Fat Matt's Rib Shack

A place to spend on good old barbeque, beer and good music.

Had a couple ones i was going to give to the musician performing at lunch, guy who was checking on us and refilling our drink/clearing after us nearly picked it up, saw the money and thanked meand i said, 'this is for the musican, don't worry i tipped you when i paid', he said that they didn't get the tips, so be sure if you tip to tip cash!!!

Pros: love the bbq sandwich

Cons: can be crowded

Though not re-inventing the wheel when it comes to the food, the main draw of Fat Matt's is the live blues music played nightly. Most dates on the calendar are filled with authentic pickers, young and old. Super-sweet tea washes down pulled pork sandwiches, crispy-charred rib plates, and cups of brunswick stew. Served with disposable plates and cutlery, you get the feeling you aren't in the heart of Atlanta, rather some rib joint parked in Anytown, U.S.A. - and I mean that as a compliment. Pictures adorn the walls of past guests and local legends who have graced the room. Be careful when parking to find an approved spot, as many neighboring businesses will tow.

Pros: Great Place To See Some Blues

Cons: It's tiny

been many times over the years at friends' insistence. Very inconsistent fatty boiled ribs. One day good, the next day awful. Love the sauce however. One more thing...very loud and uncomfortable if band is playing. Don't know why all the hipsters love this place so much.

Pros: good sauce

The ribs are highly over-rated. They're parboiled and taste of liquid smoke. The chop and the stew are very good, however, and the service is always great. The live bands are usually awesome as well.

Pros: Brunswick Stew, Good Service and Music

Cons: Mediocre Ribs

This is for sure a joint. Inside though you will find the best ribs in Atlanta and the rest of the menu isn't too shabby either. Don't forget the baked beans. The atmosphere is usually loud with an Atlanta local band trying its thing and the sound of people inside on a busy night can be deafening. The food is amazing. Get it to go if you have to, but get it to go. Next door you'll find the fish and chicken shack and while the atmosphere is not so hot, the food is just as good.

Fat Matt?s isn't fancy. From the street it looks like a dive. Inside you will find out why folks will line up to get in and travel from near and far to dine at Fat Matt?s. On a 1 to 10 scale my ratings would be as follows:
Ribs 10, Chicken 8, Pulled Pork 8, BBQ Sauce 8.5, Mac & Cheese 10 (Superb ... it was gone in a flash.. some of the best Mac and Cheese I have ever tasted), Sweet Potato casserole/souffle 10, Baked Beans 9, Ice Tea 10, BBQ Sauce 8.5. We tried a little of everything... If I was doing it again I would skip the chicken. The Ribs are fall of the bone tender and the full portion is huge. If you love BBQ, Fat Matt?s is a required stop while in Atlanta.

Pros: Ribs, Mac & Cheese

Cons: None

Smallish hole-in-the-wall ribs joint. The meat on the ribs is tender/juicy and, as advertised, does fall right of the the bones. Free live band playing the blues is a bonus, but it does get loud/noisy (if blues isn't one's type of music). Food is inexpensive. Staff is friendly. And, they do accept credit cards.

we bring all of our guests from out of town to Fatt Matts and they usually take a few bottles of sauce home with them. i tried daddy d'z and saw a huge r a t run inside while we were eating. there's just no comparison...
fatt matt's is where its at!
and the hushpuppies at the chicken shack are awesome too.

Excellent restaurant for a night out with some friends. Very social atmosphere, quality employees and service. Barbecue sauce is a little tangy but great. Ribs fall of the bone. When getting sides, definitely get the Rum Baked Beans.

Pros: BBQ, Atmosphere, Price

Cons: Parking

I made the cab trip based upon a recommendation from a bellman. The ribs were pretty good, but they were roasted and then grilled. I prefer slow smoked ribs, but I would eat here again if in the area. I liked the sauce and bought a bottle to take home. The rum beans were good - had a little kick in them.

Pros: Ribs, friendly staff

Cons: Roasted - not smoked

I read some of these review, and almost did not go....that would have been a mistake. Fatt Matt's is fabulous. All of you folks that come on this website and dis Fatt Matt's because it is not KC or Texas or Carlolina need to wake up and smell the cappucino. Make no mistake, this is Georgia, and we like Georgia BBQ. The ribs are huge, meaty, and succulent. Yes, the sauce is very vinagery, but this is a good think. I would eat my own toe if it were covered in Fatt Matt's sauce.

Whenever I travel, I like to eat where the locals eat. I am also a huge fan of BBQ, ribs especially. Went to Fat Matts on a citysearch recommendation. My husband and I had two servings of ribs and one pulled pork sandwich along with a side of cole slaw and a pitcher of Red Hook IPA. The ribs were excellent as well as the pulled pork sandwich and their beer selection was really great. I wasn't too crazy about the woman who took my order at the counter, she seemed a little annoyed at my rib enthusiasm, maybe she was having a bad day. The rest of the service was great from the meal delivery down to the table clean up. Kind and full of that good old southern hospitality. If you are looking to eat great BBQ with great brew at ridiculously low prices, I highly suggest Fat Matts!!!!

Pros: Total blues rib joint

Cons: If you're looking for privacy, this is definitly not the place

Contrary to quite a few reviews, the staff was friendly (maybe because they knew we were from out of town) and the food was better than average. I had the combo (chicken and ribs) and my guest had a half slab of ribs. For the price the food was better than average. I found the ribs to be a little on the fatty side, but they had good flavor. My rum baked beans and the potato salad were better than average. There was live blues that night and the owner/manager got up and sang. Considering it was free entertainment it was good. One of the cons was that it was slightly crowded but what decent place to eat isn't? It's also located about a mile from the closest MARTA station and it's easy to get there from the station. If I had another day in Atlanta, I would have gone back.

Pros: Central location, Good Value

Cons: Slightly busy

This place is just terrible. We have tried it a few times over the years. Yes it stays packed. Yes it is centrally located, easy for everyone to get to, and is full of so-called jazz fans, who don't want to spend any money. But honestly, the ribls are boiled until done. Not par boiled/cooked, but boiled until done. When you place an order, they throw the boiled ribs on the grill, slather that terrible sauce on them, and brown them. End of story. And the rum beans. Straight out of the can, with rum flavoring added. And the place is just a mess, and down right greasy. If you want the real thing, head over to the Daddy's place on Memorial Dr., or up to Roswell to the Swallow Bird!

Pros: It's Centrally Located!

Cons: Boiled Ribs, Not BBQ! Terrible Sauce & Service!

I absolutely love the ribs at Fat Matt's!!! They are, hands down, the most tender, flavorful ribs I have ever had. What I enjoy most about Fat Matt's ribs is that they aren't drowning in sauce which proves that someone knows what they're doing. The ribs would be wonderful without a single drop of sauce. They are served with bread that is always soft and ready for dipping. And don't forget to grab a side of the Rum Baked beans. They, too, are great!! The music is great and the customers are some of the nicest around. Sounds strange, but on almost every trip to Fat Matt's, I've made a new buddy. As Rachael Ray, who featured Fat Matt's on her show $40 A Day, would say, Yumm-O!!!!!!

Pros: Food, Friendly Customers, Blues

I?m actually writing this review on behalf of my parents who were visiting me in Atlanta and decided to venture out to find some BBQ based on recommendations from various sources. Since they are two of the best cooks I know, I?m going to take their word for it. They came back to my apartment and said one word?nasty. Actually they called me before they had even left Matt?s to tell me how awful it was. They said the meat seemed to have been boiled or steamed without seasoning and then heated on a gas grill. The sauce had too much vinegar and was overwhelmingly acidic. It needed more balance. The mediocre entertainment held much more appeal than the food. My parents are from the school of thought that says if the meat can?t stand on it?s own without sauce, then it?s just not good barbeque. Since I agree, I think I?ll save myself the trip.

Pros: Parking

Cons: Food

The ribs are tender, the chicken is juicy and the sandwiches are perfect. Add nightly live blues and a good selection of beer to that and you get the picture why this place would be jam-packed at twice its size. For a night of great BBQ and blues, there is no other place in town.

Pros: Great bbq, rockin blues

Cons: Little parking, fills up quickly

It's really no contest as to which restaurant serves the best BBQ ribs. It's almost beyond belief how good the ribs taste. Don't forget the Rum BBQ Beans which are amazing.

Pros: Easily the best ribs in town

Cons: Long lines and very little parking

I am a unaffiliated traveling salesman that loves BBQ and loves BBQ Ribs. I have pretty much stop eating ribs out as they are always disappointing. Everywhere I travel people tell me about the local Rib joint and usually it is either the closest to the hotel, a chain or both.

Anyway, Fat Matts was fun. The meat was not the leanest I ever had but it was good, tender (probably due to boiling) and filling. Bottom line it was a fun night of the blues and BBQ.

I would suggest it to others. It definately beats those spots that paid a design to make things look rustic and real.

Pros: Good food, good price and real place...not platic

Cons: little parking, small locations

It's not KC BBQ.... It's not even Texas BBQ.... It's ok, but the sauce needs work. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but if I'm in the area, and in the mood for BBQ, I might stay for the Blues if there's room.

Pros: the blues

Cons: the food & the sauce

Enjoyed the BBQ & its' sides. Seating was comfortable, my son enjoyed it!

I have lived in Atlanta now for 12 years by way of Chicago and find Fat Matt's to be one of the best placed in Atlanta for "Q". No they do not compare to most chicago Rib places or even some in Texas that I have had. but if you are in atlanta and crave good bar-b-q at a non-commercial place...this is it! The Ribs slide off the bone, the fries are excellent and next door at Fat's Chicken shack you can get great chicken nuggets and fish. It may not be home, but it's worth the visit. Just leave your snooty expectations at home and enjoy a successful restaurant that hasn't changed their formula...and hopefully never will.

Pros: Character, Never dull, Good food/Good people

Cons: Don't take any cards

... and you will not be disappointed. Best ribs in Atlanta, as is the Brunswick Stew. All of the barbecue is good, the the ribs really stand out. My only complaint: no steak fries.

Over the past 18 years I travelled quite a bit to Atlanta as a consultant. I believe a native Atlantan introduced me to the place when I first started to work down there.
Virtually every chance I've had since then, would result in my eating at Fat Matts. If ambience is your thing, don't go. If great barbeque is what you want, go there. Yes, at times they can be slow, and the place can be noisy, but Ive' eaten in 4 star restaurants that sufferred the same problem and at times, the food wasn't good either. Of all the barbeque places I've ever eaten at they are the best. If you want good food, and a fun time with friends, thats the place to go.

Pros: great barbeque, down home atmosphere, pleasent people

Cons: noise, small size, parking

hands down....this is as good as it gets for ribs. they fall right off the bone. I've had plenty of people tell me other places have better ribs....I've tried most, if not all, of them, and I still stand by my statement. You want the best ribs in Atlanta....you go to Fat Matt's. Period.

Ribs are typically overdone - we have tried quite a few times because it is ranked high, but never have had juicy or tender ribs there - mostly burnt and tough

Fat Matt's opened roughly 12 years ago. When it opened it was the best place for ribs. The ribs were/are boiled and somewhat fatty. But that's FM. They never set out to be authentic, or Texan, or anything but their own. I never left disappointed. Their ribs were and still are tender and delicious. I had been to many places in and around Atlanta and I always went back to FM because I prefer tender ribs, not the tree bark ribs I've had at "authentic" bbq places. Nevertheless, by the time I left Atlanta (1995) some of the cons began to emerge: inconsistent quality in the food, large crowds, long lines, etc. which is too bad for FM and barbecue lovers. I go to FM every time I visit, and despite their shortcomings, they still have the best bbq around.

Pros: Delicious ribs, decent price

Cons: , Small establishment

THIS PLACE IS SIMPLY THE BEST PLACE FOR BBQ ANYWHERE!!! WE LIKE IT SO MUCH IN FACT WE DROVE UP FROM ORLANDO LAST YEAR JUST FOR LUNCH AND ARE HAVING SOME FRIENDS PICK UP A TRUCK LOAD OF FOOD FOR A BIG SUMMER PARTY DOWN HERE IN THE OL' SUNSHINE STATE!!! WE LOVE FAT MATTS!!!! MMMMM GOOD!

Pros: food, atmosphere, price

Just recently went to th Talladega race and stayed in Atlanta. I looked up a BBQ place on this site and chose FAT MATT'S. What a treat! The ribs were the best I have ever had! Ended up eating 2 slabs and a combo plate with chicken that was also good! The beans were very good with the hint of rum. The service is very fast and I wobbled out with a big smile!

Pros: Food, Price, People

Cons: , Small

As a veteran of the barbecue-blues wars in Atlanta, I have to disagree with your review of Matt's. The ribs are ok at best, the ambience loud, abraisive and obnoxious and if you don't get there early, don't expect to sit down. the prices are high for the quality of the food and the drinks a bit on the watery side. However, you can see local blues heroes like Sandra Hall and Houserocker Johnson there on rare occaissions.

Pros: No cover, open mic nights

Cons: Crowded, bad parking, expensive

Great Ribs, great brunswick stew, but the copped pork sandwich and the baked beans are the best in Atlanta and I have tried them all.

Been a few years since I wolfed down some BBQ at Fat Matt's but I remember the great taste even to this day! We actually had to wait a good long time to receive our order but it was well worth it. In fact, we sat and listened to the blues band playing while we waited for our food, and had a couple beers, to boot! Will definitely go there on my vacation to Atlanta this summer.

Dave from Korea

Pros: Great Ribs, Great Chicken, Great Attitude

Cons: Long Wait, Need More Seating

Keep looking if you are looking for good barbeque. Fatt Matt's is not the place! Coming from Texas I was looking for a place that would serve good smoked meats and was highly disappointed.

This place truly is a shack. After waiting for 30 minutes for our food and asking a waiter twice to check on our order it turns out they lost the order and we didn't get our food. Plus there's hardly any seating.

An extreme disappointment.

Pros: live jazz

Cons: awful service

This place gets by mainly on its reputation. The food is good, but not the best BBQ in Atlanta. That title has to belong to Daddy D's or Swallow at the Hollow. Fat Matt's, however, is very convenient and the prices are good.

Super Bowl was a disaster, the idiot who answered the phone for rib orders did not know the weight, price or zilch....take it or leave it attitude!

Pros: good peanuts, good cokes

Cons: bad service, awful parking

is really not great BBQ. Have had much better in a backyard

If you know nothing about barbecue, you might think Fat Matt's is good. Sure, it's hip, swanky, and the "in" place, but the food is ok at best. You want real barbecue you need to travel outside the fence. Southern Pit, just north of Griffin, is the best I've had in the northern half of Georgia, and I've been around for barbecue. The folks who rated FM the best just don't like to go OTP, so they're willing to settle.

Pros: reasonably priced, great atmosphere

Cons: ribs are tough, fatty, too little parking

Fat Matt's is the place to be. Food is great. Music is fine. Nice to have a touch of country in the heart of the city.

Pros: reasonable, good size portions

babeque wasn't that great, very overrated. much better places in atlanta