The Top 22 BBQ Spots In Georgia Reviewed
Georgia’s BBQ scene is a smoky paradise for meat lovers across the South. From Atlanta’s urban joints to coastal hidden gems, the Peach State offers incredible variety in BBQ styles and flavors.
I’ve spent years sampling ribs, pulled pork, and brisket throughout Georgia to bring you this ultimate guide to the state’s most mouth-watering BBQ destinations.
1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Atlanta)
Stumbled upon this Texas-inspired gem during a rainy Atlanta afternoon and instantly fell in love. Their brisket practically melts in your mouth, with that perfect smoke ring that BBQ aficionados dream about.
The Fox brothers blend Texas techniques with Southern traditions, creating a unique BBQ experience that keeps locals and tourists lining up daily.
2. Community Q BBQ (Decatur)
Mac and cheese that’ll make you weep tears of joy sits alongside some of the juiciest pulled pork in the state. My first bite here made me question every other BBQ joint I’d tried before.
Their sauce selection ranges from tangy to sweet, complementing their perfectly smoked meats without overwhelming the natural flavors.
3. Southern Soul Barbecue (St. Simons Island)
Housed in an old gas station, this island treasure serves BBQ worth crossing state lines for! Their ribs have that perfect pull-off-the-bone quality without being mushy.
What started as a food truck has become a coastal institution. The smoky aroma hits you from the parking lot, promising the flavor explosion that awaits inside.
4. Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt (Atlanta)
Locals whispered about this unassuming shack like it held BBQ secrets – they weren’t wrong!
One taste of their fall-apart ribs explains why it’s an Atlanta tradition, even though the appearance may cause some people to take notice.
Decades of photographs and memorabilia on the walls inside create a genuine ambiance that is impossible to replicate.
5. Sweet Auburn BBQ (Atlanta)
Fusion BBQ sounds sacrilegious until you’ve tried their Korean-inspired ribs. My skepticism vanished with that first sticky, sweet-spicy bite that somehow honors both traditions perfectly.
Located in the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood, they’ve created a menu that respects BBQ traditions while fearlessly exploring new flavor territories.
6. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (Atlanta)
Blues music pumps through this joint as vibrantly as smoke from their pits! Fat Matt’s feels like BBQ time travel – simple, straightforward, and soulful in every way.
Perfectly performed classics are the emphasis of their straightforward approach. Loyal customers come week after week for their trademark acidic sauce, which goes well with the ribs’ gorgeous char.
7. Corky’s BBQ (Marietta)
Memphis-style BBQ finds a perfect Georgia home at Corky’s. Their dry-rubbed ribs changed my perspective on sauce necessity – these beauties need absolutely nothing extra!
The pulled pork sandwich comes piled impossibly high, making every bite a messy delight. Their consistent quality explains the loyal customer base they’ve built over years.
8. Big Shanty Smokehouse (Kennesaw)
Nearly drove past this unassuming spot until the heavenly smoke aroma hit me like a freight train!
I think their Brunswick stew is the greatest in the whole state.
Every meat is treated with competition-level care, as it is owned by a previous BBQ champion. With each dish, the pulled pork displays gorgeous bark and stays perfectly juicy.
9. Wiley’s Championship BBQ (Savannah)
Trophy-lined walls aren’t just decoration – they’re proof of Wiley’s competition-winning techniques!
Theirs ribs are expertly prepared; they are tasty, tender, and have the ideal amount of bite-through pull.
Full with brisket chunks and a rich sweetness that wonderfully balances the savory meats, the beans are deserving of their own medal category.
10. Shane’s Rib Shack (Multiple Locations)
Chain restaurants rarely make best-of lists, but Shane’s consistency earns them a spot! Their smoked wings converted me from a rib-only purist to a wing enthusiast in one bite.
Founded by a former Georgia football player with family recipes, Shane’s maintains quality across locations while offering that convenient BBQ fix when traveling through smaller towns.
11. Jim’s Smokin’ Que (Blairsville)
Worth the mountain drive! Jim’s operates only Thursday through Saturday, creating a BBQ pilgrimage vibe that’s totally justified by their heavenly smoked turkey.
The limited schedule ensures everything’s fresh and perfectly executed. Their homemade pies provide the ideal sweet finish to a savory feast in this North Georgia gem.
12. Pit Boss BBQ (Cartersville)
Sauces here are liquid gold – especially their Carolina mustard that converted this tomato-based sauce loyalist!
Curious patrons are frequently given smoking secrets by the proprietor, who frequently physically inspects tables.
Every mouthful of their well portioned pulled pork sandwich is a well-balanced blast of flavor thanks to the superb slaw and housemade pickles.
13. Bridges Bar-B-Q (Stockbridge)
Family recipes spanning generations create BBQ that tastes like someone’s grandmother is in the kitchen! It is so juicy that their smoked chicken almost slips off the bone.
Although it verges on sweets, the sweet potato casserole blends really well with their savory meats. It’s like going to a Southern relative’s house for Sunday supper.
14. Smok’n Pig BBQ (Woodbine)
Road-trippers rejoice! This coastal highway spot serves brisket that rivals central Texas joints. My first visit was a quick stop that turned into a two-hour feast.
Their unique coastal influence shows in seafood-BBQ fusion items like smoked fish dip. The peach cobbler uses local Georgia peaches when in season for an authentic state dessert.
15. Wagon Wheel BBQ (Cornelia)
Apple wood smoke defines this North Georgia mountain joint!
After being exposed to fruity smoke for hours, their chicken wings are flash-fried to achieve the ideal crispy texture while retaining their juicy innards.
The same family has run the business for decades, and the recipes are still wonderful and unaltered. These days, it’s hard to obtain real regional desserts like apple stack cake.
16. Dreamland Bar-B-Que (Tuscaloosa, AL – popular In Georgia)
Technically Alabama-born but with Georgia locations that maintain the legendary quality!
That unique vinegar-forward sauce that properly cuts through fatty richness is served with their ribs.
No true barbecue aficionado throws away the basic white bread that is offered with ribs as a means of absorbing up sauce. For good reason, they haven’t altered their banana pudding recipe in decades.
17. Bar-B-Q King (Savannah)
Coastal influence creates unique BBQ magic here! Their pulled pork sandwich comes topped with signature Savannah-style slaw that incorporates local seafood seasoning for unexpected depth.
Founded by a former shipyard worker who perfected recipes during lunch breaks, this place maintains working-class roots while serving royally good BBQ to diverse crowds.
18. Hog Heaven BBQ (Multiple Locations)
Consistency across locations makes this small chain remarkable! Their smoked sausage links contain perfect fat-to-meat ratio for juicy, snappy bites every time.
The sweet tea comes in mason jars big enough to quench Georgia summer thirst. Their commitment to traditional smoking methods creates authentic flavor that chain operations rarely achieve.
19. Old Hickory BBQ (Atlanta)
Hickory smoke permeates everything in this Atlanta classic! Breakfast meets barbecue perfection with their burned ends hash, which blends crispy brisket bits with potatoes and peppers.
Photos of Atlanta history line walls, creating museum-like atmosphere alongside serious BBQ. The pickle bar features house-fermented vegetables that provide perfect acidic counterpoint to rich meats.
20. 4 Rivers Smokehouse (Atlanta)
Florida-born but Georgia-embraced, their brisket rivals Texas joints!
My BBQ nightmares are haunted by the taste explosions of the sweet-spicy sauce that caramelizes on the burned ends.
Competition-level care is paid to their sides, particularly the smoked jalapeño cheese grits, which are a stand-alone main course. It is impossible to classify the banana pudding bread pudding fusion dish.
21. Smokin’ Pig BBQ (Savannah)
Historic district location offers traditional BBQ with coastal twists!
For a distinctively Georgian taste, their Brunswick stew combines classic components with fresh local shrimp.
The old building’s original oak beams and brick walls create an ambiance that is as genuine as their recipes. Tourists frequently purchase bottles of their peach-infused BBQ sauce.
22. Daddy Joe’s BBQ (Atlanta)
Family recipes shine at this neighborhood spot where the owner greets regulars by name! Their smoked meatloaf redefines comfort food with perfect smoke penetration and tomato glaze.
The mac and cheese arrives bubbling in individual crocks with perfectly crispy top. Weekend specials often feature experimental items that eventually earn permanent menu spots through customer demand.