Jim’s Smokin’ Que – TripAdvisor’s #6 Best BBQ Spot

R2Egg2Q

  Tripadvisor recently published their “Top 10 Best BBQ Spots in America” list and on their list at #6 was Jim’s Smokin’ Que in Blairsville, GA.  We recently vacationed in the North GA mountains and made a trip out to Blairsville to give Jim’s a try.  It was a Thursday and we arrived just before Noon and found a decent sized parking space with spaces for motorcycles out front and a parking overflow area next door.   Their primary smoker is to the left side of the restaurant behind this wall and next to an abundant wood pile. The backside of the smoking area along with what appears to be their old (and perhaps backup) smoker.  I didn’t ask to take a pic of the “Conger” smoker (manufactured by Cadillac Smokers) as they were busy with the lunch crowd and prepping for the arrival of a news crew from Atlanta.   If you really want to see what the smoker looks like you can see a picture of it on their website:   http://jimssmokinque.com/  The smoker is behind the owners in the picture. It looks similar to the Model 4872 Rotisserie Smoker on the Cadillac Cookers site (http://www.cadillaccookers.com/products-page/smokers-on-trailers/model-4872-rotisserie-smoker) except theirs uses a 54” drum x 72”. The line was out the door but it wasn’t too long (we waited probably 15 minutes before we could order). While waiting in line, you can’t help but read this sign on the front of the restaurant:    Once inside you get to see a nice clean restaurant that looks to be only a couple of years old.     Pulled pork sandwich with baked beans and potato salad for sides.   Full rack of baby back ribs and Brunswick stew and peanut butter pie for sides. As we were ordering, we mentioned that we saw they had ranked #6 and the cashier said “Yes, and now Channel 5 is coming here today.” Sure enough, as we were finishing lunch, Buck Lanford from the Fox 5 Atlanta news team arrived and the cameraman quickly got set up. I didn’t realize that he was actually filming at the time I took his picture.  If you watch the BBQ with Buck video found here:   http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/25650776/bbq-with-buck-jims-smokin-que you’ll see me at the 1:03 mark on the left side of the dining area holding my camera looking like a tourist.  Well, ok, I was a tourist. In the video interview they say they’re really known for their ribs.  Personally, I would have liked the ribs to be cooked just a little longer as the meat didn’t come off the bone very cleanly.  We found the seasoning/bark to be a little lacking but I suppose if you really just wanted the natural flavor of the pork to be prevalent then that’s what they gave you.  For my tastes, the ribs needed some sauce.  Their sauce was good and I came home with a couple of flavors. The pulled pork sandwich was pretty good but not the juiciest I’ve had (or made).  I would rank the sides we had in the following order: Brunswick stew, potato salad, baked beans, peanut butter pie.  Overall their prices were reasonable for the quality & quantity served.  So do I think it was deserving of a #6 ranking?  No, I don’t.  I would think that if a BBQ spot is in the top 10 in the country they should serve something that really stands out as remarkable.  If I rate them on TripAdvisor, I’ll give them 4 out of 5 stars.  Good food, good value, nice venue, nice folks, and if you’re in the area or passing by, worth a visit.

 

  

SmokeyPitt

Great write up- thanks for that.  I am in GA so I will put this on my list.  Even though it sounds like they may be a tad overrated it looks like a great spot. 

R2Egg2Q sighting?

R2Egg2Q

@smokeypitt - yup, that's me. Keep in mind they're only open Thurs-Sat.

Bearlodge

I am so Hungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SmokeyPitt

R2Egg2Q said:

@smokeypitt - yup, that's me. Keep in mind they're only open Thurs-Sat.

Thanks for letting me know.  I'm would have probably driven 2 hours on a Sunday! 

danv23

This place should be #6.  The brisket was absolutely amazing and the pork but was almost there, but with the egg, I'm a snob on pork butt.  I am not a fan of the sauces, but saw no reason to use them.

http://www.heirloommarketbbq.com/