7 Yummy Spots to Get Your Meat Sweats On

**The following was written by Atlanta Eats guest blogger Nichole Wolf**

 
Oh, the meat sweats. This (slightly vulgar) term, according to Urban Dictionary, means “an intense build up of perspiration as a result of the excess consumption of meat.”

While the phrase might sound a little gross, the meat certainly is not – Atlanta is chock-full of delicious BBQ joints, steakhouses, and charcuterie spots to get your grub on.

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q (Candler Park)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

What many would consider the OG barbecue joint in Atlanta, Fox Bros has been slinging Texas-style BBQ since 2007. The menu is pretty much nothing but meat – from the starters (chicken fried ribs, wings, and brisket chili) to the plates (our favorite is the Trinity Plate, with brisket, ribs, and jalapeno cheddar sausage), Fox Bros is a meat lover’s paradise.

If you need any more convincing, Fox Bros was named one of the top BBQ restaurants in the US by the Huffington Post and Zagat – not bad for a local Atlanta favorite!

Pro tip – arrive early for dinner, as lines normally queue up pretty fast (even on weekdays!)

DAS BBQ (West Midtown)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

One of Atlanta’s newer BBQ spots, DAS BBQ opened at the very end of December 2016 on the Westside. They feature easy-going counter service and a lively patio in addition to their slow-smoked meats. The offering is simple but hearty – brisket, pork, and the usual plates populate the menu. Sausage by the link is also available, direct from a smokehouse in central Texas. The brisket comes highly recommended – it’s not quite so heavy, but still full of flavor, making it perfect for hot summer days.

Whatever you do, don’t skip out on the sides – the potato salad is absolutely heavenly, and the spicy elote creamy corn gives just the right amount of kick. If you’d like a closer look the goods, ask to see the smoke shed – the staff will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of the ‘cue on request!

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall (Old Fourth Ward)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

This camp-fire themed “mess hall,” situated Old Fourth Ward adjacent to the BeltLine, is one of Atlanta’s favorite patio hangouts. With a massive “grove,” indoor and outdoor bars, and pup-friendly seating, Ladybird is one of the hottest tickets in town on a sunny weekend afternoon.

This isn’t just a drinking establishment – Ladybird serves up some serious meat-focused plates if you’re so inclined. Their Basecamp dishes serve 2-4 people, communal-style – our pick is the Backyard BBQ Board, a tangle of ribs and pulled pork paired with Brunswick stew and poblano sausage.

Grub Burger Bar (Forsyth, North Druid Hills & Smyrna)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

If you’re looking to get your meat on, and you’re craving some serious burgers, look no further than Grub Burger Bar.

With 2 Atlanta locations (Vinings and North Druid Hills), Grub is slinging a menu of delicious burgers, plus some salads & bowls with a healthier twist (but still featuring plenty of meat!)

A few of our favorite burgers include the Mac ‘N’ Cheese burger (mac & cheese of course, plus bacon); the Lockhart Legend (bacon, cheddar, a ridiculously tasty Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, and 2 onion rings); and the Jive Turkey (a kick-butt turkey burger with pesto, bacon, Swiss, sprouts, and avocado).

While they might not be meat-related, you can’t skip out on the boozy milkshakes – the spiked bourbon & caramel shake is all you need after a burger coma!

Smokebelly BBQ (Buckhead)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

Kicking it back to BBQ – Smokebelly is a Buckhead institution for funky, new-age twists on barbeque classics.

Their Nashville hot chicken is a serious contender to any Music City version, and the disco Q fries are some of the best loaded fries we’ve had in the ATL. These fries are topped with your choice of brisket or pulled pork, plus savory ‘cue sauce and either ranch or blue cheese drizzle (yes, we’re drooling from our desks too).

If you’re looking for some sweet barbeque, you’re in luck – Smokebelly has a crazy-good cherry cola sauce that you can get on both ribs and smoked wings.

Williamson Bros BBQ (Canton, Douglasville, Marietta)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

Williamson Bros Bar-B-Q has a unique twist to their menu – they make all of their sauces just up the road from their Marietta location! Their menu is pretty extensive for a BBQ joint – you can find anything from ribs & steaks to fish tacos and Polish sausages. There’s also a huge list of side items to satisfy any palate. Slide on up to the pit smoker tucked into the back of the restaurant if you’d like to see your meat cooked right in front of you!

If you visit Williamson and love their sauce (and spices), you can buy them on site! Gallon jars of barbeque sauce make a great gift (if we do say so ourselves).

Varuni Napoli (Morningside & Krog Street Market)

Photo credit: Nichole Wolf

You might be surprised to find a pizza place on a meat-lovers list – we promise we aren’t leading you astray! Varuni Napoli’s charcuterie board is one of our favorites, and many of their pizzas feature premium meats imported from Italy. Our obsession is their Oro Bianco pizza, topped with buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, black truffle oil, and pancetta (Italian bacon!) If you like a bit of heat, don’t miss out on any of the pizzas with soppressata (spicy salami) or Nduja (a spreadable pork sausage with ragu sauce).

If you stop by Varuni, ask for Luca, the fun loving owner! He’s always happy to chat about his many trips to Naples and his love for a great pizza pie (topped with meat, of course)!

Looking for more meat? Follow me (Nichole!) at @atladventurer, and Atlanta Eats at @atlantaeatstv.