After lots of anticipation, Florida-based 4 Rivers Smokehouse has opened its first Atlanta location (and its first outside of Florida).
Housed in a 5,300-square-foot historic fire station at 822 Marietta St., the barbecue spot's menu draws flavors and styles from the Southeast, Midwest, Atlantic and West Coast regions. Its traditional Smokehouse offerings range from the signature 30-day-aged Smoked Angus Brisket, St. Louis Ribs, Southern Pulled Pork and Smoked Chicken & Turkey to Burnt Ends, Tri-Tip and a Brontosaurus Beef Rib. “Signature Stackers” include the Messy Pig – a combination of Southern Pulled Pork, coleslaw, pickles and jalapeños, as well as the Smokehouse Cuban, BBQ Street Tacos and the Texas Destroyer of aged brisket topped with onion rings, jalapeños and melted provolone cheese. It has 16 home-style side dishes and a “From the Farm” section of meat-free offerings.
Founder John Rivers opened the first 4 Rivers Smokehouse restaurant in Winter Park, Fla. in 2009.
"When I first started the ministry in my garage, I never imagined that it would grow into the company we’re blessed with today," Rivers said in a prepared statement. "It was my first time cooking at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival five years ago that I came to appreciate just how special Atlanta, its people and chef community is."
The restaurant will open in a historic firehouse, which was built in 1915 and in service until 1963.
"An extensive amount of care in maintaining the integrity of the original building while modernizing it with today’s conveniences has been the highest priority during the entire design and construction process," Rivers said. “Not only are we excited for our first smokehouse in Atlanta to be in the booming West Midtown, but we’re especially pleased with the opportunity to enter Atlanta by investing in something as important and reflective of its history as the original Midtown fire station."
The Westside 4 Rivers Smokehouse will employ roughly 70 people and will be open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
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