TRUE 'CUE GEORGIA
Georgia's barbecue pedigree is not as pure bred as places like North Carolina; the Peach State has an eclectic barbecue history. Still, true 'cue connoisseurs in Georgia recognize and appreciate traditional cooking methods. This page is your gateway to finding restaurants in Georgia that serve real barbecue cooked the old fashioned way.
While this page is under construction, please learn more about Georgia's barbecue traditions and restaurants by visiting the Georgia BBQ Trails site.
To qualify for True ‘Cue GA certification, a restaurant must meet the following criteria:
Be located in Georgia.
Cook the barbecue using wood coals or charcoal as the sole heat source.
Avoid electricity, gas or any other non-wood heat source for the barbecue other than to ignite the wood, to keep the finished barbecue warm, or to re-heat the finished barbecue.
Serve the barbecue on site at the location where it is cooked (exceptions may exist for food trucks and other mobile purveyors, but a restaurant that serves barbecue cooked by another business does not qualify).
Offer regular business hours, with barbecue available on the menu regularly (at least monthly).
Provide a sauce or dip that is regionally appropriate.
Sadly, there are relatively few restaurants in Georgia that meet these basic standards and serve True ‘Cue (out of scores of barbecue restaurants across the state). We need your help to change this. Please take THE PLEDGE, steer clear of faux ‘cue when possible, and patronize True ‘Cue GA-certified restaurants.
To the best of our knowledge, these restaurants serve barbecue that meets the True ‘Cue GA criteria:
A&R BBQ, 1415 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, GA 31803. 229.649.2720
B’s Cracklin’ BBQ, 12409 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31419. 912.330.6921
Bar-B-Que Shack, 4568 Highway 17, Eastanollee, GA 30538. 706.886.7440
Big Oak BBQ, 1599 Ila Road, Commerce, GA 30530. 706.335.6247
BBQ Barn, 290 W Franklin Street, Lavonia, GA 30553. 706.356.2841
[Opening soon] Bryan Furman BBQ, 2102 Bolton Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
C.J.’s Bar-B-Q and Stew, 1031 N Dogwood Road, Woodville, GA 30669. 706.486.2484
Crossroads Barbecue, 5494 Wayne Landrum Road, Gibson, GA 30801. 706.598.3324
Crowe’s Bar-B-Que, Hwy 441 1320 Eatonton Road, Madison, GA 30650. 706.342.7002
Fincher’s Bar-B-Q, 3947 Houston Avenue, Macon, GA 31206. 478.788.1900
Fresh Air Barbecue, with two locations:
1164 Highway 42, Jackson, GA 30233. 770.775.3182
3076 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA 31210. 478.477.7229
Heirloom Market BBQ, 2243 Akers Mill Road, Atlanta GA 30339. 770.850.1008
Holy Smokes BBQ & Catering, 402 Industrial Boulevard, Dublin, GA 31021. 478.272.7427
Hopeulikit BBQ & Market, 21266 Highway 80 West, Statesboro, Georgia 30458. 912.865.5364
Iron Pig BBQ, 121 Epps Street, Jefferson, GA 30549. 706.254.5622
Jackson’s Bar-B-Que Corner, 4640 Lamb Avenue, Union Point, GA 30669. 706.486.2592
J&M Bar-B-Que, 60 Legion Road, Warrenton, GA 30828. 706.914.5039
Kenneth Norris Bar-B-Que, 4703 Mitchell Road, Warrenton, GA 30828. 706.465.3044
Lew’s Bar-B-Que, 407 N Railroad Avenue, Twin City, GA 30471. 478.763.3098
Lovies BBQ, 3420 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. 404.254.2848
Mickey Pigg’s BBQ, 256 Anderson Circle, Alto, GA 30510. 706.776.2267
Old Brick Pit BBQ, 4805 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. 770.986.7727
Pig Skins BBQ, 59 Ila-Comer Road, Danielsville, GA 30633. 706.795.0356
Pulaski Heights BBQ, 675 Pulaski Street Suite 100, Athens, GA 30601. 706.583.9600
Randy’s Barbecue, 750 Wheaton Street, Savannah, GA 31401. 912.412.2671
Rusty’s BBQ, 10 Wesley Street, Savannah, GA 31401. 912.272.0407
Sanders Down Home Barbeque and Soul Food, 3078 Elberton Road, Highway 77, Vesta, GA 30627. 678.637.1649
Shadetree BBQ, 111 Old Montgomeryville Road NE, Milledgeville, GA 31061. 478.451.0117
Smitty's Family Restaurant and Bar-B-Que, 20171 Highway 59, Carnesville, GA 30521. 706.384.2244
Smokey’s BBQ & Fixins, 4118 Augusta Road, Savannah, GA 31408. 912.349.0864
Southern Heritage Bar-B-Que, 2276 Veterans Boulevard, Dublin, GA 31021. 478.275.4304
Washington Food Market BBQ, 1010 E Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington, GA 30673. 706.678.2233
Wood’s Chapel BBQ, 85 Georgia Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. 404.522.3000
If you think you know a restaurant that meets the True 'Cue GA criteria, let us know. If you think a place on the list now cooks with gas or electricity, drop us a line at truecue@gmail.com and we’ll check it out (we don’t want to start a flame war, so to speak).