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
George P.
September 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
Smokejack, Johnny and Dave can cook some butt.
GT Fan
September 21st, 2010
3:04 pm
I still say Sonny’s, although I went to Fox Brother’s last night, and it was almost as good.
Moss
September 21st, 2010
3:11 pm
Best Pulled Pork Deans in Jonesboro!!
JJBBQ
September 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
Big D’s in Dawsonville
Dreamland in Roswell
Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell
Fox Bros in Atlanta
Bobsyouruncle
September 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
Take your pick, Dave Poe’s/Sam’s BBQ-1, either one is fantastic and absolutely the best real barbecue in Atlanta. Wallace BBQ in Austell, a very close second.
mpgator
September 21st, 2010
3:27 pm
YOU GUYS ARE ALL WRONG!!! It is Bu Ba Que at Hwy 92 and Canton Rd in Woodstock, GA!! They have been Featured on the Food Network many of times and won a ton of Rib cooking contests!! Along with their award wining Ribs and Pulled Pork, they do a Philly Cheesesteak beef Brisket!! Trust me, you guys need to check this place out!!
It's me.
September 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
For really good bbq you have to go all the way to Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, Al.
KB
September 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
JJ’s RIB SHACK!!!
lovesmesome q
September 21st, 2010
4:11 pm
Pig N Chik is the all round best in my opinion. Fox Bros. has great brisket; Fatt Matt’s love their ribs, Sam & Daves was good.
Dan
September 21st, 2010
4:12 pm
Thompson Bro’s, Cobb Pkwy
Travis
September 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
Fox Brothers!
Patrick
September 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
JD’s in Woodstock. (But don’t all drive up here – it’s hard enough to get a parking space as it is.)
Jami
September 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
Thompson Brother’s in Smyrna & Fatt Matts on Piedmont.
Tracey
September 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
Fatt Matt’s and Dreamland are both really good, Open Air in Jackson is probably the best!
K to the B
September 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
Just try Shack On Main in East Point, on Main Street, just past Ft. McPherson. Then let us know what you think.
CHARLES
September 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
DRIVE TO LEXINGTON NC FOR THE BEST BBQ.
keith
September 21st, 2010
4:16 pm
JJ.’s Rib Shack at 2979 Campbellton Rd. The best ribs, in ALL of ATLanta. I’ve been to all listed, and for taste and real BBQ. This is hands down the best. Just FYI, it takes about 2 hours to get your order. and it’s only too go!
But, if in a hurry and I need my fix now, then Fat Macks. They never let me down. Just being honest.
Estelle
September 21st, 2010
4:16 pm
J J’s Rib Shack on Campbellton Road.
LWells2000
September 21st, 2010
4:16 pm
Sonny’s~? Nah…tastes about as bland as being fired with Atlanta Gas Lite. Shane’s is dependable ‘cue~
wpb1965
September 21st, 2010
4:16 pm
The shed sux they put enough sauce to float an aircraft carrier. BBQ shoulnd not be about the sauce only.Which goes to say that Wallace BBQ is ok if you leave off the sauce taste like its was run through dirty socks!
keith
September 21st, 2010
4:17 pm
F*()&*&^ Sonny’s suck
reservoirDAWG
September 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
Fatt Matt’s has a good atmosphere, but if you think they have the best ribs, you’ve never had a good rib.
Darnell
September 21st, 2010
4:20 pm
hhhhhaaaaaaaaa all of the good places are otp!!
Wendy
September 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
Sam’s Memphis BBQ in Carrollton!!!
Chess
September 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Fox Bros Wings……….!!
Sandy
September 21st, 2010
4:27 pm
Old Hickory House… they have one off LaVista Rd. in Tucker, GA & one off Chamblee Tucker Rd
TW
September 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
New BBQ place in town off Howell Mill on Collier Rd (Billy Jack’s)pretty darn good and this is there second week open. However, the best hands down Fox Bros or Harold’s.
Highly Favored
September 21st, 2010
4:29 pm
Dreamland in Alpharetta…The Best BBQ in Atlanta…
Bob
September 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
COMMUNITY Q is the standard by which all others should be judged.
Emma
September 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
Heyyyyy where did KC Pitt BBQ in Sandy Springs go?????? They had the best BBQ to me in Atlanta, that Kansas City taste ummmmmmmmmmm. Tried to go there for dinner on Saturday and they are gone, they just moved to that location WTF!!!!!! The restaurants in this town come and go so quick that if you see an estabslihment that you might want to experience you better turn in at that present moment because tomorrow they might be gone !!!!1
TONI
September 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
James & Shaun
I am very upset about KC not been there anymore… I WAS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you do the crime that what happens… It still was the best BQ … Hopeful there will be someone else to open a
Place with good BQ….
Sonny's ?
September 21st, 2010
4:32 pm
I can’t believe some idiot actually said Sonny’s. That crap is the worst ‘que you can possibly put in your mouth.
Fresh Air B-B-Q in Jackson or Athen’s…
Mike
September 21st, 2010
4:32 pm
Jim & Nick’s…best chain BBQ joint in the region.
Keeta
September 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
Leons in Chicago Yuuuuumy!!!!!!!!
Chihuahua
September 21st, 2010
4:34 pm
My backyard
Cynthia
September 21st, 2010
4:34 pm
Maddy’s Rib Shack in Decatur is great place to start!
Matt
September 21st, 2010
4:35 pm
This one is easy. Fox Brothers.
reservoirDAWG
September 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
Emma, the owners were arrested for money laundering, I think.
Caren Goode
September 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
Two Brothers in Ball Ground, GA
johnny fontane
September 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
JR’s Log House in Norcross is good, and you can smell the smoke for miles around.
reservoirDAWG
September 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
At a bar b que cook off. They put all these places to shame.
Gram
September 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
REAL BBQ is in N.C., not Georgia. So you’d have a long way to drive to get the real thing. Scotts BBQ in eastern N.C. is FANTASTIC. I even order their own BBQ sauce online. This is the stuff that will make you slap your Momma!
DIANE
September 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
Williams Backyard Cafe at his home address in Stone Mountain. Mmmmmmmm! This comment is from his ex-wife so you guys know it must be delicious.
g
September 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
althought i appreciate the NC BBQ info, I do think that the question was about the best ATLANTA BBQ. Can’t you NC folks read?
Shay
September 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
Please get to know Barbeque Works in Stonecrest Mall. It’s too good to be eaten in a mall food court. Must be enjoyed at home.
Tech Man
September 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
Fox Bros. is by far the best around. They have tasty classics and some stuff you’ve probably never had before too.
Raul
September 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
Jim-N-Nick’s in Conyers……Everything is Good there!
W
September 21st, 2010
4:45 pm
Fox Bros
Shane
September 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Old South in Smyrna
Bhorsoft
September 21st, 2010
4:47 pm
If you don’t get a good whiff of smoke when you walk into the joint, then you probably aren’t going to get good bar-b-que. That pretty much eliminates chains like Smokey Bones, Sticky Fingers, Jim and Nicks, and Shane’s where the food is cooked in a central kitchen in BFE and shipped to the restaurant for reheating. Not saying you’ll get a bad meal there (although I did get some pulled pork at Smokey Bones once that was still frozen in the center), you just won’t get authentic ‘que. Stick to the mom & pop places that take pride in their ‘que and cook it on site. Places like Scott’s Bros. in Cartersville, Pink Pig in Cherry Log, JD’s Barbeque or Bub-BaQ in Woodstock or Old South in Smyrna. They do all their cooking on site and you get a strong scent of smoke and meat when you walk in. Heck, even Williamson’s is good because they do their smoking on site even though they are a local chain.