Rib-It-Up

Rib-It-Up was a family-owned barbecue restaurant located in the former Plantation Bar-B-Q building at 830 1st Avenue North. It was incorporated in 1991 and opened in 1992 by brothers Lee and Lewell "Tee" Taylor, who also owned the Platinum of Birmingham nightclub nearby.

The restaurant was known for its smoky rib tips in molasses-based sauce, an extensive selection of home-made sides, and for occasionally hosting "Blues & BBQ" concerts. It also featured meat-and-two lunch specials on weekdays.

Lee Taylor died in 2020. The family decided not to re-open after the July 4 holiday in 2024, citing difficulty in hiring additional staff.

References

• "Rib it Up" (June 19, 2014) What to Eat in Birmingham
• Olmsted, Larry (July 24, 2014) "Pig heaven: You must try this pork sandwich!" USA Today
• Short, Cody D. (July 12, 2024) "Popular Birmingham barbecue restaurant permanently closing after 32 years." AL.com