Some restaurants open and close before you ever learn their names, but Sprayberry’s Barbecue in Newnan has been serving plates since 1926. That is nearly a hundred years of chopped pork, Brunswick stew, and onion rings coming out of one family-run kitchen.
I went to see why the parking lot still fills up and why people argue about it so much. Here is what I found, the good parts and the mixed parts too.
A Family Barbecue Joint on Jackson Street
Pull onto Jackson Street in Newnan and you will find Sprayberry’s Barbecue sitting at number 229, looking like it has always been there. In a way, it has.
The restaurant opened in 1926 and is still described as family-run, which is rare for any business, let alone a barbecue spot.
On paper, it is a barbecue restaurant with a meat-centric menu. You get BBQ plates, burgers, and a few fried favorites, plus Southern sides and desserts.
Nothing about it tries to be trendy, and I think that is part of the appeal.
When I visited, I noticed right away how many cars were packed into the lot. One young visitor even wrote about arriving to a crowded parking lot before sitting down to eat.
Another couple said they drove by, saw the place packed, and decided they had to try it.
That steady crowd is what this article is really about. Why do people keep coming back to a place nearly a century old?
The answer is part food, part memory, and part small-town loyalty that is hard to measure.
Nearly a Century of Smoke and Memory
Ninety-plus years is a long time to keep a kitchen running. Sprayberry’s started in 1926, which means it has fed several generations of Newnan families.
You can feel that history the moment you walk in. One visitor said being there felt very nostalgic, and that the stew tasted like her grandmother’s recipe.
That kind of comment tells you the restaurant holds a place in people’s hearts beyond the food itself.
Not everyone reads the old-time vibe the same way, though. One guest joked that the setting felt old timey enough to remind them of a nursing home.
I laughed when I read that, because I could see both sides.
Fans also love to point out that it is still family owned and operated. For many longtime diners, that fact alone is worth the trip.
It means the place is not just another chain dropped into town.
So when you sit down, you are not only ordering lunch. You are stepping into a piece of local history that has outlasted almost everything around it.
Brunswick Stew That Sparks Debate
If one dish defines Sprayberry’s, it is the Brunswick stew. It is the most talked-about item in reviews, with dozens of mentions, and people feel strongly about it.
Fans go big with their praise. One regular called it the best on planet earth, Georgia-style of course.
Another said it was the best Brunswick stew they had ever had.
Others are less impressed. One diner found it just okay and a bit bland.
Another expected limas and corn but got a beef and tomato base that seemed closer to chili to them.
My take is that this stew is very much a local style. If you grew up on it, it probably tastes like home.
If you are used to a chunkier version full of vegetables, it might surprise you.
Either way, order a small cup at least once. Visitors mention that small stews are reasonably priced, so it is an easy way to join the debate yourself.
Chopped Pork and the Famous Lewis Grizzard Special
Here is a fun detail: Sprayberry’s has a plate called the Lewis Grizzard special. Based on one diner’s description, it is a BBQ pork sandwich with onion rings and Brunswick stew, basically the greatest hits on one tray.
The pork is chopped, not pulled. One happy guest said the meat falls out of the sandwich because the portion is so generous, then simply added the tangy sauce to the fallen pieces.
That sounds like my kind of problem.
Not every bite wins people over. Several visitors found the pork dry or chewy, and some said they wanted more smoke flavor.
One person ordered both pulled and sliced sandwiches and felt they looked nearly the same.
Still, plenty of first-timers walked away happy. One couple said their pork sandwiches arrived quickly and piping hot with very good flavor.
Another simply called the pulled pork absolutely delicious.
If you want the classic experience, the Grizzard special is the way to go. It gives you a taste of everything locals talk about most.
Vinegar Slaw and a Thin, Tangy Sauce
Expecting creamy white coleslaw? Prepare for a twist.
The slaw at Sprayberry’s is vinegar based, with a sweet and sour bite, and it is purple-tinted rather than creamy.
Some people adore it. One diner called it atypical but very delicious, saying the tang balances the rich meats.
Another named the slaw their ultimate favorite part of the meal.
Others really did not like it. A few reviewers called it soggy or too full of vinegar juice.
That split tells me it is very much a love-it-or-not side.
The barbecue sauce follows the same path. Visitors describe it as thin and vinegary, closer to a mop sauce than a thick sweet one.
If you like Carolina-leaning flavors, you may feel right at home.
One practical note: a reviewer mentioned the slaw costs $4.75 for a half pint. Share it if you are just curious.
Onion Rings, Ribs, and Other Plates
Onion rings come in second only to the stew in how often people mention them. They are homemade, which already puts them ahead of many places.
Results seem to vary by visit. One longtime guest said the onion rings, BBQ, and stew were all good.
Another found them undercooked, and one couple got them cold.
Ribs earn some warm words. A pair who shared a combo platter called them tender and wonderful, and another visitor said they were really good.
The potato salad and BBQ beans got praise too.
Hand-breaded chicken fingers are a hit with kids. One young diner described the first bite as heaven.
You can also find burgers, half chicken, turkey, and catfish on the menu.
I would skip the catfish based on what I read. Several guests found it under-seasoned or heavy on cornmeal.
Stick with the pork, ribs, or rings for your first visit.
Fried Pies and Old-School Desserts
Save room. Honestly, the desserts might be the quiet stars here.
The fried pecan pie with ice cream was called awesome by one happy guest. Another raved about the strawberry cobbler, and blackberry cobbler pops up in reviews as well.
Chocolate pie gets love from both fans and critics. Even one unhappy diner admitted the chocolate pie was good.
Another reviewer told readers not to forget it.
The fried peach pie is a bit of a wild card. One couple enjoyed it with their sandwiches, while another found the filling oddly dark.
My advice? Go for the chocolate pie or a fried pecan pie.
Pair it with a glass of sweet tea, which several guests named as a highlight.
Friendly Servers and a Quiet Dining Room
Ask almost anyone about Sprayberry’s staff and you will hear something kind. Even reviewers who disliked the food often praised the service.
One guest called the servers wonderful, excellent, and hard workers. Another said employees were kind and helpful, and the room felt nice and quiet.
A young visitor liked the roof and the nice tables.
Service moves fast too. One diner said drinks and food arrived within minutes.
Seating can be casual, as some guests are told to sit wherever they like.
A few longtime regulars noticed changes, like lots of new faces and seating yourself. Some felt the staff seemed young.
For families, older relatives, and anyone wanting a calm meal, it suits well. It is not a flashy spot, but it is welcoming.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Stop
Planning ahead helps. Sprayberry’s is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM, and it is closed on Sundays.
Prices typically fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. One reviewer spent $38 on two pork sandwiches, slaw, and two small stews, while another felt the prices were reasonable.
Your opinion may depend on what you compare it to.
The address is 229 Jackson St, Newnan, GA 30263. You can call ahead at 770-253-4421 or check sprayberrysbbq.com for menu details.
Since the parking lot fills up, I suggest arriving early for lunch. Takeout is available too.
Bring an open mind and a big appetite.
Worth a Visit for the Story
So, should you go? With a 3.9-star rating across nearly 700 reviews, Sprayberry’s clearly divides people.
Some diners call it the ultimate in Southern BBQ and say you must stop if you are in Newnan. Others leave disappointed, especially if they expect bold smoky flavors from other regions.
A visitor from Tennessee admitted their taste simply leaned elsewhere.
I see it as a living piece of Georgia food history. The stew, the tangy slaw, and the chocolate pie tell a story that started in 1926.
Go for the Lewis Grizzard special, a sweet tea, and a slice of pie. Chat with the servers and soak in the old-school feel.
You may leave a fan, or you may not. Either way, you will understand why the lines have lasted.
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