JJ’s Rib Shack

I will NEVER support this business again. I wish I could not even give 1 star. The customer service is horrible and it has been 2 years since I placed an order up until today due to the same tactless and unprofessional behavior of those who work there in the past. I live an hour away from the establishment and called my order in at 4pm only to arrive and be told that they could not find my name. At 6:32pm I was called to the counter and was given a small order when I had ordered a large. At this point I was extremely frustrated as I had patiently waited only to be told that «there’s not enough meat». The ribs tips here are not good enough to warrant the wait time nor the despicable manner that not only myself but others had to endure to patronage this restaurant. I don’t eat meat and was purchasing the food for my husband so it really was unnerving that I didn’t receive an apology for my wait, their subpar management of food, or the issue with my order. I definitely will drive even further for better customer service as well as consistent award winning bbq for my family in the future. Trust me you won’t be missing out if you skip this place.

JJs recently renovated the shack. Much more room on the inside. That’s about all that’s changed. I returned after about two years of craving their ribs but not wanting to put up with the wait. I got there about ten minutes before opening. There was about 5 cars outside waiting when I got there. When they opened the doors people were respectful about who was there first and didn’t require a bum rush inside. I was maybe the 4^th to order as a few others had placed large orders maybe the day before. I asked how long before my food would be ready the guy at the counter said 20 minutes. I already knew from my past visits that you need to double or triple the time given. Not sure why he always lies. Anyway I got my food about an hour later. Same great Smokey, crispy taste. Their sauce must have crack in it because it’s extremely addictive to where you want to drink it by itself… Still cash only so make sure you bring some. If not don’t worry. After you order you’ll have plenty of time to run to an atm. You don’t pay until you get your food. I guess they know some people will get tired of waiting and leave. They don’t prepare your food until they call your number and you respond. If you don’t respond they move to the next number. But don’t worry. If they go past your number because you may have left just tell them and they will begin preparing your plate. It’s crazy you need to know the routine before going here but it’s worth it.

I placed a catering order for 40 with this establishment two days prior to my event. I confirmed the time for pick-​up. On the date and time arranged for pick up the young man at the counter had no knowledge of the order. After speaking with him (the same guy I placed the original order with) he admitted that he «misplaced the ticket». This was 2 hours prior to my event. He promised the order would be ready in an hour. That would be 1 hour before my event. Let me say the order was not ready. Furthermore there was no concern nor compassion for their mistake. I had to pick up an order from Popeyes for my event. I will not patronize this business nor will I recommend this business to anyone.

I’ve been going to JJ’s for years. Be prepared to wait hours for your food and by the time they get to your order they have run out of sides. However the food is great. The service is meh! And the location is hood. But that’s where the best food is prepared!

This little joint is considered to be an Atlanta institution in the hood. Located on Campbellton Road in Southwest Atlanta, this little mom-​and-​pop restaurant has been name dropped in a few Atlanta songs, most notably Goodie Mob’s 1995 hit song «Soul Food». It has been years since the last time I grabbed some grub here so I decided to stop by for some good old BBQ after my visit to nearby Greenbriar Mall.
The storefront is small with very limited parking. I admit that I am not a fan of the parking lot setup. There are no tables and chairs whatsoever; instead, this is a place strictly for takeout only. The seating around the interior are for customers waiting to receive their food. The menu is small. They only offer slabs of ribs, rib tips, and dark/​white meat chicken as the entrees. Prices are fairly cheap but the quality of the food is outstanding for what you are paying for.
Being that this is a mom-​and-​pop restaurant in the hood, customer service and professionalism may not always be top-​notch. I’m not saying that they are loud and rude, but understand that this is a restaurant that is frequented by the local neighborhood and blue-​collar workers in this area so it tends to be a bit lax. They still do their job and whip up your food to the best of their ability.
Unfortunately, I will have to dock a star due to the ridiculously long wait times. It took me around 45 minutes to receive my food and this is the norm for this joint. I wish that there was some way that they could come up with a better system to minimize the wait times a bit. However, I don’t mind waiting for good food at rather cheap prices.
Give this place a shot if you are ever in the area.

Well, well, well. I’m returning to JJ’s after a 6 months break because I decided I would not be a part of their madness anymore. Today the craving for those delicious ribs is getting the best of me. I’m going early in hopes that I will walk away with some ribs for dinner later tonight. I get so frustrated with the games they take you through. The ribs are good and the sauce is boss but the staff and their style of conducting business is beyond my understanding. #greatribsatl #greatribs. I’ll provide an update later…
I’m back from JJ’s and it was a little under an hour. Walked in, ordered and told the clerk I would be back in an hour. He insisted I come back in less than 30 minutes. I took his advice and returned promptly in 30 minutes and after an additional 30 minutes I walked out with some delicious center cut ribs! I’m happy.

If you like fresh cooked food then you know the wait is going to be a while but they put in the orders in the order you came in. JJ’s is hands down the best BBQ joint in Atlanta and the sauce tastes amazing! Legendary spot that hasn’t changed anything but buildings. Well worth my 30 min drive.
Don’t forget, Cash only!

Avoid this dump. You have to come in to place an order. It takes at least an hour to get your food. They have no WIFI and flies all over the place. Customer service isn’t good and they’re liars. If they say your food will be ready in 30 mins that means at least an hour.

Yes! You have to wait a life time, but it’s so worth the wait. Besides, the long wait is only because they are cooking your good fresh. I will admit that I’ve could do without their side items. I’ve always found the side dishes to be very boxed generic flavor but, the rib tips are awesome. But most impotent this place is an Atlanta staple, you really have not experienced Atlanta out you have not made your way to jj’s.

Best Rib spot in Atlanta. All my celebrity friends eat here. Food is good but interior is not that great.

Ribs are descent. Had better but not worth 3hrs. I think they do this on purpose. I’m sure by now as long as this place been open they know a faster way to get the food out. I guess just to prove that they food is so good they can make people wait 3hrs. Definitely lose a lot of money like that.

Ok. I’m not mad about the 50 min wait because I was expecting it. I was also expecting more out of the food. It’s not bad but it’s not inspiring either. The ribs are decent and the sides are decent also. None of what I tasted was worth a 50 minute wait. I make better ribs at the house. I was hoping for a spot that would give me the same quality of product without having to sweat over the grill. I’ll keep looking.

The ribs are really good … In fact one of the best in ATL. Please beware of the long wait times… Can sometimes take up to 3 – 4 hours for your order to be ready. Plan to run a few errands after placing your order because you WILL be waiting regardless.

Am from Chicago and this has been the longest wait for 1 order of food that we ordered and we only ordered rib tips. I say 45 minutes to an hour we waited for 1 small order. Not a fancy place but word on the street told us to come here. My husband wanted to support Black community business instead of going to a rib joint owned by Caucasians but definitely this place takes a LONG time to get your order ready so definitely NOT coming back and not recommending this place. My husband is awesome in making ribs and he just told me– this place is NOT worth the wait.

The barbecue was worth traveling 4hrs for. The ribs were selling out the door back to back. I sat 45 mins, waited patiently and constantly asked mike for another order… only to be told they ran out. I was so anxious to eat my food, after seeing people eating in there food in the parking lot. I will and I repeat I will visit again on my next road trip to Atlanta. Heads up… GO EARLY!!! Thanks to G. Garvin for recommending this restaurant on his show.

This is def the hood spot, but the food is off the chain! The ribs are amazing and well priced. Be prepared to wait 3+ hours but well worth the wait.
Have had the ribs and the riblets have not been disappointed.

This is for sure a hood spot & the wait is terrible! But the food is delicious! Ribs fall right off the bone! I would recommend this place in a heartbeat, my suggestion would be try not to go later in the day, the earlier the shorter the wait. Plus I wouldnt recommend being in that area at night lol

Skip it. Long, long, Long wait. Mediocre food. Go to Fox’s instead.
Also, lots of sketchy looking people hanging out on the side of the building if you know what I mean.
When I get a BBQ jones, I will wait for the BBQ festival here in NY. Best BBQ chefs from around the country; can’t go wrong with Ed Mitchell’s NC BBQ.

The over weight lady barking out the orders is mean! The 1^st time I went, she barked, «WE OUT»! I didn’t know what the heck that meant. I squeezed through the crowd of people to get closer and asked what does «WE OUT» meant. «WE OUT OF FOOD!» I couldn’t believe it but that’s how they do business. I went that far with not to show.
Weeks later I ventured out earlier just to make sure there was food when I got there. The rudeness and food was waiting for me. I took big momma’s attitude in stride. After a darn near 45 min wait time, I got what I came for… the ribs of course. They were good just like people said. However people didn’t tell me how small the place was, that they’re open a few days a week, and that the staff sucks donkey balls. If you go, show up around 3:30pm on a Saturday. You don’t know if they’re open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, or Sunday, Thursday, and Saturday, but you best believe they’re open on Saturday.

BEST BBQ IN TOWN!!! NO QUESTION ABOUT IT FOLKS! Yes it may be in a sketchy part of town (SW Atlanta), but trust me no one will mess with you and once you try these ribs you wont want to try anyone elses!
This place is opened Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays ONLY! Get there at 12 noon or expect a long wait! The bbq here is cooked and prepared FRESH upon placing your order and it is a take-​out restaurant only. PORTIONS ARE HUGE!