Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q receives national fame

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Buck Wheat

Co-owner Buck Wheat stands in front of the counter at Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q. In its nearly 30 years in business, the restaurant’s popularity has caught on to local and national celebrities. Photo by Madison Miller.

A long, black limousine pulled up to the front of the building and stopped. When the door opened, actors Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor stepped out as though they were about to attend a movie premiere for Singing in the Rain. The two weren’t attending a premiere, however. They were paying a visit to Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Cahaba Heights. 

“They were staying down at the Sheraton, and they asked their drivers, ‘Where’s a good place to eat barbecue?’” Co-owner Rennae Wheat said. “They said, ‘We know the place.’”

Reynolds and O’Connor aren’t the only notable names that have come through Miss Myra’s doors. In its nearly 30 years in business, its popularity has caught on to local and national celebrities. Several national food critics have listed Miss Myra’s as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the nation. Its notoriety, however, would not be possible without a quality product, Wheat said. 

Miss Myra’s began in 1985 as a small deli and convenience store run by Myra Roundtree and her husband, Clark. Previously, Myra worked as a female barber and Clark worked in the oil industry. After moving to Louisiana in the early ’80s, the couple was in between jobs and decided to open the store in Alabama in order to be closer to family. The deli included some barbecue items on the menu, but once customers tasted it, word spread fast and Myra and Clark were soon having trouble meeting the community’s demands.

In 1987, Myra’s daughter, Rennae Wheat, and her husband, Buck began helping with the business. After acquiring more space, they were able to turn their store into a barbecue restaurant. Originally known as Roundtree Barbecue, the restaurant changed its name to Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in 1991. 

Miss Myra’s menu stays true to traditional Alabama barbecue. They serve a variety of barbecue pork, chicken and beef dishes along with red or white barbecue sauce. Dessert items are always popular as well with seven different pie flavors and the restaurant’s famous banana pudding. Reannae and Buck have given out the recipe before at customers’ requests, but have often heard that it is not the same as picking some up at the restaurant.

“They’ll come back and say it’s just too much trouble to make it. I’d rather you make it,” she said.

Rennae and Buck are aware that in Alabama, barbecue competition is fierce. After years in business, they are confident in what sets them apart.

“[There’s] a lot of gratification out of people’s reaction to how they love the food,” Buck said. 

While Rennae and Buck have always been grateful for the recognition Miss Myra’s has received, they know that it would not have been possible without a staff that works together like family and loyal customers. 

“It’s just great working with a family,” Rennae said.