The word "barbecue" is synonymous with the American South, and if you have a craving in Atlanta, there are more than a few places to satisfy it. In honor of Barbecue Week, this map spotlights 14 of the essential spots in the metro area. Don't see your favorite? Give it a shout-out in the comments below.
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Where to Eat Barbecue in Atlanta

Grand Champion BBQ
Owner Robert Owens is working on a burgeoning barbecue empire. After originally opening Grand Champion in Roswell in 2011, he added locations in Milton, Inman Park's Krog Street Market, and another Roswell location on Canton Street.
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Sam's BBQ 1
Since opening his restaurant in 2004, Sam Hunt has lived the dream of being able to quit his day job as an attorney to run a barbecue joint full-time. Sam's is a favorite of Sen Johnny Isakson, and it's catered several lunches in Washington, D.C.
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Dave Poe's BBQ
Dave Poe previously worked with Sam Hunt before opening his own restaurant in 2009. In addition to the traditional barbecue mains and sides, Poe serves the ridiculous "redneck lasagna," which is macaroni and cheese topped with Brunswick stew.
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Heirloom Market BBQ
You won’t find an abundance of seats or parking at this Cobb County staple. Visit Heirloom for spicy Korean pork sandwiches and a front row seat to the chefs’ work.
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Greater Good Barbecue
Greater Good feels like your neighborhood pizza place, only instead of pizza, they serve up racks of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. Pair the tasty and tender rib sandwich with pimento-barbecue potato skins, smothered in pork or brisket, for an a la carte meal fit for a king.
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Smokebelly BBQ
The team behind Tin Lizzy’s, Milton’s, and The Big Ketch might be some of the newer kids on the barbecue block, but their Southern hospitality and al fresco attitude draw hungry crowds. Bustling Buckhead fades away amid live music and tasty sides.
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Wallace Barbecue
Wallace Barbecue has been turning out smoked meats in Austell since 1966, and its prices are a nice throwback to that era. A sliced-pork sandwich will set you back $3.10, and if you find yourself in the mood for a 12-ounce ribeye dinner, that'll be $13.25.
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Fat Matt's Rib Shack
Don’t be deterred by the line out the door or the lack of parking. The line moves quick and parking spots appear out of thin air at the Piedmont Road mainstay. Heralded by Anthony Bourdain, the restaurant hosts live blues bands that play sweetly to the tune of rib-eating patrons.
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Bone Lick BBQ
For barbecue as spicy as the staff, venture into this Westside storefront for house-infused moonshine, a vinyl-only music policy, and 48-hour marinated wings. Adventurous diners, ask for the Just Trust Us appetizer plate, and for those looking for more structure, build your own sandwich with a variety of bun choices. There's an Old Fourth Ward location now, too.
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D.B.A. Barbecue
If the Archie Bunker sandwich, complete with smoked pulled pork, mac and cheese, sweet barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese on Texas toast, doesn’t hook you, the banana pudding will. Dine here for a rambunctious patio in the heart of Virginia-Highland and return to try all of the creative combinations.
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Community Q BBQ
The reliable pulled pork is enough to fill up the Decatur location, but the unconventional and creative side dishes take the cake. David Roberts’ infamous mac and cheese blends rigatoni, cheddar, Monterey Jack, parmesan, and heavy cream, and the blueberry-pecan bread pudding will satiate any sweet tooth.
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Sweet Auburn Barbecue
Start with Asian-inspired pimento cheese wontons at the first brick-and-mortar shop by Howard Hsu, who started with a Sweet Auburn Barbecue food truck and a counter at Sweet Auburn Curb Market. Stick to the Asian path with coconut lemongrass spare ribs, or go domestic with Memphis-, Carolina-, and Texas- style dishes.
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Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Jonathan and Justin Fox don’t mess around. Their Texas-style barbecue joint is famous for bringing Frito pie to the Southeast, but their brilliance shines in the Tominator, a base of tater tots covered in Brunswick stew and smothered in melted cheese.
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Daddy D'z
For true barbecue sans frills, Daddy D’z is the ITP choice. Located on Memorial Drive in Grant Park, the ribs and Brunswick stew far outshine the decor. Start with their famous que wraps and settle into the bite-size barbecued pork that's wrapped in dough and deep fried.
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