Smokejack BBQ (Alpharetta, GA)

29 South Main Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009
770-410-7611
www.smokejackbbq.com

Smokejack BBQ is a cool little place in old downtown Alpharetta. I'm not sure where modern-upscale fits in the world of BBQ, but that's the best way to describe it. If dive BBQ joints are your thing, then I would definitely suggest going elsewhere. I've actually eaten here a couple times and never been too impressed, but who knew...maybe this time would be exceptionally different.

We ordered some fried pickles to start and split a three meat combo. None of the food here comes cheap. The "Mojo Combo" sets you back right under $18. We picked the pulled pork, brisket, and turkey for our meats. For the sides, we opted for baked beans and coleslaw. Smokejack does have some interesting sauces here though including a white Alabama-style sauce, a Carolina mustard sauce, a KC style sauce, and their Pasilla sauce which left the worst aftertaste in my mouth...maybe hints of cinnamon? Your best bet is probably the KC sauce.     

The brisket was a crumbly mess. Not much flavor here and fell apart when you picked it up. Strike one.

The turkey was more grilled than smoked. It even had the grill marks on it. I was looking forward to some good smoked turkey on this chilly day, and this was way off the mark. Even the texture was rubbery. Strike two.

The last meat that just might offer up some BBQ redemption was the pulled pork. After all, Georgia LOVES pulled pork done right. Unfortunately, this came up short as well. There wasn't a lot of flavor here and was kind of just a mushy, microwave-tasting mess. Strike three for Smokejack. There might be a crowd for this "upscale" BBQ, but I'm currently not part of it. The sides didn't do much for this below-average meal either.

This $18 dollar meal wasn't worth half the price. I hate seeing establishments charge top dollar for bottom shelf goods. I'd like to see Smokejack take a little more pride in their BBQ, but unfortunately I probably won't be back to see.

Slope's BBQ (Alpharetta, GA)

5865 Gateway Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30004
www.slopesbbq.com

Slope's BBQ has been around the North Atlanta BBQ scene for almost twenty years now. I've seen multiple locations, but have honestly never tried any of them. Today would be my first. My buddy Clay would join me for this Georgia Barbecue Hunt tour stop.

We arrived during lunch time and after much consideration I ordered the combo plate. After speaking with the gentleman at the counter who assured me that all their meat is slow-cooked using hickory wood, the chicken, spare rib, and pulled pork plate seemed like my best bet. I went with the mac 'n' cheese and baked beans as my sides. This BBQ sampler included a drink but still set me back $16. Clay's on a budget so he went with their pulled pork sandwich special with fried okra and green beans on the side. Dave Ramsey would've been proud. 

Subway (Alpharetta, GA)

3655 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30005
770-569-4955
www.subwayfreshbuzz.com

tub life

There's been a lot of buzz recently regarding Subway's new limited time pulled pork sandwich. Would it be surprisingly delicious...or expectedly awful? We decided to be brave and put the questions to rest on this beautiful Friday afternoon. I arrived at Subway during their lunch rush with the PGA championship right down the road. No smoke. No visible BBQ pits. I'm guessing they keep them in the back and must've already smoked today's meat. I got in line...I waited. Finally it was my turn. I had a date with destiny...and my bilingual "sandwich artist." I went big. Twelve inches of pulled pork on white bread topped with onions and pickles; pulled pork or "cold pork scooped out of a tub with an ice cream scooper"...either one really. I toasted it. I topped it with BBQ sauce. I paid for it and later, I'd probably be paying for it again. I opened up my tightly wrapped, pork-filled low expectation. This is what I found: