UPDATED @ 5:00 PM DOBB’S IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED AS OF TODAY. AFTER POSTING THEY ARE CLOSING THEY WERE SWAMPED WITH CUSTOMERS AND SOLD OUT OF EVERYTHING TO DO.
DOBB’S BBQ – OFFICIALLY CLOSED
DOTHAN: 1:18 PM Since 1948 many have enjoyed Dobb’s Famous BBQ located on Highway 231 South and Highway 203. This Sunday, September 28, 2025 at about 6:00 PM Dobb’s BBQ will close it’s doors and no longer be.
Mr. Euell Dobbs, father of Lee Dobb’s, first opened Dobb’s BBQ in Tallassee Alabama. In later years, 1948, Mr. Euell Dobb’s began Dobb’s Famous BBQ in a small business located where the Marathon Staion is located today at Highway 231 South and Ross Clark Circle. In those days Highway 231 was what is today Highway 203 which runs into Rehobeth. When they learned that Highway 231 was going to be built Dobb’s Famous BBQ moved to it’s current location where it has operated every since.
Euell Bobb’s son, Lee Dobb’s and Bill Livingston worked at Nip’s and Ernie’s Restaurant which was located in what is today Southside Furniture on S. St. Andrews at Cottnowood Road. Both Lee and Bill went to the military and when Lee finished his tour with the Navy and Bill with the Army, Mr. Euell Bobb’s had a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair. So Lee and Bill joined hands and took over the reigns of Dobb’s Famous BBQ. Lee and Bill remained partners until sometime in the late 1980’s or ealy 1990’s when Lee bought Bill out of the restaurant.
Over the years it has been the home of fine BBQ and Camp Stew. Also was known for Lee’s magic tricks such as the Hooie Stick, a dog on a leash with a harness collar. Lee would walk the dog through the restaurant, only there was no dog. The collar had wire around it and the leash with wire which kept it stiff. Remember one story where a lady keep looking at it but saw no dog and finally grabbed and then gave a sigh of relief.
Over the decades of business, Sunday night was a night many church groups would leave church and gather at Dobb’s. It was many different churches that gathered together to eat at Dobb’s.
Dobb’s was known in the early years as having curb boys. Long before drive thru’s, young people would go the car and take the order to return from the restaurant with a tray that fit onto the car window with the order. Many of a young person, their first jobs ever were as curb boys for Dobb’s Famous BBQ. In facts, three long term employee’s of Dobb’s BBQ, Charles Sensabaugh, Arthur Mayo and John Lindley worked as curb boys. The late Charles Sensabaugh worked for about 40 years with Dobb’s, beginning at age 14 or so as a curb boy. Arthus started at age 12 in the back until age 14 when he became a curb boy.
Lee Dobb’s passed away in 2017. Buried in the casket with him was the hooie-sooie stick which was a stick with two blades. Lee was the brains behind the hooie-sooie stick.
At the passing of Lee Dobb’s the business was left to John Lindley and Arthur Mayo, two long time employee’s of Dobb’s BBQ. They have oeprated the business and contimued on the Lee Dobb’s tradition. COVID struck nad they had to adapt and survive through COVID. Some health issues struck John in recent years. Then the construction on Highway 231 South which caused a huge negative impact on Dobb’s Famous BBQ business. The summer traffic carried Dobb’s through to the Thanksgiving and Christmas months. So John and Art made the decision, with their being older and JOhn’s health, the huge negative impact of the summer, that the time has come for them to retire. Today, Saturday, I ate at Dobb’s. Everyone is emotional knowing that as of 6:00 PM Sunday, life has changed.
Dobb’s Famous BBQ will be open at 11:00 AM on Sunday until about 6:00 PMon Sundy, September 28. Come out and enjoy some fine food on their last day in business.
Dobb’s Famous BBQ in Dothan Alabama … 1948 – 2025.
