Dining Out
By Leigh Knight
Barbecue Dining on 85 South By Leigh Knight
Barbecue-perhaps no other food is as hotly debated. While we all agree that good barbecue represents the heart of the South, should it be pork or beef, smoked or grilled, pulled or sliced? And then there is the sauce-sweet, sour, or spicy, thick or thin? Even the spelling is a matter of opinion. One thing we discovered on our quest up and down 85 South is the best barbecue has to have the right mix of Southern cooking and hospitality. As for the rest, you be the judge!
East Point/College Park
BBQ Kitchen of College Park, 1437 Virginia Ave., College Park; the menu varies slightly each day, but it’s all good. Try the tender and juicy chopped BBQ pork and Brunswick stew, smoked chicken, and fresh vegetables; dine-in or take-out; no alcoholic beverages served; kid-friendly; Sun.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; 404-766-9906.
Q’s Southern Style, 1599 White Way Ave., East Point, although not devoted entirely to BBQ, you’ll find tasty BBQ rib tips and chicken on this Southern style buffet; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; 404-767-9894.
Union City/Fairburn
Cafe 74, 7860 Senoia Rd., Fairburn; its nondescript location at a gas station/truck stop right at exit 61 on I-85 only adds to the mystique that you’re going to a great barbecue place only locals know about. Café 74 is a BBQ lover's dream with BBQ pork, Boston butts, vegetables, homemade slaw, baked beans, onion rings, and sweet tea; dine-in, carry-out, catering available; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; open 7 days per wk., 24 hrs., 770-306-5152
Manny’s Barbeque, 6701 Roosevelt Hwy., Union City; offering a delicious mix of Southern and soul with savory ribs, chopped pork and chicken, Brunswick stew, fish, and to-die-for peach cobbler; kid-friendly; group dining, catering; Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., $6.49 lunch buffet, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 770-964-9933.
This is it BBQ and Seafood, 180 Bayberry Run, Fairburn, features must try BBQ rib tips, chopped BBQ pork, chicken or beef in addition to delicious Brunswick stew; take-out and catering available; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Mon.-Wed. 10:30-10 p.m., Thurs. 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; 678-817-9299.
Tyrone/Peachtree City/ Senoia
Barbeque Junction, 362 Senoia Rd., Tyrone; great BBQ and so much more; BBQ specialties include your choice of traditional or Carolina style beef or pork plate, platter or sandwich along with Brunswick stew and BBQ salads to name a few; dine-in, carry-out, and catering available; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; 770-487-8681.
Cafe Pig, 118 Huddleston Rd., Peachtree City; chopped BBQ pork, beef, and chicken at its best served in the family atmosphere of an old home. The BBQ stuffed baked potato is a lunch time favorite; kid-friendly, indoor/outdoor seating available; no alcoholic beverages served; Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 5-9 p.m.; 770-486-9898.
Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill, 100 Market Place Blvd., Peachtree City; you’re sure to love the succulent pulled pork BBQ, smoked St. Louis style ribs, stew, old-fashioned skillet cornbread with pecan butter and more; kid-friendly; full bar; Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; 678-364-8460; www.smokeybones.com.
Hank's BBQ, corner of Hwy. 16 and GA 85 South, Senoia; located in the old Crossroads Restaurant, this new BBQ joint is the talk of the town. I hear the secret is in the North Carolina-based vinegar sauce; 770-599-9771
Newnan
Cluckin’ Pig, Sharpsburg; a caterer specializing in pulled pork and chicken BBQ, Brunswick stew, and ribs serving all around the metro Atlanta area; 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; 678-697-3015.
Fire Mountain Grill, 941 Bullsboro Dr., Newnan; every Sat. after 4p.m. is BBQ night on the buffet with pork, ribs, and all the fixin‘s; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; 770-253-7880.
Pitmasters BBQ, 276 Greenville St., Newnan; aims to please with favorites such as BBQ pork, chicken, homemade Brunswick stew, hamburgers, steaks, sandwiches and a cobbler of the day served a la mode; $4.99 lunch specials; kid-friendly; full bar; Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., 5-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; 770-253-1509.
Shane’s Rib Shack, 55 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan; It’s gonna get messy! Shane’s serves up fresh, hand-chopped pork and chicken smothered in their secret sauce in a fast, casual atmosphere; ribs, Brunswick stew, beans and BBQ pork salads round out the menu; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Sun.11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; 770-683-6416; www.shanesribshack.com.
Sprayberry’s Barbecue, 229 Jackson St. (original location); 770-253-4421; 2nd location, Hwy. 34 at 1-85, exit 47; 770-253-5080; feeding politicians, celebrities, traveling sports fans, and regulars since 1926. Favorites include the Lewis Grizzard special (BBQ pork sandwich, Brunswick stew, and onion rings) while singer, Alan Jackson, likes the BBQ platter, stew, and lemon pie washed down with a Coca-Cola in a bottle; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Mon.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; www.sprayberrysbbq.com.
Westside Barbeque, 89 Temple Ave., Newnan; dine on down home cooking including BBQ ribs and pork with your choice of Southern side dishes off the line; save room for the banana pudding; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Sun.-Sat. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; 770-253-6900.
Hogansville/ LaGrange/ Warm Springs
Johnny Brown’s Catering Service, 410 Johnson Rd., Hogansville; Alas, the restaurant is closed, but Johnny Brown continues to cater his delicious BBQ for fundraisers, family gatherings, and picnics; 706-637-8808.
Hog Heaven, 2240 West Point Rd., LaGrange; don’t miss the succulent chopped BBQ pork, Brunswick stew, ribs, and recently added beef brisket followed with homemade apple or peach cobbler or Brownie delight; kid-friendly; cold beer served; Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat.11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 706-882-7227.
Home Run BBQ, 202 Byron Hurst St., LaGrange; serving mouth-watering ribs, beef brisket, chopped BBQ, slaw, Brunswick stew, red beans and rice. Call owner, John, at 706-7724 for special orders such as fish or chicken; dine-in, take-out, catering available; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2p.m., 5:30-8 p.m.; 706-883-6005
Mac's BBQ, 1 Spring St., Warm Springs; one of the best all around for pork or beef BBQ and homemade desserts, located next door to Mac's Steakhouse; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Sun.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; 706-655-2472.
Roger’s Pit Cooked BBQ, 1863 E. Main St., Hogansville; stop by for BBQ pork, stew, catfish, and tasty banana pudding; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 706-637-4100.
Roger’s Pit Cooked BBQ, 117 New Franklin Rd., LaGrange; enjoy BBQ pork, chopped or sliced, ribs, pork chops, stew and daily specials. The kids will love the mini-cue barbeque sandwiches, just the right size for little hands and mouths; kid-friendly; no alcoholic beverages served; Sat.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; 706-812-0041.
