Atlanta BBQ Smackdown: Where Atlanta’s Barbecue Shines

Southern-style barbecue, Texas-style barbecue and barbecue with an Asian flair: Atlanta has it all. Choose your favorite and get ready for some ‘cue.

D.B.A. Barbecue

At D.B.A. Barbecue, everything is crafted in-house. Meats are seasoned by hand and slow-smoked over hickory wood. The hickory imparts a subtle, slightly sweet flavor that enhances the richness of the meat without overpowering it. House specialities are smoked wings, St. Louis ribs and build-your-own baked potatoes.

Where: 4441 Roswell Road NE

Explore dining by neighborhood in Atlanta

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack

The top menu choice is in the name: Fat Matt’s is a rib shack. Get a slab, get a half slab, get a rib sandwich. Or get a combo: a quarter slab of ribs with a quarter chicken. Try the rum baked beans or the Brunswick stew. If you find yourself in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood, stop here.

Where: 1811 Piedmont Ave. NE

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q reflects the Texas roots of the two brothers who launched this Atlanta barbecue restaurant. The focus is slow cooking and hickory smoke. Popular menu choices are brisket, spare ribs and smokehouse burgers. Sides include Frito pie, brisket chili, collard greens and potato salad.

Where:  204 Chattahoochee Row NW, 120 Ottley Drive NE, 1238 DeKalb Ave. NE, 4058 Peachtree St. NE

Heirloom Market BBQ

If you aren’t familiar with Korean barbecue, then your chance to change that awaits at Heirloom Market BBQ, winner of a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand designation. Place your order ahead, and when you pick it up, either take it home or dine on the patio. Prepare to wait in line because chances are there will be one. Sandwiches on a General Muir bun include one side. Your choices: brisket, spicy Korean port, pulled pork or turkey breast. Platters are available, along with ribs, wings, tacos and sides by the pint or quart. Also available, by the pound: brisket, spicy Korean pork, pulled pork and turkey breast.

Where: 2243 Akers Mill Road NE

Explore the Ultimate Guide to Patio Dining in Atlanta

Sweet Auburn BBQ

Fancy barbecue with an Asian twist? Then you must stop at Sweet Auburn BBQ. Before you dig into one of Sweet Auburn’s plates, try the pimento cheese wontons, brisket egg rolls or tempura green beans. The many plate choices include a baby back plate, a pulled pork bowl, a Chinese rib plate and a BBQ omakase.

Where: 656 North Highland Ave. NE

Twin Smokers BBQ

Twin Smokers BBQ features a Wood Library that illustrates four types of wood used for two barbecue styles. The Texas-style BBQ is smoked over Texas mesquite and post oak; the Southern-style is smoked over white oak and hickory. The barbecue you may enjoy on any given day was smoked while you were sleeping.

A few examples of available sandwiches are Texas-style beef brisket, Heritage pulled pork, and Southern-style. There are smoked wings and St. Louis ribs, brisket chili and charro beans. Desserts? Oh, yes, there’s banana pudding and chocolate chip cookies.

Where: 300 Marietta St. NW

Wood’s Chapel BBQ

Start your meal with smoked chicken egg rolls or three sticky pork ribs. Or, go for a sandwich: brisket grilled cheese or chopped brisket. You can get a meat plate with two sides (beef brisket or smoked turkey) or meats by the half pound (examples: half or whole rack of St. Louis ribs). There’s beef and jalapeño cole slaw, creamed corn and red rub fries.

Where: 85 Georgia Ave. SE

For more choices of places to dine in Atlanta, please visit our Atlanta restaurant guide.

Originally Published October 10, 2020