Fat Matt's is an Atlanta and American classic. It's one of the longest running barbecue places in Atlanta and pork ribs are the order of the day.You can get chicken too.They've sandwiches, plates, and all the Barbecue sides.There's often blues music as well.Gluten free and vegans might choose somewhere else.The best part is that the sauce has just the right kick.Come hungry, leave stuffed.
I haven’t had Fat Matt’s in years, however, I was in the mood for some good BBQ!As we arrived, I knew I made the right decision because the parking lot was loaded. Once we found parking we proceeded inside. One thing to note, everything is al-a-carte. Nothing comes in a traditional “combo!”I decided to get a ½ Slab or Ribs with a Sweet Tea. Oh my gosh! The ribs were so pretty that you could taste them with your eyes before you even took a bite. They come with the sauce on them as well as a cup of sauce on the side. This is perfect because there is just enough sauce on them to enhance the experience, and with the sauce on the side you can dip to your liking. The ribs are smoked to perfection and have a flavor palate that allows the natural pork flavor to shine and the traditional smokiness to take you on a soul-warming journey.The ½ Slab was perfect for my hunger along with the classic white bread. I felt like my grandfather had made me some ribs. This was truly a mouth-mesmerizing experience.Whether you want chicken or ribs, you must give this establishment a try. I’ll be back for my Rib Fix (next week ??????)Overall:Experience- 9/10Service- 10/10Food- 10/10
Hands down the best BBQ I've ever had. I don't eat pork so went with the chicken and it was juicy and cooked perfectly. The meat came with several slices of Wonder bread which added to the charm. The BBQ sauce was the perfect combo of sweet and tangy and you can buy a bottle to take home. Only reason I opted out was because I was traveling by plane and didn't want to have to check-in my bag.Got Mac and cheese in addition to colesaw which were both good, the Mac and cheese especially. Prices were a little above what I expected initially but upon getting my food, I found that the price is fair given the portions and the quality. The building was small but this added to its charm. There are a few tables outside as well. All the staff was super friendly and I will definitely return if I'm ever in the area again. HIGHLY recommend!
I was debating if I should give a 3 or 4, please give the ability to give 3.5?. So here is why... Full slab ribs no doubt is awesome, meat is so tender and not completely falling apart and is soaked with flavor, you don't have to dip the sauce but I love the sauce too. I didn't like the white bread ? that came with it, where is my corn bread . And the sides were also not that impressive, the mac and cheese ? really disappointed me, is like the cheese sauce weren't mixed well, very grainy to me. The baked beans also a bit underwhelming. But still worth coming for just the ribs!
The best ribs ever!!! And that is saying a lot because I’m from Texas and BBQ is a religion to us.
The Food Is Good But I Think Its Overrated They Dont Serve Brisket And They Dont Toast Bread And Sides Could Be Better.
I don't know the history of this place but I can assume it used to be amazing. Today it was not, the ribs were boiled or steamed and tender as a result. Not a single smoke ring could be found. They grill them and sauce them but you can't hide the grey soft flavorless rib meat. I am giving them 3 stars because I don't want to lower their rating too much in the hopes they read this and other reviews and they get back on track. Please put some love into your food again! The short term Gain is not worth the long term damage to your reputation and eventual Closure.
My husband and I drove from Savannah to Atlanta (05/21/2022) Saturday to celebrate our (32nd) wedding anniversary the next day. Our very first stop was to have lunch at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. We excitedly remembered from the past that the food was absolutely delicious therefore, before driving on (40) minutes to Lithonia to our hotel. We wanted to eat there so we didn’t really mind driving out of the way to get some ribs and trimmings. As previously mentioned we’ve frequented Fat Matt’s Rib Shack for many years and each time we never experienced what turned out to be an utter nightmare on the 21st. If they were just launching their restaurant business they’d surely be out of business before the first customers got out of the door. To say the least, we fought traffic in Atlanta to get there and ended up with a bag full of hog slop. To begin painting the picture for you our food was put in a greasy bag. The (2) slices of bread was underneath the BBQ soaked in barbecue sauce (HORRIBLE). Both my husband and I ordered a 1/2 slab of ribs each. The ribs were wrapped in white paper similar to the paper that you’d buy raw meat from the meat market in. We bought (2) potato pies, that wasn’t cooked well. It was as though the pie mixture was uncooked on raw dough. The crust wasn’t even browned. We also ordered macaroni and cheese along with supposedly baked beans that looked as though they were regular pork and beans from the can. The best part of the entire meal was the lemonade. Inasmuch as, our bill cost a whopping $61.00 after my husband and I ate about two pieces from both slabs of ribs, ultimately we threw all of the food in the trash. The money wasn’t worth consuming that garbage into our stomachs. I couldn’t fathom why Fat Matt’s Rib Shack had gone so far downhill in the quality of their food as well as how it was packaged for take-out. The only conclusion that I could imagine is perhaps the “Rib Shack” was under new management. Whatever the case is or was it was the worst ever. Sadly, I’d bragged about Fat Matt’s Rib Shack to my friend that lives in Luthersville and to my brother in Columbus and when I spoke with them this past weekend they were both telling me that they were going there in the very near future and could not wait to taste the food. I immediately told them the dreadful experience that we’d had and forewarned them…..DO NOT go to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack in Atlanta, it isn’t what it use to be. I said DO NOT think about wasting your money because we threw our food in the hotel trash can. I’ll leave you with these final words……try Fat Matt’s Rib Shack at your own risk.
To call this a BBQ joint is a little misleading for die hard BBQ fans. The term "Rib Shack" is much more accurate. The ribs are good, tender, but with enough texture to still have a great bite. But they are devoid of any notes of smoke. I'm not one to douse my ribs in sauce but here I did for 2 reasons. The ribs were a little lighter in flavor than I normally like and the house sauce is delicious!!!! You also won't find brisket here, a bbq joint staple. The sides were tiny and served in small 4oz portion cups. Not meant for sharing. Really liked the collards and mac n cheese. Less fond of the potato salad and cole slaw. Matt's oozes character and has a few characters; both working and dining here. Loved the no frills decor and typical southern hospitality.
The ribs were ridiculously fatty, gooey, had no flavor or seasoning. I’m picking through the fat and feel sick from the thought of me biting into it. I seriously have never had meat this fatty. The bbq sauce is nasty. Like zesty tomato paste flavor. Didn’t realize they were pork ribs until after I started eating them, which explains the fattiness, but this is overkill. I didn’t even think for a second while I ordered them that they were pork because of the $15.55 price tag, which is higher than the price of most beef rib places. Boston Market has better ribs and they’re a fast food restaurant.Also didn’t like not being greeted. I stood there listening to a full conversation the from a woman with airpods or bluetooth who was handling cash at the register. A waitress did take my order and greeted me once she saw me.I was so disappointed in this food. Waste of money. I did go to Community bbq last week and their ribs were decent. This place was closer but I wish I would’ve driven a bit further. I will not go back.The pics are just picked over pieces most of which is gooey fat.