Mike's Smokehouse Market - Malbis, AL (near Mobile)

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

The best pulled pork I've ever had is from a good friend of mine, who custom built a brick pit in his back yard. He slow smokes his pork butts for several hours with pecan. It is by far the best I've had.

He has decided to open a new BBQ restaurant and take out market at the location of what used to be Cafe Malbis on AL Hwy 181 about 3 miles south of I-10 at exit 38(Spanish Fort/Malbis). It will be called Mike's Smokehouse and Market. They will have a take home and merchandise market in addition to the restaurant. He has custom fabricated a really impressive large pit for his new venture.
They plan to open the week of June 28. I'll report back after they open. I'm both biased and excited, because I know Mike's BBQ pork will be better than any BBQ within miles.

bama6977 · Posted: Sun Jun 13 10 2:31 am Post subject:

Going to try this one. About 30 minutes from where I live. Cool

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dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

It looks like he's now opening the week of July 5.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

Although Mike's is not open yet, he did a test run in his smoker of St. Louis cut ribs he'll be serving. He gave me a couple of slabs to bring home and try. All I can say is, fantastic.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

It looks like Wednesday July 7 will be the first day they're open. Their hours will be 11-7. I'm looking forward to it.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

It looks like the press register did a write up on Mike:

LINK

bama6977 · Posted: Sun Jul 04 10 11:49 am Post subject:

Got it!! Maybe another place besides Bass Pro Shop that I can hang out while wife is at Malbis Mall. Thanks Very Happy

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dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

It's now open and I ate there today. Had a pork sandwich.

Oh yeah baby!!

I was surprised by just how many items he had on his menu.

Here's where they are:

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/8-XfJqQb_yHUJ0

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

I went back a second time last weekend. This time I ordered a brisket sandwich. I can honestly say it was the best brisket I ever had. I'm not much of a brisket person and this was the only time I've had brisket that I've really enjoyed it and would want more.
If you try Mike's, I recommend the brisket.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

I've been back a third time now. Can you tell it is only a few minutes from my house?
I had another great pork sandwich. My young son got sausage. I've never had sausage before in a BBQ restaurant that was anything special. This was great, the best I've ever had.

bama6977 · Posted: Sun Jul 18 10 9:49 am Post subject:

Best pulled pork I have ever had and that's 63 years of eating southern bar-b-que!!

Ya'll this is a must stop for Bar-b-Que. New and QUALITY. It's just 2 miles off I-10 between Mobile and Pensacola, Malbis exit 38, south on the left side, big cooker out front, no sign yet.

My wife had pulled pork dinner with greens and home made macaroni and cheese. Absolutely fantastic. I had pulled pork and brisket with beans and cole slaw...man, fantastic. All sides made there, family recipe's. Sample of ribs and again fantastic. Chicken, sausage, Brunswick stew waiting for next visit.

Great sauces. Never got passed North Carolina sauce and white sauce today. Damn good.

Met Mike the owner and talked BBQ, great guy. Got some ideas for ABT's and brisket cooking. It was a privilege to see his cooker, he built it, damn, make you want to just sit, admire and look/smell.

Really impressed with servers. When went through the line, no scales, just serve it up. Asked for some of the bark and they knew what I wanted (try that in other so called Bar-b Que restaurants). Friendly the entire time there.

My prediction, he is going to outgrow this place real quick. Going to need bigger parking lot real quick. Going to have too stand in line within a month.

Can't say enough and if you don't try soon I understand DABAXTER is going to eat all the que. Yep, got the low down on him today.
Laughing

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I C Smoke · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Pensacola, FL

Stopped by Mike's to give it a try.

Yep, Mike has the real deal going on over there!!! I had them make me up a plate of what I call the "BBQ Trinity": Brisket, ribs, & pulled pork. All were really good!!! Being a Texas raised boy, I likes my brisket and am pretty particular about it. Mike's was as good as any I've ever had!!!
Great sauces. Had a brisket sauce unlike anything I've ever tried before. Damn good stuff.

Mike was a great host, we talked bbq, and he took me out back to see the smoker he designed and built. Really cool setup with rotating racks and process controls for temp maintenane. Made you want to sit there and smell the smoke & admire the equipment!!!

Impressed with the servers. Friendly the entire time I was there.

Final thoughts: I bought a full slab of ribs & a pound of sliced brisket to take home after I ate! I can honestly say I have NEVER done that before!!

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

Mike's has been opened for a couple of months now. Despite very little signage, semi-obstructive road construction out front, and no advertising, Mike's has built up a pretty good lunch crowd. The BBQ is simply outstanding.

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dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

Ok. I'm a regular at this place now. I still have not found anywhere that has pulled pork or brisket as good as Mike's. If you ask Mike, he will pull you some pork with no rub on it. This is my favorite.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

This is still my favorite. I've been getting their brisket stuffed potatoes regularly. No one has come close to their brisket.

dabaxter · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

Unfortunately, Mike's has new owners and I've heard from 2 people that the food is now really bad. It is a crying shame.