Texas Meets Atlanta at Fox Bros Bar-B-Q

I love Bar-B-Q. My stomach, on the other hand, has issues. But that’s besides the point. Atlanta is a city that thrives on Bar-B-Q. I mean, c’mon, we’re in the South. Every single town in the entire state of Georgia has a Bar-B-Q joint that claims to be the best around. For some of those towns, that’s certainly true. But when you enter the city limits of Atlanta, things become competitive. VERY competitive. We’ve got Carolina-style, we’ve got Memphis-style, heck ,we even have Korean-style. How does one really discern which style of Bar-B-Q is the best? It all seems to be down to a matter of opinion, and as any true Atlantan would say, I certainly have my own opinions as to where to find the best and greatest of all Bar-B-Q in the city. And that, my friends, is Fox Bros Bar-B-Q.

Located across the street from a never ending stretch of railroad tracks and next to a slew of buildings that seem to have a new tenant every other week, twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox have managed to build a loyal (and dedicated) following and permanent location in the Candler Park neighborhood of northeast Atlanta. Since 2007, the Texas-born brothers have been dishing out their Bar-B-Q to the masses, and there is absolutely no sign of them ever letting up. Their Bar-B-Q, which has won accolades from Atlanta to Texas to New York City, is in a class all of its own. From the slow-roasted, melt-in-your-mouth ribs to the ridiculously creative sides that come out of the belly of the kitchen, this is some serious Bar-B-Q. Really, this is the kind of Bar-B-Q that makes you go “Holy sh*t, where have I been eating?”

Hoof & Ale: Marietta’s Hidden Gem for Burgers, Brews, and More

Sometimes, eating out isn’t about dressing up, going on a date, celebrating an experience you normally wouldn’t empty your wallet for; sometimes, eating out is just about going out after a long day and enjoying a burger and booze. I love destination dining, but there is something to be said about exploring what exists in your own backyard.

My girlfriend lives in Marietta near the 120 loop, and about two stop lights and one turn around the corner sits a little joint that we had talked about dining at for the past 9 months. Of course, the fact that it took us 9 months to eat at place that is literally a stone’s throw from her apartment puts a little shame in my step, but sometimes it’s better late than never for such things. Hoof & Ale, described as a place “Where Craft Food Meets Craft Beer,” sounds like some offshoot of an Englishman’s favorite pastime, yet it might just be the best neighborhood tavern in Marietta and the surrounding area.

The Board

Situated in a Kroger shopping center, Hoof & Ale sits off in a corner, secluded from unoriginality and the day-to-day drummings of the rest of the world. The minute you step through the door, the first thing you notice is the giant chalk board on the wall that connects from the front of the restaurant all the way up to the bar. In brightly colored chalk, all of the craft beers available on draft and in bottle are listed based on style, as well as the food specials of the day. The bar looks in on the kitchen, which has enough space for around a half-dozen people or so. The entire restaurant has enough space for probably 30-35 patrons, which definitely works for the local feel of the space. It’s a nice setup that makes this place comfortable and personable.