Welcome to Cotton State BBQ
Cotton State BBQ puts a fresh twist on Southern barbecue traditions with its unique approach to smoking meats. Located in the heart of Mobile, Alabama, this restaurant offers a cozy, casual atmosphere perfect for family dinners or solo lunches. Customers rave about the massive, loaded potatoes, flavorful nachos, and crispy fries. With options like takeout and delivery, it provides a convenient dining experience suited for busy schedules. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Cotton State BBQ invites you to savor its innovative takes on comfort food while enjoying the vibrant ambiance of downtown Mobile.
Popular dishes
Restaurant Gallery






About
Cotton State BBQ stands out situated at 107 St Francis St, Mobile, AL 36602. It captures the essence of Southern BBQ in a trendy, laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant is easily accessible, featuring a wheelchair-friendly entrance and plenty of parking options, both free and paid. Families flock here, making it a common gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, creating a communal vibe. Whether dining in with family or grabbing a quick lunch to go, Cotton State BBQ accommodates everyone. Open daily, it primarily serves lunch, catering to the downtown crowd. This makes it an ideal stop after visiting near attractions like the USS Alabama. Customers often find a seat right away due to the spacious interior, and the friendly staff quickly flips tables during busy lunch hours. It’s a delightful combination of comfort food and warm hospitality that keeps customers returning.
Working Hours
- SundayOpen
- MondayOpen
- TuesdayOpen
- WednesdayOpen
- ThursdayOpen
- FridayOpen
- SaturdayOpen
What People Say
Most Liked
The loaded potatoes emerge as a signature dish, grabbing attention with their generous toppings and rich flavors. Customers frequently highlight the dry rub chicken wings as some of the best in Mobile, providing a satisfying crunch and taste. The freshness of the homemade BBQ sauce stands out, receiving rave reviews for its balanced sweetness and spiciness. Many love the unique offerings, like the ooey-gooey cheese fries that are a family favorite. The efficient service, especially from staff like Kris and Joanna, enhances the overall experience with their quick turnaround and friendly demeanor. The inviting atmosphere and cleanliness of the venue also contribute to its growing popularity.
Most Disliked
Some diners express disappointment about the limited hours, especially for a BBQ spot that closes at 2:00 PM. The focus on lunch rather than dinner doesn’t cater to all schedules, leading to missed opportunities for evening diners. Occasionally, customers mention not having enough dessert options, leaving them wanting more sweet treats after a savory meal. While the cozy setting is perfect for many, a few patrons desire a more vibrant, visually engaging decor. Lastly, on busy days, wait times for food can stretch a bit, particularly during peak lunch hours, possibly catching some diners off guard.
Reviews
Aaron L.
Respectably good BBQ located in downtown Mobile. We stopped by there before visiting USS Alabama. We've never been to Mobile so we just did a blind search on google map and found this place. We were concerned about parking but we easily found a spot. It was a nice day so we had our food to go and ate at the park next door. I'm not sure about their services but the interior seems pretty nice for a BBQ joint. Everything we had was good. They packed us some coleslaw (not sure if it was their normal thing to do) and it was great.
Patrick F.
Stopped into Cotton State BBQ's new location last week and ordered the dry rub chicken wings. If im speaking honestly, these may be the best dry rub wings in Mobile. Theyre delicious and worth the price! Overall im really digging the new location. Its got a good feel to it. Plenty of seating. Unique art, super clean bathrooms (a huge plus). Kris and Joanna are the two servers you'll most likely deal with. Theyre both at the top of their game. Quick, efficient, accommodating, knowledgeable, and friendly. If youre a regular, they'll remember your name and usual order. A nice personal touch. They'll tend to you immediately and regularly Food did not take long to come out at all. Came out hot and just the way I imagined it. Perfect stop if youve got a short lunch break. 10/10 experience.
dman13091
Great bbq in the heart of Mobile! I got the pulled pork sandwich and baked beans and they were both fantastic. They make their own sauce, which I really enjoyed too. My only complaint - weird hours… at least for a bbq place. They only serve breakfast and lunch (close at 2:00). When I asked about the hours, they said they mostly just serve the downtown lunch rush, which makes sense.
Jennifer W.
Cotton State BBQ was delicious! We experienced the Downtown food truck.The BBQ sauce is an award winning recipe and I will tell you I don't really care for too many bbq sauces but this sauce was bomb! The crinkle fries were seasoned and actually crispy! I get dissapointed with crinkles usually because they aren't crisp enough. My family loved the cheese fries and brisket fries!
David C.
Enjoyed a nice sammy with a side of fries and cole slaw. The fries were improved with the seasoning and the slaw wasn’t sweet and full of mayo. They weren’t your average sides and this isn’t your average BBQ. Give them a try and see why.
John G.
Best food and deal in Downtown Mobile. Staff are great. Their BBQ is wonderful. Price is very reasonable. Couldn’t ask for a better experience.
Eric M.
BBQ so good you don't need the sauce, but the sauce is delicious. Don't let the exterior fool you, go on inside and eat. Don't be late they close at 2 p.m. it is worth the drive for lunch.
Nearby places to visit
- Dew Drop Inn Restaurant 1808 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36607
- Big Time Diner 4936 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL 36609
- Al's Hotdogs & Other Fine Foods 4701 Airport Blvd #210, Mobile, AL 36609
- TC's Front Porch 8558 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566
- Maria's Mexican Restaurant 110 15th Pl S, Meridian, MS 39301