Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q

Saucy, sweet, and meaty heaven!

Pros: Protein packed lunch

Cons: Food coma, hard to energize after a delicious heavy meal

Posted 12/14/09

Had a great time wtih co-workers as a first time visitor. Will be sure to go back.

Pros: Food and atmosphere

Cons: The View

Posted 12/14/09

We were recommended by many people as a place to not pass up on a trip out to Georgia. Great bbq, welcomed by a cow's head and open bbq. As the doors open, there is a best of citysearch plaque and as you dig in you will soon know why. I got the combo with ribs, pulled pork, pulled beef, grilled chicken, texas toast, and baked beans. Try the bbq sauce on the table, left feeling full but accomplished!

Pros: Great Ribs and Pulled Pork

Cons: None that I can think of

Posted 12/12/09

What is there to say? BEST BBQ IN TOWN!!! Better yet Best BBQ in the STATE!!! I have been a loyal patron for many years and the BBQ has only gotten better!

Pros: Always moist and tender!

Posted 05/11/09

Best BBQ in Town! I have traveled all over Georgia and I still have not found a BBQ joint that can compete with Williamson Bros BBQ! They really know how to BBQ!

Pros: They know their stuff!

Posted 05/07/09

I have traveled all over Georgia and everywhere I go I sample the local BBQ there and I must say with out a shadow of a doubt that Williamson Bro's is the best out there!!! I eaten at both locations and have never been disappointed. If you are a die hard fan of BBQ as I am or just want a sampling of Georgia's bests then you got to give Williamson Bro's a try!

Pros: Best BBQ in the State!!!

Cons: None

Posted 09/11/08

IF IT AIN'T PIG IT AIN'T BAR-B-QUE.... This is a statement of what is what! The pork is what makes this place great. Smoked and cured with a tasty sauce, stick with the chopped pork! Sliced, chopped, inside, outside or mixed it cannot be beat. Sides of stew, garlic bread, onion rings and baked beans make Williamson Bros one of the BEST in TOWN and THE BEST IN MARIETTA! The deserts are also very good and ample. Great food but don't look too close! There may be some cleanliness issues but they are wise to keep the light low and dark walls........

Pros: Really GOOD BBQ and Deserts...... Great Smells!

Cons: Is it clean?

Posted 11/02/07

This is our all time favorite BBQ place in Atlanta. We don?t eat at the restaurant much, but we do order a lot of to go food from there. We normally get the pound of pulled pork and a few sides. The pork is always great, and their sauce is amazing. My husband loves their onion rings and baked beans. I enjoy the macaroni and cheese, and chocolate pie. They always offer buns when you order to go, and it makes great leftovers. The ribs are also excellent, and the price is reasonable.

My office has finally caught on to their great BBQ and we often have them cater for us.

Pros: Great BBQ

Cons: They close pretty early

Posted 09/28/07

When you approach the restaurant it has all the apperances of a great BBQ joint. A rusti looking building with thick smokey aroma coming out of the chimney. As you walk in you see a large pit with juicy smoked pork butt sizzling in the wood burning pit. Unfortunately, thats where the magic ends. When the food comes out the meat is a little dry. I had the combo plate and I couldn't taste any smoke flavor in the meat. The BBQ sauce was o.k. but nothing to write home about. The chicken wasn't BBQ''d but cooked in an electric rotissere that's found in a grocery store. Overall, it was very disappointing. Their grilled steak was good though.

Pros: Steak is a tasty and good value

Cons: BBQ

Posted 09/21/07

I was raised in Valdosta Ga. and thought we had the best BBQ of all until we went to Williamson
Brothers, my friend Vick and I are PRO EATERS . Thank you CitySearch for sending us there. marty B USA

Pros: NO PROBLEMS GREAT FOOD

Cons: NOT THAT WE FOUND

Posted 07/14/07

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

Posted 06/29/07

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!

Posted 03/13/07

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

Posted 02/20/07

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

Posted 02/04/07

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.

Posted 01/21/07

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

Posted 01/19/07

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

Posted 12/18/06

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!!!

Posted 12/02/06

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

Posted 11/20/06

my quest for good barbecue in metro Atlanta continues...

disappointed, to say the least. Ribs had excessive fat on them, not enough meat. Sauce was watery & not very flavorful, and my pork sandwich had massive globs of fat in it -- wasn't pulled very well.

Posted 07/06/06

Anyone that knows Q will be dissappointed with the fatty low quality of Williamson's ribs. Not only is the meat quality lacking, the ribs are broiled. All and all I would have to say that this is without a doubt the worst BBQ I ever had, hands down! Even Southern California BBQ was better, and trust me they don't know Q like the south.

Posted 06/10/05

They didnt remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. The sides were not very good. The sauce is only O.K.

Posted 05/14/05

Hands down the best BBQ in the city. I read the other review about the service and I couldnt disagree more. My server was very kind and helpful as we had to wait about 45 minutes for another member of our party to arrive. They kept our drinks filled and they were prompt with our appetizers. Grade A service and A+ food.

Posted 03/25/05

The food had very good flavor, the only downside was that it was served luke warm. Someone besides our server delivered our food, and the order was not right. When we finally got our order correct, we never saw our server again. She never checked back to see how everything was, nor did she ever clear a plate. We finished our food and waited an additional 5-7 minutes for our server to return. She didn't, so we went to the counter to ask for our check.

Pros: Good parking, good taste, children friendly

Cons: bad service

Posted 03/04/05

I have heard people rave about this place, so i thought Id eat here for lunch.... It was crowded so I figured that had to be a good omen.... wrong. The barbecue pulled pork was dry. The sauce is good but you shouldn't have to douse your meat in it to make it tasty. And the sides.... the sides were really bad. They tasted like the sides you buy in large tubs at your local Kroger. Needless to say this place is waaaay over rated. I don't get it at all, but I don't know why Everyone Love's Raymond is the number one show either, so who am I to say. Drive to Pig-N-Chick in Sandy Springs, if you really want barbecue its worth it.

Pros: Close to my house

Cons: , Lousy sides, Crappy waiters

Posted 03/08/04

Very good BBQ, some of the best in Atlanta. Good BBQ chicken and ribs.

Pros: BBQ, parking, friendly wait staff

Posted 07/06/03

Horrible service, only average food, and OVERPriced! Slope's BBQ in Woodstock has this place beat hands down!

Cons: food quality, service, expensive

Posted 03/21/03

Wow, what can I say that hasn't been said before? If you don't like the "WB" you just don't like Southern BBQ. Great food, plenty of it, smoked right on the premises. I recommend the All You Can Eat, Outside Chopped, Rings and Slaw combination. You will leave there stuffed and satisfied with barely enought energy left to nap in your office. Service is run-of-the-mill and the ambiance is little better. Who cares? It's the food you want. If you want ambiance, go downtown.

Pros: Authentic BBQ, Terrific Value, Fresh

Cons: Kinda' Grimy, Average Service, Dark.

Posted 03/18/03

Anyone who rates this place low, clearly is does not know what they're talking about. From the Outside chopped Pork to the beans and slaw, this place is best anywhere hands down. They even have Port Nachos that are the mutts nutz. Go way out of your way to hit this place, its worth it. Marietta, Canton, and Douglasville.

Pros: Sauce/PorK, ALL YOU CAN EAT, EVERYDAY

Posted 03/07/03

I have enjoyed the food since the first day they opened. It is by far the best I have eaten. I have recommended it to many friends, which have not been disappointed.

Posted 01/09/03

I heard so much about Williamsons until I went to try it. The sauce is flavorless, the chicken was undercooked and the pork was mediocre at best.

Posted 01/09/03

Williamson Brothers has, in my opinion, the best barbecue in the Atlanta area. Excellent chopped pork, very little fat, available with or without sauce.

Also, these folks really know how to make Brunswick Stew. Totally awesome.

But I guess the thing that I like most is the fact that their products are consistent. I don't recall ever getting anything there that was not fresh or of good quality.

Been trying to get them to come to Rome, GA for years now!!

Pros: Consistent, Good Value, Good Quality

Posted 01/09/03

I's a great place to eat if you like BBQ.

Pros: great parking, great food, great service

Cons: small, a little dark

Posted 12/17/02

Williamson Bros. BBQ was recommended to me by a friend and I would recommend it to another 100 friends. The food and service was great, the portions were very good, although the sides were a little small. Overall a great value for the money.

Posted 12/16/02

THE SERVICE AND FOOD WERE OUTSTANDING ALONG WITH A COMFORTABLE PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE.I WOULD DEFINTELY RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT.

Pros: FOOD, SERVICE, VALUE

Posted 12/15/02

Williamson Brothers BBQ is great! The ribs are meaty. The brunswick stew is the best with whole pieces of pork and chicken not like most stews - ground up into mush! Great kid friendly place too! Especially if you have younger kids that don't eat BBQ. They have a special kids menu.....chicken fingers are great.

Posted 12/12/02

Great food. Good prices. Ambience is a bit shallow. Too many Republican mementos around like Newt Gingrich's autograph, etc.

Posted 12/06/02

The secret to Williamson Bros. pork is in that bottle of black peppercorn. Add that stuff and you've turned good meat into outstanding. Make sure you order some fried red tomatoes as well! The owners ensure you get excellent service.

Posted 12/04/02

Williamson when first arriving on the scene was wonderful. However, my past three experiences have been awful. The meat was of a lesser quality and there was no smoke flavor to speak of. Go to Dreamland.

Pros: Not Crowded

Cons: Bad food, Poor Service

Posted 11/23/02

The barbecue is outstanding and I must come to Williamson Bros Bar-B-Q at least every week or I will have withdrawl symptoms. The servers are always friendly and prompt with service. I recommend the lunch sandwich special. You get a large BBQ sandwich, a large drink of your choice, and a large side item for $5.55 (tax included). I also recommend the "all you can eat special", if you have a huge appetite. They will bring you as much BBQ pork, beef, chicken or combination of all three as you want. You also get unlimited side dishes. All that for $7.95 and you can not walk away hungry. On top of that, the hearty Williamson Bros barbecue sauce is the best I have ever had anywhere at any price! Williamson Bros will become a regular craving for you as it has for me and all my friends.

Pros: Fast Service, Great Food, Great Value

Cons: Atmosphere

Posted 10/26/02

Not good, service, flavor, below standard, I was not pleased.

Cons: service, flavor, security

Posted 10/26/02

I like Williamson Bro's BBQ. I enjoy taking intown visitors, it's a "southern" experience. The food is good, the service is great and the open pit with the meat over flames is certainly appetizing. It's VERY casual (wear your coveralls).

The ribs are good, the sauce is very sweet and peppery, the onion rings are huge and tasty, the cole slaw is typically southern sweet, the chicken is a little dry but good, the pork and beef are better sliced than chopped, the brunswick stew is sweetly seasoned with a lot of bbq sauce, but has a decent amount of pork and corn.

I don't want to go everyday, but there are some days when no other BBQ will do.

Posted 09/15/02