Old South Barbecue Menu

  • Bar-b-q Plates
  • Create your own Combo Plate
  • Junior Plate
  • Fried Chicken Tenders
  • Special Plates
  • Chef's Bar-b-q Salad
  • Sandwiches
  • Side items (a la carte)
  • Don't Feel Like Bar-b-que?
  • Side Orders
  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Orders by the Pound
  • Family Meal Deal
  • Specialty Items for Carry Out

Healthy Meal suggestions for Old South Barbecue

  • Bar-b-q Plates
  • Create your own Combo Plate
  • Junior Plate
  • Fried Chicken Tenders
  • Special Plates
  • Chef's Bar-b-q Salad
  • Sandwiches
  • Side items (a la carte)
  • Don't Feel Like Bar-b-que?
  • Side Orders
  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Orders by the Pound
  • Family Meal Deal
  • Specialty Items for Carry Out

Visit below restaurant in Smyrna for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Smyrna for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Nathan W.

    Good BBQ pork sandwich and baked beans. Only negative comment I have is the BBQ sauce is warm. I prefer at least room temperature BBQ sauce.

    (4)
  • Jerry B.

    I have been enjoying BBQ for all my life and eat here once a week! The food is "served with LOVE" as Joy (my all-time favorite server) says when bringing the food out to the table. I tease Joy that I only come for her hug and smile she gives everyone that comes in and that the food is only okay. But in reality, the food is as good as it gets...their stew is out of this world and their sauces flavor the fire pit cooked BBQ to perfection. This place will make your taste buds ROCK!

    (5)
  • Jeff C.

    I have eaten here a few times and it has been great every time. Its a small place so if you go during peak times you could be waiting. The only draw back is it is a little pricey but its worth every penny.

    (4)
  • Addy C.

    Great tasting BBQ that's been around since 1968, and service is southern hospitality to a T - we got hugged as soon as we walked in :) Came with co-workers for lunch last week. While I'd normally opt for pork at a BBQ joint, my conscience said go healthy and got the "chopped chicken" plate which is boneless breast and comes with 2 sides. Mmmmm - the chicken by itself had a really nice smoked flavor and then after drizzling it with their BBQ sauce (I picked "hot sweet"), even better :) For sides, I got the cole slaw and Brunswick stew which are my usual sides to measure against other restaurants. Cole slaw was probably one of the best b/c it had no mayo and therefore tasted really fresh & just slightly sweet. Brunswick stew was also one of the better ones b/c it was chunky, hearty, and flavorful - 2 other big BBQ fans at the table tried it too and thought it was really good. Portions overall were generous and after some successful portion control, I had enough leftovers to make a 2nd meal :) I also sampled my friends' BBQ beans, potato salad, and hush puppies - all very good. EVERYONE really enjoyed their food and like I said, portions were generous. Can't help but call-out the presentation of my friend's "Chef's BBQ salad" with chopped beef (see attached photo) - I was like instead of where's the beef, "where's the salad?" :) Special thanks to Alexa G for telling me about her favorite BBQ place - we will definitely be back for more!!

    (4)
  • Mark K.

    Driving by the day before Christmas, decided at the last minute to stop, as I now have a new favorite BBQ restaurant in the NW side of Atlanta. The chopped pork is fabulous, and the welcoming smiles and friendly service is among the best I've ever experienced. Much appreciated in such a hectic day!!!

    (5)
  • Chen L.

    Oooo! I LOVE this place! Mainly b/c of the owner. She comes up to give everyone of us hugs all the time! And she's so sweet. She'd come by and say, "Dear, you're so pretty today." Hahaha. And of course a girl's heart would melt. =P Anyhow, the food is also AMAZING! Woot for super cheap, big portion BBQ! I've tried the pulled pork, the beef brisket...both are delicious. I also like the stew and the BBQ beans and the garlic bread...and I'm sure there's more sides that I could have gotten that would have been exceptionally good as well. The junior size meals fill me up, and actually, I don't even finish everything in my junior size meal just cuz of portion. So I end up being stuffed, and the bill would only come out to be $8. Woot for cheap dinners! =D And they're so friendly on the refills. They'd come up to us every so often to ask if we wanted refills before we even asked. OH! And the first time I was there, I had asked the owner lady to recommend me a side, and she said that if I didn't like it, I'd just have to call her, and she'd swap me with another side. Woot!

    (5)
  • Kent K.

    If you are in the mood for GREAT BBQ, friendly staff and a nice relaxing atmosphere this is your place! Pork was amazing, chicken to die for, beans and hush puppies just plain wow! The only thing that prevented me from giving this place 5 stars was that it took 10 mins of standing in line at the cashiers to pay our bill.

    (4)
  • Antwanika S.

    Nothing fancy about this place at all, but the staff is nice and the food is good and cheap. I had a pulled brisket sandwich that was out of this world. I live very close by so I shall visit more often.

    (4)
  • Brian S.

    Ate here one time and was thoroughly satisfied. The barbecue was tasty with a good complementing sauce. The portion size was perfect and their homemade potato salad was BOMB! I was disappointed in the fact that they only seemed to have spare ribs. I may have just missed the other, regular rib, option on another section of the menu. Nonetheless i will be returning.

    (3)
  • Ralph F.

    A BIG Thumbs up from me- for the past 35 years. Ask for Joy, and check out her photo-collages of customers, I think she's got a picture of every customer that ever walked through the door. I'm on #13. Their sauce has a great taste that is different from all others. This is a very small place, so if you go at lunchtime you may have to wait a few minutes. However the wait will be worth it! Joy's parents opened this place many years ago and I hope it remains for another 35 years or more.

    (5)
  • Steve B.

    I drove by this place a few times while using my peripheal eye site up / down Windy Hill. I was in the mood for southern BBQ. The hospitality inside was very good. However, the food was average at best. You can't make bbq chicken too dry and i was in thirst of 3 glasses of water. Chopped BBQ was ok but their sauces made it better. For the prices, not bad. Nothing specatular, would give it another try before I praise or bash it! Overall Grade: C+/B-

    (3)
  • Michael L.

    Awesome BBQ place in Smyrna! Great service and clean. Sort of a hole in a wall establishment but they do a great job with the their food.

    (5)
  • Jang C.

    I came in and got my hug. Everyone was very nice here. It's a cozy little place too. I liked the welcoming atmosphere. I got the BBQ platter. It was not bad. I'm not a big fan of vinegar. And their BBQ sauce is vinegar based. But still, it was good enough for me to chomp it all down. I chose all 4 sauces that they had. I liked the sweet & hot sauce. The original sauce was too vinegary for me. The Brunswick stew was great. The green beans were a bit bland, but that's okay. I like them that way. I don't like it when places over-salt the green beans. The platter was bit on the expensive side. But their other dishes like their sandwiches, burgers, etc were priced reasonably. I give it 3.5 stars.

    (4)
  • Jennifer L.

    Where else are you going to get a hug when you walk in the door by the owner? I like that it is a small local joint with decent food at a decent price. Being that I am not known for eating in large quantities I get the smaller portion (aka child portion). It comes with one slice of texas toast and two sides - can't beat it. I've gone three times with a co-worker and though one time the pulled pork with a bit watery but it was still good. The service is great and people seem to know each other. Looking forward to going back. Give me pig!

    (3)
  • Stephanie R.

    Found this place on my GPS, stopped in to have lunch. I had the pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, and a side of hush puppies. I must say that the pork was very good soft and tender and the baked beans tasted home made as well as the potato sal and the hush puppies. The family that owners of the restaurant were very nice and friendly. High stars for this restaurant!!!

    (5)
  • David P.

    I need a hug! After taking a number to be seated, a waitress went right up to the guy ahead of me and gave him a hug and told him how happy she was to see him. I passed it off as connecting with an old acquaintance. I wished I was a local and could get that kind of welcome! Then low and behold, she set her sights on me and gave me a big hug, too. "Hi, honey! I'm so glad to see you." How's that for hospitality?! Huge portions of long-smoked ribs with two sides and Texas toast for $11.15. The menu says 5 ribs, but they served me 7. Some of the pieces were a bit dried out (like eating jerky), but there were plenty that were tender and falling off the bone. Very light dry rub with more of a emphasis on the smoking. Choice of one or all four sauces served on the side so one can appreciate the meat first and foremost. I was also happy to see a wide variety of sides, not just the usual slaw, beans or fries. Sides include hush puppies, Brunswick stew, green beans, okra, onion rings and apple sauce. Even with their slaw is a bit out of the ordinary having no mayo in it: light and refreshing. Sodas and freshly brewed ice tea was regularly refilled. Ambiance was typical barbecue joint. The pre-fabbed structure had no more than maybe 20 tables. Typical old plaques and photos adorn the walls. Special thanks to Yelp and Yelp iPhone app. I had one meal on my own during my brief visit to the Atlanta 'burbs so I wanted the most local experience possible. The iPhone app helped with directions. It then let me "check in" with Yelp on arrival to review what others liked about the place. The photos I took where then immediately uploaded.

    (4)
  • Lucy W.

    3.5 stars- round up to 4 since I can't give half stars. Yes, since I was a newbie, I got greeted by hug as I sat down as is the M.O. of this place... though as an unfriendly Northerner and slightly OCD, I needed to talk myself into thinking "it's all part of the experience". Very friendly and efficient service- we were served beverages, and our food with very short wait time. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich on garlic texas toast, regular BBQ sauce, and side of fries. Again, as with all BBQ, I wish mac & cheese was an option, as the fries were just your usual frozen fries. The pulled pork however was quality all the way and the original BBQ sauce was perfect. The garlic toast was the best part! And of course, such a good deal- my lunch was about $6.50....and our party of 6 was each given separate checks- convenient. The restaurant itself screams authenticity and hole-in-the-wall, in the middle of all the commerce of Windy Hill Rd....small little house-like structure smelling of wonderful smoky BBQ, tiny parking lot, tight fitting tables and not much space to line up for cashing out. Extra points for being located near my office. In Georgia, where BBQ and southern food joints run rampant, this one is definitely a find.

    (4)
  • Tressi J.

    This place has a very homey feel to it. The staff is super nice. The 'que itself is pretty good, but I didn't care for the sauce much, and the meat was drowned in it. Sides were good, especially the Brunswick Stew. If they'd work on a better sauce, I'd drive that far to go back. But who am I to judge? Seems they have been doing just fine since 1968....

    (3)
  • Jeremy J.

    Four stars and a HUG for Old South! My dad took me here today for the first time and I was instantly happy once we saw the building off Windy Hill. It looked like a place I wanted to eat bbq (see Swallow at the Hallow). Inside was small and close and felt like home. One look to the left and you can see the brick smoker pack with delicious looking meats. We sat down at our table and the lady came over instantly with drink orders and a hug! That's how I like to start my meals off. I can't wait to bring an out-of-town northerner here for lunch one day. For lunch I had the tossed salad (eh, whatever), the beef brisket chopped sandwich plate on garlic toast with fries and "hot-sweet" sauce and a sweet tea. The garlic toast was perfect, the meat was chopped finely and without any fat or bones. The smokey flavor was very tasty and the sweet hot sauce was perfect for dipping. I love this place, I can't wait to get back soon for another hug, and some food.

    (4)
  • Janae M.

    Order: sliced brisket, chopped chicken, okra, potato salad, and coleslaw. The sliced brisket was VERY tough. I recooked it in a crock pot the next day! I would be intrigued to try the chopped to see if its better. BUT the chopped chicken looked like it was put in a blender! Try the minced chicken... The okra was perfect the potato salad spot on and the coleslaw seemed healthy and fresh without mayo. I recommend this place for the side dishes. Just FYI if you get the hot BBQ sauce IT IS HOT. Being from New Mexico we love spicy food and have a hard time finding it here... we were in heaven! It was as close to red chile as anything we can find. I mixed it with some KC Masterpiece to calm it down and give it a BBQ taste.

    (3)
  • Rich M.

    8.75 for a chopped BBQ sandwich, hush puppies + tea. I thought that was pretty high imo. The BBQ flavor is smoky tasting. Your offered 4 types of sauces, not dip. the hush puppies were doughy inside. If you looking for lexington NC style BBQ, keep lookin, they dont come close to that mark. small dining area tha is shaped like an H with the waitress station dead center so everyone can see. BBQ plates were the highest $$ on the menu at around 8.75

    (2)
  • Tom N.

    I figure this is a local BBQ dive. The food is pretty good nothing fantastic but nothing bad either. Prices are ok if you avoid the platter which comes with like one extra side... I dunno maybe I did it wrong. The staff was friendly and the food came out quick always nice. The atmosphere is creepy at best, locals seemed to have an attitude towards us outsiders. I won't be coming back here but if you have not been I think you should give it a shot.

    (3)
  • Wes P.

    So I much prefer vinegar based sauces, but for being tomato based, Old South is pretty good. The staff is super friendly (out waitress hugged everyone before she'd take our order. I wanted her opinion on which sides to get, and rather than making me choose, she gave me all three for no extra cost! The fried okra was frozen and nothing special. The hush puppies were really good, as was the Brunswick stew. Some of the other sides look pretty good - but mostly canned goods. The meat is cooked in house, so thats good - the parking lot smells wonderful from it. I'd come back if I were near by, but wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.

    (3)
  • Scott M.

    This is going to be a tough review. SImply because the folks that work here are some of the nicest people that I have ever met. In fact, they are so nice that there is a woman (who I venture to say is part of the ownership team), actually walks around the restaurant and gives people hugs. I thought that perhaps these free hugs were for regulars only, but I got one too! Talk about great customer service. From the moment I walked in this place, the folks were friendly. I was actually shocked they were this friendly, and became immediately intrigued with how there bbq would taste. Plain and simple, I just wasnt impressed. And while I could be a lot tougher on the bbq, I am going to explain b/c the service was so damn friendly/amazing. The bbq lacked flavor that I am used to. Even thought they have 3-4 sauces that you can try out on your bbq, I realized none of them were really that magnificent. Would I go back? Yep for a free hug. But I will probably pass on the bbq.

    (2)
  • Jessica S.

    Like the rib plate in hot sweet brunswick stew is good on those fries onion rings are great as well never a long line, staff is always helpful

    (4)
  • Kristine M.

    I used to live off of Windy Hill in Cobb County in a dark period of my life I don't like to talk about. So I must have driven by this place hundreds of times. And yet I never stopped in. Probably because it's an unassuming house/shack with cheap siding in a part of Smyrna known as "Little Tijuana". More fool me for judging a book by its cover. The 'cue was damn tasty, if a bit too spicy since I ordered the hot-sweet sauce, thinking it'd only have a mild kick to it. Strike two for me for assuming. I got the pulled pork sandwich, which they offered sliced or chopped. I opted for chopped, and wow, they meant it. This place is very authentic Southern BBQ. They didn't spend a lot of money on a manufactured "atmosphere". The servers say "Y'all" without irony. If the time spent with an Exact-O Knife making multiple collages of their customers' pics is any indication, they actually like their clientele, rather than seeing them as units of potential profit. All this, and I don't think we're in midtown anymore.

    (3)
  • Steve B.

    After reading the positive reviews here I ventured out to Old South BBQ for the first time today. I've been to a majority of the higher ranked BBQ establishments in the ATL area and would have to rank this food/experience in the top 5. Great customer service, and I got not one but two hugs since it was my first time. I had the chopped pork sandwich with stew, they have 4 sauce choices (original, sweet, hot, and sweet hot). The meat, sauces and stew were incredible. I was literally scraping the plate by the end of the meal savoring every last morsel. I will be back, great food & where else can you beat customer service like that?

    (4)
  • lee y.

    After venturing far and wide to try a LOT of que. I must say these folks have it hands down. With the tastiest and most consistent Bar-B-Que in the metro area. Order your meat with the garlic toast, you get more and it imparts a very crucial flavor. The regular sauce is their best. Plus, they have Kenny's pies. A pulled pork sandwich on garlic toast with regular sauce, a side of stew and fries. Finished off with a slice of key lime or chocolate peanut butter pie. That is a bit of heaven right there.

    (5)
  • Jen K.

    Let me preface this review with an important disclaimer: I am a Yankee. I have high expectations for most food but am in completely foreign territory when it comes to BBQ. Now that I've made my inexperience clear, let's get on with the review. On my first day of work (and second week living in Atlanta), my coworkers took me here for lunch. It's really popular with the locals - the place was packed! I got a pulled pork sandwich with sweet sauce and thought it was really good. The pork was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth. The sauce was good but nothing special. I had a side of fried okra (my first time with okra) and it reminded me of zucchini. The service was fast and friendly. Overall, I thought it was a good experience. It looks like a dive but sometimes those are the best places :-)

    (4)
  • Hannah C.

    Oh wow-weee-wow wow! So yummy! I've heard a lot about this place, but still haven't managed to go there. Thanks to a coworker who was feeling extra holiday cheer, I got to experience the bliss via takeout. Trying to be reasonably healthy (har-har), I opted for half a chicken, green beans, and coleslaw. OMG. Aaaaaamaaaaazing!!! With the first bite of green bean, I was instantly transported to my grandmother's kitchen. Flooded with childhood memories! Can green beans make you cry with nostalgia? These could. The coleslaw was just how I like it: no mayo. Instead, it tasted like they use vinegar and maybe a little oil and sugar. Perfect! The chicken portion was HUGE. I could easily make another meal (or 3) out of the leftovers. The meat itself was smokey and juicy. *s.w.a.k.* The garlic bread? I'd sleep with this bread. 'nuff said. The only thing that I wasn't crazy over...the sauce. To me, it tasted more like spicy marinara sauce rather than BBQ sauce. I know, I know. I can hear you all gasping in disbelief, but...oh well. I think it's because I like my sauce more on the sweet side, and instead, I just ordered hot...not hot & sweet. My bad. I'll remember to order the sweet sauce next time! So, I just finished my lunch (stuffed and fluffed) with plenty left over for tomorrow's lunch...and I'm already day-dreaming about when I can manage to get over to Old South in person and (pardon the pun) pig out!!!

    (4)
  • Andrew P.

    Have to be honest, its not the best BBQ in town. I think Dave Poe's on the other side of town has better BBQ. However Old South is a local joint, old school style where friends are family and everyone is invited to eat. The meat was pretty good, but not blow your socks off type. A plus for Old South is how fast the food came out... which may be why the meat was not as good as expected. I'd eat there again because I love me some BBQ.

    (3)
  • Benjamin S.

    Great service, atmosphere and staff. I got the pulled pork with the bbq beans and brunswick stew. The stew was outstanding!! The bbq beans a very good sweet and spicy mix. Unfortunately, the pork was bland and fatty. They have 4 sauces which are either very sweet or fairly spicy. I tried all 4 and none complimented the pork. They gave us free ribs to sample on the way out. Great service but average food.

    (2)
  • Emily T.

    Yey, a decent 3.5 star BBQ! Plus half a star for interesting location, family ownership, and friendly service. Oh, also, the alley cat licking its lips outside made me happy. :) I could imagine that this place may get tight during lunch/dinner hours, but we arrived for a late afternoon dinner. I had the pulled pork plate with fried okra and hush puppies. Mmmm... I tried the Sweet and Sweet Hot sauces (plenty of both!). Let me tell you they are not kidding around with the Sweet Hot, as it was pretty kicked up. The hush puppies and fried okra were perfectly prepared, crunchy and well-seasoned. My pulled pork passed the taste test as well, with an above average taste (although perhaps a bit mushy). The restaurant interior is super-quaint, with family and guest photos everywhere. The only "off" spot was the toast, which was more buttery than crunchy. I'd definitely consider going back. Lots of take-out service happening, but I recommend the eat-in experience. Thanks, Old South!

    (4)
  • Shawn M.

    OMGWTFBBQ!!!1!!!one!!!eleven!! that's some good 'que. But really, anywhere that gives free hugs (double if you like hugs!) from the owner and operator of the place is going to rate well in my book. From the moment we parked our car, opened the door and were greeted by the intoxicating aroma of smoked meats, I knew my tongue would be happy. What I didn't realize is how MUCH happiness $11 or so will buy ya. The brunswick stew was incredible, sweet, smoky and meaty. But when you drop a dollop of the stew onto the garlic toast? Let's just say I can not be held responsible if you lose your balance when the world stops turning. I nearly fell off my chair, but I digress. Moving on to the hush puppies, crisp on the outside, savory on the inside. I dunked these puppies into the sweet BBQ sauce for another tongue-tingling sensation. Main dish - I had the pulled pork. With little bits of fat co-mingled with some of the most tender smoked pig I've ever had... heaven. With so much going on, I had to get a box and take it home with me. I think we have a winner, ladies and gentlemen! Old South BBQ, FT (epic) W! Edit to add: The photographs on the walls have a story. The owner, Joy, took possession of these pictures after her parents passing on. The pictures are all of patrons of the Old South BBQ. Deciding to do something with them, she took the time to cut each photo with an exacto knife and position them in the large frames. Each collage is said to be about 13 hours of work. I just love businesses that love their customers enough to honor each and every one of them from the past.

    (5)
  • Shawn R.

    I *knew* I should have brought a cart to roll myself out to the car after eating here! I've read the other reviews of Old South BBQ before and have been meaning to go here for quite some time, but just hadn't gotten around to it. Today seemed like the perfect day to go, though, so off we went. We arrived during the lunch hour so the place was full, but we didn't have to wait long at all for a table. We were seated and shortly thereafter attended to by a very friendly waitress (free hugs!) Now on the food... oh. my. GOD. If you are a fan of BBQ at all, and you've not been here, you deserve to be slapped in the face immediately for being so stupid. Seriously. They have 4 different sauces, several types of meat, great sides (try the chili! it was mindblowingly good, as was the Brunswick stew)... even their garlic toast was super good. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves a good meal. Just keep in mind that you probably won't need to eat for about 3 weeks afterwards.

    (5)
  • Roll T.

    If you are looking for nice, friendly service in a down home environment, then I would certainly suggest Old South Barbecue in Smyrna, GA as a place to enjoy some great Southern hospitality. Where this place unfortunately did not live up to expectations was in the actual BBQ. I ordered the three-way plate of ribs, sliced beef, and sliced pork. All three meats were surprisingly dry and featured very little spice. The ribs in particular required extensive pull, and I was surprised to see just a tiny ring of red had formulated. The fried okra and potato salad were above average, but given all the positive reviews, I must admit that I was expecting more from the meat. As far as a local establishment for decent BBQ, I would advocate going to Old South. However, there are better spots for BBQ in greater Atlanta so I wouldn't necessarily conclude that it is a destination spot.

    (3)
  • Matt Y.

    They tell me this is authentic southern BBQ and I approve! It's a shack on the side of the road which makes it even cooler in my book. It looked to be family owned and run which is always nice and which also meant that the people working there had a clue as to what they were doing and did things right, unlike the fast food joints I've been to on this trip! I'd eat here again too.

    (4)
  • Jim W.

    This is a classic hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint. The place is clean and has a homey touch. The crew working there is friendly and you may even get a hug from the hostess. The owners claim it is the oldest business in Smyrna and you probably won't challenge that when you see the place. Also note that this is Smyrna in all its glory... definitely not Smyrnings... If you really know Smyrna, then you know what I mean. In my latest visit, me and the guys from work took our Lead to lunch for his birthday. It turns out that lunch is on the house for people on their birthday. You can tell that we're cheap engineers for picking this place for a birthday lunch but bonus points for his lunch being free (honestly, we didn't know beforehand). I had a pulled pork sandwich (on garlic toast) platter with onion rings and Brunswick stew for $6.80 which seemed like a deal! It was a lot of food and all of it was very good! They offer the usual barbecue: pork, chicken, beef; pulled, chopped, sliced; sandwiches on choice of bun or garlic toast; sides like mac & cheese, Brunswick stew, onion rings. They have recently started offering different sauce flavors: sweet, hot, sweet+hot, and original. I definitely recommend this family-run barbecue joint with good barbecue and friendly service.

    (4)
  • Jason M.

    After an all too familiar traffic choked drive in the Atlanta area running errands I accidentally found this place. This was a very happy accident. After receiving my hug from the owner and being told that there wasn't enough love in the world I was eager to take a look at the menu. Currently I live in the Santa Ynez Valley (in California) where there is a serious lack of good old school traditional southern food. That is what Old South is all about. I didn't have any grandiose notions of some new fangled fancy bbq. What I wanted was some sweet tea, fried okra, and tender brisket and they delivered. The service was amazing. I was very pleased that I didn't have to ask for refills. The servers were very nice, and the food was great. Thanks for the hug and the great brisket.

    (5)
  • Ben H.

    I got a hug. I wasn't expecting it - somehow I missed that they hug here (guess I should have closely read other reviews before going). It was definitely a unique touch and it was particularly nice since I was eating alone and therefore feeling kinda lonely. It's definitely a homey-type place that's pretty laidback and welcoming. A lot of that probably comes from the fact that it has been a family-run restaurant for decades. Anyway, I drove a good bit out of my way just to go here for lunch. I'd been meaning to try Old South for a while and wanted to have a pretty thorough experience (especially since I drove a while) so I skipped breakfast with the intention of ordering the daunting 4-meat combo. After my hug and getting a sweet tea (with pebble ice!), I did just that. Now, the 4-meat combo is really not suited for a single person but it is ideal for 2 people to share. It's a ton of food - some pork, 2 pieces of chicken, some brisket, 2 large spare ribs, 2 sides, and garlic toast. For my choices, I got pulled pork, dark chicken on the bone (thigh and leg), sliced brisket, onion rings, and Brunswick stew. I was unsure about the sauces so I asked for all 4 on the side. A few minutes later I was presented with a large platter covered from end-to-end in meat and 4 containers of sauce. Next came a plate with a bowl of Brunswick stew and a pile of saltines. Then a plate piled high with thick, golden onion rings. And finally a basket with 2 thick slices of garlic toast. I was in over my head. No way I was coming close to finishing this. The Meat The pulled pork was really good - a bit smoky and pretty moist and tender. I could definitely eat it without sauce. The chicken was probably my least favorite - it wasn't bad but I've had considerably better bbq chicken elsewhere. It was a slightly dry and definitely needed sauce. A little smoky flavor, but I couldn't really detect much seasoning. The brisket was good as well, but not quite as moist - mine was a little on the dry side, but still pretty good. Not too fatty at all. But it needed sauce though. I couldn't really detect any seasoning on the brisket either. The spare ribs are good here - not dry at all and pretty smoky. The outside had a nice crispness to it. Guess what? No seasoning here again. The one thing I noticed about them is that they are a little greasy, but that does help to keep them moist too. Overall, I'd say it was very good - a decent level of smokiness to the meats and it is very simple and straightforward with little to no seasoning on the meat. I think I prefer my bbq to have a rub or some seasoning, but there's definitely something to be said for the simplicity of their approach. The Other Stuff I highly recommend getting sauce on the side. There are 4 to choose from: original, sweet, hot, & sweet-hot. A lot of places seem to make their sauce too sweet for me, so I was fully expecting to like the original and hot the most, but it was actually the complete opposite - I liked the sweet and sweet-hot the most. Though I like spicy stuff, the hot has a bit too much of a kick to it and the original is a little too sour for my taste. The Brunswick stew was good. It's a very thick and meaty - in fact, it is so meaty that I think you could easily eat it in sandwich form. Personally, I thought the meatiness was a little over the top and it didn't really have a whole lot going on aside from that but it was pretty tasty nonetheless. The onion rings are great as well - big, thick, very crunchy. I kinda prefer onion rings that aren't quite as crunchy like Fox Bros or George's but these were excellent for that style. The garlic toast wasn't very garlicky and was burnt so I didn't bother with that. Oh and the sweet tea was excellent here. Overall, great meal. I managed to deal with a little over half of that smorgasbord before giving up and taking the rest home (good leftovers). Old South has a lot of charm and the food was great, but not quite 5-star quality for me. What is amazing about Old South though is that it is a great value; it is surprisingly inexpensive - the 4-meat combo I got was under $16 (at most other places it would be easily over $20). It's really a great place to get good bbq if you are looking to stay on the cheap side. Unfortunately, this place is half an hour away so I won't make it here often but I would definitely eat here frequently if I lived closer. 4 (closer to a 4.5)

    (4)
  • Ryan F.

    This place is a gem. Reminded me a lot of the Hickory House, but the food is much better. The second I saw the children of the workers in there, I knew it would be good. Mulletts, L.A. light-ups, bowl-cuts, and Chicago Bulls Starter jackets. These people are from the south. The Q was pretty good but I didn't find the meat to be exceptionally smokey. The sauce, I felt, was incredible. It's thick, hot, and tangy. Get the brunswick stew for one of your sides. Hell, get it for both choices!

    (4)
  • Alexa G.

    Okay I just tried their ribs finally.. I'm in love.Hardly no fat on them at all... nice and crisp on the outside..good smokey flavor!! O why O why Old South must you be just minutes from my place I do not need to gain another 5 pounds!!!

    (5)
  • R M.

    Good food, service and friendly people. What more could you expect from a place named "Old South"?

    (4)
  • Robert P.

    Since my dad took me here as I kid, I always loved this place. The Brunswick Stew is flawless, and the Garlic Beard Grilled Cheeses are nothing short of to-die-for. Oh yeah they got pulled pork. :) love this place. And I don't care if the word gets out. I would wait in line for hours and be ever so happy!!!!!!!!!!!

    (5)
  • Gary T.

    I have mixed feelings about Old South. For one thing, I LOVE the atmosphere this place has. It's an older building and the smell of BBQ has just soaked into the wood of the building. I guess I am trying to say that this place has great ambiance. It reminds me of some old-school Florida restaurants that my parents took me to in my now long-gone youth,LOL. They had hush-puppies here that were outstanding and potato salad that was also very good. The ribs were a mixed bag in my opinion but let me start off by saying they were good enough that I would go back. However, they were a little on the tough side. Some people are more picky about this than others. Just depends on personal taste though. They didn't use a very strong rub (if any) on their ribs but they had such a deep, rich smoky flavor that you don't notice it. I think what happened with me is that I went after the lunch crowd had already hit there and I got some ribs that had been on the grill a little too long. Some of the end pieces were tough but some of the ribs further in were better. The membrane on the back of the ribs was a little crunchy too. ...which, in my opinion, leaving that on is a bad idea anyways. Overall, a pretty good place.

    (3)
  • marci m.

    Went here today for the first time after passing it on my way home from work for the past year. Got two chopped bbq sandwiches with a side of hush puppies. Pork was dry, and didnt taste fresh. Wasnt the worst ive had, but I have certainly had better. But worse than the sandwiches was the hushpuppies. They were really bad, and were not fully cooked on the inside. I would suggest that Old South BBQ take some lessons from North Carolina...They do it best, and their Hushpuppies are to die for. Only two stars for Old South BBQ...They should do better.

    (2)
  • Robert C.

    I'm a BBQ lover and the food here is just okay. What is interesting is the atmosphere, it really feels like you're going back in time 20+ years. If you haven't been to a county feeling restaurant, try this out. If you're looking for better BBQ, go for Jim N Nicks or Swallow @ the Hollow in Roswell. Note: I did spot two mullets, one eating in and one doing takeout.

    (3)
  • Jay M.

    The chopped pork is smoky goodness that doesn't need any sauce to enjoy. However, the sauces are definitely worth trying. Sides are good, ribs were like leather during our visits. The pork alone should make this place a mandatory stop for anyone in the area.

    (4)
  • Jessica Y.

    So far, Old South is my favorite of local BBQ places. I haven't been in a few weeks, and I think I'm starting to feel withdrawal symptoms... Thankfully we live a few minutes away, but even if we lived on the other side of town, I'd still come back for their brisket and sweet sauce! Pile it on top of the garlic bread, and I'm gone! All of their sides are great, too, and I love their wait staff- friendly, helpful, and laid back. There really isn't anything for me to complain about, Old South always lives up to what I expect~

    (5)
  • Davis M.

    Has lasted over the years for good reason... BBQ joints have popped up and gone... still good quality BBQ and the reason you feel like going back 20 years is because you do... the building and menu have not changed... I recommend the garlic french bread BBQ sandwich.

    (4)
  • John P.

    This is a good bbq place with good service. I really enjoyed the pulled pork and I though the sides were good. I would have given it 1 to 1.5 less stars if i was my dad. He had the sliced brisket and it wasn't the best I have tasted. They flavor was alright but it was pretty tough and didn't have the great characteristics of real good brisket. But my meal was very good.

    (4)
  • Russ G.

    BBQ doesn't get any better. I've been eating at Old South for nearly 25 years, and I have never been even remotely put out by their friendly service, good prices, and best of all great food. You cannot beat this place.

    (5)
  • Ryan K.

    This place has good que! You could eat the chopped pork by itself, no sauce Very good. I tried the ribs, but I wasn't impressed. Too dry and gristly, make em better at home on the smoker. The Brunswick stew was meaty and super delicious. Closed on monday, as I was reminded today :(

    (4)
  • Chris h.

    This place looks like your typical hole in the wall BBQ spot you would thnk of when you think BBQ. I really enjoyed the spare ribs, that had tons of great smoke flavor. The service was outstanding. I didn't care too much for the sauce but I am really into a sweet sauce theirs had a little more spice. I would recommend Old South if you want to stop in for a lunch to go ahead, it won't be best BBQ you ever had but you won't be dissapointed and the price is right.

    (3)
  • Montie G.

    I have drove By this place Everyday That I have Live Here and I never stopped. That was A mistake the Old South Barbecue Is A true hidden gem . The Prices are Awsome I walked in and ready to pay more. I will make many more trips Here

    (4)
  • Brandy T.

    my family's been eating here since it opened and i had this tasty Q before i was even born thanx to my mom's love for it. since i moved from smyrna several years ago i've had to get my fix at maddy's - yum - but boy do i miss old south. true chopped piggy with juicy and crunchy bits, thick garlic texas toast, pickles and THAT DAMN SAUCE! its tangy, slightly sweet and makes my mouth water. and i hve to get a pint of brunswick stew every visit to bring home. i'm thinking that they may have thier sauce for sale in jars too! oh! and that cute piggy t shirt.

    (5)
  • Casey S.

    I was dying (dying!) for some good barbeque last week and I'm so glad I decided to come here. Hands down the best BBQ I've ever had. My husband had a slab of ribs with spicy sauce, the coleslaw, and onion rings and I had the BBQ chicken with the orginal sauce (gotta see how they envision BBQ sauce should be), brunswick stew, and onion rings. Everything (even the bread and pickles) was out of this world. Plus the portions were big enough that I was able to take about half of my chicken home for a late night snack. I hate dressing up to go out or having to remember my manners, but I felt right at home in the little dining room, and I totally appreciate the craftmanship of the place/benches. I was kind of concerned about the hug part as my hubs and I aren't normally stranger huggers, but no worries... everyone kept a comfortable distance. The waitress was kind and kept my tea full (did I mention that stuff is taste-like-a-honeysuckle-good?) I will say I loved the orginal sauce, but I think I would have enjoyed the sweet sauce a bit more. Oh well, gives me a reason to come back (like for dinner tonight? mmm...)

    (5)
  • Tim V.

    This is the definition of Georgia BBQ. All others have to be compared to the forty year old standard. Family owned, fast, and friendly service. A must for true BBQ lovers.

    (5)
  • Earl B.

    this is hands down the best bbq in the smyrna-marietta-austell metroplex! this place has been around FOREVER and they sure know what there doing when it comes to cooking meat! i recomend the sangwichs, the buns are good and complimint the meat too. there sauce is delicous. on the walls they have pictures of all there customers, but im not up ther eyet. maybe theyll put me up now that ive written the first Yelp review of there store?

    (5)
  • Paul O.

    I love hole in the wall home cooking and a good indication of this is a place run out of an old house. I was sold when I saw a pic of the outside. And myself and four others raved about the quality of food all through the meal. We all orderd the pork ribs and a variety of sides and could not finish all of the fine garlic bread. Be aware this place gets packed with a well deserved reputation for good food at a good price.

    (5)
  • John J. V.

    Old school barbecue joint with bragging fight of being Smyrna's oldest restaurant pretty much unchanged since the 1960's. Friendly efficient service where everyone is treated like an old friend. My favorite is the sliced beef sandwich on garlic toast with their original sauce with a vinegar bite. Occasionally I switch things up with the sweet hot for a more TX/OK flair. Chase it down with some good sweet tea and they always offer lemon. Well worth the visit when in the area. Sometimes you may get your back scratched or a hug but don't be disappointed if you don't. It's nothing personal, they will always treat you well.

    (3)
  • LaShonda H.

    This is a little shack that's quite scary upon first look. The first time I came it was after dark so I was a little skeptical. I was pleasantly surprised by the cashier who is very friendly and explains everything on the menu if you have questions. Looks like they can accommodate a small group and it seems as if they have table service but I got my food to go. The place is decorated with old trinkets and old photographs (I wonder who those people are). I get the chopped chicken sandwich with slaw and hot bbq sauce. This time I tried the potato salad since she says the macaroni is blue box mac and cheese. No go for me. I enjoyed this sandwich and luckily I didn't have indigestion after. It was moist and fell to pieces, just like I like it. The potato salad was pretty good, best I've had besides Thompson Brothers. Good Southern BBQ, and this is coming from a Memphian.

    (5)
  • Jenny M.

    While in Marietta for business, my coworkers and I decided we wanted to get some Barbecue- when in Rome. After requesting a nearby restaurant list from the hotel, we did a quick yelp search and saw that Old South Barbecue had 4 stars. Off we went. We drove right past the small restaurant, did a quick u-turn and entered Old South Barbecue. We were given a warm southern welcome and told we could pick our own seats. The restaurant is small, really small. We sat in the main dining room at one of the small tables. It seems like all the tables can only accommodate 4 in the main dining room. Menus were on the table and dirty, they could use a reprint. After reviewing all the options and not being able to pick one single item, I selected the Pick Two Meats for $16.99, which also comes with two sides and bread. I went with the ribs and pulled pork for my meats and the fries and hush puppies for sides. You also have your choice of 4 sauces: regular, sweet, hot, and sweet hot- I selected sweet. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, filling up our drinks and answering all our out-of-towner questions- most of which could have been answered by reading the back of the menu. All our food could hardly fit on the table. The meat was okay, but on the dry side- possibly because it was late? I preferred the pulled pork over the ribs. The sauces were delicious along with the fries. I would not order the hush puppies again. The best part of the meal was the bread, amazing. Not sure I would come back, but a good experience with some true southern hospitality.

    (3)
  • Jason N.

    My quest to find the best bbq continues. On a trip for work here and my colleagues mentioned they wanted to take me to the best bbq in the area and certainly this place did not disappoint. You walk in and the host greeted us with some southern hospitality warming hugging and at the same time thanking us for coming. The smell of bbq is present. We sat down at a table and within less than a min the drink orders were taken and delivered. Had the sweet tea and how could you go wrong with the flavor of sweet tea on a hot Georgia day. I ordered the pulled pork on garlic bread. The food came quickly without any special presentation. The meat was tender and flavorful. The sweet hot bbq was savory and tangy. Over all is place is a gem. For them to be in business since the 60's speaks loudly. I would go back again and again. Great for a quick lunch or dinner served with southern hospitality.

    (4)
  • Garrett J.

    Very cool place! A good old hole in the wall ma & pa type of place. Great Sweet tea and BBQ to get your fix!

    (5)
  • Ian G.

    Sliced pork was really fairly good. I asked for all bark and got it. Service is slow, ribs a bit bland and rubbery. Sauce is indeed a mid-Georgia tangy thin sauce, thank goodness. In all service was a bit slow for a business lunch but solid BBQ.

    (4)
  • Kin N.

    A typical mom and pup BBQ joint in Smyrna. They claim to be the second oldest restaurant in Smyrna, which is quite impressive. The interior is minimally decorated, just like most BBQ joints, so there are not much ambient. Between me and my wife, we had three meats - pulled pork, chicken (thighs and drumsticks), and ribs. Both pulled pork and chicken were dry and bland. The chicken seemed overcooked and burnt that the bones became brittle. The ribs were much better - tender and moist, although a little on the bland side. Also, the exterior was totally dried out and hard. HOWEVER, you can tell the meats were smoked from start to finish, which I appreciate (Unlike some places that pre-boil the ribs). There are four types of sauce - original, sweet, hot, and hot sweet. I'm not sure which two we had, but I can only describe the flavor as sour with hint of sweetness, and very sour (almost inedible on its own). The sides that we had were cole slaw, BBQ beans, Brunswick stew, and chilli. Of the four, I like the chilli the best. The Brunswick stew and cole slaw were both too sour for my taste. However, the slaw pairs surprisingly well with that bland and dry pulled pork. The BBQ beans were good, but nothing special. The staff was friendly, but not very attentive.Our waitress never check on us or refill our drinks. It was also difficult to get er attention when we needed a to-go box. Overall, I'm quite disappointed with the food. I like supporting local restaurant and wish they do well. Hopefully, the dry and bland meats is caused by an off day.

    (3)
  • Jeff E.

    Saw their sign, and read the reviews and had to pull in to sample some of the barbecue myself. Their hospitality is as sweet as their tea. This is the only restaurant where the waitress actually scratched my back while I ordered very sweet warm southern gesture. I had the chop pork sandwich, coleslaw, fries and garlic bread - DELISH!

    (5)
  • Trevor W.

    Some Barbecue joints win you over with a signature meat or side, some with their service, others with their Heritage. Old South does it all. They've been in this very location for decades bringing their old fashioned charm, hugs, and old world BBQ to the masses. That's right, you're family here. The second you walk in the door they give you a Big Ol' Southern Hug. That's how to run a family business. Dad and I were out with the new brother-in-law enjoying a guys afternoon when all of us finally agreed we needed to try this place after passing it by for decades ourselves. Each of us were greeted with a deep, lingering hug Old South is famous for and allowed to pick our own seats. True to form, we opted into our traditional pork sandwiches and stew washed down with beautifully sweetened tea. It's good que, good people, and a nice stroll down memory lane. If you're around Windy Hill and S Cobb Drive, stop in and give these people your business. You'll enjoy it, and they'll enjoy having you. Every trip is like a visit home.

    (4)
  • Christian M.

    I'm from Memphis so yea I'm a little picky when it comes to my BBQ. This little gem was yummy!! I don't mind places that don't look so fancy like I go to when I'm eating casual. I actually prefer my BBQ spots to look like hole in the walls or not to look fancy because I feel like the BEST BBQ comes from authentic places. This place was DELICIOUS. The pulled pork was tender and unbelievably delicious. The beans and stew were amazing. However, unfortunately the ribs weren't tender for my preference. My boyfriend agreed as well. The people were friendly and I will definitely be back, just not for ribs lol

    (4)
  • Karo R.

    All 4 of my sister came for a visit (all at one time, which never happens) and I decided it was best to dine out ( since I'm the youngst, everyone is so critical of my food-lol ) instead of cooking. We stubbled upon this place while driving up Windy Hill Rd and decided to check it out. As we walked in, we were greeted at the door by friendly faces and seated right away. The waitress was great, she took our drink orders and went over a few OLD SOUTH favorites. I ended up ordering the ribs plate with baked beans which were great, potato salad and okra. It was all pretty tasty, but I will say that I've had better, the prices were reasonable, and the portions were decent. My sisters were not impressed with the food, but loved the service we received. The look of the place fits right in with the Old South theme, old & charming. I don't live far from this restaurant so I would definitely consider trying it out again.

    (3)
  • brad h.

    I ate lunch with a friend here. It's the real deal where a waitress will call you "sweety"... BBQ was excellent; lean flavorful smoked meat, tender with no fat or grissle. I had the pulled pork with beans and potato salad. Portions were just right. Not skimpy at all. Decor was early Southern old beat up BBQ joint. There were enough hard working farmer types in there to authenticate the place as a genuine old fashioned family run joint. I would go back.

    (4)
  • Alan R.

    First, I love BBQ. Sometimes I can tell it's going to be good before I even take a bite. Old South was one of those places; it just oozes "BBQ." I ordered a plate of chopped pork, with sweet hot sauce on the side, with two sides (fried okra and green beans) and bread + sweet tea. I always try the Q before lathering on the sauce. Wow...the meat had an outstanding flavor; smoky with some of the burnt ends. I can't say enough about the meat. The okra was good and fresh, not too greasy. The beans were just OK. The only reason this place isn't a 5 star is the price. $13.50 for a pork plate is high dollar especially when the portions weren't extraordinary. Solid Q. Go there.

    (4)
  • Will J.

    I really like this restaurant. The BBQ pork is very good. All the sauces are great. The spicy really is spicy! I like the original. The Brunswick stew is the kind of stew everyone loves. It has a generous amount of the pulled pork in it! You must get there earlier! It fills in quick! Totally worth going by and giving it a try. I was worried for them when the new restaurant opened nearby. After trying the other place, I am pleased to announce that old south still is the better BBQ place around the south Cobb drive area!

    (5)
  • C. W.

    I know I need to lose weight but there will be no diet for me that doesn't include the occasional trip to this place. Life is short (and if I'm going to go, why not by some pork-induced artery clogging). We get pork sandwiches on Texas toast and several sides. Everything is perfect and I mean it. Solid sauce that goes with everything - as it should. I could put it on a shoe. No need for overthinking on barbecue. Get out of here with the trendy stuff. It's meat over a flame. Keep it simple and consistent. That's what you'll get here.

    (5)
  • Rhonda W.

    Great food and great service ! I have been a customer since moving to Smyrna since the 90s. According to my 17 year old daughter who is quite the food critic, it's one of the best restaurants in Smyrna. I recommend the junior plate, it's the right portion, and comes with 2 sides and the delicious bread. I'm getting hungry thinking about it!

    (5)
  • Thom A.

    It is exactly what you would expect from any small bbq place. Decent meats and the sides seemed a bit above average. I had the potato salad and Brunswick stew. Pulled pork was also tasty but nothing that really sets it apart from any other servicable bbq restaurant. Service was quick and friendly. Reasonable prices. Maybe it should be a 4 but ive been to so many bbq places that it takes a lot to impress me. Worth a visit if u need some q in your belly!

    (3)
  • Adam B.

    The food is awesome. The chopped pork has a great flavor even without their sauce. Their bar-b-que sauce is yummy. The sweet tea is exquisite. The only reason I did not give them a 5 star was the price. Similar bar-b-que restaurants, that taste equally delicious, are around $7.00 to $8.00. Here it is $13.50, and $2.00 for sweet tea.

    (4)
  • Liz B.

    The food is delicious and the staff was very attentive and friendly. Family owned and located in a quaint house! Really enjoyed eating here.

    (5)
  • Richard N.

    Excellent! Simply excellent. The fried okra and the sliced beef brisket rocked! And the sweet BBQ sauce. Mmmmm! I drug my Cuban in-laws and few friends in and everyone was pleased. It has the hole-in-the-wall look that a great BBQ place should have. I often eat the food of their people, I wanted them to enjoy the food of mine. Good times!

    (5)
  • Michael M.

    Yum! I was in town for business and made a stop at this little joint, and I would recommend that you do the same if you find yourself in Smyrna. The restaurant is quite small and cozy, the smell of smoking meat penetrates everything making your salivary glands flow. The staff was extremely kind and thoughtful, felt like I was with family. Food recommendation, the Brunswick Stew. I had never heard of this before, didn't know what to expect, what I got was mind blowing. The stew was thick and hearty, filled with meats and vegetables, all with an underlying bbq flavor. I wish I could have this FedExed to my home in five gallon containers. The next thing I had was the pulled pork sandwich, this too is very delicious. But as with all bbq you will no be satisfied until you try them all, so next time it is the brisket. If you ever find yourself in Smyrna do not, I repeat, do not pass up Old South Barbecue.

    (4)
  • Perla N.

    Ive been wanting to try this BBQ place for the longest. Unfortunately i kept going there on mondays or holidays and they were closed. The Ladies that work there are super sweet and are very polite. My kids had chicken tenders ( like always) and i had 2 cheese burgers and hubby had ribs. His Ribs were kind of pricey to me honestly, he only got 5. I expected a little more for 16$. They looked dry but he said they were okay. I like that theres 5 different sauces to choose from. Their fries look store bought which was alright, i hoped they would have some delicious handcut fries. The Burgers were great tho!!!!! Really cheap but had that grilled taste to them which i love. We will definately be back for the Burgers. You can get a Burger for about 3$ with all the trimmings

    (4)
  • Tiffany M.

    This food was amazing!!!! The flavored were explosive and the portions were more than worth it. My girl had the ribs dinner with beans and fries, and I had the pulled pork with beans and potato salad. The plates were huge. We each had enough to take home for later. It was like two meals in one!!! The service was great, I felt at home and very appreciated. Everyone was friendly and attentive. We never had to ask for anything. I would definitely return again and again!

    (5)
  • tang N.

    Talk about southern hospitality, I was greeted with a big hug. The waiting staff is very warm and friendly. Check it out; you'll love it.

    (5)
  • Sarah N.

    I came here for lunch the other day with a few coworkers around 1pm. It was advised by my coworkers (who've eaten here before) to avoid the lunch rush. We found a parking spot right out front and walked up to the door. Inside looks like an old house with wood everywhere. We sat in the room to the left at a table with chairs. The main dining room is comprised of wooden booths. On the wall were collages cut from actual photographs of people's faces (think elementary school yearbook.) My coworkers were looking for Joy's face in the collage, who I assume to be the owner. Shortly after Joy herself came up and gave us each hugs! This is something I'm not accustomed to but was very welcoming. We had a waitress come up shortly after and take our order. I ordered the Junior Pork Plate and original sauce with baked beans and cole slaw. The food came out pretty quickly... maybe around 10 or 12 minutes. We also received a basket of garlic toast. The food was altogether satisfying, comforting and nostalgic for me. The pork was smokey and plain (I mean this as a compliment.) The sauce, vinegary and thick. The beans were soft and sweet, yet tangy without too much smokey flavor. The SLAW: cabbage and carrots minced drowned in vinegar nectar. It piles on your fork like fresh powdery snow. Everything pairs so well with the meat, but each element is superb on it's own. Now I maybe be a bit biased because Old South makes BBQ exactly the way my grandmother from southeastern VA used to make, but I would recommend this place to anyone for good BBQ in the area.

    (5)
  • Tricia B.

    I am back everyone!! I was getting too chubby eating out all the time and had to take a break...40 pounds down and I am ready to review again! One word...nostalgia. As a kid, back in the very early 70s, I used to eat at Old South with my parents. I didnt know until recently, when I moved to Smyrna, that it was still in business. Walking in was like walking back in time...I felt 16 again. Same building, same homemade booths, same family running it...it was lovely. The same family still owns it and they are a Smyrna treasure. Now...on to the most important thing for me...the tea! Their tea is fabulous...dark and strong and served over crushed ice. Lemon wedges and prompt refills. I have eaten there several times (I pass it every day on my way home)...I figure I will eventually work through the menu! Some things are amazing, some not so much. Good things first...the platters are huge. I easily had food for two full meals. I had e chopped pork platter with hushpuppies and brunswick stew. The chopped pork was nice and smoky and the Texas toast was good. But the best, the absolute best, was the hushpuppies and stew. The hushpuppies are the best I have ever had. Crisp and crunchy on the outside and creamy, oniony goodness on the inside. Dipped in the sweet sauce and they were perfection. The Brunswick stew was just like I remembered...a hint of sharp vinegar, lots of corn, a good smoke flavor, and so thick you can eat it with a fork...a true "stew" vs soup. My co-foodie got the sliced beef sandwich with fries and said it was great. The fries were fabulous. Now to the not so good...I usually love hot dogs and baked beans at BBQ places...but I was very disappointed. The beans were a little dry and thick and bland. A hot dog had been chopped up in the bowl of beans. That would have been fine (as that is usually what I would have done with the dog anayway), but it hadnt been grilled first...just a plain dog chopped and stirred into the bland beans. A disappointment. Kids would love it tho! Will write updates as I try more things!

    (4)
  • Daniel B.

    Old South Barbeque is aptly named because it's an old-fashioned Southern BBQ joint. Old South is located in an old house that was later converted into the restaurant. As the reviews say, you'll be greeted with warm hugs. The cash register even has a sign that says something like they "don't give out hugs at Williamson Bros" (haha). The servers are very friendly and will refer to you as "honey," "sweetie," and even "baby!" It definitely puts a smile on your face. The clientele is also decidedly Southern. The menu says the restaurant is Smyrna's second-oldest restaurant. It opened in 1968, has remained in the same location all these years, and still uses some of the same furniture from back in the day. The menu features typical BBQ items including BBQ pork, beef brisket, ribs, and chicken breasts with sides such as Brunswick stew, BBQ beans, cole slaw, onion rings, chili, hush puppies, and fried okra. The plates here come with a meat, two sides, and two slices of garlic toast. The plates run from $11.50 to $13.50 for the pork, beef brisket, and ribs. This sounds expensive, but you get a lot of food. I can eat a lot and when I go to BBQ restaurants, I normally order the plates (or platters) that come with more meat and sides. However, at Old South, a sandwich and one side is enough to fill me up. You can get sandwiches either in a bun or on garlic toast and these plates are about $6.00 each. I tried: BBQ pork (chopped) Beef brisket (sliced) Fried okra Hush puppies Green beans Cole slaw (no mayo) I had the BBQ pork as a sandwich inside garlic toast. This was a delicious and satisfying sandwich. The meat was juicy, tender, and flavorful. I was disappointed in the beef brisket as it was a little cold and dry. I liked the hush puppies the most out of the sides. They were decent-sized fritters that were nicely seasoned inside and I think there were bits of onion in them too -- very good. The fried okra was ordinary (chopped and deep-fried), but still good. The green beans were OK. The slaw was interesting because I've never tasted a slaw like theirs. It didn't have any mayo, similar to NC-style slaw (or "red slaw"), but didn't have as sour a taste. Order it if you want to try a different-tasting type of slaw. Old South has four different types of sauces: original, sweet, hot, and sweet hot. You specify which sauce you want when you place your order (e.g. there are no BBQ sauce bottles at the table). I tried the original and sweet hot. One of the ingredients in the original is vinegar so it's got a little bit of a sour taste to it. The sweet hot had a kick and was sufficiently spicy. It smells like they use cayenne peppers it. Signs inside the restaurant indicate that cash is preferred, but they still take cards if you want to use them. There's parking all around the restaurant, though some of the spaces can get tight. I saw some people park across the street, so I guess that's an option too. Inside, you'll notice many photo collages of Old South customers from throughout the years. Each photo collage took about 12 hours to make.

    (4)
  • Matt C.

    I'm the third generation that has been a lover of the Llewallyn family's BBQ. This place is a cornerstone in Smyrna and always a good choice for a sweet tea, fried okra, and a good sammy. If you get something other than pulled pork with their original sauce, you're doing it wrong. ;) Also, I've never walked in the door and been given a hug by Ms. Llewallyn. Come see what southern hospitality is all about.

    (5)
  • Richard R.

    BBQ Snob Numero Uno reporting for duty! I make no apologies for being a tough BBQ critic because pork is a delicious meat and it should be a crime to ruin it! THE SCENE My mom is in town and she's one of the best BBQ cooks I know. Not just my opinion, but every guest that I've ever had at my home when she comes to visit flocks back every year when she is BBQing ribs. Well, coincidentally, I had just bookmarked Old South BBQ from talk thread recommendations when mom (who didn't feel up to grilling) asks "Can we go get some ribs?" It was a Friday around 5pm, which was the worst time in the world to try to travel from Northeastern Gwinnett County to Smyrna. It took us just under 1 hour to arrive at the charming exterior of Old South BBQ. yelp.com/biz_photos/old-… Inside is a simple dinning area with two additional seating areas in small attached rooms. We were greeted and seated immediately. --------------- - - - - - THE FOOD The Ribs ($13.50 w/two sides) were not as good as I was hoping. I would rate them a 3 at best. The skin on the ribs was crispy and crunchy... an immediate turn off for me. It's like they fully cooked them, then reheat them on the grill. The meat on this day was dry in the areas between the bone, which is probably because they seem to have sliced them prior to putting them in the holding area. Also, I didn't really taste any sort of seasoning, only smoke. I usually will not used BBQ sauce unless it needs it for flavor, and these ribs needed sauce for both flavor and moisture. yelp.com/biz_photos/old-… The sweet sauce has a weird flavor. It was both sweet and bitter with the strong flavor of vinegar, but I also seem to pick up a small taste of molasses. Whatever the flavor was I was tasting in the sauce, it was not to my liking. On the other hand, the sides were more pleasing. Mom had the fried okra and loved it. The french fries were thick and nicely cooked, but needed salt. The baked beans were amazing and easily a 5! The potato salad was also great (which we were told comes from Sam's). The garlic bread was unusual, but very, very tasty. yelp.com/biz_photos/old-… --------------- - - - - - - THE VERDICT I can see why people would like coming here. The service is very friendly, it's family owned, been here forever and doesn't try to be anything but a BBQ joint. But the main attraction are the meats (and in my case the ribs). They were dry and I hated the crispy skin, but more importantly... the ribs had very little seasoned flavor and a weird tasting sweet BBQ sauce. The service and sides were my favorite part of the visit, but if it were solely based on the ribs, I would not be in a rush to return.

    (3)
  • Anthony G.

    They have the best Brunswick stew in town. It is amazing. Great BBQ. Pork sandwiches are great

    (5)
  • Cheryl A.

    Best barbeque I've had since I was a kid. The only thing better than Old South barbeque is Old South barbeque with one of their sauces. We go regularly - at least once a month. Would go more often but it is a one hour drive for us - one way. The beans are fantastic, the slaw is great, and the service is always wonderful. When you go - say Hi to Joy , she is a truly special person.

    (5)
  • Mark W.

    Maybe it was the time of day (4 pm) but the food wasn't as good as I was hoping for. I had sliced brisket and chopped pork combo plate. Both meats were really dry, and had to be slathered in BBQ sauce to be eaten. I judge BBQ by how it tastes before adding sauce, this just wasn't that great. The stew was my favorite part of the meal along with the Texas toast. The beans were mediocre. Staff was friendly and fall over themselves to wait on you.

    (3)
  • Andi M.

    If you like NC-style vinegar BBQ, then you must try this place. A family-owned business for over 40 years, they know how to make great BBQ. My only complaint is that they are a bit pricey when you have to add sides, including slaw for your sandwich. (Usually sandwiches come with at least one side.) The sides, however, are huge and shareable. The parking lot and interior are small, but don't let those things deter you from giving them a try. I tried the chopped pork sandwich on a bun with hush puppies and coleslaw. The sandwich was perfectly flavored and I didn't think it needed any sauce. But then, I'm not a big lover of sauce, anyway. The slaw is made with vinegar and not mayo, and I enjoyed that very much. The hush puppies are crispy on the outside, and moist and full of onions on the inside. Yummy! My hubby tried the pork plate with Texas toast, onion rings, and chili. He raved about their hot sauce on his pork, and his toast held up better with the moist BBQ than my bun. I'll definitely try that next time. With a drink and two sides, you can expect to pay about $10 a person. Like I said, this place isn't cheap, but I still think its the best BBQ I gave had in this area so far, and I definitely plan to return when visiting my family.

    (4)
  • Kat W.

    Was driving by and decided to sit a spell..yep I said a spell. This place reminded me of home, Mississippi home. Customer service was amazing, I got a hug ya'll!! That alone brought this review up to a five vs the four I was leaning toward. Ordered a combo meal of ribs and chopped pork with two sides. OMG on the Brunswick stew..what the hell is in that? Love??? I need love like that in my life on the regular. The ribs were good, a little bit dry but good. The chopped pork was also dry but again good..lol I dipped it in the sauce so it was moist going down. I had plenty leftovers (eyes were bigger than my belly it seems) Small place so don't go expecting not to overhear your neighbors conversation or heck being friendly with your neighbor. I'll be back!

    (5)
  • Patrick P.

    Loved the old decor and booths. Sides were plentiful and delicious, especially the Brunswick stew and garlic toast. We ate dinner fairly late and were saddened that the ribs were pretty chewy and dried out. Pulled pork was similar, just not as savory as seems others were able to enjoy. None of us of 3 felt the meat entrees were up to snuff for a well established bbq place. We all agreed we might go back but perhaps earlier and ask if the ribs were fresher that day.

    (3)
  • Erin M.

    Their chopped pork is amazing! It's very unique for BBQ. For people who say their meat is a little dry--it's supposed to be eaten with the sauce you get on the side! Also, the hush puppies and the onion rings are fantastic. My favorite sauce is the hot sweet, and I don't usually like vinegar based sauces at all! Also, get a hug from Joy, the owner! She is the best!

    (5)
  • S D.

    Wow, what a surprise. There were 8 of us that during a work meeting decided to trust my yelp app! We all received a hug as we entered the restaurant and we're promptly seated. We all enjoyed our meals, but some of the favorites were the pulled pork, the chili and the Brunswick stew. From the outside you might wonder, but it is a great find in Smyrna for BBQ.

    (4)
  • Patrick T.

    Best Georgia barbecue and Brunswick stew in Atlanta. I always get a chopped pork sandwich on toast and a side of Brunswick stew. Staff is super friendly and the quality is superb.

    (5)
  • Catherine A.

    Best old school BBQ you can find in Smyrna GA - has great choc and key lime pie....i get a pound of sliced (pulled) pork and take it home for the family. Def try both the sweet and original BBQ sauce (they offer 4 but these 2 are winners meant to be had separately & combined) Great Prices - wont leave complaining EVER.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Old South Barbecue

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