The Brisket At This Charming Georgia BBQ Shack Is Worth Every Bite

Tucked away at 2020 Demere Rd on beautiful St. Simons Island, Georgia, Southern Soul Barbeque is the kind of place that makes you want to pull over the moment you catch a whiff of oak-smoked goodness. This former gas station turned BBQ hotspot has earned a 4.6-star rating from over 3,500 fans, and once you taste their legendary brisket, you will understand exactly why.

Whether you are a local or just passing through the Golden Isles, this charming shack delivers big Southern flavors that stick with you long after the last bite. Get ready to find out what makes every single visit to Southern Soul Barbeque an experience worth talking about.

The Brisket That Keeps People Coming Back

One Georgia BBQ lover put it plainly: “SSBBQ has THE BEST BRISKET I have had to date!” That kind of praise does not come easy, especially from someone who eats BBQ all over the state for work. At Southern Soul Barbeque, the brisket is the undisputed star of the menu.

The bark on the outside is deeply seasoned and lovingly tended during the smoking process, creating a crust that locks in all those incredible juices. Slice into it and you get the perfect balance of meat and fat, with a texture that is tender without falling apart.

Reviewers consistently rave that no sauce is even needed, which is the highest compliment a pitmaster can receive. If you only order one thing during your visit, make it the brisket.

You will not regret that decision for even a single second.

Oak-Smoked Ribs Worth Every Sticky Finger

Forget paper napkins — you are going to need a full roll of paper towels for these ribs. Southern Soul Barbeque slow-smokes their pork ribs over oak wood, coaxing out a deep, rich flavor that has a subtle sweetness without being overly saucy.

One reviewer said the ribs were “tender with a hint of sweet” and that no sauce was needed whatsoever.

The smoke ring you see when you cut into a rib tells you everything about how much care goes into each rack. These are not rushed, oven-finished ribs — they are the real deal, cooked low and slow the way Southern BBQ was always meant to be made.

Paired with a cold drink on the outdoor patio, a rack of ribs here feels like the ultimate Georgia summer experience. Come hungry and leave completely satisfied.

Brunswick Stew That Earns Raves Every Time

Brunswick stew might be one of the most underrated dishes in all of Southern cooking, but Southern Soul Barbeque makes sure it gets the spotlight it deserves. One enthusiastic diner called it “absolutely phenomenal” and named it the standout of their entire meal — even above the ribs and brisket, which is saying a lot.

This thick, hearty stew blends smoky pulled meat with vegetables in a savory, slightly tangy base that warms you from the inside out. It is the kind of dish that feels like a hug in a bowl, especially on a cooler coastal Georgia evening.

Fun fact: Brunswick stew has deep roots in Georgia history, and restaurants like Southern Soul keep that tradition alive with every pot they simmer. Order a cup alongside your meat plate and discover why locals never skip this classic side.

Homemade Mac and Cheese That Hits Different

There is mac and cheese, and then there is Southern Soul Barbeque mac and cheese — and the difference is enormous. One diner made it crystal clear: “The Macaroni and Cheese was homemade, not that Velveeta cheese.” Real ingredients, real effort, and real flavor make this side dish stand out from the crowd.

Creamy, rich, and baked to golden perfection, this mac and cheese has the kind of depth that comes from scratch cooking. It pairs beautifully with the smoky, bold flavors of the BBQ meats, acting as a comforting counterbalance to all that savory goodness.

While a couple of reviewers noted inconsistency on off days, the majority of guests rave about this dish as a must-order. Skip the basic sides you could make at home and go straight for this house-made comfort food classic.

Your taste buds will thank you later.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches Piled Sky High

“One sandwich feeds two of you are not there to eat big” — that glowing quote from a satisfied customer sums up the generous portions at Southern Soul Barbeque perfectly. The pulled pork sandwich, also called the Soul Sandwich, is a menu legend for good reason.

Loaded with tender, oak-smoked pulled pork on a soft bun, this sandwich delivers layers of smoky flavor in every single bite. The bun is an unsung hero here — soft enough to soak up juices without falling apart, which one reviewer specifically called out as making a “huge deal.” Add a drizzle of their signature sweet sauce or hot sauce to customize the experience.

At around $20 with a tip, this sandwich offers serious value for the quality you receive. It is the kind of meal that makes you loosen your belt and smile at the same time.

Award-Winning BBQ Sauces You Will Want to Buy by the Bottle

“My wife and I were looking for places to buy it almost immediately” — that is what happens when a BBQ sauce is genuinely extraordinary. Southern Soul Barbeque crafts their own homemade sauces in-house, and they have become just as famous as the meats themselves.

From sweet to tangy to heat-forward varieties, there is a sauce on that table for every kind of BBQ fan. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with awards and magazine articles, and you can bet those sauces have played a starring role in earning that recognition over the years.

Good news for fans who cannot get enough: the gift shop stocks bottles you can take home, so the Southern Soul experience does not have to end when you leave the island. Stock up, because once your friends taste it at your next cookout, they will all be asking where to get more.

Smoked Turkey That Surprises Everyone

Most people do not walk into a BBQ joint thinking they will order the turkey — but at Southern Soul Barbeque, that is a mistake worth correcting. Multiple reviewers have gone out of their way to mention how impressively moist and flavorful the smoked turkey is, with one diner noting it was “tender and the vinegar on the side was flavorful.”

Smoking turkey low and slow over oak infuses the meat with a depth of flavor you simply cannot achieve in a conventional oven. The result is juicy, subtly smoky slices that hold their own right alongside the brisket and ribs on the sampler plate.

Even visitors from Texas BBQ country have been won over by this dish, which is about as high a compliment as Georgia BBQ can receive. Order it once and you will never overlook smoked turkey on a menu again.

Hush Puppies and Sides Worth Saving Room For

Hush puppies might seem like an afterthought at most restaurants, but at Southern Soul Barbeque they are a genuine highlight. One reviewer listed them among the standouts of an already incredible meal, putting them right up there with the Brunswick stew and BBQ sauce.

Crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside — these little golden bites are pure Southern comfort.

The side menu also includes seasoned collard greens, crispy fries, and brisket chili, giving you plenty of ways to round out your plate. Reviewers who ordered the collard greens alongside their rib plates had nothing but good things to say about the seasoning and preparation.

While some sides have received mixed reviews on certain visits, the hush puppies seem to consistently earn smiles from every table. Order a basket to share — or keep them all to yourself.

No judgment here at all.

Flavored Wings That Are Completely Off the Charts

“Off the charts delicious” is how one excited reviewer described the flavored wings at Southern Soul Barbeque, and honestly, that description checks out. Available in multiple flavors including the wildly popular Maui variety — which sells out regularly on weekends — these wings bring a whole new dimension to what a BBQ restaurant can offer.

Smoky, sweet, spicy, and meaty all at once, these wings are not your average bar-food version. They are generously sized, loaded with real flavor, and give you serious bang for your buck.

The reviewer who ordered three out of four available flavors came away raving about every single one.

If you are visiting on a Saturday, get there early and go straight for the Maui wings before they disappear. Missing them once is enough motivation to make sure you never let that happen again on a return visit.

The Unique Coleslaw That Completes the Brisket Sandwich

A good coleslaw can make or break a BBQ sandwich, and Southern Soul Barbeque clearly understands that assignment. One reviewer who drove all the way up from Northeast Florida specifically mentioned the coleslaw as having a “rather unique taste” that paired beautifully with the sliced brisket sandwich — calling both “very tasty.”

What makes their coleslaw stand out is its balance. It is not drowning in mayo or overwhelmingly sweet; instead, it offers a refreshing, slightly tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the smoked meats perfectly.

That contrast of textures and flavors is what elevates a great BBQ meal into an unforgettable one.

Ask for it on the side if you want to control the ratio, or let it sit right on top of the sandwich the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Either way, do not skip this underrated gem on the menu.

The Atmosphere Inside a Former Gas Station

Walking into Southern Soul Barbeque feels like stepping into a place with real character and history. The building started life as a gas station, and the quirky, lived-in charm of that original structure has been preserved and celebrated throughout the space.

License plates line the walls, and framed photos of awards and magazine features greet you as you walk toward the counter.

“Pictures of all their awards and magazine articles on the walls — gets you hyped up for the food,” one reviewer said, capturing the energy of the place perfectly. The setup is casual and welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating available for guests.

Outside, birds occasionally swoop in hoping for a bite — a quirky little detail that adds to the charm rather than taking away from it. This is a spot that feels genuine, fun, and deeply rooted in Southern culture from the moment you arrive.

Fast Service That Keeps the Line Moving

Spotting a long line outside a restaurant can be intimidating, but at Southern Soul Barbeque, that line moves faster than you might expect. Multiple reviewers noted that despite crowds, the service was “super efficient” and food came out remarkably quick.

One guest reported getting their full order in about 12 minutes even during a busy period.

The ordering process is straightforward and streamlined, which helps keep things running smoothly even on packed weekend afternoons. Staff members are generally described as friendly and helpful, with one cook even coming out from the back to personally recommend the sampler plate to first-time visitors.

Featured twice on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Southern Soul Barbeque has clearly learned how to handle the crowds that fame brings. The combination of speed, quality, and hospitality makes every visit feel smooth and satisfying rather than stressful or rushed.

The Gift Shop and Souvenirs Worth Browsing

Most BBQ joints send you home with nothing but a full stomach and a happy memory, but Southern Soul Barbeque goes one step further with their own gift shop. Tucked inside the restaurant, the shop carries souvenirs, branded merchandise, and most importantly, bottles of their legendary homemade BBQ sauce to take home with you.

One reviewer made a special point of recommending guests stop by the gift shop before leaving, calling it a fun addition to an already great experience. Another admitted they missed it on their first visit and vowed to check it out next time — proof that it is something worth planning for.

Whether you are picking up a sauce bottle for yourself or grabbing a souvenir for someone back home, the gift shop adds a personal, memorable touch to the Southern Soul Barbeque experience. It turns a great meal into a full-on destination worth revisiting again and again.