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Smokin' on the Boulevard in Florence is the overall champion in the 2014 Alabama Barbecue Bracket sponsored by the Alabama Tourism Department. (Photo courtesy of the Alabama Tourism Department)

Smokin' on the Boulevard, a little roadside barbecue joint in Florence, knocked off the big boys to win the 2014 Alabama BBQ Bracket championship, the Alabama Tourism Department announced this afternoon.

Voters in the statewide Facebook contest selected Smokin’ on the Boulevard’s smoked ribs as the state’s top barbecue dish.

The other Final Four entries were Bessemer's Bob Sykes BarB-Q, which won for best sauce, and Birmingham-based Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, which won for both best chicken and best pork.

Smokin' on the Boulevard was voted the overall winner.

Located at 4080 Florence Blvd., Smokin’ on the Boulevard has only been open a couple of years, but has fast made a name for itself with its dry-rubbed meats, which are slow-cooked over hickory coals. The menu features Boston butts, St. Louis-style racks of ribs, whole chickens with white sauce, smoked bologna, stew, smoked cabbage and more.

Smokin’ on the Boulevard is open only three days a week, Thursdays through Saturdays, and the ‘cue often sells out. Especially now.

For a menu, prices, hours and more, go to the Smokin' on the Boulevard Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmokinOnTheBoulevard.

About 20,000 votes were cast in the three-week contest, which began with a field of 32 total entries – eight each in the four categories of ribs, chicken, pork and sauce. Voters went to the Alabama Food Facebook page to select their favorites.

For more about the contest, go here.

