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Best Barbecue

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Creative Loafing has been presenting Atlanta's Best People, Places and Events since 1972. These are some of the past winners for this category:

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2019
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2019
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Heirloom Market BBQ (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
South Of Heaven BBQ

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
GQ's Bar B Que (Where to Eat Recommendation)
GQs is a straightforward smoked meats shop with a friendly staff and incredible food, and their five-dollar Pittsburgh Plate is the meal you need.

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2017
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
B's Cracklin' Barbecue (Permanently Closed)
Originally based in Savannah, B’S CRACKLIN’ BBQ pitmaster Bryan Furman came to the A and sweet-talked us with his no-frills culinary ode to Georgia: mustard-based and vinegar barbecue sauces made with peaches. Then we tasted the heritage breed whole hogs he smokes over oak and cherry wood. Furthermore...
Originally based in Savannah, B’S CRACKLIN’ BBQ pitmaster Bryan Furman came to the A and sweet-talked us with his no-frills culinary ode to Georgia: mustard-based and vinegar barbecue sauces made with peaches. Then we tasted the heritage breed whole hogs he smokes over oak and cherry wood. Further swooning. His dry-rubbed brisket has that red badge-of-honor smoke ring interior and dark, flavorful bark, and he leaves it to guests to sauce the expertly smoked chicken, slabs of ribs and chopped pork. Even more poetic is his hash over rice: no-waste meat gravy made from uber-fatty hog’s heads sent through a sausage grinder with smoked shoulder and burnt ends. Made-from-scratch sides are just as soulful, and hoecake-style cornbread sops up any leftover bits. Just make sure to save room for the banana pudding. 2061 Main St. N.W. 678-949-9912. www.bscracklinbbq.com. less...

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2017
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)
FOX BROS. BAR-B-Q’s hickory-smoked meats are cooked low-and-slow and enlivened with Southern spices. Brisket is moist on the inside and black-barked on the outside. There are crispy, deeply smoky wings, Flintstones-size beef ribs, and tender pulled pork on brioche buns. Douse it all in the brothers’more...
FOX BROS. BAR-B-Q’s hickory-smoked meats are cooked low-and-slow and enlivened with Southern spices. Brisket is moist on the inside and black-barked on the outside. There are crispy, deeply smoky wings, Flintstones-size beef ribs, and tender pulled pork on brioche buns. Douse it all in the brothers’ rich sauce that’s sweet and tangy and tinged with heat. The Frito pie with brisket chili alone is worth the wait in the long line that can amass at the restaurant. If it’s a day when burnt ends are available, you’ll feel like a true winner to have scored a table. less...

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbeque BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbeque BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2013
Picked By » Critics
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Heirloom Market BBQ (Where to Eat Recommendation)
A lot of people say Atlanta doesn't have a distinct style of barbecue, but they are wrong. Our town excels at creative takes on classics. No barbecue spot exemplifies this more than Heirloom Market BBQ. Chefs Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee took a small spot located next to a gas station and transformed itmore...
A lot of people say Atlanta doesn't have a distinct style of barbecue, but they are wrong. Our town excels at creative takes on classics. No barbecue spot exemplifies this more than Heirloom Market BBQ. Chefs Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee took a small spot located next to a gas station and transformed it into a barbecue destination. Lee's Korean influences find their way into condiments such as the sweet and spicy Korean-style sauce and sides such as kimchi. And the meats, oh the meats - the super tender and smoky brisket, the fall-apart pork ribs, and moist pulled pork. The tiny restaurant has become so busy, it's now standing-room only on the patio. The owners are looking for another location with space for all of their devotees. less...

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2013
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2012
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2011
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2011
Picked By » Critics
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Community Q BBQ (Where to Eat Recommendation)
Leave it to barbecue veteran David Roberts, a co-founder of Marietta's Sam & Dave's, to open a restaurant that can take away the guilt of indulging in what's normally, well, an indulgence. At Community Q, Roberts and his partners make their barbecue with local ingredients whose just-picked freshnessmore...
Leave it to barbecue veteran David Roberts, a co-founder of Marietta's Sam & Dave's, to open a restaurant that can take away the guilt of indulging in what's normally, well, an indulgence. At Community Q, Roberts and his partners make their barbecue with local ingredients whose just-picked freshness somehow eliminates the gut bomb after-effects most 'cue can have on a person. Smoky and moist pulled pork, tender brisket with that perfect pink halo, and ethereal smoked chicken take center stage, although the sides are not background dancers. Don't miss the gooey, signature mac and cheese made with shells, or the hand-cut fries tossed with an addictively sweet and salty seasoning, or anything from the specials menu made with local vegetables. 1361 Clairmont Road, Decatur. 404-633-2080. communityqbbq.com. less...

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2010
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Runner-up: Fat Matt's Rib Shack


1811 Piedmont Ave., 404-607-1622, www.fatmattsribshack.com

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Rolling Bones Premium Pit BBQ (Permanently Closed)
We’ve always liked ROLLING BONES, but since chef Todd Richards took over, our affections have grown. Richards has updated the ’cue – the sandwiches are less sloppy, the meat has more of the limelight – and is serving some seriously cool new items, including duck barbecuemore...
We’ve always liked ROLLING BONES, but since chef Todd Richards took over, our affections have grown. Richards has updated the ’cue – the sandwiches are less sloppy, the meat has more of the limelight – and is serving some seriously cool new items, including duck barbecue and smoked trout. Sides have also been given special consideration – the creamy potato salad with Benton’s bacon has just the right mix of creaminess, smoke from the bacon and celery crunch, with none of the sugary undertones of lesser potato salads. Don’t miss the duck sandwich with fig preserves. 377 Edgewood Ave. 404-222-2324.www.rollingbonesbbq.com. less...

Best barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2009
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Runner-up
Fat Matt's Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Ave., 404-607-1622, www.fatmattsribshack.com

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2008
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Blues With Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2008
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics
Fat Matt's Rib Shack (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2008
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2007
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt (Where to Eat Recommendation)
Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce hasmore...
Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce has good spice and a hefty dose of vinegar, and isn’t too sweet. Ribs are a messy wonder. Who’s your daddy? less...

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2007
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fat Matt's Rib Shack (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2006
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt (Where to Eat Recommendation)
We dread this selection more than any other, since really good ‘cue in town. We like the fair prices, the great staff and an ambiance that’s all shabby and no chic (thank God). We like feeling safe while eating amid half the Atlanta Police Department. And we like all the food, but especiallymore...
We dread this selection more than any other, since really good ‘cue in town. We like the fair prices, the great staff and an ambiance that’s all shabby and no chic (thank God). We like feeling safe while eating amid half the Atlanta Police Department. And we like all the food, but especially the ribs and chicken, not that the chopped pork isn’t grand, too. Sides are particularly good. Get the collards, the fried potatoes, the candied yams and finish with the best red velvet cake you have ever tasted. less...

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2006
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fat Matt's Rib Shack (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2005
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Critics
Swallow at the Hollow (Permanently Closed)
The folks at SWALLOW AT THE HOLLOW may not be purists, but that’s the reason we crave their ’cue. The chopped pork, scrumptious without any adornment, can be dressed up with three vastly different regional sauces (the South Carolina mustard gets slathered most thickly on our pig). Themore...
The folks at SWALLOW AT THE HOLLOW may not be purists, but that’s the reason we crave their ’cue. The chopped pork, scrumptious without any adornment, can be dressed up with three vastly different regional sauces (the South Carolina mustard gets slathered most thickly on our pig). The mac-n-cheese has a gutsy crust, and the Brunswick stew hums with porcine goodness. Vegetarians, you even reading this? Swallow has one of finest sandwiches in the state for you: smoked portabella with gouda and fried green tomatoes. It might even make the carnivores covetous. less...

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2005
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Picked By » Readers
Fat Matt's Rib Shack (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2000
Picked By » Critics
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Swallow at the Hollow (Permanently Closed)
A plank-walled barbecue stand with up-to-date bells and healthy-living whistles, the joint venture of Bill Greenwood and Paul and Doreen Doster is long on hefty portions and clever updates of country classics, and short on cutesy pretense. From pit-cooked portabello mushrooms and traditionally flavoredmore...
A plank-walled barbecue stand with up-to-date bells and healthy-living whistles, the joint venture of Bill Greenwood and Paul and Doreen Doster is long on hefty portions and clever updates of country classics, and short on cutesy pretense. From pit-cooked portabello mushrooms and traditionally flavored baby back ribs to fine mac-and-cheese and coleslaw, and with homemade bread and house-made pickles to boot, the cuisine has wide, if definitely Southern-style, appeal. less...

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2000
Picked By » Readers
Type of Award » Oral Pleasures
Fat Matt's Rib Shack (Where to Eat Recommendation)
If'n you sincerely crave blues alongside surprisingly good (if heavy) Southern food, this music hall's for you. Big, wet, salty, heavily sauced ribs are served with rum-baked beans, sweet slaw and a very decent beer selection. Spicy pork 'cue sandwiches are good, too, thank you, and some folks springmore...
If'n you sincerely crave blues alongside surprisingly good (if heavy) Southern food, this music hall's for you. Big, wet, salty, heavily sauced ribs are served with rum-baked beans, sweet slaw and a very decent beer selection. Spicy pork 'cue sandwiches are good, too, thank you, and some folks spring for the barbecue chicken, when available. Seating and service are basic honky-tonk — grease-soaked tables, booths ditto, and carry your own tray and tea. Yee-ha. less...

Browse Winners by Category

After Dark
After Dark
Cityscape
Cityscape
Consumer Culture
Consumer Culture
Index
Index
Oral Pleasures
Oral Pleasures
Poets, Artists & Madmen
Poets, Artists & Madmen