The Atlanta barbecue scene is smokin' these days. In our Spring Dining Guide, we explore how Atlanta has emerged as a serious barbecue city.

Find out where to chow down on not just barbecue, but also sides, sauces, pies, banana pudding and, of course, Brunswick stew, in our guide. And get ready for a road trip, because we’re following the smoke all around Georgia.

» Atlanta's reputation on the rise as 'a serious barbecue town'

Before you leave, though, we’d like to know which metro Atlanta barbecue joint is your favorite.

Four of them were on Business Insider's 2016 list of the best 50 barbecue restaurants in America.

And Thrillist named one of them the best 'BBQ joint' in America in March.

» The heart and soul of Atlanta barbecue

» Atlanta barbecue: Meet the pitmaster of Grand Champion BBQ

We stuck to traditional barbecue with this poll, but if you'd like to submit a write-in nominee, please email your pick to stephanie.toone@ajc.com.

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Fireworks will be set off at dusk at Alpharetta’s Independence Day event at Wills Park. The photo shows a view of a previous year’s fireworks from the nearby Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201. (Courtesy of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Jack Tuszynski)

Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack.net

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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