Fred's Bar-B-Q House — Restaurant in Georgia

A true hidden gem worth the drive — Fred’s BBQ is the real deal!

As a Smyrna local (where good BBQ spots have unfortunately become few and far between), I wasn’t expecting to discover my new favorite "Atlanta" barbecue joint on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year — but here we are.

I was in the area getting my windshield replaced, sweating it out in a shop with no AC (on a day that felt like 100°), and decided to take a walk to find a cool spot to hang out and maybe get some work done. That’s when I stumbled across Fred’s BBQ — and thank goodness I did.

From the moment I saw the packed parking lot, especially with a lot of trucks, I knew I had to check it out. Inside, I found a freshly updated, clean restaurant with the kind of hospitality that feels harder and harder to come by these days. The staff behind the counter were warm, smiling, and genuinely welcoming — which, after baking outside, felt like walking into a little oasis of good vibes and great food.

I ordered the special of the day (for under $10 with a drink!), and wow — it absolutely hit the spot. As a bit of a BBQ purist and foodie, I’ve noticed most places usually do either the meat or the sides well — rarely both. But Fred’s? They’re nailing it across the board. The BBQ was tender, smoky, and full of flavor.

And the sides? Don’t sleep on them. I had the potato salad and the coleslaw, and both were excellent. The potato salad had a great depth of flavor — maybe a bit of bacon or something smoky in there? — and the seasoning was spot-on. The coleslaw was rich and creamy, definitely heavy on the mayo (which I personally love). If you’re not a mayo fan, you might want to try one of their other great sides, but for me, it was perfect. Pro tip: mix a little of their BBQ sauce into the slaw — it’s heavenly.

Before I left, I grabbed a menu to plot my return and chatted with the friendly crew. I learned how popular their turkey ribs are (definitely trying those next time) and their legendary hot dogs — apparently they sell about 250,000 Yellow Jacket hot dogs alone per year, which honestly blew my mind. I even met the owner, who shared how they’d just reopened after devastating flooding from frozen pipes back in December 2023 — nearly a year and a half later. Talk about resilience! I'm sure that was a challenging period for the entire restaurant staff.

Places like Fred’s are what local, small-business BBQ dreams are made of. The atmosphere is inviting, the service is heartfelt, the food is ridiculously good, and the prices are beyond fair (especially in today’s wild economy). It’s a place run by people who clearly care — and it shows in every bite and every interaction.

My husband and I will definitely be making the drive back, again and again. If you're on this side of town — or honestly even if you’re not — do yourself a favor and stop in. Support this place. They’ve earned it. 🔥🍖🙌 Their current hours of operation are Monday -...

Found this spot 12 years ago. Work was a few exits away. Not in the area as often now, but often plan my work visits to include a lunch trip here. I repeatedly get the pork sandwich, fries, and coleslaw. Sometimes get the hot dogs with chili and onions. Only times the food has ever disappointed has been if the fries were a bit soggy. Pork is always amazing and consistent!

Sauces are delicious. Pork is flavorful, but I love it 'wet' so always add sauce. Coleslaw is the closest to what I remember Mom making when I was a kid (I know slaw is incredibly personal or subjective).

I have seen complaints the pork doesn't have 'bark', and isn't of a consistency that some might prefer. I can't argue against that, but I prefer little to no bark and no fatty remnants, and I like it to be smaller or more shredded.. so this is the closest to perfect I currently have available (an old favorite from college closed permanently after I graduated).

I can't speak to the entire menu, because I know what I like and stick to it. But I also have never had anyone complain when I bring them here or suggest it as a good BBQ spot.

Dining room is not high-class, but is honest and ALWAYS clean and well maintained. I have never seen a rude or uncaring employee. I can understand some folks being annoyed having to wait for their drink or cup until their food is ready (I have been thirsty while waiting, too), but it is just part of the process here, as they serve unsweetened tea from behind the counter, and they put the initial ice in the cups from a dedicated ice maker. The single drink dispenser in the dining area could never keep up with ice demands if everyone took their ice from it.

Tl;dr- Love this place, hope it is always open and ready when I am hungry. Pork sandwich won't disappoint unless you like big chunks or noticeable, dry bark. Good menu variety. Friendly but professional service in a comfortable space (don't expect...

If I could give zero stars, I would. My recent visit was incredibly disappointing, and I feel obligated to share my experience to warn others.

First off, we were greeted by a cashier who acted like our presence was an inconvenience. When we ordered, I discovered that they no longer have a freestyle drink machine, so all beverages are now canned or bottled. A minor annoyance, but it set the tone.

The food was where things really went downhill. I ordered the Texas cheeseburger, and it came without chili. When I went back to request it, the employee behind the counter took my burger with bare hands, added the chili in the back, and handed it back to me—still with no gloves or barrier. This would be unacceptable for any customer, but being pregnant, I’m especially careful about food safety.

The chili was so salty it was nearly inedible, and halfway through, I found the burger was still raw inside. The coleslaw had no flavor and was basically just mayonnaise with some cabbage. My mother’s Brunswick stew was also way too salty to enjoy. Even the fries tasted like they came from the frozen food aisle at Walmart.

We spent $40 only to walk away frustrated and disappointed. If you’re considering eating here, I strongly recommend saving your money and either making a similar meal at home or going somewhere else. The quality has gone way down, and there are far better...