Diamond Jim’s, Mrs. Donna’s ribeye named 2023 Bama’s Best Beef
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Pictured from left, Bob Plaster, Bama’s Best Beef Contest judge; Donna Dial, Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s owner; JJ Dial, grandson of Jim and Donna Dial; Jim Dial, owner of Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s; and ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley at the plaque presentation outside Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s Restaurant in Livingston.
Diamond Jim’s Famous Ribeye.
Special to the News
Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s, a family-owned-and-operated restaurant in Livingston, has been named the winner of the 2023 Bama’s Best Beef contest with its dish, Diamond Jim’s Famous Ribeye.
The annual contest highlighting local restaurants’ beef dishes is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.
The well-known West Alabama favorite starts with a hand cut 16-ounce ribeye, marinated for hours and seasoned with a secret blend known only by the Dial family. It is then grilled over charcoal until the tender, savory steak develops the perfect crust.
The 2023 Bama’s Best Beef contest began September 25 on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page with a nominations round that earned more than 200 entries from restaurants across Alabama.
The two most-nominated dishes from each of the contest’s four regions moved on to Facebook photo challenges that put competing dishes head-to-head as almost 7,000 fans voted for their favorite restaurant’s plated meal. The contest garnered a digital reach of more than 394,000 Facebook users throughout October.
In the semi-finalist round, Diamond Jim’s maintained their winning streak with an almost 200-vote lead over Tabby D’s in Andalusia, with their Southern Style Beef Roast. This placed them in the final two with Ole Gin Steakhouse in Section, also competing with a ribeye.
The contest was decided with an in-person tasting of both dishes.
“We started strong with a delicious meal at Ole Gin’s, so I knew that Diamond Jim’s would have to really impress me,” said one contest judge, “and they definitely did.”
Semifinalists included The Greasy Spoon Kitchen (Gallant) Big Daddy Don Burger and Tabby D’s (Andalusia) Southern Style Beef Roast, while other regional dishes included MaePop’s Barbecue (Tallassee) Brisket, BBQ Haven (Enterprise) Brisket, Lynnie Bo’s (Lineville) Hamburger Steak Plate, and Mitchell’s Smoked Meats (Muscle Shoals) Brisket Dinner.
“Since October is Beef Month in Alabama, it was the perfect time to showcase Alabama restaurants and the vital role they play in providing delicious, high-quality beef to local consumers,” said ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley. “We are so thankful for the restaurants involved in this contest and the fans who supported it.”
The small-town restaurant is a continued legacy of the Dial family. Although the restaurant opened its doors 18 years ago, the unique recipes found in its kitchen have been around far longer than those making them today.
Many of the recipes used in the restaurant are family favorites that have been passed down through generations, and according to Jim, Donna, and their grandson and grill master JJ, they will continue to be.
“Jim taught JJ to cook from the time he was just a little boy,” said Donna. “Now we have a great-grandson that comes into the restaurant, and we hope that he will learn the same way.”
Jim, Donna and JJ Dial, along with the Diamond Jim’s crew, were visited by ACA staff and judges on Wednesday, October 25, where the dish was judged, and a finalist plaque was presented. As a result of the win, Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s will also receive additional Facebook advertising, roadside signage and coverage in the Alabama Cattleman magazine, which features a circulation of 10,000 readers.
The Bama’s Best Beef contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Beef Checkoff. For questions regarding the contest, contact Josie Jones at josie@bamabeef.org or 334-265-1867.
