A True Gem that Somehow Remains Buried to All but Those in the Know
Alright, at first glance it's not the loveliest place to dine. Once you grope through the often muddy/dusty drive into the well-worn establishment, you'll soon feel right at home. The ambience is rather nice; old paintings of a southern flavor adorn the walls. Coca-cola paintings and other collector's items from as early as the Civil War are in abundance as well. But just as okra isn't the most pleasing dish to the eye, once you bite in you'll know what true beauty is once your mouth is set alight with all the wonderful flavors and textures of this exquisite barbeque and catfish.

The pork barbeque is wonderfully smoked and pulled and accommodates the most delectable sauce I've ever tasted. It seems "ketchup-like" at its heart, but ketchup this is not. The catfish filets have actually become my personal favorite of late. Deep fried to a golden color and crispy through and through, they are also the best catfish I've eaten anywhere in the south. The fish has always tasted very clean and the texture and flavor between this perfect batter and the fish within almost seems criminal. In fact, after having more fish than I could manage to eat (the portions are quite generous) I took home the remaining fish. After forgetting and letting them sit on the counter all day and into the night, I ate them cold and they STILL were crispy and delicious, if less so. Generally, the only good tasting fish is freshly cooked and served immediately. Amazing, simply amazing. If you come on a Sunday afternoon, be prepared for a very busy restaurant.    [01 Feb 2005 19:15:41]

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Recommended Dishes: barbeque platters, catfish filet platters, fried shrimp

     ­Eric Sanders   ninjagaiden255 at aol dot com

The Best Ever BBQ Pork
We are from the Chicago area and have family in Cullman, AL. We make sure we plan our trip around Top Hat's schedule. (We once visited on the one week that they were closed for vacation.) This restaurant is in the middle of nowhere, but well worth the trip. The BBQ pork sandwich is the best I ever had. The bun is toasted and the pulled hickory-smoked pork is extremely lean, the sauce is thinner and zesty - just a good mix. They also have a stuffed baked potato that is topped with butter, sour cream, pulled pork and BBQ sauce, which is to die for (make sure you order the small, because the large is crazy big).    [18 May 2005 22:51:23]

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Recommended Dishes: pulled pork BBQ sandwich

     ­Wendy D   

Best Pork BBQ in the Galaxy
My headline says it all. If you want to eat something that is the best in its category, go the Top Hat and get the BBQ pork plate (at least try the sandwich if you are in-between meals). It is heaven on earth. I do wish I lived closer.    [30 May 2005 14:40:15]

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Recommended Dishes: BBQ pork plate

     ­Dr. H.   

I agree, very good BBQ
Grew up around there. When I go back to visit, I try to get a dinner from there at least once.    [30 Oct 2005 01:04:13]

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     ­unk   

A bad experience
I've eaten at the Top Hat before and the food is good, But today I took my parents there after bragging on the barbecue and we sat for 55 minutes and got no food.

We arrived at 11:03 am, there were no other patrons in the main dining room where you first walk in. We were told to sit any place we wanted. We placed our order and soon had our drinks. I had to ask for creamer for my dad's coffee. Within about 15 minutes there were 5 or 6 other tables occupied. The 2 men who came in about 3 minutes after us got served and ate their meal (barbecue sandwiches) and left, we still had no food. We had ordered barbecue sandwiches (3) and onion rings and fries and a baked potato. We have now been in the restaurant about 40 minutes and most of the people who had come in now had food and were eating. I went to the counter and asked what the problem was and was told they had a girl to leave on an emergency. This did not seem to keep others from getting their food, but we sat back down for a few more minutes. Being the first ones in the room I would have thought we would be the first to eat, even second or third would not have been bad. I really think the girl forgot to turn in our order for a while and was embarassed to say so. At 11:57 I asked for a ticket to pay for our drinks as we were leaving to find a place to eat. We were told the drinks would be free as we did not eat. How magnanimous of them!! Robert R.    [16 May 2006 15:22:44]

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     ­Robert R.   

GOTTA go if you have never been Awesome BBQ
Hi we live nearby Top Hat and so we can go often and do. I am from Michigan so the "sauce" was a little different but I love it!! They have the best shrimp and I get BBQ sauce and dip 'em right in.... my husband says they have the BEST burgers .....and my daughter loves the BBQ and we always get some to go. Prices are very low, portions are very big and everyone is very friendly. They sell 2 tons of barbeque per week. WOW!    [26 May 2006 21:29:30]

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Recommended Dishes: Barbeque Plates... Fish...Shrimp....anything really

     ­Anonymous