son,” says Jimmy.“ When he was little and he first started talking, he couldn ' t say‘ paw paw.’ He’ d say‘ BawBaw.’ Well, he’ s eleven years old now and he still calls me‘ BawBaw’— and all of the grandkids call me‘ BawBaw’ too.”
Just about everyone who’ s stopped by BawBaw’ s so far has made a habit out of stopping there again. Whether it’ s pulled pork, ribs, or slightly fancier fare like the BBQ nachos or the unique Buster Burger( a piece of thick cut baloney on a hamburger bun topped with cheese and mayonnaise), there’ s an open invitation to sample the whole menu before laying a loyal customer’ s claim to your favorite.
When you go, just be sure to save room for dessert: At BawBaw’ s, the sweets are satisfyingly southern. From the peach cobbler to the banana pudding to the selection of deep-fried pies( in four flavors— apple, cherry, peach and chocolate), each dessert is as down-home as Jimmy knows how to make‘ em … and for Jimmy and Audrey, both lifelong Limestone County natives, that’ s deeply down home indeed.
Learn more about BawBaw’ s BBQ and check out the full menu online at www. bawbawsbbqathensal. com. Getting there’ s easy: The restaurant lies only blocks from The Limestone County Courthouse Square at 310 Madison Street in Athens. LL
Jimmy McMeans with his grandson Cason, the inspiration behind BawBaw’ s BBQ’ s catchy name.
14
Photos by Benjamin Bullard Summer 2026 \\ Limestone LIFE