Whistle Q - BBQ — Restaurant in Flowery Branch

WhistleQ – Flowery Branch, GA

Come hungry — and maybe wear your stretchy pants. WhistleQ isn’t just another barbecue joint; it’s a flavor experience that delivers on every promise.

I’ve had the privilege of tasting Craig Tabor’s cooking before, and it’s a real treat to see his signature craft now available to the public. He’s brought his backyard magic to the big stage — and it shows.

The brisket is the undisputed star of the show. Tender, smoky, and beautifully marbled, it’s everything you want in true pit barbecue. If you’re like me and lean toward the “wet” cut, get ready for pure bliss — each bite melts in your mouth, balancing that smoky bark with buttery richness that’ll leave you speechless.

The pork rinds? Absolute perfection. Freshly made, light, and shatteringly crisp, they’re dusted in a spicy seasoning that makes your lips tingle from the memory and keeps you reaching for more long after the tray is empty.

And let’s talk about the mac and cheese — creamy, hot, and perfectly comforting. It’s not just a side dish; it’s an encore act that holds its own beside the main event.

The little touches complete the experience: soft white bread for balance, tangy pickles, and those sharp pickled onions that cut through the richness just right. It’s a full Southern barbecue symphony — simple, soulful, and masterfully executed.

Many places try to do too much right out of the gate, but WhistleQ’s approach is smart: start with a focused, limited menu and knock it out of the park. Less really is more when it’s done this well.

I’ll absolutely be back to explore more of the menu, but today I got exactly what I came for — and it exceeded expectations. This review might be getting glowingly awkward, but I’ll just say this: make the trip to Flowery Branch. You won’t regret it.

🔥 WhistleQ is...

AMAZING! Craig has been a hero in the Atlanta BBQ scene for as long as I can remember. We were lucky enough to be part of the soft opening of WhistleQ tonight — and I’m blown away. I already had high expectations, but this place is on a whole different level.

We dug into the brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey breast — and every single one blew me away. Each was tender, juicy, and pure competition-style BBQ perfection.

The sides were just as incredible. The collards might actually be better than Grandma’s, and I can’t get over the baked beans — I know that sounds odd to rave about, but trust me, they’re that good. The fried okra was outrageous — I couldn’t even figure out what made it so addictive, but I couldn’t stop eating it. And the mac-n-cheese? I thought mine was pretty solid… but Craig and his team play in a whole different league.

Atlanta BBQ lovers — this...

I wanted to like this place so much, but there were a few things that were missing. My biggest complaint is definitely the pricing. For what you get the brisket is expensive and the sides are overpriced for the size/quality.

I was pretty let down that there was no fresh brewed sweet tea, only canned drinks. That being said the brisket and pork were both juicy and flavorful. I did think there was a bit too much fat when you are paying that much money you want a balance. The sausage, however, was pretty weak and lacking flavor. I have travelled all over Texas so I probably have high standards but if they can address the few things mentioned above this place...