Fresh Air Barbecue
1164 Hwy 42 S, Jackson, GA, 30233
Fresh Air Barbecue Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Jackson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jackson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jackson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1164 Hwy 42 S
Jackson, GA, 30233 - Phone (770) 775-3182
- Website https://www.freshairbarbecue.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 7:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mark A.
Great pulled pork. Nice smokey flavor is just right with the meat. The vinegar-based bbq sauce is some of the best I've had. The Brunswick Stew was good. Overall good value. Quaint, rustic atmosphere. Only drawback is a lack of other items on the menu for those in your party that don't eat pork.
(5)Lan S.
My wife says she has been going to Fresh Air Barbecue in Jackson (actually, it's near Jackson) since she was 2 years old. I've only gone a few times, but like yesterday we stop by whenever we can, usually on trips to or from Florida. Fresh Air is a classic barbecue joint, founded in 1929 and today run by the grandsons of one of the owners. I nominate it for the best name, best atmosphere and some of the tastiest basic "bar-bee-chew" of any BBQ place in the South. We had a simple barbecue sandwich for lunch, with sweet tea, and took home a box full of pulled pork slaw, Brunswick stew, beans and an 8-pack of Colonial hamburger buns. The price is right, and the food is as authentic as you'll find anywhere in the Southeast. The barbecue sauce is the vinegar and tomato combination style that you'll find in Georgia and some other areas in the South, and the pulled pork is slow-roasted in a shack next door. No alcohol served. My only disappointment was that they didn't have any Fresh Air bird houses in stock -- these are amazing pieces of Southern folk art. By the way, Fresh Air has put up a new rail fence in front of the building, so any photo you have or see on their website does not reflect the "new look" though the main part of the restaurant remains the same inside and out. There also are locations in Macon and Athens, run by "kin" of the Jackson owners, but I prefer the atmosphere and food at the Jackson location.
(5)Teri S.
I have been eating here since I was a child. Growing up in Jackson, it was only one of the few places to eat back in the 70's and 80's. It hasn't changed. Still, very good bbq and slaw, those are my tow favorites things here but honestly have never had anything bad here.
(5)Kerry M.
Great prices, meh stew, meh $3 sandwich. Sauce meh. Amazing ambiance. Smoke so thick on the interior, it has colored everything in sight.
(2)Nate M.
Mmmmhhhh.... Grew up coming here, so there's great memories to accompany the amazing pulled pork sandwiches.
(5)Linda R.
I am a BBQ fanatic so making me happy is hard but not impressed at all.............have had better. Don't like the slaw, sauce not good and tea taste nasty. Sorry..........but you folks in Jackson do not know good BBQ. Go to Wallace BBQ in Austell, GA or Hudson;s BBQ in Douglasville, GA (now that's good BBQ)
(2)Michael B.
Fresh Air BBQ is a Georgia landmark and for 86 years has served some of the best cue and stew in the South in the rustic roadside stand just a couple of miles from Indian Spring State Park. Do yourself a favor and make a "pit" stop at Fresh Air Barbecue and you won't be sorry.
(5)Scott C.
Grew up in Alabama, so had my fair share of BBQ. First off the sauce is some of the best I have ever had. Simply an outstanding well balanced vinager based sauce. The pork was very tender and moist but was totally lacking the outer bark of the butt as well as the smoke. Sort of reminded me of one that I had done at home in a crockpot. The slaw was excellent! The Brunswick stew was some of the most plain jane I have ever had. I would definetly eat here again and recommend that everyone give it a try. However I simply cannot recommend the Brunswick stew as mentioned above.
(4)George M.
After living in the area for 25 years finally tried this landmark. Pork is the only choice and it was cooked well. Sauce is a little vinegar tangy, which I like, but some would not. Best Brunswick stew I have eaten, which I don't usually like, but this was good. Liked the rustic atmosphere and staff was very friendly. Ice tea was great, but they must have been running low on ice. Will I return? Yes. Best Q in Georgia? Not in my opinion, but in my top 5.
(4)Keith S.
If you like vinegar based BBQ sauce then this is the place for you. As far as I'm concerned sweet BBQ sauce isn't even food so of course I enjoy Fresh Air. The menu is very limited but that's not a problem for most people. The meat and stew are both very good, but not exactly anything showstopping. It's really all about the sauce. If you love it, you'll love fresh air.
(4)Scott H.
Simply put, some of the best BBQ you will ever find. Especially if you like a vinegar based bbq sauce. Beware though....unless they have changed recently, they do not have Ribs at all, which is kind of strange for a BBQ joint. But the pulled pork, Brunswick stew and BBQ sauce is top notch.
(5)Mary K.
I have lived in Covington for over 30 years and this was my first time here. This is where I'll be getting BBQ from now on! I love the vinegar base sauce. I was very pleased with the food the price and the atmosphere. Awesome experience! !
(5)Matt B.
The pork BBQ isn't bad, but that's literally all this place has to offer. 1. It's in the middle of nowhere. 2. It serves nothing else. No other meats, no sides other than chips, slaw that tastes like they bought it in vats from KFC, and brunswick stew. 3. The service reminds me of a grade school lunch line. Not exactly customer-friendly when we visited. 4. No decor to speak of. They don't even have chairs. Picnic tables and wooden benches. 5. I suppose if you like country rustic and pork, it might be worth a visit, but otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.
(2)Rebekah C.
My hometown BBQ stand but I think this is a big tourist attraction for people passing by. This is my favorite BBQ and stew. By far. I love everything about it. It is vinegar base if that's the kind of BBQ you like. BBQ meat, two slices of bread and stew! Hi can't beat it!
(5)M B.
I originally did not have the best experience here this past Sunday but after speaking with the owner I have a better outlook on the business. I'm still not excusing the behavior of some of the employees but the owner Dave was more than apologetic and did what he could to make it right. He looked into the issue and actually followed up with me like he said hr would do. He was able to let me know what he was able to do to rectify the situation. I still may not visit this establishment any time soon but I will say the owner seems to be a man of respect and integrity and for treating everyone equally and for that reason only I give 3 stars
(3)Mickey D.
I wanted to love this place. If you asked a slow-cooked meat enthusiast to draw a picture of barbecue nirvana, it would look very much like Fresh Air, all gravel parking, worn-in wood paneling, slamming screen door and the smell of hardwood smoke soaked into every surface. It obviously hasn't changed since it was built in the '20s. But I'm coining a term for places like this, and Georgia is rife with them: Barbecue Sauce Joint. You have your true barbecue joints, where the meat is the star, and then you have your Barbecue Sauce Joints, where you have nothing without the sauce. And at Fresh Air, I didn't even like the sauce. It's red and vinegary, and just not my thing, which would be okay if their meat didn't require it. The pulled pork (which is your only option, and you can have any side you want, as long as it's slaw or stew) is dry and without much flavor. It's just dry, chopped-up pork on a plate. Just add sauce. The simplicity of the menu is commendable; I figured if they only do pork, slaw and stew they must each be amazing. The slaw was the only thing I really enjoyed, which is why I put it on the pork to help things along.
(2)Pam W.
Just passing thru and heard a lot of great things about this place so we thought we'd stop and give it a try. Worst bar-b-que ever. The meat was chopped till it was practically powder and it was dry as powder. The sauce was so sour it tasted "turned." The Brunswick stew was edible. We left hungry. Never going back.
(1)Jason B.
Down home BBQ in Georgia. The pulled pork was down right excellent. Smoked perfect and juicy. I have it 4 stars only because they do not have a sweet BBQ sauce. This BBQ is vinegar based which I don't mind, but is not my first choice.
(4)Rajiv S.
If you're looking for authentic, legendary southern barbecue, you might want to pass this place by! The folks who rate Fresh Air BBQ more than a couple of stars must have taste buds that are brain dead. I've lived in the Atlanta area for almost 30 years and have enjoyed some pretty fantastic BBQ here (Daddy D's, Miss Betty's, etc.) Over and over I've heard how wonderful the BBQ is at Fresh Air one of the best in the South, etc. etc., so I decided to give it a try. I arrived expecting some mouth watering cuisine and my expectations mounted as I climbed out of the truck in their parking lot and smelled the heavenly aroma wafting through the parking lot. My mouth was watering. Going inside I placed my order with a very personable staff, reflecting on the reasonable prices. The SHOCK came when I received my order. The barbecued pork was on a paper plate the size of a tea cup saucer(could they spare it?) along side of a miniature cup of Brunswick stew, a couple pickle slices, a second miniature cup of cole slaw (which wasn't bad) and two slices of Wonder Bread. Well, I sat down with this meal thinking that it must melt in your mouth and send you reeling in ecstasy given the reviews I've seen and heard over the years. Well the pork was chopped so fine and dried out it was like eating saw dust swimming in the most vinegar tasting North Carolina BBQ sauce I've ever tasted. The Cole slaw was OK(as most Cole slaw is), but the Brunswick Stew was like something a Yankee would make. I've had some great stew over the years (including some the Boy Scouts made at a Rock Eagle festival), but this stew was like something the Adam's Family whipped up. I ended up just dipping the Wonder Bread into it, pretending it was a piece of Texas Toast, but I just couldn't convince myself. As I walked back to the truck, still hungry, I wondered if I had come to the right place or had I wandered into the Twilight Zone or just another Chinese knock-off. On the drive home, I was so disappointed and disillusioned from the experience, I considered going to another famous and fantastic BBQ joint that I'm familiar with in Atlanta to ease my pain of disappointment, but instead I just grabbed a McDonald's at the drive-thru. At least I wasn't disappointed; the Mack was just as bad as they always are!
(1)David C.
You have to visit this place at least once. The barbecue was good but it is the set up that makes this a spot to visit. Try it all while you are there. The brunswick stew was excellent.
(4)Will R.
Twenty years ago i ate here.. was great bbq and stew.. ate here last year and it wasnt that good .. dont know if they changed owners or what but the bbq was dry and the stew tasted like canned ..
(3)CT H.
We have been coming here since I was a child and the floor was sawdust. The best pork BBQ around and fantastic Brunswick stew. Nice, tangy, georgia vinegar BBQ sauce. Sandwich, stew, chips and sweet tea. You can't go wrong and you will be planning your next trip here. Enjoy!
(5)Melissa T.
The hubby and I stumbled upon this place while trying to avoid traffic on 75N. Luckily our gps routed us toward Fresh Air while our stomachs were growling or else we never would have stopped in. When I see a place that has only a few items on the menu I get really excited because that means that those items are going to be dee-lish. You see, when places start introducing 5 pages of options (ahem, Applebee's). Sorry, I had a cough. Anyhow, whats's the saying? Do a few things very well or do a bunch of stuff mediocre? Yeah, they do a few things really well. Pulled pork, cole slaw, and stew. All are very old school GA BBQ, including the sauce, which is rare nowadays given that ppl seem to want to add sausage and sweet potato fries to their menus. Since Harold's closed this is the closest remaining restaurant where you can get old school GA BBQ.
(5)Lisa H.
The best BBQ ever! It has a vinegar twang so if you want some sauce that is super sweet this is not it. I've been coming here since the '60's or 70's. I used to come when I would visit my grandparents, who lived in Jackson when they were alive. Now I always try to get there whenever I visit my family in Atlanta. I always like to get extra sauce to add to the BBQ. The BBQ freezes well and travels with me back to VA. Love love love the Bruinswick Stew. If you are thinking of stopping, stop and try some of their food. You will love it! I went to school with one of the owners back in the 6th grade and their mom was friends with my mom (Peggy) good people!
(5)James A.
My friends from college raved about this place but we went last fall, and it was average at best. Pulled pork was dry and same with the ribs. I really wanted to like this place but it didn't quite live upto expectation.
(2)theron t.
This is the essence of Georgia BBQ. Which is largely undocumented, unlike NC, St. Louis, Texas, etc. You can essentially get three things here. Pulled pork, in pounds or sandwich form, cole slaw, and Brunswick stew. Georgia BBQ is always on a soft bun, not Texas toast. Slaw is fresh and tangy. Stew is meat, tomatoes, and corn. Usually chicken, pork, and beef. Back in the day, it might inlude squirrel and rabbit. Some of these ingredients arent used now, but thats the Georgia origin. Although I don't know exactly what was in this stew, regardless, it was delicious. Large dining area and friendly folks! Worth the trip from Atlanta to get the real deal! Only complaint, the sweet tea/unsweetened tea was a little off. Will be back!! Thanks for this great find coming home on a detour from Tybee!
(5)Andrew O.
When you have been making one thing for 83 years it is safe to say you are doing something right! And boy howdy is Fresh Air doing something right! I consider myself a bit of a barbecue snob. I was raised on vinegar based, open spit, Carolina barbecue and I have eaten my way through Memphis, Kansas City, and over to Texas. I have noshed on everything from brushed pigs feet to head cheese and everything in between. But barbecue is special. Now I am not going to lie and say this is the best pork I have ever put into my mouth; it isn't. But it is pretty close to authentic, smoke-flavored, chopped (or minced, as you like) pork BBQ. It doesn't need sauce or hot sauce or anything else to give it flavor. In fact, they give you the option of eating it plain or putting it on white bread. It is a standalone flavor. And at $6.85 for a jumbo plate (barbeque, coleslaw, bread, Brunswick stew, crackers, and a pickle) it is a bargain too! The ambiance is perfect for its location; simple, low key, and relatively quiet. The only noise really is laughter from a table having a good time and people's lips smacking away. The tables are nothing more than picnic tables with chairs. It is certainly worth driving 20 or so minutes for (perhaps not further as I am sure there are other joints along this route that are comparable) and definitely a great Sunday afternoon drive and meal.
(4)Aimee E.
I love this place. The slaw, pork and brunswick stew are to die for. The tea is probably the worst tasting I have ever had. Have a Coke instead.
(5)Jeanette I.
This is a simple place but ONE OF THE BEST. You can inhale the tantalizing fragrance of their smoke as you pull into the parking lot. This will get your saliva pumping before you even walk in the door. They essentially only have 2 things on the menu: Pulled pork, and brunswick stew. There are a few fixins like white bread, slaw and potato chips, but there is not much choice. Don't you fret, two is all you need when it is this delicious! The pulled pork is tender and is accompanied with a perfect vinegar sauce. (This is the only sauce they have, FYI). The brunswick stew is hands-down the BEST I have ever had, bar none. Sometimes I get the plate that has both items. Sometimes I just get a quart of the stew. Sometimes I get Mrs. Vicki's salt and vinegar chips to go along with it all. And there you have it, beautiful simplicity that will make your taste buds sing for joy! I cannot recommend the iced tea as I believe it is not even made there and definitely has an off taste. But that's okay, I'm mostly a water drinker anyway, and they have soft drinks if you want something tried and true to wet your whistle. The atmosphere of the outside and inside of the building give this place bonus points.
(5)Buddy R.
Perhaps I was there on a slow day. The BBQ was OK but a bit dry and cold. I'm also not a fan of vinegar bbq sauce - they soaked the meat in it and it overpowered any flavor the meat may have had. Give me my sweet, tomato based sauce and let me put it on myself. I also tried the Macon location with a group from Church and everyone in my group had a similar reaction at that location. The Stew was excellent however. There were very few people in the dining room on a Sunday after church lunch - I wonder if the place is going downhill since most of the reviews dated 2011 and 2012?
(3)Mr. X.
The pulled pork is so dang good, it should be a sin. It is a Barbecue Joint, not a Barbecue restaurant. It's basic and simple like many many of the best things in life.
(5)Helena G.
I read that this place is a must to try in GA. Supposedly it has the best BBQ. I tasted the pulled pork sandwiche with slaw and it wasn't nothing special. Isn't the best BBQ that I have ever tried. It's just ok. It's very cheap but the portions aren't huge. They have an option that includes pulled pork and the stew.
(3)Josh M.
The best vinegar sauce in the entire world.
(5)Bill B.
This is the best bbq in ga. The stew is great the old building is priceless just good all around. A must stop if you are in the town of Jackson ga stop by.
(5)K C.
I've eaten there a LOT - not because I like it, but because it's convenient to our regular campground and my husband likes it OK. I don't care for it at all. Sometimes the slaw is pretty good but the pork is just mediocre at best and the sauce is mostly just vinegar. I find that there is not enough Prilosec in the western hemisphere to handle all that vinegar. The Brunswick stew is another thing that I think is just OK. I can eat it, but I don't rave about it. I am the first to admit, however, that some people really, really love this place and the ambiance and the employees are very nice.
(2)Lindy F.
By far the best BBQ in Georgia (and honestly in the South), Fresh-Air is the place. You can get baby back ribs if you want, but for my money and stomach the pulled pork sandwiches are the way to go. They have a phenomenal Brunswick Stew, great Cole Slaw and Beans. For my time and effort, I always go for the Party Pack. This is a quart container of stew, a quart container of pork, and pint of sauce (understand this is vinegar based, not the gloppy stuff), slaw and a whole package of good 'ol white hamburger buns. Sure, they have a location in Macon, but Jackson is the bona fide original. So much so, that the BBQ is driven daily from Jackson to Macon (not a far drive). If you blink driving down Highway 42 you may miss it, so make sure and roll down your windows so you can smell your way there.
(5)Walter C.
I have been eating Fresh Air BBQ from this place since I was a child. It's the best BBQ in Georgia hands down. It has BBQ joint ambience with pine paneling that's stained from wood smoke. White bread served with the plate is the way it should be. My hometown isn't far so whenever we visit we hope to find Fresh Air at my parent's and usually try to take some back with us to have later during our interim exile to the land of not so great BBQ!
(5)Katie F.
I had 20 lbs of pulled pork there for my wedding and it was sooooooo good. .They were very very nice as well. I have also eaten in the restaurant and it was a great experience!!
(5)Al B.
Some of my earliest memories in life include making stops at Fresh Air Barbecue. My family has gone there since Fresh Air opened in 1929. When I was in college back in the 1970's, I always drove past FA on the way back to Atlanta and picked up some food. I've had other good bbq over the years, but nothing comes close to Fresh Air. It is superb. And, as a side note - to eat your meal at Fresh Air - not doing takeout - is to be taken back several decades to a simpler time - picnic tables inside, floor covered in sawdust, screened in rooms. A great place, with great tradition.
(5)Jennifer D.
I'm a big BBQ enthusiast, and this place is hands-down the best I've ever tasted. It's the benchmark by which all other BBQ sandwiches are measured - just be sure and ask for extra sauce. Theirs is a wonderful, vinegar-based blend. The brunswick stew is slap your mama good!
(5)David F.
I'm one of those people that rarely meets a BBQ restaurant he doesn't like, and Fresh Air does not disappoint. I think the meat is good and smoky, but not so much so that all you taste is smoke. When I order the plate, the put some sauce on the meat but do not drown it. It's up to you to put on a little more or a little too much (and to soak it up with the white bread). The Brunswick Stew is well above average. It might be my favorite of the places in this area. For me the thing that sets Fresh Air apart from the rest is Location, Location, Location. It is still cool to me that a roadside restaurant that serves great BBQ exists. If this place were located in a strip mall somewhere, I'm not sure I would ever have given it a first look. It really is not too far out of the way, and once you find your way the first time you'll never get lost again.
(4)Norma P.
The worst BBQ rest. Ever for price, taste and ambiance. Uggghh!! Could not even detect any smokiness in the rubbery pulled pork, and the Brunswick stew was like dishwater!! The bread? 2slices of wonder bread, no cornbread, ribs, chicken, Whaaaaat? Sucks
(1)Beth G.
Step back into 1929 when this restaurant was founded. The brunswick stew is outstanding but the ambiance is one of a kind. We got off the beaten path on our way from tampa to augusta. Off I-75 north bound Took the forsyth monticello route 83 exit. End of exit ramp took a right. Drove into the country and took a left toward Indian Springs. 15 miles and it's on the left. Best BBQ in georgia! Yum!
(5)Chris H.
Finally drove from the ATL down to Jackson to try the venerable Fresh Air BBQ. Overall, it's good, but not an hours drive good, if you know what I mean. However, the Brunswick Stew is outstanding, no question. And I also liked their home made coleslaw; it's chopped fine and slightly sweet. The sauce is vinegar based (think N. Carolina style) and nice and tangy. The pork, though, was a let down. It's way too dry and a bit tough. But once I built my sandwich (pork piled on white bread doused with sauce and with the coleslaw) it was good. The sweetness of the coleslaw with the tangy sauce paired well. Overall, it's just OK.
(3)Meggie N.
Worst BBQ in the state of Georgia. Seriously do not understand the reviews that say otherwise. Their sign saying they are the best BBQ is completely misleading! There were 4 of us in our party and we were shocked that this place is even still in business. We looked up online when they could have possibly won any BBQ contest and it was over 20 years ago. They really need to stop calling themselves the best in Georgia. It looked and tasted about as good as dog food.
(1)Kristy G.
This was exactly what I wanted in a barbecue restaurant. It was simple and tasty. I loved the environment and the service was excellent. The food was good and the beer was cold. We all had a great time.
(4)Keith G.
Trust me and all the others who write about Fresh Air in Jackson. The comments here are spot on and no tour of Georgia BBQ joints can be complete until you've sat down in the dining room of Fresh Air. Some of the best barbeque you'll find in the Southeast is not an over-statement. I ordered the deluxe plate which is comprised of chopped pork with a dab of sauce on top, stew, slaw, a couple pickle spears, some crackers and some white bread. The pulled pork is enough to make any pig proud to have made the supreme sacrifice. The stew is heavenly with a wonderful smokey flavor. The slaw will knock your socks off and you may need a second serving. Someday I may try the ribs or chicken which I bet are good, too. Now as to the directions, they're wrong if you try Google maps. They are even wrong if you use the map on the Fresh Air website. Use Mapquest and you'll get the correct directions. Perhaps the easiest way to explain how to reach Fresh Air is to look for the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and take the road that runs around it (Macon Avenue). That eventually becomes Highway 42. If you drive further than 3 miles you've passed it. Coming from downtown Jackson, it will be on the right.
(5)Scott M.
I have eaten at quite a few BBQ places throughout the South. I just think that Fresh Air is ok. I know they have been in business just about forever. I ordered the deluxe place and found the chopped pork to be bland. The sauce is in the top 20% of sauces. Stew was excellent.
(3)Sarah N.
Food is constantly good. Menu is small, only stew, slaw, and pulled pork. Atmosphere is old-timey like the store which has been there since 1929.
(4)Kurt B.
BBQ as good as it gets!! The menu is very basic but what they have, they do very well. Nothing fancy, just good food. The building is old, gravel lot in front, saw dust on the floor in the main room with tables. The back room is a little nicer. The directions on their web site and here are a little off, the restaurant is located just south (a mile or so) of Jackson, GA on Hwy 42/Us 23. Indian Springs SP and Dauset Trails (good mtn biking) is right around the corner.
(5)Courtney K.
I've literally eaten this BBQ every year since I could eat, so I'm biased. This is by far the best BBQ and Brunswick stew I've ever had. The restaurant looks just like a roadside stand would've looked years ago. If you're ever in the area, try it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Nicholas J.
Prices were good. Way to much food thou. I had three kids with me and the gal at the front talked me into this family pack. Food was great. wasn't easy to eat in car but was really good.
(4)Johnny B.
Awesome BBQ! Really friendly staff too! A great off the beaten path kind of place. Loved the food!
(5)Rebecca K.
First let me say it - I really hate barbecue. But...I was working in the area a few years ago and had forgotten to bring my lunch so I was forced to make a local choice. I decided to give Fresh Air a try and it was delicious! It remains the only barbecue I'll eat to this day - totally worth the drive!
(5)Matt H.
I was introduced to this place years ago, and it's sooooo good that me and my wife are willing to make the journey, over an hour one way, just to get some good BBQ. This is a must eat!!
(5)