Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q

06/29/07

Bad BBQ anytime

by fredcone at Citysearch

Williamson Bros has absolutely the WORST BBQ in the Atlanta area. The pork is terrible, the chicken is terrible. The ribs are passible.

I have eaten in the restaurant only once (could not go back) and their catered food several times and it never gets any better. Very BAD!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Bad BBQ

03/13/07

Only Been Once, And That Was Enough! Resting On It's Reputation!

by jaymaygm at Citysearch

Yes we are BBQ snobs. And Atlanta is not Memphis, or K.C., but we do have some of the best BBQ Joints in the S.E. I went here a few weeks back while visiting a few elderly relatives, and this was the only place that wanted to go. Yes it was packed, noisy, and was not up to our Que Standards. The chopped BBQ Pork Sandwich was just mush, and I guess if you are of a certain age, it would be easy to swallow. Ribs were dry, but the worst part was the sauce. I've had better out of a bottle. Prices are right, but the Que is not!

• Pros: Below Average Que & Sauce!
• Cons: Below Average Que & Sauce!

02/20/07

Cheap & Yummy BBQ

by lalabunni at Citysearch

I went and had their Monday special -- steak with two sides for only 9.99. Awesome deal. I think they have a different daily special so I'll have to go back on different days to see. The meat was pretty good tasting and very cheap. I had it rare and it was so soft. I took it home and it still tasted great the next day after I nuked it. The onion strings that came with my steak were awesome! And I Ioved the mash potatoes and gravy too. The service was alright - our server was very nice even though we had to ask for the gravy that was supposed to come with the mash potatoes and even after we had to ask for it, it took a long time for it to get to us. Overall, I enjoyed it and it was definately a great value. Will go back for sure even though I only got 2 onion rings -- I kinda expected a little more onion ring than 2!

• Pros: Price, hours, service
• Cons: Not the best tasting food ever

02/04/07

Worst BBQ

by fallguyx55 at Citysearch

As a Southerner I find Williamson Bros a bit over rated. The meat from Beef to Pork to Bird is way to dry. There are times I like BBQ without sauce. Eating it without the sauce at this joint is like eating toletpaper (not that I would know that 1st hand but) Been doing my own at home for almost 35 yrs. There are better BBQ joints out there but you gotta go and find your own.

Pork Fat Rules

• Pros: I dont have to go there.
• Cons: Bad BBQ

01/21/07

Decent BBQ, but far from the best!

by rfleisher1 at Citysearch

I really trust citysearch's ratings. Typically I haven't been disappointed yet. But the best BBQ in Atlanta????? It was good, got a full-rack. Someone wrote in their review that they don't remove the membrane on the ribs. This is true, and they are fatty. That being said, they are not fall of the bone either. However they are delicious, just not the best! If you want the best BBQ in the Atlanta area, go to Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell-hands down the best!

• Pros: Good BBQ-just not the best.
• Cons: Sides left something to be desired.

01/19/07

Not worth the trip!!!!

by jmcdowell79 at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I enjoy eating out quite a bit, and often refer to Citysearch for recommendations. We have never been disappointed, until tonight. We are huge fans of Fat Matt's Rib Shack in Midtown and noticed that it placed 5th on the Best Barbeque list. Since Williamson Brothers was ranked as both the editorial and customer favorites, we couldn't wait to try it. We traveled from south of the airport to Marietta to find the "Best Barbeque" in Atlanta. We must have made a wrong turn somewhere along the way because we didn't find it at Williamson Brothers. First of all, the hostess was really dry and refused to look us in the eye when speaking to us. We started with an order of fried mushrooms. Although they were a bit dry, after drowning them in Ranch dressing, they were probably the highlight of the meal. Our ribs were brought to the table doused with half a bottle of super sweet sauce as if it was the chef's last dish effort to have something that was mediocre upon leaving the kitchen, somehow become slightly edible upon reaching the table. The ribs can be compared to thoste served at Atlanta chain restaurant Sonny's. They were flavorless, too tough, and lacked the smokiness found in great bbq. The baked beans were average in taste and were a bit too runny for me. If you prefer to surround yourself with a diverse group of people, this is not the place for you. Be prepared to watch the Fox News Channel and to see pictures of such "icons" as Newt Gingrich, Trent Lott, and Tom DeLay covering the walls. If you've never left Marietta, this barbeque is king, but if you are looking for the best barbeque in Altlanta, do yourself a favor and head on over to Fat Matt's Rib Shack in Midtown.

• Pros: Ample Parking, Big Menu for BBQ joint, Large Dining Room
• Cons: Barbeque, Service

12/18/06

Good cheap food

by redlorelei at Citysearch

Overall I was impressed with WB. Glad to finally find a place that's not a chain restuarant and I don't have to drive to Cheshire bridge to go to. I ordered the sample plate since this was my first visit there. It was excellent and the leftovers reheated up well the next day. I also had the potato skins with pork. They were ok. I have had better, but still good. All of the meat was falling off the bones, which for me is a good sign of BBQ.

• Pros: Lost of parking, good service
• Cons: tables are small

12/02/06

Yuk!

by jazzy1700 at Citysearch

I don't get it! Everybody talks how good it is. I've been twice, both times bad food. i went back just to make sure I wasn't missing something. The brunswick stew is like soup! Not Good at all. I ordered onion rings and receives two, yes two rings! And the Bar b que, Well, lets just say, i'd rather do Sonny's where it has some taste and choice of sauce. Maybe it's just a habit for most. Go out and fine some que. There is alot BETTER out there!!!!

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: Awful!!!

11/20/06

Love This Place

by kemeers at Citysearch

Maybe it's because I've been coming here for years, ever since I used to pick it for my birthday as a kid, but I love this place. They make my favorite brunswick stew and their bbq sauce is delicious and sold in stores. Some people I know aren't as crazy about this place but I'll always continue to go here until I'm disappointed. I don't think they're lacking in customers b/c every time I'm there it's packed, even lunch time.

• Pros: Great BBQ, Brunswick Stew, Quick Service
• Cons: Busy

07/26/06

Suburban barbecue comes with expected side of country charm.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Faux-rustic decor and a Marietta strip-mall location uphold Williamson Brothers' family-friendly chain restaurant appeal. Diners congregate in the spacious main room or in cushioned wooden booths decorated with ranch-life memorabilia. A vintage Coke machine and soft country music complement the old-fashioned approach. The wait staff is both friendly and efficient.

The Food
Laminated menus feature such standard fare as burgers and chicken tenders, but it's the Alabama-style barbecue that pays the bills. Pork ribs, a bit more fatty than the norm, are the main attraction, slathered in the restaurant's signature sweet, smoky barbecue sauce. Barbecued chicken relies heavily on the sauce for flavor. A diverse combo platter, which lets you sample ribs and chicken, girded by tasty pulled pork and beef, is the best bet. Sides don't stack up to the entrees: crinkly fries and onion rings are bland and the Brunswick stew is too sweet.