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
Jason
September 21st, 2010
4:47 pm
Jim & Nick’s in Conyers…….try The Pittmaster Plate. You won’t be disappointed!
Kimberly
September 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
No ribbing, Johnny Mitchell’s Smokehouse in Euharlee (Bartow County. Soooo worth the drive the the BBQ and steaks!
CAG
September 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Community BBQ in Decatur is the best, hands down, no contest!
Jason
September 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
@ Bhorsoft….Jim & Nick’s does cook on site.
Wad
September 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
Fatt Matt’s PERIOD
Bhorsoft
September 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Jason,
It doesn’t taste or smell like it. It ain’t got no soul, just like Shane’s.
Kat
September 21st, 2010
4:53 pm
Best barbecue around is outside the perimeter – Big Shanty BBQ in Kennesaw and David BBQ in Jasper have the best BBQ. The best Brunswick Stew is Sprayberry’s BBQ in Newnan.
Matt
September 21st, 2010
4:56 pm
Recently visited Big D’s BBQ in Dawsonville, GA. Its the most unique BBQ I’ve ever had. The “brownie” was very interesting (outside meat with season rub charred on). The ribs were amazing. The little hushpuppies were golden fried bites of heaven. St Louis Style.
UGAFAN#1
September 21st, 2010
4:59 pm
Mcdonalds has this great sandwich sometimes called the McRib, its awesome.
Go Dawgs.
Dawgs88
September 21st, 2010
5:01 pm
Mad Dog’s BBQ in Conyers, GA
Cowboy’s BBQ in Newborn, GA
Bradley’s BBQ in Covington, GA
kevin
September 21st, 2010
5:02 pm
Harold’s is great. Daddy D’z can be great, but can be inconsistent. Fox Bros. is good, but way overhyped and also very inconsistent. Rolling Bones is solid.
nick
September 21st, 2010
5:02 pm
For overall quality of the menu from top to bottom has to be Fox Brothers
bwc
September 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
Dave Poe’s & Fox Bros. are both excellent all around. Big Shanty Smokehouse in Kennesaw is also very good, and they have had some interesting specials (e.g. smoked duck).
Patricia Higginbotham
September 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
Best smoked BBQ-the old fashioned way….
Roadside BBQ on North 129-Cleveland Ga…
Hands Down…The Best.
Pleaser
September 21st, 2010
5:06 pm
What restaurant is featured in the above pic?
Janice
September 21st, 2010
5:07 pm
Bradley’s Bar-B-Que Conyers and Covington. Best ribs, wings and pulled pork.
Mike
September 21st, 2010
5:07 pm
DREAMLAND!!!!
BBQLOVER
September 21st, 2010
5:09 pm
Fox Bros is one of the best! Fat Matt’s is overrated FOOS!
K
September 21st, 2010
5:09 pm
ITP – Fox Brothers
OTP – Swallot @ the Hollow
Tigerbait
September 21st, 2010
5:12 pm
Jim-n-Nicks or Williamson Brothers
Jim Lesser
September 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
I’ve got to try Open Air in Jacksonville, but have to laugh at the guy that says, “If you don’t think Open Air is the best, then you must be from Atlanta.” Uh, ya, what’s your point, this is about best barbeque in Atlanta.
johnny t-bone
September 21st, 2010
5:17 pm
Wallace in Austell has a great laid back country vibe if you need to get out of the metropolis. Good pulled pork.
Fatt Matt’s for Ribs. Get a bit touristy, loud, and crowded on w/es.
Fox Bros overall is excellent. Great pork, fast service, interesting sides.
Williamson in Canton is outstanding. Who ever said they got food poisoning 3 times in a row a lying fool. Best hush puppies in the Metro area.
Ryan
September 21st, 2010
5:18 pm
Community BBQ in Decatur is my new favorite spot! Fantastic price for a full meal, great service, meat quality is superb and the sauce is MONEY.
BBQ
September 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
I’m sorry but Sprayberry’s in Newnan is awful. When we moved here everyone raved about it so we tried it. The BBQ sauce is really runny with a cinnamon tasted that ruins everything. Apple fried pies are the worst. We haven’t had any good bbq yet since moving here from Arkansas. Come on people, why is it so hard to try and replicate KC Masterpiece in Kansas City.
Kimmer
September 21st, 2010
5:22 pm
Uncle Betty’s in Snellville!
Paddy
September 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
GT Fan ….you said Sonny’s? You either have no friends or are trying to get rid of a few!!! Bi-Lo has better bar-b-que and they are out of business!
sonny's sucks
September 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
PIT BOSS BBQ in Hapeville, great all the way around
N-GA
September 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
Jim n’ Nick’s – Great cue and outstanding sides!
UGAFAN#1
September 21st, 2010
5:28 pm
yeah uncle bettys is great.
Go dawgs.
Shell
September 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
Steve and Nicks in Lawrencevillle.
Shell
September 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
I meant Jim and Nick’s in Lawrenceville.
UGAFAN#1
September 21st, 2010
5:31 pm
Yeah Steve’s isn’t very good.
Sick Em.
Paddy
September 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
BBQ…in Georgia it would be a sin to try and duplicate KC Masterpiece. Kansas City Bar-B-Que is not a favorite around these parts. One sure bet for your business to go under if you served that “desert style” sauce.
Mary
September 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
Fat Matt’s
BBQ BOY
September 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
Sonny’s ?!?!?, please….
Jim & Nick’s, you people don’t know good que.
Williamson Bros used to be good, but the past few times we’ve been there it was BAD.
Dave Poe’s in Marietta is IT in my book, always good.
If you get up to Helen, you gotta try North Georgia BBQ.
KCTENGYM
September 21st, 2010
5:37 pm
Wallace Bar-B-Que in Austell. Everything on the menu is fantastic! Great Food! Great Staff! Great Prices!
dawglasville
September 21st, 2010
5:38 pm
Fox Brothers. The best ribs outside of Memphis.
mouthofthesouth
September 21st, 2010
5:39 pm
The Original Slopes BBQ in Roswell is one of my favorites. They just started serving brisket friday and saturdays absolutely amazing. Swallow at the hallow is good but the sides are sub par. Pig N Chik is always a good choice as well
cowflying
September 21st, 2010
5:42 pm
Slopes BBQ Roswell yum is all ya gotta say
Born and Bred ATLien
September 21st, 2010
5:42 pm
The BEST BBQ is at JJ’s Rib Shack in SW Atlanta. Its a hole in the wall, food is only to go and is cooked to order. Just know that you may wait an hour or so but its WELL WORTH IT. So forget Sonny’s (thats smoked meat not BBQ), Fatt Matt’s (it’s ok, but they dont have a lot of sides) and all the other are just BS’ing around a grill…so take a trip to Campbellton Rd and get ya some ribs, rib tips, whole or chicken pieces and southern sides. You will NOT be disappointed AT ALL.
PS. they close when they have sold all the meat for the day (wink). So get their early (11:30am) so you dont have to wait or risk them selling out of meat or veggies
szq
September 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
Daddy D’z – check out the fried bacon sandwich!
Bob the Builder
September 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
I am writing down all these places so I can try the one’s I have not been to, except for the nut that listed Shanes. I can crockpot pork at home and pour on sauce from Kroger. Also, I have eaten BBQ in Kansas City – good but not worth going to Kansas City for and Kansas City is not in Atlanta for those of you who don’t realize that. Hence the title ” Best of the Big A” – that “A” is not America.
grk245
September 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
Fox Brothers BBQ is the best I have had in the ATL. Great pork ribs, beef brisket and even beef spare ribs. The jalepeno poppers, chili, brunswick stew and Fox Bros. burger are also amazing. Great atmosphere and service to boot.
Laurie Ausley
September 21st, 2010
5:55 pm
OINKERS in Clayton!!!!
Christine
September 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
‘Cue in Milton is great!
Bob the Builder
September 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
Humor award winner: The guy who listed the McRib sandwich – you’re killing me. Virginia Highland?? Don’t think I would want smoked butt or creamed anything in Virginia Highland.
Ike
September 21st, 2010
6:02 pm
Daddy D’s on Memorial Drive!!!!!
Byron
September 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
Speaking as a Memphis boy, ‘Cue in Alpharetta/Milton is easily the best I’ve had in the Atlanta area. The meat (particularly the pulled/chopped pork) is outstanding. The sides are excellent, especially the slaw and the house made sourdough bread. The sauces are good individually, although a judicious mixing of the regular (tomato based), the S.C.-style mustard, and the N.C.-style vinegar sauces yields an outstanding sauce.
Give it a try. You won’t be sorry!
dan
September 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
WALLACE BBQ In Lithia Springs!
Zetta
September 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
I know this is not in Atlanta, however, “J. L.’s” Bar-B-Que located just 75 miles South of downtown Atlanta, on I-75 South, on Eisenhower Road in Macon, Georgia, is by far the most tender, most and delicious meat that I have eaten in years. And Lord knows…that their special homemade Bar-B-Que sauce makes my mouth water just by thinking about it. Now, where is my napkin?