A Georgia barbecue stew of pulled pork, chicken, tomatoes, corn and lima beans, slow-simmered. Served alongside barbecue plates as the canonical side.
Where to eat it: 6 restaurants across 2 cities.
Brunswick stew's origin is debated between Brunswick, Georgia (where a 1898 pot at the St Simons Island commemoration is celebrated) and Brunswick County, Virginia. The Georgia version is sweeter and tomato-led; Virginia's is leaner. Atlanta barbecue rooms like Fox Bros and Heirloom Market all run Brunswick stew alongside their pulled pork. The dish is the canonical side, not a starter; portion sizes scale with the plate.
Common allergens: None typical
Tip from the editors. Use leftover barbecue pork for the smoke flavour. Brunswick stew thickens overnight; add stock when reheating.
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta has run Texas-style smoked brisket and pork since 2007. Located in Candler Park. Kitchen leans texas-style bbq.
Signature: Brisket, Texas-fries, Brunswick stew
Order: Sliced brisket plate with Brunswick stew and a side.
Tip: Counter ordering; the Beltline-adjacent patio runs dog-friendly. Closed Mondays.
Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta merges Korean and Southern BBQ since 2010: gochujang-marinated pulled pork, brisket and the Korean pork sandwich on a steamed.
Signature: Korean pork sandwich, Spicy Korean pork, Brisket
Order: The Spicy Korean Pork sandwich; the brisket Brunswick stew is the secondary play.
Tip: Cash and card. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Get there early; the brisket runs out by 14:00 most weekends.
Community Q BBQ in Decatur, Atlanta runs Southern-style smoked pork, brisket and ribs since 2010 with mac and cheese that became a local cult side.
Signature: Pulled pork, Mac and cheese, Brunswick stew
Order: Pulled pork plate with mac and cheese and Brunswick stew.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card. Family meals scale to feed six and travel well.
Mama J's Sunday brunch in Jackson Ward serves soul food at the family-table volume. Velma Johnson's kitchen pours sweet tea, runs the standard plate.
Order: Fried chicken and waffle with sweet tea.
Tip: Sunday morning is the family-dinner crowd; Saturday afternoon is the easier seat.
The Roosevelt in Church Hill opens for Sunday brunch under chef Leah Branch, 2026 James Beard semifinalist. Southern cuisine, biscuits, deep menu.
Order: Country ham biscuit with gravy.
Tip: Book the 11 am Sunday slot; the Roosevelt also runs an extended brunch sit-down upstairs.
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. Broad Street counter is easy to miss.
Order: Box lunch.
Why locals love it: Sally Bell's has sold the same box lunch since 1924, and most visitors miss the unmarked side counter near West Broad. A century of Richmond box-lunch history.
Tip: Call ahead; the deviled-egg-and-cheese-wafer box is the local-Saturday standard.
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