It’s time to talk pork. Juicy, slow-roasted, hand-rubbed and spiced pork. Mouth-watering, generously-sauced, white-shirt-destroying barbecue pork. It is one of the defining dishes of the South and in Atlanta, you can find some of the best places to eat within easy driving distance of most of the Metro ‘burbs. These three are arguably the best BBQ joints in the city.
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q – www.foxbrosbbq.com
Located on DeKalb Avenue, this is Hickory-smoked heaven in a brick building. Just walking through the door transports you to a world where pork fat is king and the eclectic mix of Southern and Texas BBQ strains will have you digging into each dish like a kid diving into a birthday cake. You’ll find the usual menu items here – pulled pork, brisket, chicken and the like. The baby back ribs are particularly amazing and worthy of a Mother’s Day or Thanksgiving banquet addition. There’s a full list of appetizers and sandwiches. While they do offer a veggie burger on the menu, this is a meeting place for true “meatatarians” where you can literally order a meat course with a side of meat (ask for the Babyback Combo). It’s likely they would serve you a meat shake if you asked for it – the service is outstanding and the environment is always upbeat. Details: Prices range $4-8 on appetizers (including chili and Brunswick stew) and entrees roll in at $10-22. Inside and patio seating. 1238 Dekalb Ave Atlanta, 30307. 404.577.4030. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, 11 p.m. weekends.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack – www.fatmattsribshack.com
If you’ve come for the music, you’ve come for the wrong reason. As the name implies, Matt’s focuses on doing one thing really well – RIBS. The live blues is just sauce on the plate. Established in 1990, this amazing joint is one of those that hearkens back to the Good Ol’ Days, though no one seems to remember exactly when that was. The neon signs on the outside of the building lure you in like mosquitoes to a bugzapper and the taste experience is no less than that same spark-filled explosion. You won’t find a complex menu with lots of choices – you can get a full rack, half rack, sandwich or a couple of other choices in chicken or chopped pork. Honestly, while everything at Fat Matt’s is noteworthy, you come for the ribs. You stay for the ribs. You come back for the ribs. “Slow-cooked perfection” has been used over and over again to describe this down-home eatery and you’ll be sorry you missed it if you pass it by on your cruise for the perfect BBQ joint. Details: Prices range from $6-19 for most items including a full rack. 1811 Piedmont Ave Ne Atlanta. 404.607.1622. Open 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Mon-Thur, ’til 12:30 a.m. Fri & Sat.
Daddy D’z BBQ Joint – www.daddydz.com
Recently featured on the Food Network, this is down-home, soul-lifting BBQ at its best. If you are looking for a fancy restaurant, the spartan surroundings of Daddy D’z may be a put off for you, but you’re not there for the ambience. You want the artery-clogging goodness that comes only with deep South smoked BBQ. The restaurant’s slogan says it all: “We ain’t pretty, but we’re good.” Good is an understatement. You’ll find the full range of BBQ’d protein in the house – chicken, pork, sausage, ribs and even some shrimp – but you can also find collard greens, fried okra and black beans available as sides. You’ll get live blues, too, so the meal is complete. If you hit just one BBQ joint this year, let it be Daddy D’z. Details: Prices range from $4-$20 on appetizers (with the latter usually for platters) and $8.50-$30 on entrees (again, the higher prices are usually for very large meals). Sandwiches are typically $6 and very filling. 264 Memorial DriveAtlanta, 30312. 404.222.0206. Open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mon-Thur, ’til midnight or
