Sampling Atlanta’s Best Barbeque – Just in time for National BBQ Month
“Barbeque tells us many things. It tells us of tradition, family, and community…” So begins the presentation at the Barbeque Nation exhibit at the Atlanta History Center. Georgia’s relationship with barbeque can be traced back thousands of years. Originally known as “brabacot” in the Caribbean, “babbake” in West Africa, and “barbacoa” in Spain, the practices of smoking, spicing, and saucing meet began to blend during the 16th century, as these civilizations migrated across the globe. The first written appearance of the word “barbeque” occurred in 1688, followed shortly thereafter by a British cookbook publishing the first barbeque recipe.
In the U.S., barbeque is a style of cooking, a type of food, and an event that brings the community together. It can also be the source of heated food rivalries, as with the different methods of preparing Southern barbeque. Carolina barbeque, for example, is a whole-hog cooking method with a spicy vinegar-based sauce. Kansas City barbeque is spicy, slow-smoked over a variety of woods, and served in a thick tomato-based sauce. Memphis barbeque is slow-cooked in a pit with a tomato sauce tasting of meat, smoke, and vinegar. Texas barbeque is slow-cooked over a direct, open fire and features a hickory-flavored, tomato-based sauce.
Where does Georgia barbeque stand among the Southern Barbe-culture? According to Barbeque Nation, Georgia is at “a crossroads of national and international migration [with] Atlanta’s BBQ restaurants providing a diverse mix of styles and seasonings.” With the month of May being National Barbeque Month, now is the perfect time to explore Atlanta’s barbeque scene and see what the top-rated[1] barbeque restaurants have to offer.
DAS BBQ on Collier Road in Northwest Atlanta describes itself as an “easygoing counter-service joint featuring smoked meats, Southern sides & beer, plus live music.” The barbeque is prepared Texas-style, with thick-sliced brisket and beef sausage being among the most popular items. While the chicken and pork items might be a little bland in the flavor department, the spicy corn chowder and mac and cheese sides are excellent additions to your order. Dasbbq.com.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack on Piedmont Avenue is an Atlanta institution, known as “an electric and unpretentious blues and barbeque joint [specializing] in ribs, from sandwich to slab, and a long list of special sides.” The barbeque joint even got a shout-out in the George Clooney movie Up in the Air. This restaurant knows how to do ribs and sweet potato pie well – and the long line outside the door can attest to that. Bring a bib, stick to the restaurant’s mainstays, and your stomach will thank you. Fatmattsribshack.net.
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Avenue in Northeast Atlanta features Texas-style “slow-roast ribs, pulled pork & Southern sides in an informal space with a patio.” This is a modest description for one of the more popular barbeque restaurants in Northeast Atlanta. While Fox Bros. are known for their brisket, smoked beef ribs, and homestyle sides – visitors should also consider ordering a selection of wings or one of their many sandwich options. The barbeque is tender and flavorful – and that’s even before you add the sauce. Foxbrosbbq.com.
Heirloom Market BBQ on Akers Mill Road in Northwest Atlanta calls itself “the smallest of places with the biggest of hearts.” For anyone who has waited along the I-285 access road for a coveted parking spot, or who has stood in line outside the storefront – you can agree. But the hungry crowds also indicate great barbeque, which is exactly what Heirloom offers. The cross-cultural menu features homestyle Korean and Texan cooking. Everything is simple, classic, fresh, and delicious. Heirloommarketbbq.com.
Sweet Auburn Barbeque on North Highland Avenue in Northeast Atlanta offers “traditional style barbeque with an Asian twist.” The restaurant, also a food truck and Sweet Auburn Market location, has been a popular Poncey-Highland spot since 2014. Menu favorites include the pimento cheese wontons and the coconut lemongrass ribs. Guests should also try the house smoked beef brisket if they are looking to try a tasty example of classic southern barbeque with a modern, eclectic influence. Sweetauburnbbq.com.
[1] The restaurants selected for this article collectively earned the highest ratings from the following organizations and publications: Atlanta Magazine, ATL Insiders, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, Eater, Food & Wine Magazine, Google Reviews, Paste Magazine, Thrillist, Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Zagat.
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2019 edition of The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine.