Harold's Barbecue - Atlanta, GA

One of the South’s grand old smoke pits, it has built its reputation on velvet-soft sliced pork, racks of meaty ribs, and bowls of old-fashioned Brunswick stew. Sliced pork is velvet-soft, unbelievably tender and fairly glowing with the subtle perfume of wood smoke; pork ribs come as a magnificent rack – ultra-thick, heavily glazed with beguiling sauce, their crusty-lush meat pulling off the bone in messy strips.

93% Approval Rating (31 votes)

Overall: Worth planning a day around

Must Eats

Brunswick stew (N/A)

sliced pork ($8.00)

ribs ($10.00)

chopped pork ($8.00)

Written Reviews

Michael Stern

" How do you find great barbecue in the Deep South? Look for images of pigs, for pork is king in Dixie. Many of the best places have pig-shaped signs, cartoon pictures of pigs on display, and shelves arrayed with pig figurines. If, in addition to porcine décor, the ..." [Read More].

MatthewMetcalfe

September 07, 2009

"Like the other reviewers have commented, Harold's is an "establishment." Immediately upon pulling into the parking lot you realize you are in for something special. The building is decrepit. Heavy bars cover the windows to keep the window units from disappearing ..." [Read More].

ULVER

February 29, 2004

"Harold's is as much an Atlanta institution, as The Varsity drive-in. And the food is MUCH better. It's like a slice of country americana, nestled between a Federal pen, and a housing project. Once inside, feel safe. The cops eat at Harold's, and there's a few guns ..." [Read More].

Logbooks

3/27/2002 - Michael Stern, $10

Map & Directions

171 McDonough Blvd, SE, Atlanta, GA
404-627-9268

Hours & Policies

Seasons:	Open Year Round
Meals Served:	Lunch
Operational Hours:	Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:	No
Alcohol Served:	No
Outdoor Seating:	No
Reservations Accepted:	No
Delivery Available:	No
Takeout Counters:	Yes

"Harold's is more famous for its chopped and sliced pork, but these ribs demand attention! In the background: cole slaw and a bowl of Brunswick stew."
Michael Stern

"No Georgia barbecue meal is complete without some Brunswick stew. At Harold's, it is a fine-textured soup/stew of pork, corn kernels, and tomato shreds."
Michael Stern

"Delicious all by itself, Harold's cornbread is essential for mopping and sopping sauce off one's plate. It's also good for crumbling into bowls of Brunswick stew."
Michael Stern

"Harold's has been an Atlanta destination for more than half a century."
Michael Stern

"The bread for this sandwich is lightly toasted on a grill above the wood fire behind Harold's counter. It is ordinary bread, but the smoke taste it inhales makes it special."
Michael Stern

"In the South, a happy pig almost always signals good barbecue."
Michael Stern

"Real barbecue: throughout the day, Harold's pit man comes out back to this shed so he can fetch a basket full of wood to burn down to coals for the fire inside."
Michael Stern