11 Underrated Grills In Georgia That Locals Say Deserve More Attention
Georgia’s barbecue scene is legendary, but some of the best spots fly under the radar while tourists flock to the same old names.
I’ve spent years exploring smokehouses across the state, and I can tell you that locals have some serious opinions about which grills deserve way more love.
These hidden spots serve up mouthwatering meats and unforgettable sides that’ll make you wonder why they’re not packed every single day.
1. Bigun’s Barbeque, Talking Rock
Tucked away in the North Georgia mountains, Bigun’s serves up some seriously smoky goodness that’ll have you planning your next trip before you even finish your plate. Last summer, I drove an hour out of my way just to grab their pulled pork, and honestly, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The ribs practically fall off the bone, and their homemade sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet. What really sets this place apart is the genuine hospitality—the staff treats everyone like family, remembering regulars’ orders and sharing stories about the community.
Their Brunswick stew is legendary among locals, thick with tender meat and vegetables that taste like they’ve been simmering since dawn. Don’t skip the banana pudding for dessert; it’s the kind of comfort food that reminds you why Southern cooking is unbeatable.
2. Jim’s Smokin’ Que, Blairsville
Mountain air and slow-smoked brisket make for an unbeatable combination at Jim’s, where the owner personally tends to every rack of ribs like they’re precious cargo. Walking in, you’re immediately hit with that intoxicating wood smoke smell that clings to your clothes for hours afterward (not complaining, by the way).
Their brisket has this incredible bark that crackles under your fork, giving way to meat so tender it melts on your tongue. The portions are generous enough to feed a hungry hiker twice over, which makes sense given Blairsville’s proximity to the Appalachian Trail.
Jim himself often comes out to chat with customers, sharing smoking tips and asking how everything tastes. The mac and cheese is dangerously addictive, creamy with just the right amount of cheese pull that makes you forget your diet ever existed.
3. Southern Soul Barbeque, St. Simons Island
Beach vibes meet smoky perfection at this coastal gem that proves barbecue isn’t just for landlocked states. I stumbled upon Southern Soul during a beach vacation, and it completely changed my plans—I ended up eating there three times in four days.
Their smoked wings are criminally underrated, with crispy skin that shatters like glass and meat that stays juicy underneath. What makes this spot unique is how they incorporate coastal flavors into traditional barbecue, creating something entirely their own without losing authenticity.
The collard greens have a subtle smokiness that complements the meats beautifully, and their cornbread is sweet enough to pass as dessert. Lines can get long during tourist season, but locals know to arrive right when they open or late afternoon for the best chance at snagging a table quickly.
4. Heirloom Market BBQ, Atlanta
Korean-American fusion meets traditional Southern barbecue in ways that’ll blow your mind and ruin you for ordinary BBQ forever. The husband-and-wife team behind Heirloom brings together their different culinary backgrounds to create something completely revolutionary yet somehow familiar.
Their signature dish—Korean-style smoked pork with kimchi—sounds weird on paper but tastes like heaven decided to throw a party in your mouth. I was skeptical at first, but one bite converted me into a believer who now preaches about this place to anyone who’ll listen.
The brisket gets rubbed with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), adding a subtle heat that builds gradually rather than overwhelming your taste buds. Even their sides push boundaries, like the collard green kimchi that somehow respects both cuisines while creating something entirely new and absolutely delicious.
5. Blackbeard’s BBQ, Albany
Ahoy, barbecue lovers! This pirate-themed joint in Southwest Georgia serves treasure worth hunting for, minus the scurvy and plank-walking. The playful nautical decor might seem gimmicky, but the food is seriously legitimate and keeps locals coming back week after week.
Their pulled pork has won multiple regional competitions, though you wouldn’t know it from the humble exterior that looks like any other small-town Georgia smokehouse. What impressed me most was the consistency—I’ve been three times now, and each visit delivered the exact same quality.
The ribs come glazed with a sauce that has a hint of coffee, giving them a unique depth that sets them apart from standard offerings. Their smoked turkey is surprisingly moist, avoiding that dry disaster that turkey can sometimes become, and pairs perfectly with their vinegar-based slaw that cuts through the richness beautifully.
6. Big Shanty Smokehouse BBQ, Kennesaw
Named after the historic area where the Great Locomotive Chase occurred during the Civil War, this smokehouse honors tradition while serving up plates that make history delicious. Located near the Southern Museum, it’s perfectly positioned for hungry history buffs who need fuel after exploring.
Their smoked sausage has this incredible snap when you bite into it, releasing juices that mingle perfectly with their mustard-based sauce. I once watched a family of five demolish three full racks of ribs in what seemed like minutes, which tells you everything about how good they are.
The baked beans come loaded with chunks of burnt ends, turning a simple side into something worthy of being the main attraction. Service is quick despite the crowds, and the staff genuinely seems to enjoy their work, creating an atmosphere that feels celebratory rather than rushed or impersonal.
7. Old Clinton Bar-B-Q, Gray
Step back in time at this no-frills institution that’s been smoking meats the same way since 1956, proving that sometimes the old ways really are the best ways. The building looks like it might blow over in a strong wind, but don’t let appearances fool you—this place is a fortress of flavor.
Their chopped pork comes piled high on soft white bread, the traditional Central Georgia style that lets the meat shine without fancy distractions. My grandfather used to stop here on road trips, and eating there now feels like connecting with family memories through perfectly smoked pork.
The sauce is thin and vinegar-forward, cutting through the fat beautifully without masking the subtle smoke flavors that develop during hours in the pit. Cash only, no fancy menu, just honest barbecue that tastes exactly like it should and has been making locals happy for nearly seven decades running.
8. Sprayberry’s Bar-B-Q, Newnan
Family recipes passed down through generations create magic at Sprayberry’s, where barbecue feels less like dining out and more like visiting your favorite relative’s house for Sunday dinner. The walls are covered with local sports teams’ photos and community event flyers, showing how deeply embedded this place is in Newnan’s fabric.
Their Brunswick stew recipe supposedly dates back to the 1920s, and honestly, it tastes like accumulated wisdom in a bowl—thick, hearty, and impossibly comforting. I’ve tried replicating it at home multiple times and failed spectacularly each attempt, which just gives me more excuses to return.
The chicken is brined before smoking, keeping it juicy while developing that gorgeous mahogany color that makes your mouth water before you even taste it. Locals treat this place like a community center, gathering for everything from business lunches to family celebrations, creating buzz and energy that makes every meal feel special.
9. Fresh Air Barbecue, Jackson
Since 1929, this roadside legend has been feeding travelers along Highway 42, earning its reputation one perfectly smoked rib at a time through nearly a century of consistent excellence. The neon sign out front has become an Instagram favorite, but the real star is what’s happening in the kitchen.
Their pork gets hickory-smoked for hours until it achieves that pink smoke ring that barbecue nerds obsess over, and the result is absolutely worth the obsession. I once detoured two hours out of my way just to grab lunch here, and my passenger didn’t complain once after tasting the food.
The fried okra is dangerously good—crispy outside, tender inside, seasoned so perfectly you’ll eat way more than you planned. They’ve maintained their original recipes and cooking methods despite pressure to modernize, proving that sometimes refusing to change is actually the smartest business decision possible when perfection already exists.
10. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Atlanta
Blues music and barbecue create the perfect marriage at this Atlanta institution where the soundtrack is almost as important as the sauce. Walking in feels like entering someone’s very cool basement party where everyone’s invited and the ribs never stop coming.
Their ribs are meaty and substantial, requiring both hands and zero shame as sauce drips down your fingers while blues legends jam on the tiny stage. I’ve brought out-of-town friends here at least a dozen times, and it never fails to become the highlight of their trip that they won’t stop talking about.
The atmosphere is deliberately dive-y, with mismatched furniture and walls plastered with band stickers and signatures from musicians who’ve performed there over the decades. Despite being in the heart of Atlanta, prices remain shockingly reasonable, making it possible to enjoy world-class barbecue and live music without emptying your wallet completely.
11. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, Atlanta
Texas-style barbecue found a home in Atlanta when two brothers decided Georgia needed brisket that could compete with anything coming out of the Lone Star State. Their obsession with perfection shows in every slice, every side, and every detail of the operation.
The brisket comes with that coveted bark that provides textural contrast to the buttery-soft interior, and it’s so good it makes you question whether Georgia or Texas really does barbecue better. I watched someone propose here once, and honestly, I totally understood why—if someone served me this brisket before asking life’s big questions, I’d say yes too.
Their Frito pie is an indulgent mess of chips, chopped brisket, cheese, and sauce that shouldn’t work but absolutely does in the best possible way. The outdoor patio gets packed on weekends, filled with people who know that waiting thirty minutes for a table is totally worth it when the reward is this level of smoky perfection.