Hog Heaven

1958 was a big year for Tuscaloosa. Not only was it the first year that Paul “Bear” Bryant starting coaching at Alabama, but it was the year that John “Big Daddy” Bishop opened his first Dreamland Café. Big Daddy was a brick mason for many years and he longed for another way to support his family. He had narrowed it down to opening either a mortuary or a restaurant and he got down on his knees and prayed for guidance. Legend has it that God told him in a dream that night to build a café on the land next to his home and Big Daddy made that dream a reality.

Thank you God for inspiring that decision! Yesterday I took the staff of the Birmingham News out to lunch, they suggested Dreamland Cafe. Wow, how I love this paper and town. Dreamland is one of the most legendary Bar-b-que joints in America, (the original restaurant is in Tuscaloosa).

Left to right,
Bernard,
Tamika, Linda,
Frank, Joe,
Beverly, my
empty seat,
and Walt.
The staff of the
Birmingham
News.

This is the place to go for Ribs, Bar-b-que Pork, and Chicken, and the best sides and deserts in Alabama, especially the Banana Pudding. The problem with many Bar-b-que chains is none of the other restaurants use the same methods of cooking, no so at Dreamland as evidenced at the top.
These are the same brick ovens and open flames used to cook the ribs at the original location.

In the South food and
fellowship go hand in
hand. Lunch is a big event
in towns like Birmingham
where more important
business and relationship
building may take place
than in any office building.
Being in the newspaper
business has never been
tougher, especially for photo
staffs. Most of my major
papers in the South are only
about half the size they were
only a few years ago, some even less than half their former size.

It’s more important than ever that we work with our papers to help them get the most out of their
equipment. While this is definitely business, a lot of great relationships and friendships are made along the way. I’ve know Walt for many years and I’m very proud of the great staff he manages and the great work this paper does. Unlike a lot of papers that try to replicate the biggest major city papers, the Birmingham News has stayed true to it’s major readers and delivers local and regional news coverages as good as anyone. That kind of service to the reader has resulted in a loyal following, and that leads to a stable newspaper economy.

I also love the story
of this great Bar-b-
que place. God
really does care
about we do with
our lives. So when
“Big Daddy” Bishop
prayed for guidance
I think we can agree
that he was steered
in the right direc-
tion. I’m sure
glad he didn’t go
with the other
choice. I wouldn’t
have been near
as excited to visit the “Big Daddy” Mortuary!

One of the things I hear often from those that are not believers is that they would be more interested in being a Christian if they didn’t feel they would have to give up so much of what is fun in their lives. If you come here often and don’t think I’m having fun in this life you need to get your eye glass prescription checked……..

Today’s Prayer: Father, thank you for making life so filled with joy and laughter. I am thankful that you’re a God that loves to hear us laugh and see us smile. Amen

the pilgrim

*Photo Notes: All images with Nikon D3s at ISO 3200 and the 17-35 AFS f 2.8 lens.

http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/AboutUs.aspx