Barbecue Street - Kennesaw Georgia

You can find Barbecue Street at 3895 Cherokee St NW, Kennesaw GA 30144 - in the Kroger Shopping Center at the corner of Cherokee St and Jiles Rd not too far from Shiloh Rd.  Facing the shopping center from the St (Kroger will be on your left), the restaurant is about in the middle of the row of buildings. There's plenty of parking out front.

The dining room is cute with a homey-woody interior and stamped-metal ceilings. It has this wood-both thing going on to the left, I'm guessing to make it look more like a "street" from the name. There's a scattering of tables in the middle of the room then more along the right side. You're seated and will pay at the front counter when you're done. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Barbecue Street - the menu includes many of your classic barbecue items at really standout prices. We decided to go "Full Monty" and order an assortment.

- Barbecue Sampler - this included chicken, pulled pork and pork ribs, Texas toast and choice of two sides - I ordered the Onion Rings and "Killer Green Beans." Price was about $15

- Catfish Dinner with two filets - this included hush puppies and two sides - my dining companion, Crystal H, choose the Collard Greens and the Mashed Potatoes with Gravy. Price was about $10.

- Fried Green Tomatoes - we ordered these as an afterthought and really there was way too much food so we could have deferred.

Of all the items I tried, the catfish is surprisingly good and unexpected for a BBQ restaurant, tender and delicate with a classic corn meal breading. The "Killer green beans" are interesting with great smokey flavor, bits of crispy bacon and a bit of sweetness from the caramelized onion. The only thing I found odd was the overall texture - more like those "French-style Green Beans" you find in a can - I think those can be improved a bit. I also really enjoyed the fried green tomatoes - the peppery batter worked well with some type of mildly spicy, paprika mayo.


Least favorite was the onion rings - appear to be a cakey beer batter and too bready for me. Also I thought the smashed potatoes underwhelming - they could have used more butter and spices like pepper - I'm sure that people that like mashed potatoes would like then though.

I had mixed thoughts on the BBQ itself - I have some fairly strong opinions on BBQ and prefer it to have more smoke rind than what I saw here - the chopped pork - I was a little confused with this and initially thought it was chicken. The ribs I think need a different rub - either that or a different sauce before serving - they tasted very ketchupy to me but then again all three of the sauces I tried tasted a bit too ketchupy. I didn't think to ask about a mustard based sauce (didn't really get to the chicken) but I would have liked to try it if they have one.

The service was excellent with the server coming by frequently to check on things and refill glasses. The owner? came by also to make sure we were happy. The prices were super reasonable, especially for BBQ. Overall I'd say that this was a 3.5/5 experience but I'm rounding up to 4 stars.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Pit Boss BBQ - Hapeville Georgia

You can find Pit Boss BBQ at 856 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354 attached to the back of a liquor store. Parking is on primarily on the streets adjacent or you might get lucking and find space on the lot (unlikely during lunch or dinner times).

This traditional pit BBQ is a staple for employees at Delta Airlines and a great place to stop after visiting the nearby Arches Brewing - which is what we did. A group of us attended one of Michelle T's great BeerYEs at Arches and there's nothing to help along a beer buzz than traditional BBQ.

At Pit Boss you order at the counter and they'll call your number. On this late afternoon it was pretty packed but our group still managed to find a table. I went all out and ordered a half-rack of pork ribs. While these didn't have as much smoke rind (the pink color) that I normally look for, the rub was very good and in true southern fashion they were thrown on the grill before serving to give the ribs a bit of char. I thought they were quite good - sort of a compromise between smokiness and grilled - they reminded me a bit of Fat Matt's. The half-slab was huge - complete with the little gristle bits on the ends so be aware of those.

I also tried a wing - these were juicy, smokey and a bit charred like the ribs. I could eat a whole mess of these - it's a far cry from those Buffalo thingies you find at TMacs and similar. I had ice tea - mixed half-and-half and it was strong and fresh.

I also tried a bit of beef brisket with collards, brunswick and corny-bread. All were quite good  - I don't think anyone would find anything here to complain about. I also liked the sauce that came in bottles on the table.

The beans were a bit too canned for me - go for the brunswich instead. Also I wasn't really a fan of the potato salad (but then again I'm not in general) or the mac-and-cheese. I did like the small piece of BBQ chicken I tried. 

Service was good with very friendly people behind the counter - the entire experience is quite good as dives go and excellent as far as BBQ goes. Pit Boss is well worth visiting if you're in the area and now with Arches nearby, why are you waiting?

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q

You can find Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q at 1238 Dekalb Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307, right on the border of Little Five Points and Candler Park, at the Dekalb Ave overpass across Moreland. This is a stand-alone business with limited parking, fortunately there's a side-street where you can park as long as you're not blocking one of the resident's driveways - you'll see some cones where residents would prefer that you not park so please respect those and you'll be fine (also beware the couple of blank spots near fire hydrants - you have been warned).

Fox Bros as a company has become an Atlanta institution serving ups some fantastic BBQ, originally at Smith's Olde Bar before coming to the current location. I don't recall what was here before - seems like it wasn't a restaurant when I lived in L5P but at some point I recall eating some vegetarian food at the previous joint (Fried Green Tomatoes comes to mind?). I always thought it a bit ironic that it became the home of smoked meats.

This was my first time at Fox Bros actually sitting down and eating as every previous time the wait has been an hour so my party has always gone elsewhere. I have ordered from the counter in the past and my company used to frequently cater from these guys but less so now (most recently a couple of Fridays ago) so I'm very familiar with the food - the quality of the rub and rind here indeed supports the multiple rewards they're received - they usually find themselves in the Top 10 lists of BBQ places in Atlanta and sometimes Georgia. Thinking about the food makes my mouth water, even as I'm writing this.

Yesterday started as a regular get-together as I was with a friend and suggested that we have a late lunch here before hitting Arches Brewing for a talk on local beer history (awesome new brewery in Hapeville, by the way, that you need to try). We came by around 1:30 PM and were told there was an hour wait - as neither of us had breakfasted, we decided to make our way to Krog Street Market then head to the brewery when they opened at 4:30. We were joined by one other and around 6:00 thought we would try Fox Bros again. I guess I had so oversold Fox Bros that they really, really wanted to experience it, even after I suggested we go to the exceptional Pit Boss (also close by the brewery) - I think we got to Fox about 6:30 and figured that we could wait out the 1.5 hour wait-time for a table (and believe me, I never wait more than 30 minutes but my friends really wanted this Q, especially after standing in the smoke-filled air). We ordered a round of beers and waited outside.

When we came earlier in the day it was raining and so crowded that the hostess suggested we could wait on the patio under the umbrellas - since there was a small table unoccupied we set up our wait there and had a beer. By then the buzz from the brewery was pretty much gone - we were just conversing - I asked the server if we could order and were told very politely that no, we had to wait to be seated. No big deal but I had to try, right? After about an hour we were asked to vacate the table - a bit weird as we could have eaten and been gone as we were waiting to be seated but no sweat. We got a second beer and stood near the railing. We were half-way though the second beer when we got the very efficient text notifying us that the table was ready. We walked to the corner and had just been seated when things get interesting.

The manager? came by to let us know that we were cut-off from any more alcohol - that there was some report of an incident and that it was OK for us to eat but no more beer. We looked at each other bewildered and starting asking about what we did? She left for a bit then returned to say that my friend Arvin had threatened one of the servers with his beer glass - what? We told her that there must be some mistake - we were all there and it just didn't happen, but she didn't back down. It was a bit of a "eat and GTFO" moment. So we ordered the bone-on beef rib, the pulled pork, a rack of pork ribs with a side of slaw and Texas toast. Food was awesome as usual but as I sat there I started getting a stomach ache - not because of the food but because I couldn't reconcile the attitude we were receiving from this place of business.

As many of you know, I worked in the industry as a chef for 10 years, retiring after a stint at Indigo Coastal Grill near this very restaurant - I used to bike to work from my house on North Highland and know this neighborhood. Having worked both front and back of the house, I have a keen understanding of the restaurant business and the need for restaurants to protect their staff - I totally get that. But this was just weird. The three of us weren't being obnoxious, weren't loaded or exhibiting anything that would make the business perceive us as being threatening, just a bald Asian, an Indian guy and a Russian who all worked together in the past, having some light conversation and waiting/starving for food. It's my opinion that whoever pointed us out was just mistaken - either something we did was misconstrued (and I was there so I'm not sure what that was) or, more likely someone just mistook our table for another group. The fact that we were so bewildered should have provided some clue to the "manager" that we weren't the right group. We basically ate our food and left.

I can understand if something happened - heck if we were drunk and belligerent I would expect to be thrown out as the actions of one can upset the whole restaurant dynamic. If something had indeed happened, why wasn't the cop stationed in the parking lot leading us off premises? Instead we get an "eat and GTFO"? And herein lies the rub. This whole incident has my gut twisted up as I do love the food here, but the night just rings with a level of arrogance that I don't find very palatable. In fact I don't think I can every come back as the events have ruined Fox Bros for me. To think that my friends were so enthralled by my description that we waited for 1.5 hours to sit when we could have gone to innumerable restaurants elsewhere in Atlanta, only to be treated with suspicion and disdain, speaks of a restaurant where good service has been replaced by ego and contempt for those customers who buy their wares. Perhaps I'm being sensitive? I don't know but right now I'm done with Fox Bros.

-- John

(also posted in a shorter form to Yelp)

The Barn Smokehouse - Lawrenceville Highway - Lilburn Atlanta Georgia

You can find The Barn Smokehouse at 5364 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn, GA 30047. Those of you paying attention will recognize the address as the location of the original Spiced Right BBQ, which changed owners and eventually became this new business, The Barn. Parking is in the lot next to the building which is hard to miss, as the main covered deck is painted red like a barn (makes sense, no?).

 The interior of The Barn Smokehouse is much as it was previously as Spiced Right so maybe now is the time to talk about that previous business. Spiced Right was one of my favorite BBQ places due to the all-you-can-eat pulled-pork buffet - I used to visit several times a month and while some of the other items on the buffet (like the hot dogs?) weren't worthwhile, the pulled-park was awesome, especially with a bit of the Lilburner sauce (hot, vinegary). At some point the buffet went away but I would still visit occasionally to have the ribs - which have been pretty much retained in the Roswell location (still open). I believe the family just got tired of having the Lilburn business and sold it where it remained Spice Right until The Barn took over.

The menu for The Barn is exactly what I like to see on a BBQ menu, mostly meats by the pound, as plates or sandwiches with just a few sides. I think to make good Que the business should stay focused and this menu indeed accomplishes this. You'll see options for Pulled Pork, Ribs, Brisket, Smoked Turkey & Chicken, Combos, a Quick Lunch (sandwich, chips and drink), Family Style (combos of meats and sides), Side Items, Kids Meal, Desserts and Beverages including beer by the bottle - I thought all the prices were very reasonable. You order at the counter from a very helpful guy who can answer some fairly detailed questions. Go for a combo platter - there's a ton of food, you'll be able to sample a lot and still have a bit to take home for later and lets face it, BBQ is too good to go to waste so just accept that you'll want to take some home.

I order the two-meat combo with ribs, pulled pork and two sides including collard greens and Brunswick stew - all for $14.95 ($2 up charge for the ribs). The ribs were super-tender with just a bit of caramelized sauce, meaty and about 1/8 inch of rind. Personally I like a bit more rind (which is where the smoky-flavor comes in) but these were very satisfying and I think most would like them. The pulled pork was also juicy with just a bit of rub and a little more rind. As with the ribs, not as smoking as I like but still very good and I know that most of my friends wouldn't complain. The Collards were good (made with smoked turkey I believe). I liked the flavors of the Brunswick stew but the corn was a bit under-cooked otherwise good. In all it was a ton of food and I left stuffed.

For sauces, there's a whole array on one of the counters, plus their basic sweet sauce on the table - I liked the "The Bite" which is hot but not blazing, and the "Hot n/ Spicy" which I believe is "The Bite" mixed with one of their other sauces. Really my favorite are the vinegary sauces that are hot-and-spicy and I didn't see that offered (but may have missed it as some people dining had taken bottles to their tables).

In all I thought the food very good and the people working there very nice. I'll be returning to sample the other items. I think that while The Barn doesn't have the history of Spiced Right, it's a good replacement for that venerable establishment.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)