BBQ Recommendations from the Forum
(From a thread started around Atlanta Cup 2006)

The challenge:  With all the traveling we do can you folks name  small, independent BBQ restaurants in your area that are outstanding? Soccer is great while the kids are growing up, but BBQ is forever. Catfish gets honorable mention.

The responses (cleaned up for easier viewing):

Sam and Dave's:  New second location just opened on Whitlock Road (Dallas Highway) in Marietta. Original on lower Roswell near Johnson's Ferry. Both are excellent! In Alabama, Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur. Gotta love the white barbeque sauce. http://www.lostmountainbbq.com/index.html

Johnny's in Gainesville Ga.: Open Tuesday - Saturday

Bennie's if you're in the Marist, YMCA area:  It's at Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry. Fear the hot suace, but don;t let the atmosphere put you off....hope it's still there.

Southern Pit BBQ in Griffin!!!!     OMG!!! The best. Can't remember the name, but located right off the NB side of the main road to Griffin - past the very filthy Howard Johnson's Motel.  Very cool, clean and friendly place with the best BBQ in GA! The fruit cobbler is not to be missed and the slaw is a 10! Bonus flea market on the grounds on Saturdays...that's the best barbeque on the southside. It's great and very consistent.  http://www.southernpitbbq.com

OB's near McDonough just off 75:  try the fried dill pickles

Spiced Right on 29 in Lilburn if you're playing at GSA*        

A & J's Tasty Pig at 78 and 124 in Snellville:  Also just opened a branch office in Grayson.

Speedy Pig in Fayetteville:  Hwy 74 south of 54. Get the pulled pork, as good as it gets.

Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q in Canton:  This thread is making me hungry.

Harold's in Jonesboro:  Lewis Grizzard's favorite

Dreamland on 141 in Norcross: Very small chain based in Tuscaloosa, but VERY good.

Hudson's in Douglasville:  slurp; won Best in Atlanta years ago, and then the owner got into legal trouble. Haven't been there in a while, but it was always pretty good.

Johnny Harris's, Savannah           

Coffee Bluff BBQ Company in Savannah:  Way better.  Almost to the end of Bull - White Bluff - Coffee Bluff road

Smoke House in Gainesville (Exit I-985 at the Gainesville College/Oakwood exit, and Go south to first big intersection): Best ribs in GA

Jim and Nicks, on South Cobb Dr. 1 mile north of I-285:  Just added to our "not worth it" list. It's a Houston's, serving BBQ. $11 for a pork plate??????  $14 for a two-meat combo????????? Full bar, poor service.

Fresh Air in Jackson (Near Indian Springs):  a little out of the way, but worth it.   Some of the best in the state, IMO.

Country's BBQ in Columbus: Mixed reviews

13th Street BBQ in Columbus

Macon Road BBQ and Smokey Pig BBQ in Columbus the best!  This is the real deal.

Bad Bob's In Cumming:  Bad Bob's in Cumming is great! Highway 9 just south of 141.

Thompson Brothers Rules!  Still one of the goodies.  On Hwy. 41 in Marietta, about a mile north of I-285 (in shopping ctr. with Office Depot)

Piggie Park in Thomaston:  North of town on the right as you head out of town.  Is that the same Piggie Park that's in Columbia? Excellent!

The Original Shane's Rib Shack on 155 McDonough:  If you are traveling through McDonough...Hwy 155

Fat Matt's:  I have tried a majority of the BBQ restaurants mentioned and none compare to Fat Matt's on Piedmont. Unfortunately, it is not near ANY of the venues of Atlanta Cup.

Three Little Pigs in Pine Mountain

Maddy's near Decatur is excellent and has a blues band on Saturdays. Hard to park, though.

Wallace’s in Austell:  Can't Believe No One Has Mentioned Wallace's.  Wallace's in Austell is by far the best BBQ in Georgia.

Sprayberry's in Newnan:  Since we plan to be In Newnan Monday for the championships, guess we have to add them.

Little Piggy BBQ in Middle Georgia:  I live in Middle Georgia and Fresh air in Jackson Georgia is wonderful. If you ever come to Middle Georgia to play stop in Forsyth and Eat at Little Piggy BBQ. Inexpensive and the vinegar based sauce is the best!

I work all around Atlanta, favorites are Harold's on McDonough . . .best brunswick stew, best corn bread. Fat Matts on Piedmont is very good. Williams Brothers does good catering, have not eaten there. I hear Maddy's is good.  The RULE for BBQ joints is NO ALCOHOL.  Find a place that serves drinks other than tea and lemonade, and their emphasis is selling beer, not BBQ

The Last Word: 

BBQ Forever.  When all is said and done and the kids are grown, BBQ will still reign large within my transplanted Southern heart. Because....

§        Don't soccer & BBQ go great together? Would you rather eat anything else before or after a tournament?

§        Maybe it's a Southern thing or just a weekend thing, but it makes the fall soccer season another great reason to be at the field.

§        Pulled pork, good slaw, texas toast, cobbler at a 'good' place, and then those stinky shinguards and cleats the whole way home in the car.

That's a soccer tradition here in GA. Looking forward to it again this year!