Road Food Rating – Memorable – One of the best
Smyrna’s Old South Bar-B-Q is a family eatery that has built a solid reputation for smoke-cooked pork, beef, chicken and ribs.
The restaurant itself is rustic with three small dining rooms, all featuring older paneling and a homey feel. The booths and tables are made of heavily varnished plywood and added to the charm of the place.
Obviously this place has been around a long time and has a no-nonsense feel; it is all about the food!
Our waitresses (Joy – the owner) was charming and made us feel right at home – even with hugs for Jackie and I! . I started with sweet tea which came in a big glass with plenty of ice and was replenished each time it needed to be.
The menu included a number of BBQ favorites like brisket, pork, ribs, chicken, etc., many available in sliced, chopped, or shredded form. I opted for the brisket and pork, one chopped and one sliced, and ordered the hot/sweet sauce. For my two sides, I tried their beans and franks and Brunswick Chili.
Within a few minutes, the waitress appeared with my food and placed a large platter and two secondary plates on the plywood table. The main plate contained the brisket and pork, along with the sauce, while my sides came in cups on the second plate and the third plate contained two slices of toast.
The meat was lean and contained bits of crusty exterior which are always my favorite. Adding the hot/sweet sauce made the meat come to life and I hope I didn’t make too many audible gasps and mmmmm’s . The side of chili had a ground texture and was flavored quite well and the beans with franks was excellent as well.
I cannot describe how good those meats were and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. The great chopped texture and the way the sauce brought the dry meat to moist life is making me long for the ability to go back, and I will do so the next time I am in Atlanta, and the time after that, and the time after that.
This is exactly why I consult Roadfood.com when I travel and have not been steered wrong yet. Visit Old South Bar-B-Q in Smyrna, GA. You cannot go wrong with this place – food, service, or quaint atmosphere!