Fresh Air Barbeque

Having come from the Midwest (Chicago) and having had barbeque in St Louis, I haven’t been able to find barbeque in Georgia that I really like that much, but I got a craving for it and decided to give this place a try. It was absolutely the worst I have ever tried. You know how birds chew up the food before they vomit it into their babie’s mouths? Well, this place is for the birds. I had the pulled pork and it appeared to have been chewed up and spit out. There was absolutely NO seasoning and you had a choice between two sauces, both bad. Where I am from, the meat is always seasoned and cooked thoroughly so it falls off the bone, with the sauce already cooked into it so this was a real disappointment. However, it appeared they also put their coleslaw and Brunswick stew through the same prechewed process, and they also had absolutely no seasoning. After tasting the food, I could not finish it and had to throw it in the garbage, which is something I NEVER do! I just could not stomach it. I didn’t want to give them a chance to serve it a third time. ‘nough said. Don’t go here. It’s that bad.

Not very good BBQ. Stew is congealed if refrigerated (?). Not too much flavor. Pam C Athens

It’s actually hard for me to justify two stars for this place… so I have given it just one. Sadly, food nor service had anything whatsoever to offer. Atmosphere was also seriously lacking, though the place is reasonably bright and clean. There’s little more to say. Meat was tough and full of grissle, seemingly boiled with a ketchup base sauce which seemed to be about 90% ketchup, and offered with pork and beans which tasted as if they were poured straight out of a can. White bread from «Wonder Bread» or equivalent. Cabbage in the ketchup cup sized cup was pulverized and mixed with vinegar and mayonnaise but exhibiting no character.

This is some of the best pulled pork I’ve ever had. It’s very clean-​tasting, rich, and flavorful — and doesn’t need sauce but I love their sauces! The stew is crazy good, with just the right touch of vinegar. This is our favorite BBQ in the Athens area, hands down. It may be a bit out of the way for visitors to Athens but it’s so worth it.
Also, their banana pudding is th real deal. Buy one for the ride home (I won’t tell).

Q as its meant to be. Stew-​pendous! Not the atmosphere of Jackson but heck of a lot closer.

Super friendly staff and above average bbq… the traditional sides such as beans ans slaw are spectacular. The brunswick stew is a solid 8. A different consistency than other bbq joints but full of flavor. Pulled pork was wonderful… not a fan of the heavy vinegar based sauces. The hot sauce was actually the best… would love to try it on chicken wings!

BBQ is great as ever. Bald dude with gotee who works the front counter was a jerk this time.

I was kind of disappointed. The young lady at the register yesterday evening was kind of blah. She never once smiled. She wasn’t rude but she made us feel as if we were disturbing her. The food was ok but nothing special. Food was ready fast which was a plus. I was surprised though that they didn’t have any of those wet napkins. When I asked for them, the guy just said no but they have a restroom. That was fine if they wanted me to put my sticky hands on their doorknobs. I just feel as if they could work seriously on their customer service. Didn’t find it a pleasant or friendly experience. I had expected more especially after my friends have said how good it was.

I’ll preface this by saying that my tastes in BBQ were acquired from my Texas upbringing. That being said, I wasn’t a big fan of this spot, even by Southern BBQ standards. I got the chicken plate – they warmed up the chicken half with this weird «convection oven» thing. Idk if it was just because it was late in the day or what, but even the dark meat was dry and flavorless. I was able to eat it if I drowned it in enough of their honey BBQ sauce – probably the highlight of the meal – but other than that it was rather inedible. The slaw was mediocre and the baked beans were pretty good. Their tea was also good. My boyfriend got the pork plate, which was pretty good on the scale of mushy pulled pork, but he said the stew wasn’t too good. Folks were really nice, prices were very reasonable, and the atmosphere was warm and family style. Not an awful experience by any stretch of the imagination, but probably won’t be back too soon.

Omg ribs to make you MELT! My significant other always orders the sandwich with the stew, the stew is pretty good and the sandwich is extra filling and slighty sloppy, which makes it soooo good! The half rib rack is my favorite! I almost always get thick meaty bones and the meat is so succulent and tender. Their sauce is a added bonus any extra I use on whatever I can, its tangy, smart, and down right delicious. I get a side of beans which are also just as tasty as the stew. The staff is delightful and very cheery every time we go. I’ll definitely recommend this jewel!

Great bbq and nice friendly staff. Prices are good and service was fast. Their baked beans are amazing! Will definitely go back for more!

AWSOME BBQ! Gotta love the Bogart Special, 2 pork sandwiches and drink. We usually supersize the sandwiches for $ 2 more. Add a small slaw to put on the sandwiches, and dig in! Sauces are good to the taste. Honey BBQ is yummy, and the hot sauce has great flavor. Fresh Aire is always a must stop when we come back in town after time away. And the banana pudding is just like my granny made!

Great local BBQ!
Was in Athens for the holidays and wanted to eat at local pork BBQ place. My father, who is a fan of both local and chain restaurants, heard about this place from some locals. It came highly recommended.
My daughter ordered the corn dog, and my wife and I ordered the Pork plate. Great pork-​smokey, chopped, and meet the expectation of a quality Southern BBQ!!! Was pleasantly surprized with the stew? Tomato based stew, rich and yummy.
Slaw was the least liked at our table, which was a paste of cabbage and mayo. Like my slaw shredded or chopped. NOT A DEAL BREAKER… love this place!

Ate here last night. It was about a half hour before close. People were very nice. My wife and I each got the chopped pork sandwich with fries, pickle spear, and a drink for 5.99 or so. I also got the banana pudding.
Neither my wife nor I cared for their sauces. They had mild and hot versions on the table. Both were very vinegary and liquidy. We prefer a thicker sauce. The mild wasn’t bad though.
The meat was ok. It was almost too moist and was more like a mashed potato consistency. Fries are fries.
Would have given a 3 star review because it was very average. It gets a two because we had to suffer through TMZ on the tv the whole time we were there. Most likely won’t go back.
Ate here last night. It was about a half hour before close. People were very nice. My wife and I each got the chopped pork sandwich with fries, pickle spear, and a drink for 5.99 or so. I also got the banana pudding.
Neither my wife nor I cared for their sauces. They had mild and hot versions on the table. Both were very vinegary and liquidy. We prefer a thicker sauce. The mild wasn’t bad though.
The meat was ok. It was almost too moist and was more like a mashed potato consistency. Fries are fries.
Would have given a 3 star review because it was very average. It gets a two because we had to suffer through TMZ on the tv the whole time we were there. Most likely won’t go back.

I have to agree with Jeff… C-​rate BBQ at best. I had always wanted to try this place and finally had a chance to grab lunch there. I was disappointed in the ribs and that it cost me over 9.00 for lunch. Sides taste as if they are straight out of the can or store made and their sauce wasn’t memorable. Maybe the chicken or pork is better, but I don’t think I’ll ever find out.

I hear the original in Jackson is great.
The one in Bogart is iffy. I love dives. Appearance doesn’t turn me off as long as it is clean. This is food from a steam table.
This BBQ is mediocre at best. Honestly the worst rib I have ever eaten. I’ve lived in the South my whole life, this q is a C+ at best.

This place is reallllllllllly good. The cheap prices aren’t bad either ;) I ordered 2 pork sandwiches (buy one get one free deal out of those UGA coupon books) and a side of fries. Total came out to be less than $ 4.50…you REALLY can’t beat that!
The menus are on the whiteboard AND online. Fries tasted like frozen ones so thumbs down on that. Wish they had mac n cheese as a side offering too (but they did have coleslaw, beans, both I didn’t get to try).
The BBQ sauce though… yum! I really like mine spicy and after dosing it with «HOT» bbq sauce in that squirt bottle that looks like an old school ketchup bottle (except labeled HOT), I got what I wanted.
Tried my boyfriend’s MILD version… not too bad either. We went to the location off of Atlanta Hwy. It’s pass Sam’s Club (assuming you are HEADING from UGA and onward to Atlanta Hwy)…about a mile and half to the right.

I was sent over here when I asked a couple of locals where to go for BBQ. They said it was a hole in the wall, which is exactly what I was looking for. I can attest they did not lie — the place is no bigger than my living room and dining room combined. And the food is rock solid.
I wanted to have a pork sandwich and a couple of ribs. Alas, they were out of ribs so I settled for a couple of pork sandwiches, slaw and chips. The slaw was OK. The pork had a good amount of flavor on its own, but I loved the sauce. I went for the «hot» which is vinegar based with good flavor first and heat second (I hate it when it’s the other way around).
I was looking for good local BBQ and I think I found it.

Now this is a truly kick-​ass barbecue restaurant in old-​school fashion! From the low cinder block building to the lack of menus inside, everything about Fresh Air lets you know you have encountered one of the keepers of the flame of proper barbecue.
From the minute I walked in to this place, I knew I was in good hands. The heavenly scent of smoky barbecue filled the air, long wooden picnic tables filled the dining area, and there was not a menu in sight. Everything was written on dry-​erase boards behind the counter, the way it should be in a barbecue joint. Prices are very reasonable; a chopped pork sandwich is $ 2.60, or $ 3.60 for a large. Everything can be ordered individually but they have platters if you prefer. I ordered a large #2 basket ($ 5.00 or $ 6.00 with large sandwich) that included sandwich, chips, slaw, pickle, and a drink at the counter, watched them plate it immediately, then headed to one of the long tables to enjoy the tasty goodness that was sure to come. Drinks are served in white Styrofoam cups as they should be and are self-​service; I choose their sweet tea, which was wonderful. Nothing pisses me off more than a restaurant that says «we have sugar or sweet & low» when you ask for sweet tea, that’s just cheap and lazy.
The sandwich was huge and very well prepared. The barbecue itself was some of the best I’ve had in a while, chopped fine with all the fat removed, nice smoke flavor and very moist, the slaw was very tasty if a little on the sweet side for my taste. I also ordered a small cup of Brunswick stew for .80, some of the best I’ve ever had. It has large chunks of veggies and lima beans and was just the right consistency.
I’d have to give them a well above average rating on everything. Fresh Air Barbeque produces one of the best products in an authentic setting I’ve had in a long time, all the while not trying to take you on prices. It’s refreshing to be able to order individual items and to be able to order lunch for $ 5.00.