Best barbecue
A pulled pork sandwich with a side of collard greens at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta. Photo: Becky Stein / Special
YOUR PICKS
1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
You say, “Fox Bros. have no competition! If you think some other place is better I suggest you go try it!” and “There are a lot of great choices around here, but Fox Bros. has to be the best. Anyone who says they don’t like it is either a vegan or works for a different BBQ joint.”
2. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
3. Pig-N-Chik
4. Community Q
5. Fresh Air Bar-B-Que
6. Swallow at the Hollow
The pork platter with sides of mac and cheese and baked beans at Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell. Photo: Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com
OUR PICKS
1. The Swallow at the Hollow
Food and beverage writer Bob Townsend says, “Purists may sneer at the foodie barbecue Bill Green does at this weathered-wood cabin in Roswell. But like his Southern comfort cooking across the way at Greenwood’s, there’s no arguing with the quality or intention. Feast on smoky pork or beef, baby back ribs and house-made sausage, with terrific portobello mushrooms and fried green tomatoes, and freshly baked bread and pies.”
2. Garden Produce & Country Store
3. Sam’s BBQ 1
4. Dave Poe’s BBQ
5. Community Q BBQ
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517 comments Add your comment
phillip
September 20th, 2010
3:54 pm
Fox Brothers
Community Q
Harolds
Shane’s
phillip
September 20th, 2010
3:55 pm
Went to One Star last week. Prices high, beef rib was charred (burned) too heavily on the outside, sides were average, but luckily they were very small as well. Can’t vote for a former favorite.
Pig and Chick is good!
Rib Ranch closed!
jrp
September 20th, 2010
3:56 pm
Iron Horse in Villa Rica..Old South in Smyrna..
@Villa Rica DAWG..You haven’t missed much by not eating at Hudson’s..I would rather eat at Sonny’s than there..
road warrior
September 20th, 2010
3:56 pm
If y’all are going to make such grand pronouncements about “the best ever”, please try holcombs in white plains first…. just so you don’t look like an idiot when you do try it and realize that Atlanta, and it’s suburbs, just doesn’t have very good Q…. period
JRHD
September 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
Since you asked for the whole experience and not just the food, Colonel Poole’s in Ellijay has to get a vote. Harold’s if you are voting on the food.
Deputy Dog
September 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
Wallace in Austell but wait until Thursday -Friday or Saturday. They are closed on Monday. So Tue & Wed may be left over from weekend. They will try to slip them in on you but for the most part they are great. My overall vote goes to Logans Steak House. Yummmmy. 10-4 10-6 for 10-84..Earl D Lee was the best.
reservoirDAWG
September 20th, 2010
4:05 pm
I’ve had Fox Brothers at some festivals around and was not impressed.
Gman
September 20th, 2010
4:05 pm
Best pork – Sam and Daves I moved away but still make their Mac-N-Chz all the time, nobody comes close to that stuff…..Best Sauces – Pig-N-Chick, best mustard and vinegar sauce in the ATL. Best Stew – Pig-N-Chik just barely over Sam-N-Daves and Harolds. Rule of thumb – a chain doesnt cook BBQ they way itsmeant to be cooked – in fact nobody in town has BBQ that even looks like Sam-N-Daves and Fox Bors, the way its burned to a crisp on the outside, pulled with a fork and has the nice pink ring on the inside. If its done right I could eat BBQ every friggin day of the week…..
QFan
September 20th, 2010
4:05 pm
Uncle Betty’s in Snellville
Road Scholar
September 20th, 2010
4:08 pm
‘cue is good. So is Jim and Nicks (esp the onion rings). But Fox Bros is best.
By the way, Swallow in the Hollow sucked.
iRun
September 20th, 2010
4:09 pm
In the city it’s Fox Bros, hands down. But Shane’s is pretty good, too.
Navy GT
September 20th, 2010
4:15 pm
Hickory Pig in Gainesville! Well worth the drive up this way!
Northside
September 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
Swallow in the Hollow has fallen off so much because the manager/chef Paul quit. He opened his own place called ‘Cue in Milton up Hwy 9 just north of Windward Pkwy. The place is legit.
Garden & Gun
September 20th, 2010
4:18 pm
B’s BBQ
B’s BBQ Road
Greenville, NC
Yep
September 20th, 2010
4:25 pm
I have eaten at pig and chik several times. Their meat has so much fat in it, I have to take 2 lipitor just to make it through dinner. It is not even crispy like others. There basically is not a good BBQ restaurant north of the perimeter at all. If you want to eat soemthing good, try champ’s in smyrna, wallace’ in austell, or fat matt’s in town. You can’t go wrong there. You simply can not buy decent BBQ from a chain! Yankees are convinced that Sonny’s is still good too by the way. What a laugh!! I wish someone would open a real BBQ restaurant in the Cumming market. Slopes is about the best we have and hormel out of a can tastes better than the stuff coming out of their smoker!
Ramblwrk68
September 20th, 2010
4:26 pm
Old Brick Pit BBQ, PIB, just south of Lowes Warehouse (Windsor Pkwy). NC-style melt-in-yo-mouth pulled pork, and a sauce that is perfect blend of sweet and tangy. 1/2-chicken plates, too.
That said, have yet to find a place ANYWHERE that beats Starnes BBQ, Paducah KY!
Wes T.
September 20th, 2010
4:26 pm
McDonald’s McRib sandwich. The dream will never die….
DawgPhan
September 20th, 2010
4:27 pm
Community Q is my favorite in the city. Their pork and brisket are as close to competition quality as you will find in any bbq joint.
Atlantan
September 20th, 2010
4:28 pm
BBQ1 (East Cobb) has the best pulled pork I’ve ever had. Haven’t made it to community Q yet but I’m sure its great since the owner used to be at BBQ1.
Swallow at the hollow is SO OVERRATED. I would never go there again. Worst brunswick stew I’ve ever eaten.
johnny fontane
September 20th, 2010
4:30 pm
Southern Pit, Griffin Ga.
PIG MAN
September 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Harrold’s; Fat Matt’s; haven’t but heard dba in the Highlands is awesome.
1bearz
September 20th, 2010
4:34 pm
After living here for over a decade, I still haven’t found one BBQ joint that is worthy. I know of two, one is the Shed in Ocean Beach, MS and the others if Flint’s in Oakland, CA. Both of these will make you understand what real BBQ is all about. There are some OK places here, but all have a long way to go. North Carolina is calling…
BillS
September 20th, 2010
4:36 pm
Here’s the sad truth: ain’t no outstanding bbq places around Atlanta. Try NC or Memphis, or even a couple of roadside stands in lower SC. But there are some good barbecue stands around here: pig n chik, Fox Bros do some things well. But for an outstanding overall experience, you gotta’ leave Atlanta. Sorry.
Bubba
September 20th, 2010
4:36 pm
since 1929, Fresh Air BBQ, Jackson, GA
The BEST in Georgia !
James
September 20th, 2010
4:36 pm
@ Toni KC was shut down by the Feds after the owners were accused of laundering drug money..
UGADawg7
September 20th, 2010
4:37 pm
Fat Matt’s!
Carolina Girl
September 20th, 2010
4:37 pm
Best all around: Sam & Daves in East Cobb. Love it that it is around the corner from us at least once a week. Great staff too. Owner has a passion for the art. Runner up for best sauce: Williamson Bros b/c of the pepper. I use it at home for grilling. Who is a loser? One Star Ranch in Alpharetta. Hands down nasty overpriced food AND service. What a joke.
Shaun
September 20th, 2010
4:40 pm
James, and Toni, I am so upset that KC Pitt is closed. they had the best cue in the state. When I read what happened, I was sick to my stomach, not for them, but for the food i was not going to get anymore… LOL
General Zod
September 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
Fat Matt’s??? Maddy’s???? You should kneel before me with those comments.
It’s clearly Rolling Bones on Edgewood, you pathetic earthlings!
Rucky
September 20th, 2010
4:42 pm
Johnny’s in Powder Springs, Wallace in Austell, Williamson Bros. in Marietta. I’ll be honest–I’m not a bbq snob–there’s hardly any bbq that I haven’t liked, in varying degrees. So many I’d like to try…still haven’t made it to Dreamland in Roswell but want to sometime.
Yankee Boy
September 20th, 2010
4:43 pm
When you hear the microwave bell go off, within minutes you’ll have some of the best BBQ this side of Brooklyn, NY at Slopes.
Nothing better than Slopes BBQ and a cold bottle of pop !
Stan
September 20th, 2010
4:44 pm
Hands down, has to be One Star Ranch. Best beef ribs in town.
Atlantan
September 20th, 2010
4:45 pm
Also Harold’s Brunswick stew is consistently good. I’m not a huge fan of their style of pork though.
Second to None
September 20th, 2010
4:45 pm
Sam’s House in Carrollton GA… Everything is fresh and prepared right there!!! If you’re in the area, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Glo
September 20th, 2010
4:46 pm
Brick Pit BBQ on Peachtree Industrial Road – everything is good!
Johnny Reb
September 20th, 2010
4:46 pm
Ever hear of “Yankee Barbeque,” Folks?
Yep, I didn’t think so. Neither has anyone else.
That is because there is no such thing, just like you’ve never heard of “Northern Hospitality,” either.
EC
September 20th, 2010
4:46 pm
Community BBQ in Decatur
BBQ
September 20th, 2010
4:55 pm
Fox Brothers, love the texas fries, bbq stuffed jalepenos, and the unbelievable Fox Brothers Burger (brisket, pimento cheese, bacon, jalepeno mayo, red onions, toasted bun).
JustMe
September 20th, 2010
4:56 pm
Definitely, Fox Brothers for the Midwestern Q afficionado.
Hokey
September 20th, 2010
4:57 pm
Community Q is the best new place. Not only is the pork great, the Mac’n cheese is fantastic; go early ’cause they do run out of food. Swallow at the Hollow is a great package. The meat is good and all the sides rate tops; and to go there on entertainment night! Pig and Chick is inconsistent and the sides are nothing to talk about. Fresh Air is pretty good, but not my style. SO LETS GO NORTH! Jimmy’s in Lexington is my favorite. A lot of folks like Honey Monks but, like Fresh Air, not my style. Mac’s in Charlotte is a lot of fun with decent Q and great atmosphere.
glorybea
September 20th, 2010
4:59 pm
Old Hickory House has the best sauce, b’wick stew, Outside sliced pork & ribs..take it from a cook.
Country Dawg
September 20th, 2010
5:00 pm
I know it isn’t exactly Atlanta, but Bub Ba Q in Jasper has GREAT Brisket and pork. The Brunswick stew is only average though. My favorite Hole in the wall joint.
Billy Jack's Barbecue & Shrimp Co.
September 20th, 2010
5:01 pm
We just opened. I am the owner. Come try us! Great pulled pork and pork ribs. We also carry a nice beef brisket, depending on availability — try our Brunswick Stew and other sides.
On Collier Road, near intersection with Howell Mill Rd in the Publix shopping center (lower level). Call us (404.351.7979) or visit us on Facebook.
Yeah Right
September 20th, 2010
5:07 pm
Barbecue in Atlanta? This is a joke right?
Save your money. Fly to Kansas City, eat at Gates, Heywards, Bryants and KC Masterpiece.
You’ll never eat Barbecue in Atlanta again.
THWGT
September 20th, 2010
5:10 pm
Zebb’s BBQ – Hwy 29 north of Athens.
Pork Plates for Two, Please
September 20th, 2010
5:12 pm
I used to really enjoy and recommend Williamson Brothers BBQ, but I have gotten food poisoning the last three times I have visited their Marietta location.
Therefore, I no longer frequent that establishment where I have taken many Southern Ladies, relatives and good friends.
Selah.
Porky
September 20th, 2010
5:15 pm
Sam’s BBQ-1. Everything on the menu is good. Sam’s a state champion in most categories. So good you won’t need the sauce. Be sure and try the pork and beans ice-cream – something you won’t find elsewhere.
Shaun
September 20th, 2010
5:22 pm
Right on “yeah right”, Gates in Kansas City is the best BBQ in the world….
J W
September 20th, 2010
5:22 pm
I live next to Fox Bros BBQ and I really don’t like it. The sides and poppers and wings are good but not some much the bbq. ITP- HAROLD’S hands down the best all around bbq. OTP- dave poe’s. And for anyone saying Sonny’s or Shane’s you are a disgrace to BBQ loving people, that isn’t even real bbq.
KR
September 20th, 2010
5:24 pm
Hard to pin down to one choice because it depends on whether I want ribs, pulled pork, particular sides, etc.
For ribs I prefer Sticky Fingers baby Backs but I haven’t succeeded in getting them to Atlanta yet so I don’t eat too many ribs in Atlanta. Not a fan of beef ribs so that rules out One Star & Rib Ranch.
For pulled pork BBQ1 in E Cobb is some of the best I’ve had.
Both Fox Bros & BBQ1 have good brisket though I’m not sure I’d put either up against what I’ve had in TX – County Line, etc.
For quality sides, both BBQ1 & Fox Bros do well although I’d pick BBQ1 over Fox Bros.
For brunswick stew, the best I’ve ever had is Old South in Smyrna.
Despite the nay-sayers, Sonny’s is capable of good smoked bbq chicken & excellent baked beans but not a fan of much else there.
Too bad there’s not one place with the whole package although BBQ1 comes closest for me.