Atlanta has very few traditions left, caught as it is under the churn of constant change of…read morebusinesses, including restaurants. One of the more enduring has been Fat Matt's Rib Shack, located north of Piedmont Park in an old donut shop. This place is not without controversy, though, as it technically cannot be called a barbecue joint proper due to the different way their meats are prepared. Charcoal takes the place of the orthodox hickory logs here, and for some, that is a disqualification from serious consideration. I say, (expletive) that prissy purism and enjoy some ribs!
Think about it: Memphis' Charles Vergos' Rendezvous also uses charcoal, and some people think their ribs are among the best on earth. So put that in your pipe and smoke it. I was so determined to get to Fat Matt's on a recent trip that I sat in traffic and went via detours to the establishment, well out of my way to my ultimate destination. It was worth the aggravation. For about $20-25, one can have a good-sized dinner of charcoal-and-sauce ribs, a side item, and a beverage. The ribs are grilled a slab at a time, slathered in Fat Matt's trademark hot-ish sauce, first to get it cooked, then to finish it when you order. Since I came at an off hour, I got my food pretty quickly.
And it did not disappoint. These spares are meaty enough to give a good chew (NOT "fall off the bone" soft like some others), suffused with the sauce. But if that's not enough for you, a small cup of additional sauce is provided with each order. Round that out with sides such as collard greens (my choice), macaroni and cheese, rum-spiked baked beans, and Brunswick stew, along with a couple slices of white bread for sopping (or sandwiches, if one has the patience for it) and a beer or iced tea or Coke, and you have a memorable meal.
But that's only half the charm of Fat Matt's. For at night, the place doubles as a blues music club, featuring local talent. Memorabilia and assorted ephemera from that genre of music adorn the walls of the establishment. Most noteworthy is a mural rendition of Mount Rushmore with faces of prominent bluesmen etched into the drawing. That provides the backdrop for a small stage where guitarists, keyboardists, bassists, and drummers hone their chops each and every night, providing an added attraction to the food. It is one of only three in-town blues clubs that are well-known to the larger public.
The place is small, and parking can be pretty scarce, so arrive early if you can. Since the music starts early, you won't miss a whole lot if you do not come out or stay late. This is perfect for people 30 and over who don't have the energy to hang out all night.