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A barbecue hunt begins—tell me your favorites
 Posted
3/22/2010 9:19:00 AM
It’s been eleven years since Atlanta magazine did a cover feature devoted to barbecue, so we’re tackling one for this summer. I’ve just started a metro-wide canvas to hit as many barbecue joints as I can: I’ll drive an hour in any direction from this city in search of transcendent ’cue. (And I’ll stretch those parameters a bit to hit Fresh Air and other spots that I’ve heard are exceptional.)
What are your favorites? And what are the best things to order there?
My favorite out of the five I’ve already hit? Ms. Betty’s House of Ribs, at 1281 Bouldercrest Drive, not far from East Atlanta Village. With only two plastic tables in its tiny, converted-trailer interior, most folks stop by for takeout.
I ate my ribs there. They had an unctuous freshness that suggested they’d just been pulled out of the smokehouse in the back. No crunchy, lacquered surface on these ribs, but the complaints end there. The smoke had saturated clear to the bone, and the meat was velvety and yielding. Wow. (My awkward pic doesn't do it close to justice.)
I like the carnal, rip-it-off-the-bone pleasure of the ribs more than
the rib tips, though the portion of tips was certainly generous and
there were some choice bits of meat to be plucked from these nubs:
Ms. Betty’s sauces are laudably unconventional. She offers two—a
honey-soy and a mustard. You’re encouraged to mix them together, and,
combined, they reminded me of the sauces you get in packets in
Chinese-American restaurants. In this context, they commingle beautifully for sweet-and-sharp effect. (Also, I'm partial to mustard-based barbecue sauce; I can't stand an overly sweet tomato variation.)
Here’s hoping there are more pleasures over the next two months of my ’cue quest like this.
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Bill Addison
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the best in the state to me is Fat Freddie's in Columbus sliced pork is the best
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Posted By
David H
On
8/6/2010 11:38:49 AM
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I always leave SmokeJack in Alpharetta happy. 14 hour brisket and melt in your mouth Burnt Ends. You can also get wet ribs or dry ribs and both fall off the bones.
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Posted By
shawmor
On
7/21/2010 4:57:20 PM
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Don't know if you're still looking for suggestions or not, but if you are - it's certainly worth your time to take a trip up 75 to Kennesaw & Cartersville.
In Kennesaw, you'll find the "Big Shanty Smokehouse" (bigshantybbq.com). Delicious, lip-smacking ribs & smoked bbq.
In Cartersville, you'll find Scott's Walk Up BBQ (scottswalkupbbq.com), where you'll find incredible pulled pork sammy's including an unbeatable $5 lunch plate (sandwhich, chips & drink).
Cheers.
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Posted By
Dan W. Boles
On
7/2/2010 10:38:33 AM
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DBA is good despite a very shameless plug here. Most Atlanta joints are not very good. Small Georgia towns are a better bet. - Texas
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Posted By
beccak kristfelt
On
7/1/2010 6:31:23 PM
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Best BBQ in the State of Georgia is Hands down at Deep South BBQ in Cumming, GA. They serve true hickory smoked BBQ that melts in your mouth, No sauce required. They even carry a full line of glass bottled soft drinks that took me back to my childhood. Oh an ice cold grape Nehi, or Rc Cola and a moonpie. They have them. Trust me it is worth the drive, Not sure of the address but I know they had a website posted..
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Posted By
Chris Benson
On
5/24/2010 2:22:37 PM
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Seems to be a lot of BBQ around. The best of them is in Woodstock at a place called Bub-Ba-Q. Just amazing. The guy does competitions all over and is apparently ranked #1 in the country. The ribs and brisket are absolutely incredible. This place is definate must try.
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Posted By
Jon
On
4/23/2010 9:30:39 AM
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YeGods, what is up with the cloying-sweet red "BBQ" sauce here in Atlanta?
Honestly, in a world filled with endless BBQ sauce possibilities (Well, OK: mustard, vinegar, tomato, weird Korean, a couple of others I've heard of but never actually tasted [try pickled lime sometime]) why does almost every BBQ joint in this town seem to offer corn-syrup-based BBQ sauce?
So let me just offer a tip 'O the 'ol hat here to Community BBQ and P'Cheen, both of whom offer a vinegar-based sauce (mild in the former, spicy in the latter) that doesn't make me shudder when I think of eating it.
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Posted By
b. b. q
On
4/15/2010 5:51:35 PM
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nice post! very interesting! Ms. Betty’s House of Ribs!! it seems nice
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Posted By
barbecue
On
4/12/2010 5:28:34 AM
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I know its a little bit out of the perimeter but it would be worth your time to visit Sandfly BBQ in Savannah. It's owned and operated by a former fine dining chef who's resume includes the old Dining Room at the Buckhead Ritz but the food is traditional down home BBQ joint fare. I've eaten bbq all over the south and this place ranks among the best anywhere. A little known hidden gem.
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Posted By
Al Brown
On
4/9/2010 9:56:07 AM
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Check out Smokin J's BBQ in Marietta. He is one heck of a BBQ'er!!
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Posted By
Ari
On
4/6/2010 4:47:38 PM
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We like Fox Bros and so does Zagat.
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Posted By
TheFoodList
On
4/3/2010 5:31:27 PM
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For me Fat Matt's for Ribs and Rolling Bones or Harold's for pork.
Dying to try Community Q.
DBA is good, but I'm shocked by all of the love here.
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Posted By
Stumpys Bear
On
3/31/2010 1:53:36 PM
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Community Q, 1361 Clairmont Rd, Decatur. Heads above the others-and they know how to do beef brisket & market-style ribs! Pork and the sides are top notch as well. David Roberts, Jim Laber, and Stuart Baesel. Backed by Roberts’ and Stuart's foundation at Sam and Dave’s, Marietta. You'll be glad.
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Posted By
J Rogers
On
3/31/2010 11:27:15 AM
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I've heard a lot about a place called DBA BARBECUE. There's a real buzz going on about DBA BARBECUE and their featured item, BARBECUE. Word on the street is that it's the best BARBECUE in the ATLANTA area. I'm eager to check out DBA BARBECUE and I'll be sure to try out the BARBECUE while I'm there.
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Posted By
Shilly McPostsalot
On
3/31/2010 10:21:14 AM
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Shane's Rib Shack - it was founded in McDonough and has grown all across metro Atlanta. It definetely is the best BBQ!
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Posted By
KR
On
3/31/2010 8:12:16 AM
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Shane's Rib Shack is my personal favorite! They really have it together there and the "Big Dad" is very good.
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Posted By
MC
On
3/31/2010 8:10:27 AM
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Please evaluate North GA BBQ in Helen, GA. It is wonderful. All food and sides are heavenly. We have ate BBQ from every where and this gets our vote.
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Posted By
robert sumner
On
3/30/2010 7:24:11 PM
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I'm obsessed with DBA. Friendly and fun atmosphere, and the food is delicious!!
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Posted By
Kara
On
3/28/2010 4:43:03 PM
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DBA (in Virginia Highlands) is for my money the best BBQ joint in town - diverse menu, lots of vegetarian options, sassy beers, and live entertainments at times (blues of course). Watchful owners hover over the dining room to pamper guests.
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Posted By
Bryan Williams
On
3/27/2010 4:52:19 PM
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DBA is the best! Not only great bbq, but I love their salads and sides. Check it out!!
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Posted By
Eloise K.
On
3/26/2010 8:14:17 PM
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