Big Al's BBQ In Oneonta Is Taking Flight After Shaky Opening

Oneonta is no stranger to great barbecue thanks to restaurants like Brooks' House of Bar-B-Q, Sloan's New York Grill, and just outside of Oneonta in Colliersville, Andre's Blue Ribbon BBQ. Here's the great thing about barbecue, I have discovered that there are so many different types of barbecue to discover and when Big Al's BBQ of New York opened up in the former Lizard Lick location on Oneonta's Dietz Street on December 31, 2021, North Carolina barbecue-style cuisine hit the scene in our area.

via Big Al's BBQ of New York, Facebook

Ever since its opening, chef and owner Alvin Shepherd has worked hard to get discovered by area residents and it sure seems like his restaurant is getting busier and busier as time goes by. I first met "Big Al" in the spring of 2021 when he brought quite the southern barbecue spread to our studios at Townsquare Media in Oneonta.

Shepherd grew up in North Carolina and after moving to our area, serves up his family's own recipe of barbecue at Big Al's BBQ of New York which he describes as "New York’s best East-Carolina style bbq and soul food" using "fresh ingredients to provide premium barbecued ribs, chicken, fish, and soulful sides". You can check out his menu here. Big Al's does not have indoor dining but offers outdoor seating along with online ordering with takeout and delivery.

After talking with Alvin about his North Caroline family barbecue dishes, his passion for cooking and sharing it with others really shines through and everything I've tried from his menu has been delicious.

Get our free mobile app

Business experts say that the first year of business is the hardest but if you can make it through that first year, then chances are you'll do well. I've been keeping my eyes and stomach on Big Al's BBQ and by the looks of traffic to his restaurant, I'd say he's here to stay. If you're ever in Oneonta, NY pop into Big Al's BBQ and give it a try.

A Dozen Tasty New York Food Festivals to Sample This Summer

Food and Wine. Wine and Food. Yup, that is definitely an Upstate thing! Here are 12 great festivals to put on your road trip calendar for July and August this year. From corn to garlic, and from wine to craft breweries, the spotlight shines bright on Upstate New York's native food and beverage history this summer.

21 Famous Literary Giants With Deep Roots in Upstate New York

This is a list of 21 literary legends who have deep connections with Upstate New York. Some were born here, some went to school here, some are buried here. The list is is amazing! How many of these authors' books have you read?

Did You Know This?? 13 Upstate Food Favorites You Can't Buy Outside of New York State

Upstate New York is the home to many fantastic food favorites. Mention sponge candy to somebody 100 miles outside Buffalo and you are probably going to get a blank stare. Mention a Michigan hot dog to anybody not from around Plattsburgh. Same stare. So here is a list of 13 regional food icons that you cannot buy outside of the empire State.

I will add this asterisk. You certainly can buy some of these items online, like the Saratoga Peppermint Pigs. Perhaps the Stix and Sauce item is known by another name somewhere in the country. Salt potatoes may have gravitated elsewhere but if so nobody knows where they started. And Grandma Brown. Well, you can buy that sweet lady's baked beans on eBay. But for the most part you would have to walk into a store or restaurant in Upstate New York to enjoy these "regional" fan favorite foods.

Source: Big Al’s BBQ In Oneonta Is Taking Flight After Shaky Winter Opening

Filed Under: BIG Al’s BBQ of New York, Oneonta NY dining

Categories: Articles, Oneonta