Atlanta BBQ I Have Loved

Atlanta BBQ I Have Loved

By Tim English

Wood smoke causes my mouth to water.  Where there is wood smoke there is the possibility of real pit barbeque.  And where there is real pit barbeque I am apt to be found taking big bites of pork butt and sauce on sandwich bread while grinning from ear to ear as I think about my good fortune.

I love everything about barbeque.  I smoke my own barbecue at home and thanks to my neighbors Tom and Beth Stalzer, who cut some trees in their yard yesterday, I will be smoking pork butts, spare ribs, baby back ribs, beef brisket and homemade sausage over fresh apple wood this fall.  I make my own sauce.  I love homemade baked beans and I even have a secret slaw recipe.  Just love barbeque.

When I am out and about, I actively look for barbeque joints of all sizes and descriptions.  Beats a McBurger any day of the week.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of some Barbeque joints you should check out if you are in the vicinity:

Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q: Near Little Five Points

This is a date night kind of barbeque joint.  It is in Virginia Highlands and Sally enjoys visiting Fox Brothers.  The Fox Brothers are Texans so we don't share many techniques other than their excellent brisket, which is outstanding.  Everything is good but stick to beef at this one.  Fox Brothers opened in 2007 and is a rather recent addition to the BBQ scene in Atlanta.  Go here with the family.  Order an appetizer and a cool drink and sit on the patio.  It is popular so expect a wait.  Fox Brothers Website

Community Q BBQ: Clairmont Road Near Emory

Another great spot to take the family.  Jay Ricketts told me about this place  right after it opened.  It took me another six months to finally stop in for lunch.  I knew it was gonna be good when I spotted Karna Candler and her mother sitting at a table across the room.  This is the real deal and ranks at or near the top of my list of Atlanta BBQ.  Pulled pork or pork ribs are the go to items on the menu.  But do not overlook the sides.  Mac n Cheese is to die for and I have been the recipient of fabulous mac n cheese made by my mom, Helen English, and by my wife Sally over the years.  Whatever you choose on this menu will delight you and make you start planning your next visit.  David Poe is the chef in charge and is formerly of Sam and Daves.  I think you will like this place. Community Q BBQ website

Pig-n-Chik: Peachtree Industrial Blvd between Lowes and Walmart

Also a location on Roswell Road

Pork sandwiches are my favorite item on the menu at Pig-n-chik.  We often stop on the way to or from games at Marist.  Homemade mustard and vinegar based sauces make this the best sandwich option on my list.  Lots of TVs and attentive staff add to the experience.  A huge value and better than any fast food option nearby. Pig-N-Chick Website

Old Brick Pit Barbeque: Peachtree Industrial near Peachtree Golf Club

Great stew.   Good pork.  I prefer Pig-n-chik which is nearby.

Hickory House: Northlake Parkway near Northlake Mall

Also a location in Dunwoody

I have eaten a lot of Hickory house BBQ over the years.  Mostly pulled pork.  The pork is good and I like the Brunswick stew.  Order a sandwich and a bowl of stew and you will be satisfied.  Better yet, go for breakfast and have a BBQ omelet.  I also like the huge breakfast biscuits covered with homemade gravy.  The atmosphere is lacking but the servers are grand ladies.  Ask for Linda. Old Hickory House website

Harold's: Near the Federal Penitentiary in south Atlanta

This place is authentic.  Construction workers share tables with politicians and bankers.  Pulled pork, sliced white bread and homemade sauce are about as far as you should wander on the menu.  Quality varies wildly.  But, this is the real deal and watching a worker chop up a butt in front of your eyes is a mouth watering experience.  Look for the crackling corn bread.  Don't expect fancy here. Yelp website for Harolds

Jim ‘N Nicks: Smyrna, Lawrenceville and Forsyth Co.

When Caroline was playing club volleyball I ended up driving her team over to Birmingham Alabama for a weekend tournament.  I had tons of time to kill and naturally decided to look around for some barbeque.  Friday night I ate at Jim ‘N Nicks.  I had the BBQ salad.  It was delicious.  I ate at Jim ‘n nicks for lunch on Saturday (Buffalo Chicken salad) and again on Sunday (BBQ pork).  It was delicious.  I have tried the expansion restaurants.  The food is good but not the same as the original. Jim N Nicks Website

Shanes Rib Shack: Village Green Circle, Downtown Symrna

Plus lots of other locations.

My friend Jim Cox co owns the franchise Shanes in Symrna.  He often caters events for our High School Athletic Booster Club.  I am surprised how much I like the pork at Shanes.  It is moist and tasty.  Shanes cooks the pork in an electric smoker in a very non traditional way.  Critics turn up their noses at the process.  I am all about results and I vote yes for Shanes BBQ.  If you are looking for BBQ for a group of 10 to 1,000, call SHanes in Symrna and ask for Jim Cox.  Your group will be mighty pleased with the BBQ and fixin's they serve up.  Call Jim at 678-213-2640.

Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q: Roswell Road in Marietta

Sally and I blundered in to Williamson Brothers while searching for a restaurant on our way to a soccer match at Walker School.  When we saw Williamson Brothers we swerved in to the parking lot.  I was not impressed.  The meat was close to tasteless and the sides were minuscule.  Sally and I were disappointed.

Spiced Right Barbeque: Lawrenceville Highway between Tucker and Lilburn

These people know how to smoke meat.  And the sauces are excellent.  I need to stop in for a refresher but the BBQ here rarely disappoints. Spiced Right BBQ Website

Garden Produce and Country Store: Stephenson Road in South DeKalb

Wayne German serves up smoked and pulled pork from a country store near the entrance to Southland on Stephenson Road in DeKalb County.  This place defines rustic.  Wayne defines eccentric.  His BBQ is to die for.  Also fried fish!  We developed Southland subdivision and this place has endured a lot of changes.  Wayne is a survivor and anyone near Stephenson HS can tell you how to find him. Yelp page for Wayne

Sprayberrys Barbeque: Downtown Newnan and a second location near I-85

My first visit to Sprayberrys was on a trip to West Point Lake.  Sally and the girls agreed to go on a camping trip and we towed the boat to West Point Lake.  On the way we wheeled in to the downtown Newnan /original location for Sprayberrys restaurant.  The girls ordered cokes and got those small ice cold bottles that made Coca Cola famous.  I ordered a pork sandwich and fell in love.  On subsequent trips to play soccer nearby we have eaten at the more convenient I-85 location.  More modern and sterile and definitely not the same quality in my opinion.  But still good.  Beats a trip to Wendys.  Sprayberrys BBQ website

NEXT ON MY LIST: Hickory Pig in Gainesville on Thompson Bridge Road.

Never been there.  Everybody says it is the best.  I want to see for myself.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BBQ in metro Atlanta?  There are many more opportunities for excellent BBQ in and around Atlanta. Share your favorites.