Best Brunswick stew
It's an Atlanta classic and, once again, Harold's is both your pick and our pick for best Brunswick stew in and around Atlanta. Staff photo
YOUR PICKS
1. Harold’s Barbecue
You say, “Harold’s still beats all comers … Their stew is fantastic and served with cracklin’ cornbread” and “Harold’s is the best stew in Atlanta … I had a bowl of stew there last Wednesday at lunch and it was as good as ever! Cracklin’ corn bread is still wonderful as was some outside sliced pork.”
2. Old Hickory House
3. Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q
4. Fresh Air Bar-B-Que
5. Old South Bar-B-Q
OUR PICKS
1. Harold’s BBQ
The AJC dining team’s Popular Eats specialist Jon Watson says, “Harold’s has been one of Atlanta’s favorite old-school barbecue spots for decades, and their Brunswick stew wins some of their highest praises. The traditional emulsified-style stew makes for a fantastic dunking sauce for their cracklin’ cornbread, and should be your first pick for a side at the landmark smokehouse.”
2. Beaver Creek Biscuits and Barbecue
3. Old South Bar-B-Q
4. Heirloom Market BBQ
5. Fox Bros. BBQ
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
317 comments Add your comment
Kelli Moore
February 27th, 2012
3:46 pm
Sprayberry’s Brunswick Stew is the best!
Janine
February 27th, 2012
3:50 pm
JR’s in Norcross and Pappy Red’s
Lewis Grizzard
February 27th, 2012
3:51 pm
I’ve had Sprayberry’s but Williamson Bros is the best around!
Jack Walsh
February 27th, 2012
3:52 pm
This is kind of a left-field choice, but my favorite is at the Oakwood Cafe at the State Farmer’s Market.
I
February 27th, 2012
3:52 pm
Pig n Chik on Peachtree Industrial has great Brunswick stew, it’s got a little kick to it!
T-Dawg
February 27th, 2012
3:53 pm
Johnny Harris, Savannah
Boca Baby
February 27th, 2012
3:57 pm
Robinson’s in Monroe, GA. Just ask former Gov. Perdue if he thinks it is.
joe in tucker
February 27th, 2012
3:59 pm
The Brick Store – Decatur!
Woljr
February 27th, 2012
4:01 pm
Sorry but there is no BBQ or stew in Ga or SC that compares to Parker’s in Wilson, NC. I no longer go to this type restaurant in GA or SC. It is just not the same. I wait until next visit in NC.
WoljrWo
Dawg
February 27th, 2012
4:02 pm
Best stew EVER is out at Beaver Creek BBQ in Lithia Springs….none better…….make you slap yo Momma….
Newt Gingrich
February 27th, 2012
4:04 pm
Williamson Brothers, they even catered meals to the Pentagon after 9/11.
Chip
February 27th, 2012
4:07 pm
Harold’s has turned to crap!
Timmy
February 27th, 2012
4:09 pm
Cafe Pig in Peachtree City is fantastic!
one who knows
February 27th, 2012
4:10 pm
Pappy R’s on chattahoochee ave.
Bobby Brown
February 27th, 2012
4:16 pm
Ribs Etc – The food was ok the service was good the prices would have liked the brunswick stew with a little more meat
I like that Fat Matt’s best
Eastside
February 27th, 2012
4:17 pm
Old Hickory House in Tucker, GA..hands down
Ben Chastain
February 27th, 2012
4:18 pm
Harold’s is the best but like everyone else said it is getting worse, but Old Hickory House still rocks, i was there saturday at 3 in the afternoon and it was busy as hell,
Matt
February 27th, 2012
4:26 pm
1: Williamson Bros.
2: ‘Cue
3: Fresh Air
Krista Smith
February 27th, 2012
4:33 pm
1. Williamson Brothers
2. Old Hickory House
3. Sam’s BBQ1 – Lower Roswell Rd
Peter Willis
February 27th, 2012
4:37 pm
This is an easy choice for me… Cafe Pig down in Peachtree City is the best in the state.
Gaga
February 27th, 2012
4:41 pm
I just want to say one thing – only Swallow’s stew makes me sing “Rah rah ah-ah-ah! Ro mah ro-mah-mah”
Rihanna
February 27th, 2012
4:46 pm
Anyone looking for great stew should “shut up and drive” to Cafe Pig in Peachtree City, GA.
JRG
February 27th, 2012
4:46 pm
Harold’s
Guy Fieri
February 27th, 2012
4:48 pm
The choice is easy folks, Williamson Brothers BBQ makes the best work of their brunswick stew. Would make a tadpole slap a whale!
Angelina Jolie's Leg
February 27th, 2012
4:54 pm
I prefer the simplicity of Jim & Nick’s. Tastes just like it came out of a Castleberry’s can.
Brad in Woodstock
February 27th, 2012
5:01 pm
Williamson Brothers in Canton has best stew around
Scarlett Bowman
February 27th, 2012
5:12 pm
I am torn between Fox Brothers (SO good) and Williamson Brothers (could eat a gallon worth). Nod to WB.
GC
February 27th, 2012
5:14 pm
Pink Pig, Blue Ridge
Fresh Air, Jackson
Harold’s, Atlanta
Pig in a Poke
February 27th, 2012
5:31 pm
Grand Champion BBQ – Shallowford Rd, Marietta
up north
February 27th, 2012
5:42 pm
Crossroads Grille in Flowery Branch, when you can get them to make it!
Roddy White
February 27th, 2012
5:49 pm
Johnny’s BBQ – Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville
Frank Wren
February 27th, 2012
5:55 pm
I go to Cafe Pig off of Highway 54 in Peachtree City at least twice a month.
Sandeep Chanresekar
February 27th, 2012
5:59 pm
I am preferring the Tofu Stew served at Vatica in Marietta, all carnivore peers are preferring the Williamson Brothers itself.
Ricky Bobby
February 27th, 2012
6:01 pm
Fresh Air
David McGriff
February 27th, 2012
6:08 pm
+1 Williamson Bros
Laura
February 27th, 2012
7:21 pm
Brickstore Pub!!
Lauren
February 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Thompson Brothers BBQ
Brazen Unicorn
February 27th, 2012
7:37 pm
Matthew’s Cafeteria
tim
February 27th, 2012
8:01 pm
Brunswick stew is slop. Just like most of the crap served at places in the south.
The south leads the nation in cancer. You ever wonder why?
MDG
February 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
I can’t believe that no one has mentioned Daddy D’z BBQ on Memorial Drive. The best BBQ around by far!
rivercard
February 27th, 2012
9:20 pm
Most brunswick stew that I have had in Atlanta area is too sweet and tomatoey (sp?) . Harolds, Hickory and Fresh Air not bad though.
Ali
February 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
Old South… Smyrna… Hands down the best!!
ebennett
February 27th, 2012
10:54 pm
Brickstore Pub in Decatur. The stew is in a sourdough bowl and is called the Tornado.
Paul Hewson
February 28th, 2012
12:41 am
I agree with the majority, Williamson Brothers all the way.
jan brady
February 28th, 2012
2:52 am
I’ve ordered brunswick stew from any menu that I can find it listed on. Always searching for that taste of Mom and Dad’s stew from my childhood. Every piece of meat perfectly smoked and hand-ground using an old fashioned meat grinder clamped to the kitchen table. Every ingredient freshly prepared and slow simmered on the stove. The pan was so large it took two burners. I can just smell that wonderful scent drifting through the air now.
Fresh Air’s stew always kind of reminded me of the texture of Poss stew from the can. Old Hickory House is far too sweet. Tanner’s Rotisserie has a decent stew that’s pretty good when those wonderful muffins they serve are crumbled into it. Gumlog BBQ & Catfish house in Lavonia has some tasty stew. Oddly enough, the brunswick stew served on a rotating basis at My Friend’s Place is wonderful. It sells out quick so better get there early on the day they offer it. I always order two bowls. One for now, one to refrigerate for later.
Baltisraul
February 28th, 2012
8:12 am
MP……..Well it didn’t take ,someone said the Stew at my house, daughters house, at mom’s house got on line. You did not dissapoint. Unbelieveable!
Hickory House gets my vote.
Roy in Woodstock
February 28th, 2012
8:57 am
Two Brothers Barbeque in Ball Ground has the best stew around. and Harolds is number two.
Terrence Frederick
February 28th, 2012
10:17 am
Tie between Williamson Brothers & Thompson Brothers
Rupricht
February 28th, 2012
10:57 am
Fresh Air used to win by a mile. They recently replaced the pulled meat in the recipe with ground and it just doesn’t have the same consistency. From a 50 year old Atlanta native – Hickory House is still the best. Pour a tablespoon of their sauce in a bowl with the stew and it’s awesome.
diamond-e
February 28th, 2012
12:00 pm
you folks need to try rib ranch on highwat 5 in marietta.it has all the beans,okra,meat you uninformed stew eaters could want..oh and by the way TIM probably the reason the south leads in cancer is because all ya’ll yankee mouthbreathing knuckle draggers come down and spread your toxic opinions on our heritage