BBQ in Atlanta

Barbecue. It's just part of our southern make-up down here in Atlanta, which also includes an ad-hoc concoction of cornbread, fried chicken and collard greens. Rinse with sweeter-than-sweet sweet tea, and you too will be channeling Paula Dean.

(Kevin now changes his speech so it is a bona-fide southern drawl.)

Here's a round-up of BBQ joints in Atlanta.

DADDY D"S
Cinder-blocked and sticky, and just a spit away from the Braves Stadium, this down-home shack has been smoking BBQ for OH SO many years here in Atlanta. It's not unusual at lunchtime to see city lawmakers, EMT workers and business men all hunched over styrofoam plates. The smokey ribs are dry rubbed and the sauce is sweet tomato-based goodness. I myself generally opt for the pulled pork plate with sides of baked beans and fried zucchini. Locals know this part of Memorial Drive as a tough spot, even downright scary at times. My suggestion: Unless you're familiar with the area, try another place first. And don't take a date here unless she can stand the occasional fly buzzing about.

FATT MATT'S RIB SHACK
Fatt Matt's has been around for several years and has a good line-up of live music acts. The wall's are practically a shrine to the blues. The quarter bird is heavenly, but I say give way to the ribs; they are gently blessed with a deliciously tangy sauce. Rum-baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw are a must. The pulled pork sandwich is good alt for those that can't handle sticky fingers. Ignore the lines leading out; it moves fast, and is well worth the wait.

ONE STAR RANCH
One Star has its share of pork dishes, but it's the beef barbecue that makes this a Buckhead destination. Think Flintstones-sized ribs on small plates with plenty of fixn's. And order a bucket of beer, perfect. The atmosphere is a little more refined than a shack, but still manages a home-town appeal. There are about a thousand dollar bills on the walls.

ROLLING BONES
In a renovated gas station on Edgewood is the Meier-white Rolling Bones, with drive-in. There's a special technique involved in the smoking evidently, generations old. I've been here many times, and my opinion is that the sauce just tastes too much like sweet & sour.

SMOKEY BONES
Ah, the suburbs. There's good barbecue here for sure. Rather than being dedicated to a geographic region or roots, Smokey Bones instead offers you a sampling of them all. The post-modern approach to producing barbecue may not be for purists, but it is a fun experience all the same. The central focus is clearly the televisions. Where Johnny Rockets has a jukebox at every table, Smokey Bones has a sound remote that flips through every channel that's on. Look a different direction, change the sound. It's uncanny. Bottomline: Good for a silent date in Roswell, and go for the St. Louis style ribs.

Are you a BBQ aficionado?

Comments

[kellegous]

Oh how I miss Daddy D'z. Definitely my pick for the Atlanta BBQ scene. Be sure to let them know when you're a first timer, they used to include a free rib. If that doesn't work, tell the owner that you've tried Fat Matt's ribs and you think they are pretty good. That pretty much guarantees a rib tasting.

Up in Marietta, Williamson Bros. is worth the time too, although they've gotten a little "big for their britches" in recent years. They have a combo plate that is reasonably priced, has a nice variety of BBQ, and will sustain you for at least two meals.

And finally, if you find your self well into the boonies near Ackworth, there is a little known place called Stubby T's. It's right down the road for the better known Cajun place, Henry's. They have the redneck seal of quality: there is literally a smoker with a trailer hitch in the front. Their ribs are quiet nice and the brunswick stew is also tasty. Also, the owners (who are always there) are so happy to have you come in that they usually end up cutting you a deal, or just throwing in a little something extra.

[Matt Hutchinson]

A vegetarian footnote: I like the BBQ tofu at The Grit.

[ww]

Ahh, the BBQ... Now you've planned my lunch for tomorrow with this post. I just ran into a friend who heard that there is a new 'chain' (ouch) of bbq joints opening here in the ATL. I believe they are going to be called stan's bbq or something incredibly original like that. Anyway, he said it was some good eats, but then again he hadn't been to Fatt Matt's so I had no gauge and had to end the conversation with him.

[bill]

Fatt Matt's is probably my favorite rib joint in Atlanta. However, if you do make it out towards Roswell, then the best ribs are easily at Swallow at the Hollow.

www.theswallowatthehollow.com

[scott partee]

Have you tried Wyatt's?

[scott partee]

Or Harold's?

I'd be curious to see where you rank those.

I'm going to try Wyatt's today. Harold's (south of downtown on or off of JB road) is worth a visit, but Daddy Dz is better.

Not a Fat Matt's fan.

[tyrus]

OK man, you hit all of the big spots in town (all good choices). But the best in the ATL is sold out of a little trailer, in the parking lot of a Chevron gas station at corner of James Jackson Pkwy. (S. Cobb Dr) and Bolton Rd. It's called Bailey's BBQ and it's the best!

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