Wonderful food from an award winning chef. We loved the bbq sandwich and the pork plate

These guys running this place are the best! They have tons of positive personality, which results from serving some of the best BBQ around. Their menu is limited but straightforward and easy. I got the three-meat combo. You can't go wrong with anything here. They do go hard in the paint on the sauce. They mixed my sides and gave me beans, which I usually don't eat. But I tried theirs, and they changed my mind. Theirs are the best I've had. The coleslaw is very good, but a hair wet for me. They hooked it up with bread and a slice of lemon cake. It was an incredible amount of food for the money. I want less BBQ sauce and give some on the side if a customer wants more. Tip: If you're going for lunch, go early. They sold out in an hour & a half, and I saw many disappointed people pulling in. PS: Give them a try and get their rating up to 5. They claim it's already at 5. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

We stopped in after a quick trip to North GA on a whim. Characters is a hole in the wall restaurant that is being slept on...from the outside, it looks like a hole in the wall, no frills but clean and plenty of seating inside and out. The menu is simple or "basic" as I like to say...and you know I love me some "basic!" We opted for the chicken sandwich and the pork sandwich, 2 cokes and 2 bags of basic lays - $21. For real. Our sandwiches were EXCELLENT. The sandwich itself was oversized, the portion of meat was more than generous, and juicy...mmmmm. We opted for sauce on the side because we were told it had a kick...and I'm a puss with heat. Both the chicken and the pork were so juicy that you don't need sauce...but I added some to mine. It was good, not sweet and doesn't feel hot until after the fact - I was impressed, it was so good. The service was simple and kind, plenty of to go traffic from locals and a few of us who were off the beat and path watched a little football has some small talk and ate a great meal. I highly recommend making the stop, if you are in the area! read more

Character's Famous BBQ - BBQ Chicken Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

Man, this place is good. It's like walking back in time to the way BBQ should be..... simple and delicious. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Rib plate - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

This place is AMAZING! The meat is tender, juicy, and FULL of flavor. The coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans have a perfect flavor. The owner is a very nice guy who you can tell takes pride in his cooking. Definitely the best BBQ I've had and will be coming back! read more

This is, hands down, the BEST barbecue I've ever had! The sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, savory and a slight peppery bite, but not really needed. The ribs are, brisket, chicken and pros are tender and flavorful. I got the potato salad and baked beans... again, some of the best! All plates also come with a slice of pound cake. My wife, a pound cake snob, loved it so much she took mine! Lol. They're also some of the nicest people you'll meet! We'll definitely be back. read more

You won't find better smoked meat anywhere. The ribs are fall off the bone and the sauce is the real deal. Pulled pork and chicken are an experience. read more

The barbecue is excellent. In my opinion, among the top 5 BBQ restaurants in the NW Georgia area. The ribs are standout, but may be slightly spicy for some tastes. Suggest asking for the sauce on the side. It's worth negotiating having to arrive early (before he sells out) and on restricted days. As his answering machine message says "If there's a sign on the door, there ain't no more!" read more

Best bbq ever. I love the ribs. You will never find a better place for bbq. Characters is the best ever!!!

These are hands down the best ribs you can get. I eat mine without sauce, but the rub he uses is so flavorful, you don't need it. You can also get the ribs sauced or sauce on the side. They have really good sides, and you get a slice of their delicious pound cake to top it off. Check the days and hours, he's not open all day, or all days of the week. This place is a must try, you won't regret it! read more

The smoked brisket is best in the world, as is the pork and the chicken. It's so good you don't need any sauce on it but if you like sauce it is really good homemade sauce spicy just right also his coleslaw and potato salad maybe the best I ever had great food. read more

Awesome barbecue the ribs were amazing! Oh my word they were the best ribs I have ever had. The service was excellent and very friendly. The ambiance was really good and cool with lots of cool memorabilia on the walls. Very great restaurant and very good barbecue! read more

This place is just a bit off the beaten path, but you really have to look for it. This was my first visit and I ordered the pork plate with coleslaw and baked beans. The staff and owner were very friendly. The pork was smoky and very juicy. The coleslaw was fresh and crunchy but oddly enough it had cinnamon in it (I wasn't really a fan of it). I didn't care for the beans either as I did not have a lot of flavor and tasted like it was overcooked. Each plate comes with two slices of white bread and a small slice of iced lemon pound cake. The cake was moist and tasty and a great finish to the meal. read more

See all

Bucket list complete. Great service, Great food! Worth a trip if you are visiting Atlanta or Chattanooga. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Brisket Plate, potato salad and baked beans for the win - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

This is not my first time here and each time I am not disappointed except when they don't have what I want. Today we got there at 11:20am and they were already sold out of a lot of items and he just opened at 11am. But not to complain I still got some food for me and my husband. Everything was good and fresh. I only get to come this way every so often and each time we come get a plate. read more

See all

Great service, I had the Ribs with Potato salad and Slaw. It' was all delicious. Thomas took our order, nicest guy you'll ever meet. Prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend.! read more

My wife and I dropped by Character's Famous BBQ on our way back to Alabama, and we were not disappointed. We had the Pork Sandwich and Chicken Sandwich! As well as a Combo plate with Ribs and Brisket to go!!! Everything was Phenomenal!!! After watching his appearance on BBQ Pitmasters, we were automatically fans! Attitude, Professionalism, Food, and Atmosphere was top notch! We will be back!!! Thats a Fact! Thank You Michael Character for the wonderful experience and food! Oh yeah, that Cheerwine is Good! read more

This is about of the way place that we decided to go to. Had excellent reviews and was listed as being open for hours. Get there and it is CLOSED! No signage indicating when they will be open. So as far as I know it is permanently closed. read more

1st time back in a long time and tried the trifecta. The 3 meats I chose were pork, ribs and beef. Sides I chose were potato salad and beans. Canned drinks only. Meat was solid, moist with just a little of their sauce mixed in. Ribs were on the small side, but there were 4 of them. Beef reminded me more of chuck roast than brisket. One thing I found odd was potato salad heavy on the relish, a bit sweet along with their sweet baked beans, but their sauce is definitely not sweet like most BBQ joints. And a small slice of lemon pound cake to finish. Service was awesome, they killed it. Will likely return! read more

Wow, just WOW! This place makes everyone feel like family! From the moment we walked in and the smell of BBQ hit us, I knew it was going to be good. Mike and Thomas, with their warm Southern hospitality, made the experience even better. We ordered the ribs and chicken, and let me tell you--the ribs stole my heart! They were tender, flavorful, and absolutely perfect. The chicken was great too, and the plate even came with a dessert: a homemade lemon pound cake by Mike that was simply amazing. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend this spot!" read more

See all

Best BBQ around! The pulled pork is awesome, the chicken is great and the atmosphere is real!

Can't go wrong with anything you order here. Food always taste amazing just wish they had more side options

You'll definitely miss this place if you're not looking for it. Good BBQ. I got the ribs platter. Three ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and came with two slices of bread and a piece of pound cake. I am a spicy wimp, though, so the sauce had a bit of a kick to me. Just enough to make me take a bit of bread every now and then. They have tables there but it's more of a pick up and go kind of place. Very nice guys running it when I was there! read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Ribs plate to go - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

Yelp needs to give these guys an award or they should be featured on TV. This is the best BBQ I've ever had! The meat - whether it's the ribs, brisket, pulled pork or chicken- is soooo tender and flavorful it practically melts in your mouth. The sauce is also amazing. Best of all the service is efficient and friendly. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

I've literally eaten BBQ all over the United States. This is the best. Period. My go to is the two meat plate with ribs and brisket. Best of both you will ever taste. Fall off the bone ribs and melt in your mouth brisket. The sauce the perfect combination of smoky, spicy, tangy, sweet. Checking all the boxes, but never going too far with any of them. My favorite sides are the homemade smoked baked beans and the potato salad. Ridiculously good. The pound cake is my least favorite part of the meal...and even it's amazing. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

Finding places like this...thanks Yelp! I've been visiting the Atlanta area for a yearly adventure based game that I play called geocaching-check it out-and right after getting our rental we found this spot on Yelp. Read a few reviews and headed right over. We got there just in time as they were beginning to run out of items! I ordered the ribs and the pulled pork along with sides of coleslaw and potato salad. The food arrived quickly and....oh wow...delicious!! Everyone was smiling and happy to assist which became contagious. Everyone at their tables were smiling and enjoying their food. I briefly spoke to some who said they came from miles away to have lunch. But did they fly from Miami? HAHA. I will definitely return. (My photos are already posted) read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

If you are in Notthern Georgia, hungry and craving BBQ. Stop right there. Stop your rig, truck, RV or Uber and come on by. BBQ eats are on point as soon as your vehicle air intake inhales the parking lot perfume or BBQ Smokey goodness. Your car smells like, BBQ Heaven. (Kind of my humble cross check for good BBQ places.) The menu is simple, prices good, and service with a smile. Our BBQ was fresh, flavorful and satisfying and so were the sides. We had the coleslaw & potato salad. (It's not your standard variety) Glad we tried and enjoyed it! Do yourself a favor. Pull off the interstate. It was an easy off and easy back on and we are on our way. Doors close at 2 pm so get your feed on early. Bless you! read more

See all

The food was okay but you have to get there when they first open or they will run out of menu items within the approximate two hour operation time. Wait time is what's expected with a two man operation. I was looking forward to tasting the potato salad and pound cake but it was gone by the time I got there twenty minutes after opening. I would visit again. read more

Unbelievable! The beat BBQ I've ever had! Quick service since the meat has obviously cooked all night! Amazing taste, flavor, who needs ambiance? I took it to go, but next time I will eat there. Yummy! Great price. Great value. Get the plate special. This is an award winning bbq! He's been on tv & has awards in the place! Wow & yum should be a unique word to because I need more to say!! read more

Been wanting to try out this place for a while now. I ordered a half rack of ribs, baked beans and potato salad. The ribs were tender and juicy with a lot of meat on the bone and the baked beans were the best I think I've ever had. Plus, I got to meet the famous Michael Character from the Food Network TV Show BBQ Pitmasters. Simply the BEST. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Me and the Famous Michael Character form the TV Show BBQ Pitmasters. - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

Best bbq period. Some of the nicest and most authentic people. The atmosphere is what you hope to find in a "hidden jewel" bbq spot. Get there early because they will run out.... If you know, you know. read more

This place the best BBQ I have ever had. Michael and Staff are really nice and care about your experience. They aren't over priced and you definitely get every penny you pay for. Super great experience. Ribs, chicken, brisket are all Great!! You will love it!! read more

Character's Famous BBQ - Me with the Characters crew!! - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

You have to know where this place is otherwise you'll drive right by. Open only a few hours each day, their BBQ usually sells out. Get there early!!!! Had the chicken and pork. Moist and delicious. Sauce has a little kick. Tater salad, and coleslaw are perfect. The baked beans had so much flavor I couldn't believe it. We wii be back for sure. read more

See all

Don't go looking too hard for this place, you will miss it! It is a small little place right off the side of the road. The food is outstanding! We were not too far away and hungry and saw this place on yelp and remember seeing them on BBQ Pit masters and that was an immediate yes for us. Everyone was extremely kind and helpful and the place has a nice little home feel. The food was excellent and the prices were fantastic. We had enough for lunch and dinner and a snack. We will definitely be back. read more

Character's Famous BBQ - With bread and lemon pound cake - Barbeque Near Me - Adairsville, Georgia

See all

This would have been a big surprise if I hadn't read an article in a local magazine "NWGA'S PREMIER FEATUE MAGAZINE. The atmosphere was just perfect foe a first time customer. My wife said we need to go around 1:30 to make sure we got food. They do run out, especially on Saturdays. She was right. When we arrived the were out of chicken and getting low on beef. That was OK, because we wanted pork. We also had baked beans and potato salad. We took home enough pork for lunch the next day. Don't be late, it is worth the wait. read more

Small hole in the wall off the main drag on the north side of Adairsville - do NOT let the outside appearance fool you. Best BBQ around for 50 miles. So clean inside you could eat off the floors. Great quality meats, delicious sides, and the best coconut cake since my grandma 's. Although Michael is a famous BBQ competitor on t.v. now, his work at the home grill is better than ever. Try it - thank me later. read more

We were finally able to make it here on our way from Atlanta to Chattanooga. All I can say is WOW. We had the pork sandwiches and a surprise side of ribs and they were just outstanding. The flavor was amazing and the portions were huge! The staff was incredibly nice and Michael (one of our absolute favorite BBQ pitmasters) is just terrific. Absolutely loved this place and we will be back. - Josh R and the family from GT read more

My wife and I traveled from Rome (not far) today to Characters BBQ on Yelp recommendations. We were impressed! Shared the 3 meat plate, ribs, pork, and chicken along with baked beans and slaw. It was fantastic! Meat very tender. Folks there were helpful and pleasant. This is 40 mile BBQ! read more

Just got back from a trip to Texas. All BBQ I try is scaled to Character's, and theirs is still at the top of the list. I had some decent brisket in Texas, but still prefer characters. And nobody has came close to touching their ribs. You also absolutely cannot beat the price of this place for the amount of food you get. They may not have sweet tea, but they have the best BBQ and the best pound cake I've had yet! read more

Best bbq I have had in a long time. I had three meat plate there and took another order ribs as Togo. I split the plate with my wife and we couldn't finish it. Great sides also and good value. Best ribs! read more

See all