We were driving down 441 last week and remembered the sign at 59 pointing toward Smitty's. We said, we should go. in my email box this week is my weekly Yelp suggestions and what is at the top? Smitty's! It is a "plate of shrimp" moment of off we go. Smitty's is about a mile up 51 from the biggest truck stop interchange on 85. The building complex is a very cool set of older buildings that look like a barbecue restaurant. There is a giant stack of wood outside so this looks promising. When you go in, seats yourself and someone will be there to serve you right away. The menu is typical barbecue fare with a couple other items too. I ordered the brisket plate, Megan had a chicken fried steak. The brisket was tender and smokey with a little salt and pepper in the seasoning. It was good and meaty. The fries were good as was the okra. The stew was flavorful with tomato and corn. Megan's chicken fried steak was very good. It was beefy and tender and cooked just right. Her potato came with big cups of butter, cheese, and sour cream. And she ate her whole salad. This was a special road trip for use because of the Yelp suggestion. But if we are back in the area again we will defiantly hit them up again. read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Chicken fried steak. - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

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I've dined at Smitty's a fair amount of times, and it's overall been consistently good. Smitty's is a place that serves barbecue and more. I usually come here to get brisket and then some combination of sides. If I'm feeling especially frisky, I like to go for the cheese fries. Request the spicy barbecue sauce with your meat. It's very well-made and elevates the meats to another level. Unless it's early week, I'd recommend maybe staying away from the chicken. The one time I ordered chicken here, it clearly sat in the hot box for too long. Smitty's has to navigate a challenging environment, and I can certainly respect them for it. It's tough operating a restaurant in a sparsely populated area. As a result, Smitty's has limited hours of operation. In lieu of daily specials, they do buffet only on Sundays. I'll have to take a star off because the service can be pretty poor. Yes, takeout orders also should receive good service, especially given the fact that I always tip. The amount of times I've been rushed out without any offering of plasticware, or sometimes even without offering me barbecue sauce, is frankly too high. In spite of the sometimes poor service, Smitty's is a very good restaurant that deserves community support. read more

I travel for work a lot and have had lunch at hundreds of local spots coast to coast. Smittys felt like having dinner at home, but better and I did t have to clean up. The service was 5star, food was 6 stars. Made my trip driving how from Greenville to ATL the best. Brisket was perfect, green beans were awesome and the peach cobbler was better than a cherry on top. read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - The best BBQ around. - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

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We visited Smitty's on our way home from camping in Atlanta. What a hidden gem this place is! We were there on Sunday so we got a meat and two. The food was amazing. All fresh, home cooking! There was adequate parking to fit our camper and truck! We will definitely be back. read more

It looked like a really good bbq place, but I am not sure about the food because we did not eat there. Just a post (3/12/26) if you are looking for pulled pork or anything like that, call ahead. They only had hamburgers, fried fish type bbq joint food. They were out of anything smoked for a bit of time. read more

Always great food and service. We eat here at least weekly. Get the fried jalapeños, a secret menu item. The Philly steak sandwich is always on point. read more

Happened upon this BBQ place while driving through the area. Great stop!!! Friendly service. Good food. Amazing prices. No complaints.

The food is so great, especially the smoked chicken half. It is always very tender and falls off the bone. The service is always great and the lady's always check on you multiple times while there read more

Great food great service great people our favorite place to eat! Go see them! Open Fri Sat Sun

Amazing food! Fantastic BBQ and try the chocolate cobbler! The Rack of ribs did not disappoint!! read more

Great food and service for VERY reasonable prices. I would definitely recommend Smittys

I'm a native of Hart county and lived in Franklin county for 7 years and I've just discovered this gem. My husband introduced me to it! (We haven't been married long) He's lived here his whole life. This is the best bbq place in Franklin and hart county, I'm convinced. We slip off here on thursdays when the kids are at school For our lunch date. They never disappoint! All the food I've tried is great! I prefer the chicken half plate. He's had everything there but most recently, the Philly sandwich and it was great. Yesterday he had the rainbow trout- also, great! We love the redneck nachos! The sides are good and so are the desserts! You walk in and seat yourself. TheY serve your drinks in these BIG cups filled and the staff is always friendly. It's a bbq shack, but they keep it really clean. Always filled with plenty of customers. Worth the little drive if you have to make one, luckily, we aren't far away. read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Redneck nachos for 2 - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

Good southern food, ample portions, nice staff, good prices. We'll be back! This was a great find!

I love bbq but sometimes I want a hot juicy hamburger. smitty's is so much better than fast food burgers absolutely no comparison. they are thick and juicy. I love my fries extra crispy and that's exactly what I get. plus, fast friendly service read more

Brisket is off the chain!! Ribs are excellent! The waitstaff is awesome! The atmosphere is very welcoming. From my first visit, I felt like a regular weekly customer. It's well-worth the 20 minute drive for us to pick up a couple pounds of brisket, ribs, pork, and a variety of sides to eat at home, as well. read more

Stopped here on our way through Georgia. Great choice! My brisket plate was the best I've had! My husband's double bacon cheeseburger was huge and juicy, a big hit! Fast with a friendly waitress. Definitely recommend Smitty's! read more

My family said that that was the was some of the best beef brisket that they've ever had. All of their sauces are tomato based. I had a chicken bacon ranch sandwich which was delicious too. The fries were hot and crispy, not greasy, and I could've made a meal out of them. They have a wide selection for those who aren't bbq fans. The place was clean, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable of the food. They were accommodating to my dietary needs. read more

Best BBQ around this area!!! And we've tried them all in the 6 months since we moved here.

What a perfect stop for lunch! Right off I 85 and you feel like you're at Mamas house! Quick service, delicious food and very friendly staff! Love the old building and creaky floors, cleans bathroom and large helpings. Give it a try....you won't be disappointed! And be sure to try the chocolate cobbler!! read more

Good old fashioned bbq at its finest! Friendly family service. All you can eat pulled pork & Great desserts too

Went for Barbecue, tasted like the ribs were boiled, no texture to the meat, not good. The pork also did not have a smoked flavor. This was a big disappointment. Asked for a dessert to go and we never saw our waitress again. We had no check so just walked to the register and told that person what we got to pay. Probably won't return, poorly prepared barbecue and poor service. read more

Is "family restaurant" synonymous for huge portions? Well, for this place it should be. When your indecisive, why not try a little of it all. Which is what we did. I had the veggie plate (no judgment, please) but everything came out warm, huge, and fried! The squash was even fried into little disks. Magic! And don't get me started on the sweet tater tots. Yum! You could eat them for dessert. The stew was great too; just the right level of spice and heat. Next time I'll be more adventurous and I'll try the brisket or "Redneck Nachos." I mean, why not?! So, yes! They'll be a next time for this passer-through. read more

This place is the biggest sleeper ever. They are just one road off I-85 and real easy for off & on travelers. BBQ is fantastic and super friendly service. I got 10 hot wings and they were super fresh and great tasting. My friend got a pulled pork sandwich so after I polished off the 10 wings I got me a pulled pork sandwich also. I will stop here again real soon. read more

Friendly service, amazing food, quaint setting, great prices! We tried a lot of things but our favs were BBQ grilled cheese, pork sandwich, Mac and cheese and the best green beans I have ever eaten in my life. read more

The food was incredible, and you get sooo much! I was visiting family and had gone to a chain restaurant for BBQ earlier in the week. They insisted on going to Smitty's before I left to go home! It's a smaller local restaurant with a hometown feel and is definitely worth going to! It's the best BBQ I've ever had! The service was fast and very friendly! I even bought T-shirts to bring back to Pittsburgh. The next time I am in GA, Smitty's will be on my list, at least a couple times! read more

The brisket here is amazing. It's very moist and tender and has a great salt and black pepper crust. The sides are delicious and just like grandma use to make. This food is as southern as it gets! It's only 1 minute off the interstate. It's just off of the northbound side of the interstate. If you are traveling south bound then just take a left once you get off the exit and then take another left at the 4 way stop and smiths will be on your right. If your going north bound then take a right once you get off the exit and then take a left at the 4 way stop and smiths will be on your right. You can actually see smiths from the 4 way stop. It is well worth the stop off of the interstate. They always have sweet tea and also have unsweet tea for the people that are not from around these parts. You can pay with cash or credit/ debit cards read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

I've eaten brisket in many places across America and this has been the best brisket so far. The service was fantastic! A barbecue place a short distance off the interstate. A BBQ place that is well seasoned from time of doing barbecue right. I look forward to visiting again. The ambiance is great, the staff were pleasant and so were the other customers. read more

The food is awesome priced just right. The service there is the best. It's like going home. Highly recommend.

Wonderful food! Was looking for a halfway point between Greenville and Atlanta. Perfect spot. Super friendly people. DELICIOUS FOOD. I wish I could eat there often. Well worth the stop! Location is easy to find and tables are comfortable. Want to return next time I am in the area. read more

We love trying new to us restaurants. This one didn't look like much, but we have noticed adverts in local areas. We decided to give them a try on a Friday night. We thought we would beat the crowd by arriving a little past five, but they were already busy. It is one of those local joints where all the townspeople eat and stop to stare when "foreigners" walk in! Not much goes in to the upkeep inside or out, but THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT. There is no rhyme or reason to the parking. No rhyme or reason to the seating. Friendly staff, but a little training may be needed. For example...we ordered together, but our food came out at different times. One of us was half finished eating before the other got their plate. The bottles of BBQ sauce sitting on the table, completely unmarked, several tables sat with leftover food/plates from previous customers...cleaned after new customer sat down. The important thing...food was hot, fresh, and delicious. Good portions, fair price, seasoned well. Pork plate...a little slight on the amount of pork, fries delicious, fried okra excellent, baked beans very sweet, stew tasted like stew is supposed to, hamburger steak good portion and seasoned well, Smitty's chips need different cheese (it was a powdered cheese, maybe parm, but fell off the chips). Our personal Top Locals... 1. Meat...Chet's...Iron Pig...Big Oak...Smitty's...Big B's 2. Stew...Big Oak...Smitty's...Chet's...Big B's...Iron Pig 3. Beans...Iron Pig...Smitty's... 4. Hamburger steak...County Line Cafe...Smitty's...Huck's read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Smitty's - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

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The brisket is amazing, it is really tender and has a great pepper to it. I had the Smitty's Spud with brisket and it was the best I've had. My husband had the Philly cheesesteak with brisket and really enjoyed it. The homemade bbq sauce had a great kick to but didn't overpower the taste of the brisket. We both had the Mac 'n Cheese and it was delicious. We will definitely stop again. read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Smitty's Spud and garlic toast - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

One of my childhood favorite, comfort food of my life, the best BBQ in GA! The stew is perfect, BBQ is always delicious and the cobblers and amazing. Wonderful staff and friendly faces. read more

Don't mind the review below me k must stand for Karen Smitty's is great it's just a country place come in and make yourself at home based on her reviews I think she must have a problem with most places of business read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

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This was the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. The people didn't even greet us or sit us down. A CUSTOMER told us to sit down. It took forever for them to take our order and then forever for it to come out. They didn't even bring us a check and we had to go up and ask for it. The workers asked us 3 times to for a tip. We didn't leave one because we had no actual service or any reason to leave one. read more

5 stars on all! Service was great! The food was amazing. Very welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the half smoked chicken, it literally fell apart on my plate. We love supporting small local business, so glad we chose this one on our drive home to Va. read more

We found Smitty's searching Yelp for a local restaurant on the road as we traveled up i85 from Alpharetta. Not only was the food delicious and hearty, owner Smitty stopped by to chat and check that we were happy with our meal. I suggest the juicy smoked half chicken, sauce-free pulled pork (two sauces on the side), peppery green beans and excellent Brunswick Stew. The chocolate cobbler and blueberry cobbler cannot be missed. Great hospitality, real food and a charming, rustic dining room. Good value as well, definitely recommended for the traveler in search of some local flavor. read more

Smitty's Family Restaurant - Smitty's smokehouse & restaurant. Great food and kind folks! - Barbeque Near Me - Carnesville, Georgia

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I selected this place for a take out lunch for 4, because they were on the way to where I was going, and they were open early enough for my schedule. The reviews were all great, I can only agree, and now I am a fan! The people I brought lunch to were so impressed, as was I, and now I will be finding excuses to go by here so I can get some more BBQ and potato salad! read more

Great BBQ restaurant! Super nice staff. Ask for their brisket. It's delicious! I am definitely visiting again soon. read more

We religiously go to Smitty's BBQ after the first time trying it. Fantastic BBQ and even better prices. Love the hometown feel.

Customer Service is great. The food is great. We had a variety of the menu items and all have been above standard. The sweet tea is sweet tea great. read more