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ORAL HISTORY
George Archibald, Jr.
A native of Northport, Alabama, George Archibald spent years working in a steel mill. His wife, Betty, worked at a paper mill. In 1962 they opened Archibald’s Bar-B-Q in their hometown. George Archibald, Jr. was twelve years old when he started working in the family business in 1966. Today, he and his sister, Paulette Washington, run the business their parents started. Not much has changed—not the ribs, the vinegar-based sauce, not even the pink interior of the place*. Loyal customers drive up even before they open the doors at 10:30 a.m. Whether you take a plate to go or settle into one of the picnic tables outside, you’ll savor some legendary Alabama ‘cue.
*They finally painted over the pink. As of 2011, the interior of Archibald’s is a deep red.
