Full Moon Bar-B-Que officially open
MADISON – Full Moon Bar-B-Que opened here Monday morning with much fanfare and the smell of meat smoked over a wood-fired pit wafting in the air.
Full Moon has a long history of Southern-style barbecue made in the time-honored, traditional way – with quality meats cooked low and slow over a hickory wood-fired pit and spiced with their award-winning sauce.
“It has been a long time coming, and we’re excited to be here and be a part of the Madison community,” said Brian Ahmed, owner of the Full Moon franchise here. “We’re going to have the best barbecue in town.”
Ahmed cut the ribbon with Full Moon owners David and Joe Maluff along with Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler and several Madison aldermen and city officials.
Madison marks the 17th location and first in Mississippi for the chain founded in 1986.
Pat James, a former football coach who spent a dozen years as Alabama legend Paul “Bear” Bryant’s trusted assistant, opened the original Pat James’ Full Moon Bar-B-Que near Gadsden, Alabama, with his wife, Eloise, in the early 1980s. The Maluffs took ownership in 1997.
“We are very proud to come to a city like Madison,” David Maluff said. “It’s very community and family-minded. I’m glad we’re here in Madison, and we can share our food with the community here. We’re the real deal and don’t take shortcuts.”
The original spicy, sweet famous “chow-chow” recipe is still made accordingly to Eloise James’ original recipe.
Each Full Moon BBQ is built around a 30ft x 15ft brick wood fired pit because Alabama barbecue originated with all meat smoked over a wood-fired pit.
Full Moon is open seven days a week and includes interior seating, an outdoor patio with TVs, and a drive-thru. It also specializes in catering for crowds of 10 to 10,000 from tailgates to corporate events.
Maluff said the service is quick, and servers bring the food to your table. The menu features a variety of items, including ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey, pork butt, smoked wings, fresh salads, a “soul bowl” with cheese grits, collard greens and your choice of protein.
“There’s something for everyone here,” David Maluff said.
Maluff said he wants Full Moon to get involved in the community and support local schools, teachers and sports programs.
“We’re a giving group, and we want to give as much as we can to the community,” he said.
The menu is vast and has a little bit of everything, Ahmed said. “We have great ribs, beautiful tender brisket and amazing smoked wings. There’s something for everyone here.”
Full Moon Bar-B-Que is located at 1935 Main Street in Madison, right off Highway 463 across from Academy Sports. For more information about the chain, visit their website at www.fullmoonbbq.com.