New Market, New Market Barbecue sits along Mountain Fort Creek, and it feels like the kind of North Alabama stop that has been part of people’s lives for a long time, because it has.
On Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, I got to talk with Libby Webb, a co owner who, along with her husband, has been keeping this longtime local favorite going for more than 18 years. And the restaurant itself has been here for over 30. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a place stays true to what it is, while still caring enough to keep getting better.
A Story With Roots
Libby shared that they found New Market Barbecue back in March of 2007, when a friend mentioned the original owners were ready to retire. They drove out, took one look, and fell in love with the spot. It wasn’t just the building. It was the whole vibe. A quaint mom and pop barbecue shop in a pretty little town that feels tucked away, even though it’s close to everything.
One detail I loved is that the purchase came with a house and a little apartment behind the restaurant. It created a lifestyle, not just a job. And in 2008, when the economy took a hit and so many people were struggling, Libby said they felt incredibly grateful they bought an existing business instead of trying to start something from scratch. That steady foundation helped them keep the legacy going, and now they’re proud to be the second owners continuing what the original family started.
What Makes It Different
If you ask Libby what sets their barbecue apart, she’ll tell you the truth. It starts with great meat. But what keeps people coming back is everything that comes with it, the sides, the desserts, and the way the whole experience feels thought through.
New Market Barbecue still cooks whole pork shoulders, which gives the meat a different flavor than cooking only a portion of the shoulder. Libby explained it as a deeper, richer profile because of the bones and connected tissues. It’s the kind of detail most of us don’t think about until we taste it and go, okay, that’s why this is different.
They also added beef brisket to the menu after investing in themselves and taking barbecue classes. Yes, barbecue school is a real thing, and now I want to go. Libby talked about learning from pit masters, soaking up regional styles, and refining their own process, not to copy anyone, but to elevate what they were already doing.
The Sides That Deserve Their Own Spotlight
Let’s be honest. Sides can make or break a barbecue plate. And at New Market Barbecue, the sides are not an afterthought.
Their smoked macaroni and cheese is one of their signature items, and it earned a spot on the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” list. Libby shared that they make their cheese sauce from scratch, then finish it on the pit. It doesn’t take long to smoke, but it takes the right ingredients and the right care to taste like something you’ll crave later.
And their barbecue baked beans are another standout. Libby said they started giving them more love, and now they cook on the pit for hours with pulled pork, sautéed onions, and a whole lot of flavor. She even said the beans are basically a meal on their own, and I’m not here to argue with her.
They also serve green beans that people consistently ask for, plus baked potatoes, which are the kind of comforting, filling option that makes perfect sense when you’re hungry and you want something hearty on the side.
Desserts From Scratch, And She Means It
Libby didn’t just say they make desserts in house. She explained what that means. Custard made with flour, sugar, eggs, and milk, not out of a can, not out of a box. They make meringue pies like chocolate, coconut, and peanut butter, plus seasonal options like lemon meringue when spring and summer roll around. There’s pecan pie, chocolate chip pecan, banana pudding, and a rotating weekly cake special. It’s one of those menus where you don’t just add dessert. You plan for it.
Sauce, North Alabama Style
Barbecue sauce is personal, and every region does it differently. At New Market Barbecue, they offer three main sauces. A vinegar based red sauce, which is a North Alabama classic, an Alabama white sauce, and a thick sweet sauce that pairs especially well with ribs and brisket.
But here’s the key. They serve sauces on the side. Libby is big on the idea that meat should stand on its own, and sauce should be a compliment, not the main event. If you’ve ever ordered barbecue somewhere and it came drenched before you even got a say, you know why this matters.
The Brunswick Stew And The Glass Jar Tradition
One of my favorite moments was hearing about the Brunswick stew. When it’s cold, Libby can make batch after batch, and people keep coming back for it. They sell it in glass jars, and some customers actually bring their jars back for refills and a discount. It’s a small tradition, but it says a lot about the relationship they’ve built with the community.
A Place That Feels Like Family
When I asked Libby what’s been most unexpected about owning New Market Barbecue, she didn’t talk about awards or numbers. She talked about people. Regulars who became friends. Kids who grew up taking birthday photos on their porch. Former employees who come back with their own families. The barbecue family, as she calls it.
And that’s the thing. You can find good food in a lot of places. But you can’t always find a place that feels like it’s been holding people’s stories for decades.
New Market Barbecue is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Libby recommends ordering ahead online if you can. They’ll text you when it’s ready, and it helps their small team keep everything moving smoothly.
So if you’re craving a true North Alabama classic, the kind worth a weekend drive, put New Market Barbecue on your list. Come hungry, order the mac and cheese, and save room for dessert. Trust me.
Listen to the Full Conversation
If you want to hear even more from Libby, including the deeper story behind how New Market Barbecue became part of her family, the care that goes into every batch of smoked macaroni and cheese, and why this little spot in New Market has become a destination for so many people, listen to the full episode of Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama featuring Libby Webb. You will come away with a new appreciation for how a simple barbecue place can hold decades of memories, and still feel like home every time you walk through the door.
