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Where to Eat Barbecue in Atlanta

by Chris Fuhrmeister
7 comments / new
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by Chris Fuhrmeister
7 comments / new

The word "barbecue" is synonymous with the American South. In addition to all the ketchup-based, vinegary, mustard-laden variations throughout the Southeast, Atlanta also throws the melting pot of urbanity into the mix. Atlantans count their blessings on their finger-licked hands when the barbecue joints they love are influenced by the variety of immigrants who have settled here with their spice racks. This map includes 11 of the meat havens we love in the metro Atlanta area.

— Eater Atlanta contributor Jamie Lee

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· The Five Days of Meat [-EATL-]

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Heirloom Market BBQ

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You won’t find an abundance of seats or parking at this Cobb County staple, but you can find a more sit-down-and-stay-a-while atmosphere at their sister restaurant, Sobban Kitchen. Visit Heirloom for spicy pork Korean sandwiches and a front row seat to the chefs’ work.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
(770) 612-2502

Also featured in:

Greater Good BBQ

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Greater Good feels like your neighborhood pizza place, only instead of pizza, they serve up racks of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches to satisfy comfort-food cravings. Pair the tasty and tender rib sandwich with pimento BBQ potato skins smothered in pork or brisket for an a la carte meal fit for a king.

4441 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 303-8525
(404) 303-8525

Smokebelly BBQ

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The team behind Tin Lizzy’s, Milton’s, and The Big Ketch might be the new kids on the barbecue block, but their Southern hospitality and al fresco attitude draw hungry crowds. Bustling Buckhead fades away amidst live music and killer sides.

128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 848-9100
(404) 848-9100

Also featured in:

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

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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.

1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 607-1622
(404) 607-1622

Also featured in:

Bone Lick BBQ

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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.

1133 Huff Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 343-6574
(404) 343-6574

Also featured in:

D.B.A. Barbecue

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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.

1190 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 249-5000
(404) 249-5000

Also featured in:

Community Q BBQ

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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.

1361 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 633-2080
(404) 633-2080

Also featured in:

Sweet Auburn Barbecue

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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.

656 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(678) 515-3550
(678) 515-3550

Also featured in:

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

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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.

1238 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 577-4030
(404) 577-4030

Also featured in:

The Smoke Ring

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Nestled in the shadow of the Georgia Dome in Castleberry Hill, Smoke Ring is the hipster brother of barbecue joints. The sleek interior and wagon wheel decor accent the perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts and heavy helpings of bourbon and smoked meats.

309 Nelson St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 228-6377
(404) 228-6377

Also featured in:

Daddy D'z

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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 wrapped in dough and deep fried.

264 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 222-0206
(404) 222-0206

Also featured in:

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Heirloom Market BBQ

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

You won’t find an abundance of seats or parking at this Cobb County staple, but you can find a more sit-down-and-stay-a-while atmosphere at their sister restaurant, Sobban Kitchen. Visit Heirloom for spicy pork Korean sandwiches and a front row seat to the chefs’ work.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
(770) 612-2502

Greater Good BBQ

4441 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342

Greater Good feels like your neighborhood pizza place, only instead of pizza, they serve up racks of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches to satisfy comfort-food cravings. Pair the tasty and tender rib sandwich with pimento BBQ potato skins smothered in pork or brisket for an a la carte meal fit for a king.

4441 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 303-8525
(404) 303-8525

Smokebelly BBQ

128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

The team behind Tin Lizzy’s, Milton’s, and The Big Ketch might be the new kids on the barbecue block, but their Southern hospitality and al fresco attitude draw hungry crowds. Bustling Buckhead fades away amidst live music and killer sides.

128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 848-9100
(404) 848-9100

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

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.

1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 607-1622
(404) 607-1622

Bone Lick BBQ

1133 Huff Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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.

1133 Huff Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 343-6574
(404) 343-6574

D.B.A. Barbecue

1190 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

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.

1190 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 249-5000
(404) 249-5000

Community Q BBQ

1361 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

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.

1361 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 633-2080
(404) 633-2080

Sweet Auburn Barbecue

656 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

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.

656 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(678) 515-3550
(678) 515-3550

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

1238 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

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.

1238 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 577-4030
(404) 577-4030

The Smoke Ring

309 Nelson St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Nestled in the shadow of the Georgia Dome in Castleberry Hill, Smoke Ring is the hipster brother of barbecue joints. The sleek interior and wagon wheel decor accent the perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts and heavy helpings of bourbon and smoked meats.

309 Nelson St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 228-6377
(404) 228-6377

Daddy D'z

264 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

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 wrapped in dough and deep fried.

264 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 222-0206
(404) 222-0206

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