T. Wayne's

At T. Wayne’s BBQ, owner Tim Bridges directs a medley of music and meat. A musician himself, Bridges is an expert at pairing local performers with plates of home-style goodness. 

“Nothing is frozen, everything comes in fresh,” Bridges said. 

T. Wayne’s, located on Acton Road, is a newcomer to the Vestavia restaurant scene. But that doesn’t mean they don’t know what components make up an ideal eating experience. Side options include melt-in-your-mouth collard greens, gooey macaroni and cheese, creamy potato salad and rich baked beans. 

But these are just sideshows. 

T. Wayne’s real star comes in the form of pulled pork or chicken. Bridges said slow cooking in the restaurant’s pit is part of the secret. The meat cooks in the flaming pit until it reaches the tender texture customers have come to expect.

 The meal isn’t complete until it’s topped off with T. Wayne’s BBQ sauce. It’s Bridges’ personal recipe. 

“The red sauce is sweet, tangy with just the right bite,” he said. 

Bridges, a former chemical engineer, experimented with flavors and ingredients, eventually settling on his now-popular formula, which is for sale in Piggly Wiggly and Contri Brothers as well as in the restaurant. Mayonnaise-based white sauce is popular with customers, too. Bridges said he has seen especially eager eaters use it to douse their French fries. 

In addition to the comfort food, the musical side of T. Wayne’s keeps customers coming back for more. Bridges features local performers Friday and Saturday nights and on Thursdays, open mic night is held from 7-10 p.m.

T. Wayne’s also offers catering and will host local church groups or organizations in the Acton Road area that are looking to enjoy good music and a pulled pork sandwich. 

“We’re interested in serving Vestavia as much as we can,” Bridges said.