Looking to sample the best barbecue around town?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top barbecue outlets in Atlanta, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to meet your needs.
1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Topping the list is Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. Located at 1238 Dekalb Ave. NE in Candler Park, it's the most popular barbecue spot in Atlanta, boasting 4.5 stars out of 3,401 reviews on Yelp.
Twin brothers from Texas founded Fox Bros. after honing their skills as backyard barbecue chefs. Their restaurant, featured on numerous national TV shows, offers pulled pork, ribs, and, true to their Lone Star State heritage, brisket, with all the traditional accompaniments, including that Georgia favorite, Brunswick stew.
Yelper Adrienne A. wrote, "I have never had better barbecue in my life. ... The place is always packed, for good reason."
2. Fat Matt's Rib Shack
Next up is Morningside-Lenox Park's Fat Matt's Rib Shack, situated at 1811 Piedmont Ave. NE. With four stars out of 1,987 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score barbecue has proven to be a local favorite.
Fat Matt's will soon mark its 30th year in operation. As the name suggests, ribs are the specialty, though barbecued chicken is also a favorite.
Yelper Marie E. writes, "The ribs were amazing! The meat just melts off the bones. Hands down the best ribs I've ever had!"
3. Twin Smokers BBQ
Downtown's Twin Smokers BBQ, located at 300 Marietta St. NW, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the spot to score barbecue and more four stars out of 800 reviews.
Twin Smokers takes its name from the two different smokers it uses — one for beef, fueled with Texas mesquite and post oak, and the other for chicken and pork, wafting the fragrant fumes of hickory and white oak. Its menu is equally diverse, offering not only Southern-style favorites including pulled pork, but Texas mainstays such as barbecued sausage and beef ribs. And for a taste of the Midwest, there are St. Louis-style ribs.
Yelper Katherine D. wrote, "Sat at the bar and had very quick service with great meat and great drinks."
4. Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt, a spot to score barbecue just east of downtown, is another go-to, with four stars out of 702 Yelp reviews. Head over to 264 Memorial Drive SE to see for yourself.
Founded by a former Chicagoan in 1993, Daddy D'z is a casual place with a bluesy feel. The menu goes beyond the usual pulled pork, brisket, ribs and chicken to offer shrimp and turkey. The restaurant also hosts live musical performers on some nights.
Yelper Brian G. wrote, "Myself and a group of fellow firefighters went in for lunch. We were all blown away by the food. Everything tasted delicious, with no comparison."
5. Sweet Auburn BBQ
Over in Poncey-Highland, check out Sweet Auburn BBQ, which has earned four stars out of 584 reviews on Yelp. You can find it at 656 N. Highland Ave. NE.
This is a place where the melting pot that is Atlanta is in full blend. Not only does Sweet Auburn BBQ have a full menu of traditional barbecue favorites, but fusion creations such as pimento cheese wontons, a bulgogi salad, a sandwich with Korean-style short ribs, papaya Asian slaw and barbecue-rubbed tofu.
With such variety, Yelper Jo Jo C. writes, "You can count on this restaurant for consistently good food."
6. Lovies BBQ
And then there's Lovies BBQ, a Buckhead favorite with four stars out of 347 reviews. Stop by 3420 Piedmont Road NE, Suite B, for barbecue and sandwiches the next time you're in the mood.
Lovie's, founded in 2013, has been part of an Atlanta barbecue renaissance that's seen the Southern staple gain a foothold even amid the fine-dining destinations of Buckhead. If barbecue is an all-day craving for you, don't miss breakfast at Lovie's, where you can get brisket on your biscuit.
"I would never have expected to find this type of place in Buckhead," wrote Yelper Lindsey G.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
