The name Lannie’s is familiar with almost anyone that lives in the Queen City, and after being named to the Alabama Barbecue Hall of Fame in June, the restaurant is in a battle to be named the best barbecue restaurant in the state.

The Selma staple is one of 50 barbecue joints that are competing in the Alabama Barbecue Battle, which is an online competition to crown barbecue champions in five different categories.

Lannie’s is in the legends category, which features restaurants like Dreamland Bar-B-Que and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que, among others. As of Saturday afternoon, Lannie’s was leading the way with almost 3,500 votes.

Lula Hatcher, owner of Lannie’s, said she appreciates the support the restaurant is getting and hopes to see it continue until the competition comes to a close at the end of the month.

“I appreciate it,“ Hatcher said. “All of my children’s friends and other people are voting. We’d like to win.”

Hatcher has always been a part of Lannie’s which was opened by and named after her mother, Lannie Travis.

Hatcher said it is the great food that keeps people coming back for more and has kept the restaurant in business for more than 70 years.

The competition is online and allows barbecue lovers to vote for their favorite restaurant in five different categories: Legends, Rookies, Multi-Location, Mom N’ Pops and Dives.

Lannie’s was in third place on Aug. 9 with 639 votes behind Dreamland and Big Bob Gibson, but a Facebook campaign has helped it take the lead and hold onto it for the last few days.

Willie Greene, who stopped by Lannie’s Saturday, said the restaurant tops his list of barbecue.

“I don’t eat it too often now because I’m watching my diet, but in the past I ate it plenty of times,” Greene said. “I think it is about as close as being in heaven.”

Greene said there is no other barbecue that is quite like Lannie’s.

“I was in the military at one time, and whenever I came home, this was my second stop. I had to get some barbecue,” Greene said with a laugh.

Lannie’s was winning Saturday afternoon by less than 100 votes, and fans are asking for more support from barbecue lovers in Selma and Dallas County.

Voting ends August 31, and people can cast their daily vote at www.alabamabbqbattle.com.