“I WANNA COOK CHICKEN JUST LIKE MY DADDY.”
That is what Andrew Gibson Lilly told his kindergarten teacher when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up.
“Andrew ‘Big Bob’ Gibson, as he calls himself, has a way to go,” chuckle his grandparents Don and Carolyn McLemore. “But we’re confident he’ll make it.”
His nine-year-old sister, Caroline, does not want to work for her brothers. Grandma and Grandpa have encouraged her not to give up on the family business so soon. “They might end up working for you,” they tell her.
The name Gibson is synonymous with barbecue in North Alabama. There are several descendants carrying on the family tradition. They all can trace their roots to “Big Bob’s” backyard in 1925, where he tinkered with smoking hogs over an open pit. He’s also been credited as the inventor of the famous “white sauce” that permeates Northern Alabama.
This particular branch of the Gibson barbecue family tree is now run by grandson Don McLemore, whose wife Carolyn is right there with him. To say they’ve known each other their entire lives would be an understatement. “My grandparents lived across from his grandparents. When I was born my mother tried to buy his stroller from his mother, but they wouldn’t sell. Don had a sister on the way.” (Image 3)
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Don always knew he was going to join the family business, which he did after Big Bob passed in 1972. Prior to that, he put in thirteen years as an accountant for the Burroughs Corporation.
Big Bob’s would never be mistaken for a joint. It is a serious barbecue restaurant with the look and feel that says “bring the whole family.” They also take cook-offs very seriously; more often than not walking away with top honors at Memphis in May.
These days, much of the day-to-day operation is handled by son-in-law Chris Lilly, who has recently been signed to host the BBQ Championship Series for the OLN network. That is, when he is not looking over his shoulder, the pitter-patter of footsteps he’s hearing just might be someone gaining on him.
NOT QUITE BIG BOB GIBSON’S WORLD-FAMOUS NORTH ALABAMA WHITE SAUCE
This goes especially well with chicken.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Store in a sealed container. It can last a good month. Makes about 2 cups. (Image 4 and Image 5)
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Image 5: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q 1715 6th Avenue SE • Decatur, AL 35601 • (877)350-0404