Obviously, we love BBQ in the South. We love it in every form possible: ribs, chopped pork, smoked chicken with just the right sauce.
But if we're honest, it's the BBQ sandwich that gets us the most excited. Great bread with smokey meat, sauce and sometimes something a little special all served together to get that 'cue in your mouth quickly.
So where are the go-to spots in Atlanta for that BBQ sammy bliss? Here are a few of my favorites. Did I miss yours? Put it in the comments and share the BBQ love!
Credit: Becky Stein
Credit: Becky Stein
Heirloom BBQ - Spicy Korean Pork Sandwich There's a little spot in Smyrna that has pretty much dominated the BBQ scene in Atlanta for the past few years. Heirloom BBQ is a mix of the owners' respective heritage. Cody Taylor is from Texas and his wife Jiyeon Lee is a former pop star from Korea. Together they're making something truly special and their Spicy Pork Sandwich is the perfect representation of that. A glazed bun holds chopped pork that has been marinated in chili paste and smoked, then topped with house made kimchi slaw. Make sure to grab an order of the spicy mac 'n cheese and the Korean sweet potatoes.
Grand Champion - Beef Brisket Sandwich The beef brisket at Grand Champion is legendary. Cooked Texas style and sliced to order, it's perfect the way it is. But when you nestle it into a slightly sweet roll and put just a tad (seriously, just a tad) of North Carolina vinegar based sauce, it turns into something else entirely. A little sweet, a lot meaty. The smoke and the vinegar work together like magic. Order a side of the made-from-scratch macaroni and cheese and you'll be grinning all day.
Sometimes you just have to go all in. Throw caution to wind, if you will. When it comes to that, there's only one BBQ sandwich that comes to mind. It's found in the Virginia Highland BBQ spot, DBA BBQ. The beast of a sandwich is called the Archie Bunker. This delicious monster of a sandwich is smoked pulled pork on Texas Toast, topped with mac and cheese, sweet BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese. You can add bacon for $2. Do yourself the favor, you're almost to Nirvana, get the bacon! Then, get yourself to the nearest bed, because it's nap time.
Twin Smokers - Pulled Pork Sandwich Downtown Atlanta has not always been known as a haven for great food. Thankfully that's changed in the last few years. Late last year, Twin Smokers opened to a 'cue hungry Downtown crowd. Everything is smoked overnight in 2 smokers (The Twins) and made with care. How does a man from Boston do with Southern BBQ? Turns out, pretty darn well. The pulled pork is smokey, juicy, tender and has that wonderful bit of crisp you want. Douse it with some spicy vinegar sauce, order a moonshine cocktail and enjoy.
Fox Bros. - The Big Tex Is there any real surprise that these masters of meat from Texas would have a sandwich called The Big Tex? And is it any surprise that it's so good as to induce dreams featuring a dozen dancing sandwiches? Yeah, I didn't think so. Well these two brothers are doing the Lone Star state proud with this creation. You've got 2 slices of thick, buttered Texas Toast with sliced brisket that's peppery, juicy and just all sorts of good, mustard, pickles and onions. Y'all...yum.
