Fresh Air, Jackson,GA?

Saw the Roadfood spot of the day in Jackson and it reminded me of the Fresh Air, still my favorite pork BBQ of all time.

Anyone know if it is still there?

If it is, it should be a Roadfood candidate!

It's still there.

quote:

Originally posted by Milt

It's still there.

That's good to know. Is it still as good?

Took me awhile to discover the place, but it became a regular stop on my
trips south from Marietta.

Fresh Air has already been in some of the past editions of the Roadfood book. Here is a link to some pictures of it:

http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tod/freshair.html

I eat at the Fresh Air in Macon. It doesn’t have the rustic atmosphere of the Fresh Air in Jackson, but it is right off Riverside Drive beside I-75. So it is very convenient, plus it has ribs as well.

Last time I was there in May, Fresh Air was as good as it always has been. I just hate it that it's 10 miles off I-75. Usually when I'm down on the S.Side of Atlanta, I end up at OB's, which is right on I-75. You can't go wrong at either place, though.

When I have occasion to travel near or through Jackson,
the closer I get my mouth starts watering & I break out in sweat.
I have to go to Fresh Air.

I think Fresh Air in Jackson is still one of the best. Haven't been to the one in Macon, but have been to both the Athens locations. One is big, with a buffet for lunch, and the other is real small. The latter one is a lot better, in my opinion. Neither are too upscale, though, which is a good thing. I don't think it's possible to have good barbecue in a modern, corporate looking restaurant. You can have good food (Sticky Fingers, Bono's are examples) but not really barbecue.

Dearfolk,
As Dobie Gray says in his 1965 hit, "The 'In' Crowd," "the original's still the greatest."
No matter what, you just can't beat cooking pork barbecue in a real pit. Besides, the 1927 ambience of the original "42 Highway" location in Jackson is unbeatable.
On a similar note, I understand that the former Melear's in Union City, Georgia (on Roosevelt Highway - U. S. 29 just by the Fairburn city line) is back up and reopened by someone who knows his butt (porkwise) from a hole in the ground. When I manage to replenish my bank account to make that sidetrip, what with two-dollar gasoline being a fact, I'll report back right hereabouts.
As If On 'Cue, Ort. Carlton in Sunny, Cooler Athens, Georgia.
P. S. Yeah, I know I've used that closing before... it just seems apropos, so I recycled it.
P. P. S. One of the great joys of leaving Atlanta and driving to Jackson is tuning to 92.1 FM to hear Wonderful Ray on WJGA-FM out of Jackson. He's on at night, playing some amazing rhythm & blues. He is, indeed, wonderful. He alone is worth the drive. The station might make it north to Rex on an especially good night, but Stockbridge and McDonough are sure bets for it to come in. Happy tuning!

Ort,
Did you ever make the trip to Melear's in Union City ?

I like more of a vinegary sauce, and have problems with the thick, overly sweet hickory smoke kind. I ate at The Fresh Air in Macon a few months ago, and it was quite enjoyable. The barbecue sauce was not bothersome.

Last Sunday afternoon, just minutes after my wife mentioned she could stand a "little snack", I looked to my left and noticed the Bogart, Georgia location of Fresh Air Bar-B-Q and so I pulled in. We had the special of two sandwiches and one drink (sweet tea, of course) and had the most enjoyable "little snack" I could imagine. My wife, who is not quite the bbq fan that I am, commented on how much she enjoyed the sauce. She liked it better than the three sauces she tried two nights earlier at Beetle's BBQ in Woodstock, Georgia.

I inquired as to the connection with Fresh Air in Jackson and was told that Bogart and Athens are operated by grandsons. They also pointed out that they have a slightly larger menu than Jackson.

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

Last time I was there in May, Fresh Air was as good as it always has been. I just hate it that it's 10 miles off I-75. Usually when I'm down on the S.Side of Atlanta, I end up at OB's, which is right on I-75. You can't go wrong at either place, though.

10 miles? That means it is 20 miles out of my way when going to metro Atlanta area. Usually don't have a lot of spare time, etc., when traveling. I have seen OB's on the way, though. Can you enlighten me as to their offerings?

OB's is a good roadfood stop on I-75 in McDonough, in fact it backs up to the interstate between the exits. Good BBQ with excellent sweet tea and the usual fixin's and choices. OB remodeled a few years ago from a BBQ joint/shack to a respectable restaurant which can handle larger crowds. The BBQ didn't suffer but try to avoid the crowds as the service declines (get 'em in - get'em out)when it's real busy.

I think the brunswick stew is better at Fresh Air than OB's though. Every time my family would camp at Indian Springs, we would HAVE to go to Fresh Air one meal.
You might be able to get on 42 in Forsyth and get to Fresh Air then go on north and get back on I-75 in McDonnough. Or vice versa if you are heading south. I'll have to check a map when I'm through procrastinating.

Alice
who should be packing for her move to GA...

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

Last time I was there in May, Fresh Air was as good as it always has been. I just hate it that it's 10 miles off I-75. Usually when I'm down on the S.Side of Atlanta, I end up at OB's, which is right on I-75. You can't go wrong at either place, though.

10 miles? That means it is 20 miles out of my way when going to metro Atlanta area. Usually don't have a lot of spare time, etc., when traveling. I have seen OB's on the way, though. Can you enlighten me as to their offerings?

A good option as you pass through metro Atlanta on I-75 is The Rib Ranch in Marietta (Cobb County). They are on GA 5 about a mile off of I-75. Take the GA 5 Connector north. The Rib Ranch is on the left about a half mile past the first traffic light. They serve pork, brisket, sausage, and turkey along with an interesting array of sides. Recently, fried catfish was added to their menu.