Former Oneonta ‘Lizard Lick’ Will Reopen As Authentic Southern BBQ Eatery

There are so many different kinds of barbeque across our country and I can easily say, I haven't met a style I haven't enjoyed yet but there's one that stands out for me since I've tried it and just couldn't wait to have more of: "BIG Al’s BBQ of New York" with chef Alvin Shepherd. I first met "Big Al" last spring when he brought quite the southern barbecue spread to our studios at Townsquare Media in Oneonta.

Shepherd, who grew up in North Carolina and now lives locally, learned to cook his family's own recipe of barbecue which he describes as "New York’s best East-Carolina style bbq and soul food" where Big Al uses "fresh ingredients to provide premium barbecued ribs, chicken, fish, and soulful sides".

Big Al has been searching for the perfect location to bring his delicious southern cuisine to us northerners and he found it at the former "Lizard Lick" on Dietz St. in Oneonta, NY. Alvin plans on serving local meats and produce as available at his new restaurant which he says will open on December 31st. The restaurant will be open for drive-thru, call-ahead pickup, and walk-up Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 am.

I can tell you that when Alvin talks about food, his passion for cooking really shines through and I feel that you can taste that in his yummy dishes (see samples below).

What can you expect on the menu? Of course some classic southern fare that's hard to find in Upstate New York: candied yams, collard greens, homemade macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, corn muffins, Hawaiian sweet rolls, plenty of yummy barbecue, and more. Below, on BIG Al’s BBQ of New York's facebook page, you get more of a flavor of Alvin and how he does his barbecue...

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I'm so glad that the closed Lizard Lick owned by David Zumo is coming back to life at the end of this month! My mouth is already watering since I know how good Big Al's barbecue is.