10 Hidden Georgia BBQ Joints Serving Smoke As Good As Anywhere In The South
Georgia’s backroads hide some incredible barbecue treasures that rival the best pitmasters across the South.
I’ve spent years hunting down these smoke-filled havens, putting my stretchy pants to good use and my diet plans on permanent hold.
From coastal smokehouses to mountain hideaways, these ten hidden gems serve up meat so tender and flavorful, you might just shed a tear of pure joy.
1. Southern Soul Barbeque: St. Simons Island’s Smoky Paradise
Y’all, I nearly drove right past this converted gas station my first time visiting St. Simons Island. What a catastrophe that would’ve been! The moment that hickory smoke hit my nostrils, I knew I’d found something special. Pitmaster Harrison Sapp works magic with ribs that practically leap off the bone into your mouth. Their Brunswick stew – a Georgia classic – simmers for hours until it reaches perfection.
The outdoor picnic tables create the perfect laid-back vibe for enjoying their famous pulled pork sandwich. Don’t miss their burnt end special when available – these caramelized brisket nuggets sell out faster than beach umbrellas in July. I’ve driven three hours just for a taste when the craving hits!
2. Fresh Air Barbecue: Jackson’s Time-Honored Smoke Shack
When a place has been smoking meat since 1929, you know they’re doing something right. My grandpa first took me to Fresh Air when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and that first bite of their chopped pork sandwich is etched in my memory forever. This humble roadside joint keeps it gloriously simple – focusing on pork cooked low and slow over hickory.
Their tangy vinegar-based sauce perfectly complements the smoky meat without overwhelming it. The checkered tablecloths and paper plates remind you that great barbecue needs no fancy presentation. The walls display decades of history through yellowed newspaper clippings and faded photographs. I always order extra Brunswick stew because somehow it tastes even better the next day – if it survives the ride home!
3. Heirloom Market BBQ: Sandy Springs’ Korean-Southern Fusion Gem
Holy smoke! The first time I tasted Heirloom’s gochujang-rubbed ribs, my taste buds practically did a happy dance. This tiny spot, tucked behind a gas station in Sandy Springs, combines traditional Southern barbecue with Korean flavors in the most magical marriage since peanut butter met jelly. Chefs Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee (a former Korean pop star – how cool is that?) created this culinary powerhouse that regularly sells out by mid-afternoon.
Their spicy Korean pork is slathered with a gochujang sauce that’ll make you question why all barbecue doesn’t have this kick. With barely enough room to turn around inside, most folks take their treasures to go. Pro tip: their kimchi slaw converts even the most dedicated traditional coleslaw fans. I’ve been known to buy extra for midnight fridge raids!
4. Wiley’s Championship BBQ: Savannah’s Trophy-Winning Smoke Joint
The smell hit me before I even parked my car – that intoxicating blend of smoke, spice, and something that can only be described as barbecue magic. Tucked away from Savannah’s tourist-heavy historic district, Wiley’s walls are covered with competition trophies that tell you everything before you take your first bite. Founders Wiley and Janet McCrary earned their reputation on the competitive barbecue circuit before blessing Savannah with this gem.
Their baby back ribs have a perfect pink smoke ring and a sweet-spicy rub that makes sauce almost unnecessary (but try it anyway). The banana pudding – served in a mason jar, naturally – provides the perfect sweet ending to a meat-centric feast. I once watched my vegetarian sister-in-law abandon her principles after one whiff of their brisket. Worth it, she declared!
5. Sconyers Bar-B-Que: Augusta’s Presidential Pork Palace
Not many barbecue joints can claim they’ve catered to the White House, but Sconyers isn’t your average smoke shack. When President Jimmy Carter flew their hash and rice to Washington for a southern-style dinner, this Augusta institution earned its place in barbecue history. The massive log cabin restaurant has been family-operated since 1956, and they still cook over real oak and hickory wood.
Their signature hash – a South Carolina-influenced meat gravy served over rice – is so beloved that folks buy it by the quart for family gatherings. Friday and Saturday nights feature all-you-can-eat specials that have tested my stomach capacity on multiple occasions. My personal challenge record stands at four plates of their fall-apart tender ribs, though my cardiologist has strongly suggested I not attempt to break it.
6. Fincher’s Barbecue: Macon’s Barbecue That’s Been To Space
How many barbecue joints can claim their smoked pork traveled on the space shuttle? Fincher’s holds that cosmic distinction after their barbecue was requested by Macon native and astronaut Sonny Carter for a 1989 mission. One bite of their perfectly smoked pork sandwich makes me understand why it deserved to break Earth’s atmosphere.
This no-frills joint has been operating since 1935 with a steadfast commitment to consistency. Their thin, vinegar-pepper sauce cuts through the rich pork perfectly. The meat is chopped fine – a distinctive Central Georgia style that creates the perfect texture in every bite. My granddaddy swore their recipe hasn’t changed in decades, and that’s exactly how regulars like it. I always order extra sauce on the side – it’s perfect for drizzling over the crispy crinkle-cut fries that accompany every plate.
7. Jim’s Smokin’ Que: Blairsville’s Thursday-Only Mountain Treasure
Imagine driving through the North Georgia mountains and stumbling upon barbecue so good it’s only available one day a week. That’s the magic of Jim’s, where Thursday is the only day that matters. My cousin dragged me here on a fall leaf-peeping trip, and I’ve been making the pilgrimage ever since. Owner Jim Tench is a barbecue purist who cooks everything over oak and hickory, refusing to take shortcuts.
His brisket develops a pepper-crusted bark that should be enshrined in a culinary museum. The ribs carry a hint of sweetness that complements the smoke perfectly. Arrive early – they open at 11 and regularly sell out by 2. Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely worth planning your entire mountain vacation around. I’ve seen grown men nearly weep when told the brisket was gone for the day.
8. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q: Atlanta’s Texas-Georgia Hybrid Haven
The Fox brothers brought Texas barbecue sensibilities to Atlanta, and praise the barbecue gods for that blessing! My first encounter with their brisket frito pie left me speechless – a rare condition for this chatty Georgia girl. Texas transplants Jonathan and Justin Fox started with backyard cookouts that grew into this beloved institution. Their massive beef ribs – available only on weekends – are worth setting calendar reminders for.
The smoked wings with Fox Bros’ signature rub make regular buffalo wings seem downright boring. Despite its popularity, this joint maintains its neighborhood feel even as celebrities and food critics regularly pack the place. Don’t skip the tomato-cucumber salad – its brightness provides the perfect counterpoint to all that rich, smoky meat. I’ve converted at least seven Texas friends who swore Georgia couldn’t compete in the brisket department!
9. Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt: Atlanta’s Colorful Graffiti-Covered Meat Palace
The building looks like it might collapse any minute, but that’s part of the charm! This graffiti-covered shack in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward has been serving up stellar ‘que since before the neighborhood became trendy. My first visit came after a late-night concert, and those ribs tasted like they were sent straight from heaven. Their “Que Wraps” – deep-fried spring rolls stuffed with pulled pork – should be illegal they’re so addictive. The cornbread arrives hot in cast iron skillets, perfect for sopping up their slightly sweet sauce.
Owner Daddy D has created a spot where everyone feels welcome, from construction workers to corporate execs. Live blues music often accompanies your meal on weekends, adding the perfect soundtrack to your meat feast. Don’t let the ramshackle appearance fool you – some of Atlanta’s finest barbecue magic happens inside those colorful walls.
10. Dawg Gone Good BBQ: Athens’ Musical Barbecue Experience
Just blocks from UGA’s campus, this Athens treasure combines two Southern traditions – barbecue and music. Owner Taqueria Porter (who played college football) greets regulars by name and newcomers like long-lost friends. My college roommate and I discovered this gem during finals week, and their pulled pork fueled many late-night study sessions. The smoked chicken gets a special rub that creates a gorgeous mahogany skin while keeping the meat incredibly juicy.
Their collard greens have a perfect peppery kick, cooked with smoked turkey instead of traditional ham hocks for a lighter touch. On weekends, local musicians set up in the corner while students and townies alike crowd the tables. The “Dawg Bowl” – a hearty pile of mac and cheese topped with your choice of meat and sauce – might be the ultimate comfort food. I still dream about it when I’m having a rough day!