Birmingham-based Jim ‘n Nick’s is a black sheep in the chain restaurant world. They don’t have a walk-in freezer, and everything on the menu is handmade from scratch, from the crust on the pies to the croutons atop the salad. The King Street location recently dropped its “Jim” and its table service, too, operating as a counter joint named “Nick’s” with a slimmed-down menu. Jim is still in the mix out by the North Charleston outlet malls, and that branch has a sit-down, full-service format. Both spots cover the barbecue classics with slow-smoked ease as well as more wide-ranging fare, like fried catfish, burgers, and tacos. The pulled pork and chicken are good, but the smoked pork hot links and the sliced Angus beef brisket are the real winners. —Robert Moss
Dish (Winter 2013)
Meat smoked in huge brick pits and slathered with sauce. Hand pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked turkey breast, and ribs.
Features: Lunch, Dinner
Hours: Lunch and Dinner (daily)
Price: $$