B's Cracklin BBQ, Atlanta, GA

B's Cracklin BBQ, Atlanta, GA

As I've said for at least the past decade, some of the best barbecue in Georgia can be found in the metro Atlanta area.  Of note, though, this joint also has a location in Savannah, but it is its Atlanta location that is largely responsible for putting it on the map.  B's has been in business for somewhere around three years as of today (August 2018).  It has gotten some rave reviews by the metro area food critics and has been voted 2017 "Atlanta Eater Restaraunt of the Year".  My daughter, an accomplished food critic of her own right, had frequented B's and highly recommended it.  I was waiting for the chance to check it out when my friend Candy Norton suggested that we go eat barbecue one day.  I rounded up a couple of work friends, and Candy picked us up in her most impressive Tesla SUV.  We navigated our way further into NW Atlanta to find the joint with great anticipation.  

B's is located in an old house just a little off the beaten path but in easy travelling distance from the Howell Mill Road/Northside Drive area.  There's not a lot parking at B's, and there is also not a really large seating area, so getting there early is highly recommended.  We found our way inside and were greeted by a very kind waiter.  We were provided menus of which you can find in the following website link.  www.bscracklinbbq.com

I ordered up my typical "first visit" meal that included a pulled pork sandwich.  I would have gotten Brunswick stew, but B's only does that "seasonally."  (Honestly, I thought that Brunswick stew season was a year round kind of thing!)  Candy and Greg ordered ribs, so secretly I was in hopes that I'd at least get to try one of their ribs (and I did!)  Our food came in good timing and was well presented as depicted below.

We sampled sauces, of which there were three:  Carolina Vinegar, Spicy Mustard, and another more normaly house sauce.  As seen in the picture, the Spicy Mustard won out for me!    The bbq was clean, moist, tender, and tasty with just the right amount of smokiness.  The portion size was most sufficient as I certainly was not hungry upon leaving.  The surprising entre that I had was the collard greens.  B's collard greens were some of the best that I've ever had.  I never really figured out exactly what the "secret" flavoring was, but if I can ever figure it out, this will be how I'd fix my greens in the future.

Candy was gracious enough to allow me to try one of her ribs, and I was not disappointed.  They were perhaps a little more like competition styled ribs in terms of texture in that they didn't just "fall off the bone", but their flavor, texture, color, and appearance were excellent.

What may be the most cool thing about  B's is its origin.  Taken from its website:  Head BBQ Pitmaster, Bryan Furman, is livin’ the dream having left his day job as a welder to pursue cooking his signature-style pit smoked barbeque, chicken and ribs.  

What began as a fun idea to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday in 2010 by roasting a hog for family and friends, turned into catering and filling order requests from his co-workers.

B's has been featured in such wonderful southern magazines as "Garden and Gun" and "Southern Living", and my observation over the years is that you can generally take their recommendations to the bank.  

All in all, I look forward to returning to B's with friends to experience some of the best bbq in Georgia.  On my scale of 1 to 5, we will give B's a 4.5 pending my next exerience!