BBQ Joints of North Georgia

BETA 08/04/01

Do you like good 'cue? Who doesn't, right? Here's my attempt at chronicling as many north Georgia BBQ joints as I can find. I don't intend to offer reviews as there are as many opinions as to what makes good 'cue as there are afficionados. Instead, I'll try and provide you with the information necessary to find the restaurant yourself. (If you like or dislike what you find then I'll be happy to post your comments if you email me.) You will note that in addition to the usual name, address, phone number, and notations, I have included GPS coordinates in WGS-84 format. Owners of GPS receiver can use these numbers to locate the restaurant. Now, without further adieu, here's my list:

Pruett's BBQ & Catfish (N 34D 12.270' W 84D 45.902') Located off I-75 at exit 290, Pruett's is situated in an old north Cartersville fast food restaurant and offers "all u can eat fillet and whole catfish" in addition to BBQ.

Our Place BBQ & Biscuits (N 34D 31.300' W 83D 54.901') Our Place is about six miles east of Dahlonega on SR 52 at the junction with Highway 115. If you're driving north on GA 400 then keep going straight when U.S. 19 veers off to Dahlonega and Our Place will be on your right when you reach the SR 52 junction. They are closed on Sunday but open M-F 7-2. The store was closed when I stopped by and Saturday hours weren't posted but I'm sure they're open since that's a heavy tourist day. Our Place bills itself as "Almost Famous - No Awards Yet".

Tanglewood "Country Home Cooking" Restaurant (N 34D 43.861' W83D 42.097') Tanglewood is located on SR 356 about two miles east of Unicoi State Park Lodge and features "All you can eat BBQ Ribs". For hours and directions call 706-878-1044.

Sanky's Bar-B-Q (N 34D 21.749' W 84D 02.165') Sanky's is on the southeast corner of SR 53 and GA 400, just north of the North Georgia Outlet Mall, next to Sanky's convenience store and Amoco station. Open Sunday thru Thursday 10:30 - 8 and 10:30 - 9 on Friday and Saturday. Sanky's offers chopped beef and pork sandwiches and plates (sorry, but no ribs). Side items include slaw, potato salad, and Brunswick stew. The sauce that comes on top of the sandwiches and plates is a red tomato based sauce. Available on the tables is a sweet and vinegary red sauce with a mustard base. For more info call 706-216-6706.

Black River BBQ (N 34D 32.673' W 83D 45.632') Just south of Cleveland on US129/SR11 lies Black River BBQ run by John McCutcheon (no relation to the folk songwriter). Fellow geocacher Scott Johnson reports that John offers "some of the finest fare I've encountered...there's certainly NOTHING like this anywhere near metro Atlanta". McCutcheon uses his grandfather's sauce recipe and offers ribs, chicken and pork 'cue.

Bunkhouse Bar-B-Que (N 34D 1.568' W 84D 51.119') I don't recall the exact location of Bunkhouse. I came across it a few months ago while hunting a geocache and stopped to get the coord's and name. However, as I recall it's located northwest of Lake Allatoona. Hours are 11-7:30, Tues-Sat and they're open 'till 9 on Friday and Saturday for take out. (Closed Sunday and Monday). For the latest info call 678-363-0282.

Backwood's Grill & BBQ (N 34D 30.477' W 83D 55.724') 3760 Long Branch Rd. 706-867-7983 If driving north up 400 from Atlanta just continue north at 400's terminus and Backwoods is a few miles down the road on your left. Pulled pork and chicken is the 'cue of the day and the menu offers the usual sandwiches, plates, and sides. Sorry, no ribs. If you want to place a large or unusual order ahead of time you can call the owners at home (706-864-1271) to make special arrangements.

BBQ Shack (N 34° 32.711' W 83° 16.301') Allen Lacy of geocaching fame told me about this joint in Toccoa. Here's some facts Allen passed along: "1) While they start cooking Wednesday, they don't open until lunch time Thursday, then are open Friday and Saturday until they are out. 2) They only serve pork, pork ribs, and chicken, no beef. 3) It is cooked for about a day and so when they bring it in from the pit, they basically just shake the meat off the bone, so you can only get chopped, not sliced". Sounds like a "real" 'cue joint to me, I can't wait to check it out!

Jack's Rib Shack (N 34° 36.020' W 83° 30.911') Allen Lacy also passed along this joint in Clarkesville. He hasn't eaten there but his son says it's good.



Don't see your favorite 'cue joint listed? Please email me with its name and any other information you care to provide and I'll add it to the list.

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