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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor 

ALABASTER – After closing late last year due to the death of its founder, Kenneth “Buddy” Hyde, Buddy’s Bar-B-Que is open once again and continues to serve the local community as Kenneth’s children carry on his legacy.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to serve the community and reopen a legacy restaurant that’s been serving them for so long and to keep it going,” said Danny Hyde, Kenneth’s son. “It’s an honor for us really.”

Buddy’s Bar-B-Que reopened to the public on March 21 and the city of Alabaster celebrated its return with a grand reopening and ribbon cutting on April 5.

“It’s an honor and it makes us proud to be able to continue his legacy that he built,” said Missy Hyde, Kenneth’s daughter. “Just knowing that we’re doing it the same or just as good as him is very rewarding.”

Buddy’s Bar-B-Que first began after Kenneth bought Tex Smith BBQ in 1976 before eventually changing the name of the restaurant to match his own colloquial nickname. Kenneth would go on to serve Alabaster and the surrounding community as it continued to grow into the largest city in Shelby County.

Missy and Danny are continuing on Kenneth’s legacy by offering many of the same dishes with the same signature sauce and taste the local staple is known for.

“For the most part, everything is exactly the same,” Missy said. “We still cook everything the same way and it’s the same recipes for everything.”

The most popular items on the menu are the business’s burgers, onion rings and, of course, barbecue sandwiches.

Danny highlighted the work that goes into preparing food at Buddy’s Bar-B-Que and how the restaurant’s level of freshness separates them from their competitors.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into the preparation of that food so that it’s good quality,” Danny said. “We don’t order it in bulk from our supplier and put it in a cup. I think that distinguishes us as far as good prep.”

Buddy’s Bar-B-Que also continues to offer Kenneth’s signature barbecue sauce and spices which are all based on family recipes.

“Ours is unique because that flavor you can’t buy anywhere else except here,” Danny said.

Now that Buddy’s Bar-B-Que is back, Danny and Missy find it to be a rewarding experience to continue to serve the business’s customers.

“We love Alabaster,” Danny said. “We want to continue to serve them. We’ve been here all our lives.”

Buddy’s Bar-B-Que is located at 411 1st Street N. on Highway 31 in Alabaster and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Those who wish to keep up to date with the business and catch a glance of special deals may follow the restaurant on Facebook at Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550291131176. The business can also be found online at Buddysbarbquealabaster.com.