The Dudes of Food

2445 Cobb Parkway
Smyrna, GA 30080

The word rocking Sandy Springs was that a new BBQ joint had opened up on Ackers Mills Rd. It was our duty, as the dudes of food, to explore this location. At first, all signs pointed to a great night. No traffic. Great weather. We even found a nickel face up next to the car. Then, the tides turned on us. We saw a man with a machete walk into the Quick-e-Mart next to Heirloom Market BBQ. What came next was a blow to the heart (thankfully, not machete related): a piece of paper over the menu at the door of the Heirloom Market with the dreadful words “closed for renovation until Tuesday” sloppily written in what might as well have been blood (but was actually blue pen).

Not a problem. ‘Twas barbeque that we craved and ‘twas barbeque we would eat! A quick emotional adjustment had us on our way to Thompson Brothers BBQ, Oklahoma style deliciousness. The ambiance is casual and homey, with televisions and pictures surrounding the tables. We ordered one pound of chopped beef, half a pound of sliced beef, half a pound of beef sausage, and a whole chicken. Five eaters entered Thompson Brothers and Five plates were licked clean, literally (not something we are proud of).

You may wonder how Oklahoma barbeque differs from other regional barbeque styles. Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question. My friend Rick Bayless, who I have never met but would like to chat with, can.

World renowned chef Richard Bayless defined Oklahoma style barbeque in his article “Hickory House Memories.”

"This barbecue is usually described in terms of what it’s not: it’s not as saucy as barbecue from Kansas City, [or] as tangy as Memphis barbecue and not as vinegary as what they serve in North Carolina. It’s not as dry as most classic Texas barbecue, and it’s not inclusive of just one kind of meat. [It] was likely created by the same combination of European immigrants and black workers who came to the area and looked for good, cheap food when they arrived."

At Thompson Bros BBQ our meal came in to-go containers although during our other visits they served the food in plastic baskets. I guess the sheer quantity of meat was easier to transport in sturdy Styrofoam vessels.

Before we go any further, here is the dudes of food’s barbeque chicken scorecard:

A great barbeque hits at least 2 A’s and one B, while mediocrity ranges from B’s to C’s. Thompson Brothers BBQ had a stellar straight A score. The chicken was stupendously slow-smoked then pulled from the smoker and divided into fork and finger friendly cuts. Since we ordered a whole chicken, we received a combination of dark and white meat.

Barbeque brisket criteria:

Both the chopped and the sliced brisket painted the board with straight A’s. Semi-Smoky is a tough category, for too much smoke on beef will dry out the fatty essence or overpower the rich brisket flavor.

Barbeque sausage criteria:

The sausage also attained the hat-trick, and in doing so, completed another hat-trick with three straight A scores. Crispy casing is vital to the integrity of the sausage to avoid a rubbery texture. Tameness is a complex category, for it demands a balance of saltiness, heat, and richness. The classic sausage mishap is the overpowering savory taste, a problem the Thompson Brothers avoided in their victory of the triple crown of barbeque.

There were three sauces strategically set on each table: Hot, Sweet, and Spicy. The hot was pungent, the sweet was mild, and the spicy was just right. If your palate cannot handle what the spicy has to offer, we recommend a mix-n-match routine.

We also ordered a side of Greens and a side of Macaroni & Cheese. The macaroni was a good addition to the meal, but not an outstanding dish. The greens, on the other hand, were perfectly cooked and tasty. They held their integrity and were not too soggy, yet we could taste a sweet hint in every bite.

The menu can be found on at http://www.thompsonbbq.com/menu.html. A quick look at the prices shows the Thompson Brothers BBQ serve yet another FSFW meal.

What to get:
1- Barbecue- try anything and everything.
2- Greens- they will blow your mind.