BBQ Cafe

Barbecue restaurant · Decatur

BBQ Cafe

Barbecue restaurant · Decatur

4

310 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

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BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
BBQ Cafe by null
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Highlights

Classic barbecue, with traditional sides, done with care, exceptionally good!  

Featured in Eater
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310 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 Get directions

bbq.cafe
@the_bbq_cafe

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

310 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 Get directions

+1 678 235 3476
bbq.cafe
@the_bbq_cafe

$$ · Menu

Features

delivery
takeout
dine in
Tap to pay
reservations
payment credit card
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"This walk-up barbecue joint across from Kimball House in Decatur serves traditional, slow-smoked barbecue rooted in family recipes from Mississippi. The menu here offers everything from pulled pork, ribs, and brisket to smoked chicken and pulled turkey on the weekends paired with Southern sides like Brunswick stew, corn salad, and bread and butter pickles." - Beth McKibben

20 Walk-Up Windows for Tasty Takeout Around Atlanta
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@eater

"BBQ Cafe serves what’s described by the owners as traditional, slow-smoked barbecue rooted in recipes from Mississippi. Meats on the menu here include pulled pork, ribs, and brisket, and smoked chicken and pulled turkey on the weekends, with Southern sides like Brunswick stew, corn salad, bread and butter pickles, and baked beans. There’s banana or bread pudding for dessert, too. Barbecue plates feature one meat, two sides, bread, and sauce." - Eater Staff

The Essential Atlanta Barbecue Restaurants and Pop-Ups
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@eater

"BBQ Cafe in Decatur will host Gorditas ATL for an ongoing residency on Mondays and Tuesdays. Normally closed on these days, the restaurant will feature Gorditas ATL's menu including Mexican street tacos and other specialties." - Beth McKibben

Atlanta Mexican Street Food Pop-Up Gorditas ATL Opens for Breakfast and Lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays at BBQ Cafe in Decatur - Eater Atlanta
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@eater

"A new barbecue restaurant is now open on East Howard Avenue in Decatur. BBQ Cafe takes over the former Doggy Dogg hot dog shack next door to Ammazza and across from Kimball House, Decaturish first reported Thursday. Doggy Dogg closed earlier this year after nearly five years in the space. BBQ Cafe, owned by longtime friends Lewis Johnson, John Peeples, and Lloyd Solomon, serves what is described on the website as 'traditional,' slow-smoked barbecue rooted in recipes from Mississippi. Before opening their own restaurant, Johnson, Peeples, and Solomon spent years cooking barbecue for other restaurants as well as for family and friends. Meats on the menu include pulled pork, ribs, and brisket, and smoked chicken and pull barbecue turkey on the weekends, with sides like potato salad and baked beans, and banana or bread pudding for dessert. Barbecue plates at the cafe feature one meat, two sides, dessert, and a drink for $15." - Beth McKibben

Barbecue Restaurant BBQ Cafe Opens in the Former Doggy Dogg Hot Dog Space Across from Kimball House in Decatur, Georgia - Eater Atlanta
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Soulful Vibes61

Google
Out with my beautiful granddaughter one day and we decided we wanted BBQ. Drove around for awhile looking for a place and spotted this one. It's a small shack where you order at a window, there is no "dine-in", but there is seating around the outside. Parking is sparse around the back though. The BBQ was delicious! Whatever rub they used was scrumptious, no need for the BBQ sauce AT ALL! The flavor is amazing. The service was friendly and inviting. Can't remember her name, but she allowed us to taste everything before we ordered. Their Brunswick stew was very tasty. Everything was great. HIGHLY recommend it and will definitely go back.

Ross Lindsay

Google
Made a trip to BBQ Cafe for dinner hunting for somewhere new. Definitely made the right choice! I ordered a pulled pork plate with slaw and Brisket Mac-and-Cheese, and ate outside at one of their picnic tables to enjoy the beautiful weather. Everything tasted amazing! The pork was perfectly prepared, mac-and-cheese (with brisket!) was super creamy, and the BBQ sauce was flavorful with a nice kick. The staff was extremely friendly - the woman working did a little happy dance when I told her the food was great - contagious happiness! Sadly they were out of ribs when I went, but that just gives me even more of a reason to make another trip back!

Chris Cooper

Google
Just had the brisket and the pulled pork. It was amazing! The baked beans were fantastic! The bread pudding is off the charts good! Great job! And thank you for the wonderful chat!

Bob Villia

Google
Simple put, this is the best bbq I've had in many, many years. The bbq was full of flavor, moist, and tender. I wasn't disappointed when I took my first bite of ribs and pulled pork. The flavor was spot on. Sweet tea was perfect, and the stew was awesome. Then there's the Mac n cheese.......it didn't last long on my plate. They make their own hot sauces that added the right amount of hear with the food. And to top it all off the pickles are he made as well as the banana pudding which was spot on. Perfect BBQ. Great and friendly service. I would drive far out of my way to come eat here again.

Jay Reed

Google
Our first visit here was right around opening week - two years later, we passed through ATL again and the timing was just right for another visit. We were happy to discover that great barbecue was still to be found. I ordered the brisket plate with Brunswick stew and mac-and-cheese studded with smoked rib meat. The brisket was tender, juicy and just smokey enough - I enjoyed it without the sauce, but also had a few bites with sauce just to mix it up a little. The stew had all the flavors Brunswick stew is supposed to have. I'm not usually a mac-and-cheese guy when it comes to bbq sides, but they got me with the rib bits and it was well worth the risk! My wife got the pulled pork sandwich and made the comment that the slaw on the sandwich really made it. I've been following all they do on social media, especially the creative Mexican food collabs, and I was thrilled to find they were serving Tres Leches ice cream the day we went. My wife insisted on the banana pudding, and we were both very happy with our choices. Kim was serving that day and she went out of her way to take care of us. If we lived nearby, we would definitely be stopping by more often to see what else they come up with. And it's also good to know we can count on the classics.

Q Nelson

Google
Only gave four stars because the welcoming was horrible. Like soon as we pulled up, everyone left except the waiter and cook. After voicing this was my first time, they offered me a free sample of the beef stew soup(which was great btw). I ordered double ribs plate, and a brisket plate with ribs…… spent almost 60 bucks. The food was great but the portion and welcoming could be better.

Rai Sampson

Google
Can’t believe we are just visiting here! Everything was well seasoned and the customer service was A1. Kim was so friendly and made ordering a lot easier. We got the brisket, chicken thigh, and pulled pork. With mac and cheese, potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw on the side. Will visit again and probably even order catering.

Randi Wilson

Google
We’re just starting to see a crop of incredible restaurants built for outdoor takeout experiences (like Glide Pizza in O4W), and I am totally here for it. BBQ Cafe should be your go-to spot for easy, safe, affordable BBQ takeout in Decatur! The menu is simple but crave-worthy. Pick your meat and sides. That’s it. The prices are good too! We tried a full rack of ribs (which, wow!), the fun BBQ bowl with a bit of each side, and the traditional brisket + sides. Not a bad dish on the menu, though the smoked potato salad and the ribs were standouts. The wrapping was all paper bags and compostable containers (other than the ribs, but that’s a trade-off so you don’t get grease all over your car on the way home). Service is fast and super friendly. There are a scattering of tables with umbrellas if you’d like to eat there, but the real magic here is having an easy walk up window to swing through and take dinner home.

Luckie D.

Yelp
5 Stars and here's what you need to know. 4 Rib Bones, baked beans potato salad and 2 thin slices of white bread. Tender lean and smokey ribs. Homemade potato salad more sour cream than mayo....a plus for me. The beans were delicious with little pieces of meat. Now let's talk about the quality service. They get it. Friendly welcoming efficient. I'll be back

D'Jillisser K.

Yelp
Wow! Give this BBQ Cafe a try! This restaurant is nestled in the city of Decatur. I had the bowl which consisted of potato salad, beans, pull pork with a slaw. It was so delicious! Also the ambiance is quaint and welcoming ! The staff are helpful and also inviting. I'm so happy I stumbled upon this restaurant! Give it a try.

Rob C.

Yelp
Let's start off first by saying that their brisket is mouthwatering good. The flavor is on point and it's cooked really great . They told me about their process with the brisket and how it's slow cooked in their smoker I am impressed. I savored every bite, but besides that I also tried the rib tips, bbq chicken, baked beans and their Rib Mac and Cheese with you guessed it, chunks of rib in it. But BBQ chicken was delicious and the rib tips weren't tough so that was a plus. Flavor is spot on. They also have this Brunswick Stew which also has chunks of brisket in it, which is really good too. Since it's been cold lately I've ordered this twice and it definitely warmed me up. It's too bad they were sold out of ribs that is something I really was looking forward to try but I called too late. They said that is one of the things that gets sold out quickly so for the future I definitely will be calling way earlier. Needless to say I will be back again.

Leslie T.

Yelp
Their brisket Mac and cheese was absolutely delicious. Mouth watering that j haven't stopped dreaming of it but they've closed and I'm mortified

James B.

Yelp
Pulled up today, first time here and didn't realize it was closed. I'm presuming it was the lady who runs this place yells over to me, "how many times do I have to tell you people not to park here, how are my trucks supposed to get in?". First of all, I was going to this "cafe", because where I'm from a cafe is a place to get coffee in the morning, and lastly, I was parked in a BBQ Cafe Customers Only space. Ya know? The designated spaces where your CUSTOMERS park, the ones who pay make it possible for you to pay your bills. This woman clearly needs to practice some techniques on how to politely interact with folks as she has major anger management issues. I recommend she see a therapist.

Jessica C.

Yelp
A hidden gem! Discovered it while walking downtown Decatur with my husband. It's a very unassuming brick shack with rustic outdoor seating on the side. It was being ran by a lady who was very helpful and explained the menu and pricing to us. She also let us try the Brunswick stew. It was so good! Nice meaty flavor. We ordered a cup along with brisket, pulled pork and sausage. The sausage had a nice pop when you bit into it and it was super juicy inside. The brisket had the perfect crust and the right amount of fattiness. They had a few sauce offerings that we tried with the pulled pork and honestly they were all good! Would highly recommend!

Tracy B.

Yelp
O.M.G. We had the MOST delicious meal last night from Bbq Cafe. 5 stars hands down. I said to my husband, "sorry Fox Bros. I can't. I simply can't after having this DEEEEEELICIOUS bbq." Every, single thing was so damn good. The bbq sauce, sweet, a little heat, and tangy...it never overpowered just enhanced the ribs, pork, and rib tips. While we're at it - those ribs tips were so damn good that putting them in the bbq sauce felt like it was masking that luscious meat. All of the meat was tender and smokey good...and the sides - we tried all 4 of them since it was our first time and each was so stinkin good. What we loved is that while def traditional in their make up each had some element of surprise and unexpected goodness taking them over the top. I don't often rave but this is beyond rave worthy. Just do yourself a favor and get there.

Maria A.

Yelp
Bradd, the master bbq man here is a BBQ God! *Statement of the year y'all* This little shack in the wall, packs pure southern bliss! From smoked ribs, to pulled pork, the menu here will leave your little heart happy as it will fulfill your culinary bbq desires. Seriously!! This is a very informal place, you order at the window and you pick a table on the patio. Plenty of sitting in this small establishment and plenty of shade too. No fancy cocktails here, just some good old beers and soft drinks to accompany your delicious meal. The lovely lady at the window, will holler your name or carry your food to you. Easy peasy. The best BBQ in Decatur. A must try it for a happy full belly.

Todd H.

Yelp
I try not to give five stars right away but this little brick shack by the railroad merits it! Having passed by before during lunchtime walks, I decided to try BBQ Cafe by ordering online for pickup but was able to enjoy my order in the courtyard dining area. Not wanting to make a mess, I chose the BBQ Bowl over the ribs or sandwiches. But in the strength of the pulled pork, I'll definitely give those a try on future visits. The pork was smoky and juicy while the slaw, potato salad, beans and pickles had zing, tang, and crunch without smothering the overall dish. The staff were wonderful and it was a shame I had to return to work. Sitting by the smoker, soaking in the music and aroma of charred hardwood was very enjoyable. I hope this place sticks around because downtown needs restaurants like this!

Sally K.

Yelp
We placed a large catering order with BBQ Cafe for our daughter's birthday and it was amazing! We chose the build your own sandwich option, which came with pulled pork, smoked sliced chicken thighs, slaw, pickles, BBQ sauce, house-made potato chips, and tons of rolls. And we also got a large platter of mac and cheese, which they agreed to make plain since it was for a kid's party. Everything was so delicious--our party guests were all remarking on how good everything was. It was a really pleasant experience working with Brad to arrange everything over email and he arrived right on time and delivered everything smoothly. Absolutely recommend! Will definitely use them again for future catering needs and we're excited to just stop by for a meal sometime!

Ahmad W.

Yelp
I got a brisket sandwich that comes with the house chips taste delicious. I got a sweet tea to go with it. I also got a slice of cornbread. First time visiting its in Decatur off off Trinity next right on Howard.

Barbara S.

Yelp
We really enjoyed our first takeout meal from BBQ Cafe. SUPER friendly people. I had a sample of their Brunswick stew while waiting for my order and it was absolutely on point - can't wait to try a whole bowl of it next time! A bit brothy, but the flavor was just perfect. The real standout was the loaded potato salad. I don't really like potato salad in general, but every so often I find one that is just delicious. Maddie's (RIP) had amazing potato salad, and this is very close to filling that niche in my life. Pulled pork was nice and lean - maybe could be a little smokier. Can't wait to go back and experience some more of their tasty food and friendly service!

Grace G.

Yelp
I was disappointed for the amount of money. The fried green tomatoes could have been larger for the cost and told that the sauce was hot hot hot. Coleslaw had no taste. The bbq was okay. Nothing to brag about. Yep this was my 1st visit and won't try again, but thanks for the experience.

David P.

Yelp
'Sip BBQ is MISSISSIN' the mark. Our family likes to start off with the basics + a side. If you can pull off the simple, we look to tastings your master courses. Well this little Cafe put more lipstick on the pig than actual flavor. Only one item had flavor, but it was so (spicy) HOT it blew the pallet. So the basic Pulled Pork Sandwich, should have crispy pickles, this had flaccid gherkins. Perhaps a sweet OR tangy slaw, this provided well shredded cabbage with balance of Mayo, salt and pepper that magically tastes like nothing. It was an opener. The PORK, while juicy sat upon a once fresh bun but you could tell it was at least 3days past its due and then toasted so the top was stale and the warmed part was like eating thin card stock. And the sauce, ketchup with some added vinegar is only going to get you so far. We gave you a star for the mini fried green tomatoes, but you must adjust the sauce. As cute as this Cafe de BBQ is .. maybe put more FOOT in the food than on the ladder. Not a spot I will return to soon.

Brian G.

Yelp
Smoky, tasty Memphis-style hole in the wall. And they still do an excellent Brunswick stew!

Gerard B.

Yelp
Excellent BBQ. Loved the loaded potato salad. Great for takeout as seating is limited to an outdoor picnic table.

Chris C.

Yelp
I don't know how this place isn't slammed 24/7. This is hands down the best barbecue I've had in GA. I've been several times and usually just get a pulled pork sandwich, but the ribs and chicken also killer. I've never had anything bad from here. The sides are also fantastic with a special shout-out to the beans and slaw. The chef is wonderful and makes everything from scratch, even his own hot sauce and ice cream which rotate. The atmosphere is great for a hot day sitting under the umbrellas with a local beer and plenty of napkins. Almost forgot about the pickles, but them by at least the pint. It still won't be enough.

Sarah L.

Yelp
Definitely going to be a great bbq spot as more people stop by! We live across the street and decided to try this spot out as we love some good cue. We got the plates which were generously portioned and included a dessert and drink. Most places have the same cost for a plate without dessert or drink so this place gives you bang for your buck. We ordered the brisket and ribs for our plate. The ribs were deeeelicious. I would 100% order them again. The brisket was tasty but I wish it was a little more tender - maybe it's just my opinion... it wasn't bad by any means just not as tender as I like. The sauce that came with the mains was a ketchup based sauce so if you're looking for vinegar or spicy maybe they'll be some more sauce options in the future. The potato salad was so good and I would probably just double up on it instead of ordering 2 different sides on the plate. The baked beans and corn salad were also really good. In the future my ideal plate would be a rib plate with 2 orders of potato salad. I would love for this place to have house made lemonade as a drink offering. Both the bread pudding and banana pudding were delicious. We reheated the bread pudding so it was more decadent. I'm so happy there is a bbq place near Decatur square.

J M.

Yelp
Very spartan BBQ shack but don't let that fool you. The building is so tiny you may miss it it without GPS. But if you've ever had BBQ in a small town in the south you'll recognize this place instantly. Parking can be an issue but the food is worth it. Seating is outside so be prepared -- it can get hot even in the shade. The trade off is you get the smell of the cooker for free. They also do to-go and generally BBQ travels better than other food categories so that may be your answer. Food is very good -- they do house potato chips instead of fries and they are also very good (and survive the drive home much better than fries).

Justin L.

Yelp
I'm so glad this place opened up so close to us. The food is incredible! The pricing is very good for such quality taste. Hopefully people find out about this place asap and keep it busy. It's a great addition to the decatur food scene. Ask Brad for some of his home made hot sauces. Yeeee

Maggie T.

Yelp
What a spot! This place was an absolute joy. The service was above and beyond and all employees were very friendly. We ordered the plates with brisket, pulled pork, corn salad, potato salad, and baked beans. It was a great balance and not too heavy. We even saved room for dessert - the banana pudding - which was very fresh and sweet. I've definitely found my go-to BBQ spot in Decatur and am already planning another trip back!

Shane H.

Yelp
This has become our go-to barbecue spot. Everything we've tried has been delicious, but two things really stand out to me. I buy their bread and butter pickles by the quart. I always want to have them in my fridge. And the ribs are outstanding. But you really can't go wrong here.

Maddy B.

Yelp
We were so sick of eating at home, and the pick-up counter at BBQ Cafe was such a breeze! Everyone is wearing masks and we only waited a few min outside for our order. We got the brisket to go and it was really delicious! Loads of flavor and the sauce- tangy and perfectly paired with the brisket. This is a Mississippi style BBQ joint and our first time trying these flavors has more than paid off! Our family doesn't eat pork, but the half chicken is amazing (sorry no pics!) and so is the brisket. One plate, which my mom and I shared, of BBQ and two sides came out to $15 bucks. That is a delicious deal! We will definitely be coming here again- for the smoked meats and the bread pudding which is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Robert B.

Yelp
I just got off the phone with peloton. My bike should be arriving this week. This will help off-set the weight I'll be putting on from this place. Bbq Cafe does bbq right. The ribs, pulled pork and brisket were outstanding. The rub and sauce (not needed but provided on the side) both had a great balance of flavor. The meats all had good smoke flavor, not too overpowering, but not too weak either and nothing was dry. My only knock is that they could have shaved just a little bit more fat off the brisket. Their loaded potato salad was a perfect side. To finish it off they throw in a desert if you order a plate. Went with the bread pudding which did not disappoint. I ordered online and my food was ready to go at the requested time and hot when I got it home. A great addition to the neighborhood!

Lori B.

Yelp
Stopped by on the recommendation of some friends. My meat-loving hubby really liked the pulled pork (smoked over pecan wood, apparently) and Miss. style sauce. The corn salad was tasty and not something I typically see at BBQ places. I wouldn't order the Brunswick Stew again, though - it was a little thin for my taste, had too much corn, and lacked lima beans and potatoes (so not really Brunswick Stew, IMHO.) Next time, I'll try the potato salad based on other reviews. Very easy ordering and pick-up. Serving sizes and price point = great value.

Cuedusters C.

Yelp
We showed up at 7:30, closing was at 8, and received awesome service and the best Brisket and potato salad I think I have ever had! People! Go there!!! Have fun and eat well!

Michael L.

Yelp
Gave this place a shot since I heard it recently opened (the old Las Brasas location). I loved the fact that when one walks up to the little shack, you're literally enveloped in smoke flavor. Took a stab at a panel of meats including the brisket, 1/2 chicken, pulled pork, and ribs (ordered takeout via toasttab on their website). All of them were executed competently in terms of having plenty of simple smoke flavor, and out of the 4 meats I was most satisfied with the pulled pork and the ribs. As for the brisket and chicken- both could have benefited from a bit more seasoning/rub/salt. The brisket rub on the outside was plenty tasty, but the middle of the meat was bland. The chicken looked like it was going to be killer- but then I found it slightly difficult to cut- it felt like it was on the soft side...the benefit is that the chicken wasn't overcooked...but I got a strange feeling that it was on the brink of being undercooked? I liked the slightly sweet rub on the ribs, and even though the meat was on the drier side, I enjoyed the chew- and cleaned off my bones. The pulled pork just tasted really balanced- enough smoke flavor- not overwhelming, and was seasoned just right. As for the bread pudding and banana pudding desserts...please get both. You won't regret it. So for a first try of the meats, this place was A-OK. Their desserts made me give them an extra star. :-)

Dave B.

Yelp
They sell brisket by the pound only and you have never seen a finer slice. It is a perfect smoke, the carmelized fat has more flavor than any single piece of meat deserves. It's edible with just a plastic fork it pulls apart perfectly. The sauce is good to great depending on your preferences but it doesn't rule the dish. It makes it better but not by much. I have not tried other items but I will. The brisket is the hardest and if you nail this, everything else should be top notch too. Photo below is 1/2 pound. Other 1/2 packed for tomorrow.

S D.

Yelp
I love this little restaurant that took over the Doggy Dogg spot in Decatur. It's the perfect place to enjoy the weather with a beer and BBQ. The banana pudding is great too but the bread pudding is divine. Oh, and the staff is lovely too!!

Bub I.

Yelp
Driven past this place a dozen times and finally tried it out after seeing the write-up in the AJC. It's dang good. Tried the pulled pork, baked beans and brunswick stew. The pulled pork was solid and I really enjoyed the bbq sauce. The brunswick stew is probably one of the best I've had in Atlanta (and I've had a lot of brunswick stew...). Great addition to the neighborhood. Can't wait to go back and try out the rest of the menu!

O W.

Yelp
I visited the BBQ Cafe during the "soft" opening with a limited menu. They give you a nice sized portion. I got the rib plate with two sides. The ribs were very tender but way too salty. Not sure if it was the marinade they used and this may be a one off. I am willing to try again to see if the ribs were just a bad batch.