Atlanta Restaurants

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

#3 of 63 things to do in Atlanta

#159 of 19972 things to do in USA

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: BBQ, BBQ pork ribs, Ribs, atmosphere, food

  • Address
    • 1811 Piedmont Ave NE
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 404-607-1622
  • Price
    • sandwiches from $3.95
  • Hours
    • 11:30am-11:30pm Mon-Fri, to 12:30am Sat, 1-11:30pm Sun

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Lonely Planet review for Fat Matt's Rib Shack

Fat Matt's is a shrine to two great Southern traditions: barbecue and the blues. Take special note of the Brunswick stew, a delicious side dish best described as barbecue soup.

 

Traveller reviews for Fat Matt's Rib Shack (2)

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    THIS is Southern BBQ

    smcnealy recommends this,

    This is the place for pork ribs. People debate the best BBQ in Atlanta, but the other contender is beef ribs (see Fox Bros if beef ribs is your thing). When you get there, the line will probably be spilling out the door into the small parking lot. Do not be deterred! Get in line, it moves pretty quick. So get the ribs, and beans or stew as a side. It's cramped and small inside. Blues music some nights that's pretty loud. You'll make a mess. It's great.

    Good for: BBQ, BBQ pork ribs, Ribs

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    Blues and BBQ! What more could you ask for?

    strawberry731 recommends this,

    For a real taste of the South, Fat Matt's Rib Shack is the place to go (not to be confused with Fat Matt's Chicken Shack next door, though almost equally as good). You can't get more quintessential Southern than blues and barbeque and this dive-quese is an Atlanta institution. There is no better barbeque in the city, or well anywhere.

    The place is small and always packed, there will be a line out the door, good thing it doesn't actally get cold in Atlanta in winter, summer is another story. It is worth the wait. Make sure to use your time in line wisely and know exactly what you are getting when you get to the counter. They have their own, whom we lovingly refer to as the Barbeque Nazi (a la Seinfeld's Soup Nazi). This is not a woman you want to anger, though everyone is wise enough not to.

    The menu is short, but what more do you really need than pulled pork, ribs, and chicken in a BBQ place? It can be tough to find a table, but they turn over pretty quickly and why not make new friends. Food comes out quickly and is worth every second of the wait. The sauce is divine, you will be licking your paper plate clean to get every last drop. Definitely worth getting a jar to take home with you.

    If that isn't enough, they have live blues nightly. So, grab a sandwich, a cup of Brunswick stew, and a beer and be prepared to get messy!

    Good for: atmosphere, food, Solo Travellers, service

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