This nostalgic Columbus restaurant has an iconic BBQ sandwich. The price? $1.59

I’m Kelby Hutchison, the newest reporter at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. I’m a Dothan, Alabama native who is excited to be living in the Chattahoochee Valley. I’m also a big foodie, and I’m on a mission to try all of the barbecue restaurants in Columbus and the surrounding areas.

But I wanted to start with a spot that has a special place in my heart: Clearview BBQ.

My family would occasionally take vacations up to Callaway Gardens to see Christmas lights in the winter or take summer trips to Aqua Island.

My parents would pack up my father’s old Isuzu Rodeo with luggage, sports equipment and four kids who were always hungry. We’d almost always make a pit stop at Clearview in Columbus for the 99-cent barbecue sandwiches.

Twenty sandwiches and my sister’s required “Q-tater” later, we’d take off down the road.

That was 10 years ago, and nothing is $1 anymore, even at McDonald’s. But my piece of childhood nostalgia is still going strong. A BBQ sandwich at Clearview is now a whopping $1.59.

My order is, and will likely always be, three regular chipped BBQ sandwiches, pickles, no slaw, with medium mustard based golden goodness on each sandwich. I finish the order off with a regular sweet tea that never fails to take the “sweet” part seriously.

My order never comes out to be more than $8. As a recent college graduate, I still relish when I hear the words free, find change between the seat cushions and can be filled by a meal for less than $10.

The moist BBQ is put on a golden hamburger bun, sprayed with the sauce of your choosing, topped with pickles and slaw and pressed into a warm and delicious sandwich that I always have at least once a week, typically on college football Saturday.

I usually eat in because the restaurant reminds me of a rustic log cabin and makes me feel like I just got done milking the cows.

However, the one thing I can always say is Clearview BBQ holds a special place in my heart, stomach, and wallet. If you want to try Clearview, please know that they only take cash or checks and don’t accept cards.

Editor’s note: Ledger-Enquirer breaking news reporter Kelby Hutchison is our staff foodie and will occasionally write reviews of local restaurants. If you have a suggestion, e-mail him a khutchison@ledger-enquirer.com.

This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 8:30 AM.