Justin Fox at his and his brother’s Texas-style hot spot, Fox Bros BBQ
Hotlanta was a great city to wind down my BBQ Bound adventure. The hickory smoked meats coming out of Atlanta’s smokehouses I visited ranked right up there with any I’d had along the way, and were cooked to perfection with equal parts hillbilly grit and city slicker sophistication.
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
1238 DeKalb Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Jonathan and Justin Fox, two Texan expats hunkered down in ATL, started a low ‘n slow fire that proved unstoppable when they commenced cooking for their friends … and then their friends’ parties … and then their friends’ friends parties … all eventually leading to opening their own place which to me looked to be one of Atlanta’s most ridiculously popular restaurants – if judging only by my trouble finding a place to park nearby for Sunday lunch. Any minor hassles or waits were well worth the effort though as every bite had was full of mega flavour. Fox Bros’ most munchable must-try mega bite? It’s gotta be the chicken fried ribs (double sided, thick cut ribs breaded, fried and served with white sauce).
My Fox Bros feast was my last BBQ Bound meal before dashing to the airport for my return flight London. I reckon I ended my three-week trek on a deliciously appropriate note. Awesome place.
Find out more at foxbrosbbq.com.
Grand Champion BBQ
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
As the name suggest, these boys take their eight-hour smoked meat seriously. The super juicy brisket is amped up with robust flavour and tender as it gets. The five-cheese mac and cheese is amazing too.
Check ‘em out online at gcbbq.net.
Sweet Auburn Barbecue
656 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306
Famous for fusing Southern style BBQ with Southeast Asian flair, owner Howard Hsu looks to his Georgia upbringing and Malaysian-Chinese heritage to bring Atlanta a singularly delicious take on slow cooked meats and accompanying dishes. Starters and sides are especially yummy. I loved the pimento cheese wontons, pear coleslaw, and skillet green beans.
Visit Sweet Auburn online at sweetauburnbbq.com.
Jordan and Erin Leigh Wakefield at their restaurant, Smoke Ring
Smoke Ring
309 Nelson Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313
Husband and wife team Executive Chef Jordan Wakefield and bar manager Erin Leigh Wakefield have created an excellent setting for having a meal or grabbing a drink with friends at their Smoke Ring restaurant in the historic downtown Castleberry Hill neighbourhood. I was deeply impressed with the chef-y and creative – yet still downhome delicious – dishes I had at Smoke Ring. Among the most notable were the BBQ deviled eggs and the best brisket I had outside of Texas.
More: smokeringatlanta.com.
Beyond the Q
Courtyard Atlanta Downtown
133 Carnegie Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Great downtown location, comfy room, easy access to I-75 and I-85, affordable valet parking: I was pleased with my stay at the Courtyard. Details: marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/atldo.
Joystick Gamebar
427 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
One of the coolest bars I’ve been to this year, Joystick Gamebar in Edgewood area of East Atlanta. There’s killer range of classic arcade games, but I was too busy bending my elbow at the bar to turn around for a play. Friendly folks, excellent people watching, and an excellent selection of beers and cocktails would have me coming back again and again if I lived just a little closer. Click joystickgamebar.com for details.
More
To learn more about Atlanta go to atlanta.net, and for info about making the most of a visit to Georgia have a look at exploregeorgia.org. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for one more BBQ Bound wrap up post.
