Tucked away in the tiny mountain town of Cherry Log, Georgia, The Pink Pig has been serving up legendary Southern barbecue since 1967. If you have never made the trip out to 824 Cherry Log St, you are seriously missing out on one of North Georgia’s most beloved hidden gems.
With a 4.5-star rating from over 1,500 happy customers, this down-home BBQ joint proves that great food is always worth the journey. From the smoky pulled pork sandwich to the creamy banana pudding, every bite tells a story of Southern tradition done right.
The Legendary Pulled Pork Sandwich
Some sandwiches are forgettable. The pulled pork sandwich at The Pink Pig is absolutely not one of them.
Customers who have made the winding drive through the Georgia mountains to Cherry Log agree that this is the sandwich that keeps them coming back, season after season.
The pork is pit-cooked low and slow, giving it that deep smoky flavor that shortcuts simply cannot replicate. Each bite is tender, juicy, and packed with the kind of authenticity that chain restaurants can only dream about.
Pair it with your choice of their housemade BBQ sauces, and you have got yourself a meal that feels like a warm hug from the mountains. One reviewer even said their spouse had the sandwich and could not stop raving about it.
Trust the crowd on this one.
Pit-Cooked BBQ Tradition Since 1967
Over five decades of smoke, sauce, and satisfied smiles — that is the story of The Pink Pig. Opening its doors in 1967, this Cherry Log institution has outlasted trends, chain restaurants, and countless food fads by doing one thing exceptionally well: real pit-cooked barbecue.
Pit cooking is not a quick process. Meat is slow-cooked over wood or charcoal for hours, allowing smoke to penetrate deep into every fiber, building layers of flavor that oven-roasted BBQ simply cannot match.
The Pink Pig has honored this tradition every single service day since the Johnson administration.
When a restaurant survives for more than 55 years in a small Georgia mountain town, you know it has earned its reputation the hard way — one plate at a time. History and flavor come together beautifully here.
The Famous Alice Potatoes
Ask almost anyone who has eaten at The Pink Pig what surprised them most, and a good number will say the Alice Potatoes. These are not your average side dish.
Multiple reviewers have called them the standout item of their entire meal, which is saying something at a place loaded with great food.
Crispy on the outside, fluffy and flavorful on the inside, these seasoned potatoes arrive at your table looking like pure comfort food royalty. They are the kind of side that makes you wonder why you ever settled for boring fries anywhere else.
One guest wrote, “I can not say enough about their Alice Potatoes!” That kind of enthusiasm from a satisfied customer says everything. Order them as a side, or honestly, just order a big plate of them and call it a meal.
Zero regrets guaranteed.
Smoky Brisket Worth Talking About
Brisket lovers, pay attention. The Pink Pig serves up smoked beef brisket that has earned some seriously passionate reviews from guests across the board.
Several diners have called it some of the best brisket they have had in years, praising its smoky depth and tender texture.
Good brisket is a labor of love. It requires patience, the right wood, and a pitmaster who genuinely cares about the craft.
The team at The Pink Pig clearly puts in that effort, producing brisket that is rich, flavorful, and satisfying in a way that only true smoke-kissed meat can be.
Whether you order it as a plate, in tacos, or loaded on nachos, the brisket here consistently impresses. One reviewer raved about the brisket nachos being “more than they could handle” — and that is a very good problem to have.
Crispy Golden Onion Rings
There is something deeply satisfying about a perfectly fried onion ring, and The Pink Pig has mastered the art. Guests consistently rave about these crispy, golden beauties, often listing them among the top highlights of their visit alongside the heavier BBQ plates.
Paired with the restaurant’s fresh housemade ranch dipping sauce, these onion rings hit a flavor note that keeps you reaching back into the basket long after you planned to stop. They are crunchy without being greasy, which is harder to pull off than most people realize.
One Level 9 Google Local Guide described them as “crispy, golden, and paired with fresh ranch that hits just right.” When a seasoned food reviewer with 99 million views worldwide gives your onion rings that kind of praise, you know they are the real deal. Start your meal here — you will be glad you did.
Creamy Mac and Cheese That Steals the Show
Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that can either be completely forgettable or absolutely unforgettable. At The Pink Pig, it lands firmly in the second category.
Multiple guests have specifically called out the mac and cheese as a highlight of their meal, which is no small feat when you are competing with smoked meats for attention.
Rich, creamy, and comforting in the best possible way, this is Southern mac and cheese done with genuine care. One reviewer noted that his son declared the mac and cheese the highlight of his entire meal — even above the ribs, which were also described as great.
Whether you order it as a side to your pulled pork sandwich or pair it with a brisket plate, this mac and cheese delivers every single time. Southern comfort food does not get much better than this.
Brunswick Stew, A Southern Classic
Brunswick stew is one of those deeply Southern dishes that carries a whole lot of history in every bowl. The Pink Pig serves up their version of this thick, hearty classic alongside their BBQ plates, and for many guests, it rounds out the meal in the most satisfying way.
Loaded with smoky meat, vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth, Brunswick stew is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out — especially after a cool drive through the North Georgia mountains. It is a staple on the menu for good reason, representing generations of Southern culinary tradition.
Opinions on stew are always personal, and this one has its devoted fans who return for it every visit. If you have never tried authentic Georgia-style Brunswick stew, The Pink Pig is an excellent place to experience it for the very first time.
Banana Pudding That Completes the Meal
Saving room for dessert at The Pink Pig is not optional — it is a requirement. Their banana pudding has earned a reputation all on its own, with multiple reviewers describing it as “the best banana pudding ever” after a single spoonful.
Creamy, sweet, and loaded with vanilla wafers and fresh banana flavor, this is the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and just appreciate the moment. One guest was so impressed that they ordered a container of it to go, refusing to leave without securing more for the road.
After a full plate of smoky BBQ, tender pulled pork, and crispy sides, ending the meal with a generous cup of banana pudding feels like the perfect Southern send-off. As one reviewer put it, dessert here “completed the experience with a smile.” That says it all.
Warm, Family-Style Service
Walking into The Pink Pig feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. The staff here have built a reputation for warmth, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality that goes well beyond what you typically expect from a casual BBQ spot.
One family visiting from Dallas wrote that they “felt like they were treated like family” from the moment they walked in. Another guest praised server Brelyn for making a special homecoming night even more memorable with her level of care and personal attention.
The Pink Pig even went above and beyond for a new mom visiting with her two-month-old baby, rearranging seating to accommodate a stroller and offering a changing table in the restroom. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare anywhere, let alone at a small-town BBQ joint.
Service like this is part of what makes the drive worthwhile.
Brisket Nachos Loaded With Flavor
Nachos at a BBQ joint might sound unexpected, but The Pink Pig makes it work in the most spectacular fashion. Their brisket nachos have developed a devoted following among guests who stumble upon them on the menu and never look back.
Picture this: a generous pile of crispy tortilla chips buried under layers of tender smoked brisket, melted cheese, and all the fixings that make nachos irresistible. One reviewer laughed that the brisket nachos were “more than they could handle” — and still raved about how great they were, taking plenty home for later.
For anyone who wants to experience the restaurant’s standout brisket in a fun, shareable format, the nachos are an absolute must-order. They bring together the smoky depth of pit-cooked BBQ with the crowd-pleasing joy of loaded nachos.
Creative, filling, and genuinely delicious.
The Eclectic Atmosphere and Charming Decor
Part of what makes a meal at The Pink Pig so memorable is the space itself. Reviewers consistently describe the atmosphere as “super cute,” “eclectic,” and full of personality — the kind of place where the decor tells a story just as much as the food does.
The low-rise building is cozy and intimate, with Southern charm baked into every corner. During the holiday season, the Christmas decorations reportedly take the ambiance up another level entirely, turning an already charming spot into something truly magical for visiting families and couples.
Beyond the dining room, the restaurant also features a “robust gift shop” stocked with branded shirts, hats, necklaces, books, and even copies of Georgia Backroads magazine. It is the kind of place you want to browse after a big meal.
The Pink Pig is an experience, not just a restaurant stop.
Open Only Three Days a Week — Plan Ahead
Here is something every first-time visitor needs to know before making the drive: The Pink Pig is only open Thursday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 8 PM. That limited schedule is part of what gives the restaurant its exclusive, special-occasion feel — and it means you absolutely need to plan ahead.
During busy seasons in North Georgia, the wait times can stretch to over an hour, which tells you everything about how popular this place truly is. Some guests have called ahead for reservations to skip the line, which is a smart move if you are visiting during peak tourist weekends in the Blue Ridge and Ellijay area.
The limited hours also mean the kitchen is focused and intentional, never rushing through service just to turn tables. Quality over quantity is clearly the philosophy here.
Mark your calendar, set your GPS, and make it happen on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Why the Drive to Cherry Log Is Totally Worth It
Cherry Log, Georgia is not exactly on the beaten path — and that is precisely what makes finding The Pink Pig feel like such a rewarding discovery. Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, this tiny community is the kind of place that rewards curious travelers willing to follow a winding road to something truly special.
One longtime reviewer put it plainly: “The BBQ places in Blue Ridge don’t even come close to the quality of food at the Pink Pig. You can spend a lot more elsewhere, but you won’t find the overall experience anywhere we can name.” High praise from someone who clearly knows the area well.
Whether you are road-tripping through the mountains, visiting Blue Ridge or Ellijay, or simply on the hunt for the best pulled pork sandwich in Georgia, The Pink Pig at 824 Cherry Log St deserves a spot at the top of your list.