North Georgia BBQ

I am a long term fan of the Smith house and The Dillard house. I had not settled on a favorite BBQ place ( for when I overdosed on fried okra and collards). I have tried and like the Pink Pig. I have a new suggestion. Bubba's BBQ - north on Hwy 19/129 outside of Blairsville. I'm a pulled pork/ chopped beef kind of guy. Great smokey meat, spicy sauce that does not overwhelm... If it's cold out bring your coat - no place to eat inside.

In Atlanta, I don't think anything beats HAROLD's. Haven't found a Brunswick Stew close, in terms of complex texture and taste. Try to find the pan baked cornbread that comes with it. Ya can't. It's a lost art.

I must say, that a good window seat at sunset, at the Dillard House---well, with the great country cooking, you really have a slice of heaven.

I took my girlfriend to the Smith House once. I about passed out at how much it cost.. but worth it. Good atmosphere. It's not primarily a BBQ place, though. More like a country cooking restaurant.

When my office was in Tucker, we used to trek down Hwy 29 to Lilburn and a place called Spiced Right. That, to this day, is the best BBQ I have ever had. I'm not crazy about Sonny's or Corky's... which seems to be the place my co-workers like to go to (now that we re-located to Duluth). I say that without having had Harold's. Maybe someday I will try it.

Kepper, try Pappy Red's in Alpharetta or Cumming. Harold's is a bit far for lunch from Duluth. Spiced Right is good too. I can't speak of other locations in your area. The only other N. GA spots I would recommend are Bubba's in Blairsville, Two Bros. in Ball Ground, and Poole's in Ellijay (with the pig Hill of Fame).

Thanks Oneiron. I will give them a try. Isn't Pappy Reds the place where an airplane is "crashed" into the roof? I just have to go see what the pig hill of fame is all about...

Yes on Pappy Red's airplane. The Pig Hill of Fame is a large area carved out on a hill behind Pooles. He places a wooden"pig" statue, somewhat likee a grave stone with your name on it on the hill if you buy one. BBQ is good too.

You guys are making me wild with all this talk of BBQ in N Ga. Yes I agree...nothing beats Harolds....nothing. Sadly, Harold will be closing down soon. He is getting old and the drive etc is getting to be too much. There is nothing like the sliced pork (sliced by hand, not machine)on toasted white bread and the sauce is perfect. The stew beats all. Cracklin' cornbread that is a dying art. Folks reading this: PLEASE go to the pictures of Harold's food in Roadfood write up. I can hardly stand to look at it and not stop what I am doing and go!! Have you guys had BBQ in Helen GA at the "North Ga BBQ Company"?? Very very good....chopped meat but good...stew is great and so is the slaw. I too love Pappy Reds. Would love to try Spiced Right....heard great things about it.

Cornbread:

http://www.deltablues.net/cbread.html

This is how I make mine, except I use no oil (see recipe). I use bacon fat (drippings), of course.

http://www.deltablues.net/recipe.html

Another vote for The Pink Pig in Cherrylog, GA. Great BBQ sandwich. I have seen the pig graveyard behind Poole's, but have never had the opportunity to eat there.

The Pink Pig in Cherrylog has ok bbq. The real keeper there is their Garlic Oil/Vinegar dressing. Yummmy! My grandfather (an old trucker) always took me to Harold's for the bbq & cornbread. God, they can't close I've been going there for 40 years!

Two Brothers in Ball Ground is great too, but open only Th-Fr-Sa-Su. Still has good atmosphere, but the state made them get rid of the sawdust floors (too unsanitary). They were open for 30 years and had no complaints, but the nanny state came in and made them comply.

I ate from a place in the ATL area last year. Ribs were great. I think it's called the garage. Ring a bell for anyone?