The Take

Order the ribs or pulled pork straight off the open pit smoker. Alex's delivered Alabama-style whole cuts with real meat and no seed-oil shortcuts for over 20 years before the place shut down.

The spot built its name on charity focus and community loyalty in Carrollwood. Now it exists only as a closed chapter that rewards people chasing lost smoke flavor.

The Verdict

The open-pit Alabama soul made it a local fixture worth remembering. Everything else faded when the doors closed.

Order the based ribs or pulled pork if time travel exists. Otherwise skip the history lesson entirely.

Common Questions

Is Alex's Southern Style BBQ healthy?

No. Focus stayed on smoked whole cuts, not greens or lean picks.

Does Alex's Southern Style BBQ use seed oils?

No mention of shortcuts. Real meat and open-pit method defined the spot.

What happened to Alex's Southern Style BBQ?

Closed after owner Alex Cooks died in a 2015 motorcycle crash.