A nice deep cut BBQ joint in Atlanta right on Lake Lanier. An old fashioned joint with a wonderful twist... You can drive right up to it by way of water. Right on Bald Ridge Marina, I've found myself docking to come grab a sandwhich many many times. The owner is awesome and the regular servers are extremely nice and funny. They also have grab and go sandwiches and a wonderful banana pudding. I find myself getting a pulled pork sandwhich and some usual sides like slaw and Mac. Their sauce and bbq profile is very similar to a west Carolina-East Tennessee profile and have some very juicy pork! As much as I would like to keep this place under the radar, it is a must try if you're in the area! read more

SmokeyQ - Slaw, Mac, and a pulled pork sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Cumming, Georgia

Just got off the lake and made a first visit to this restaurant. It is quite small in the inside, but they do have some outside tables as well. I ordered the pulled pork with a sides of mac & cheese and potato salad. The pork was good yet not great and they offer three homemade sauces, all of them were pretty good. The mac & cheese was good, but I didn't care for the potato salad as It lacked flavor and the chunks of potato were fairly large. They have a full bar and also some craft drafts. I would definitely give them another try. read more

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Nice enough people and easy to grab before hitting the lake, but I can not recommend the food. The BBQ sauce is tomato based and not good imo. The mustard "Carolina" sauce was thicker than mustard. The Mac and cheese was crusty and too spicy to share with a child. It's expensive for dried out meat and unsatisfying flavors. read more

great wings ribs , didn't try the pork but the sides were fantastic - homemade ! Music most Saturdays in the late afternoon. Inside or outside seating read more

The place is a hidden gem. It's been open for over four years and I've known nothing about it. As reviewers have mentioned, it's inside the grounds of Bald Ridge Marina. You have to go thru the gate but they'll let you in. The man working was very friendly and gave us a sample of the pulled pork. It was very good and the unusual sauce was excellent with the pork. I enjoyed checking out the musical artwork, especially all of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia pictures. The even had the poster for Jerry on Broadway at the Lunt Fontaine that I had the pleasure of attending when I was a young high school boy many moons back. If you can go on a beautiful day like I did, I suggest sitting outside at one of the picnic tables and enjoying the view of the lake. The menu is pretty simple and the food is great. They said that everything but the sandwich buns and potato chips are made on site. We loved the potato salad. They're about to start selling Brunswick Stew and gave us a nice sized sample with was excellent. I'll definitely order it next time. They had three beers on draft and a few different cans for purchase. Great place for lunch. Check it out! read more

SmokeyQ - Your view if you sit outside at a picnic table. - Barbeque Near Me - Cumming, Georgia

Great food and great service! Waitress was so helpful and kind. Ordered 1/2 ribs and pulled chicken sandwich. Great sides (Mac and cheese, potato salad and beans) especially the baked beans read more

SmokeyQ - 1/2 Pork Spare Ribs Pulled Chicken Sandwiches - Barbeque Near Me - Cumming, Georgia

Great food with a beautiful view! The owner is very nice and attentive. Can't wait to go back.

Thankful for a great BBQ spot at my marina! Honestly best kept secret on Lanier... portions are great, NOT overpriced (like everywhere else on this lake) and everything -including the sides- have a a great, unique, and flavorful taste! Everyone was super friendly from the wait staff to the owner himself. Pictured are a couple ribs, the mac n cheese, and baked beans before. 10/10! read more

SmokeyQ - Ribs, Mac, and beans! - Barbeque Near Me - Cumming, Georgia

Great food & owner very friendly. Prices good too! Definitely will go back. Tried the pork sandwich, Brunswick stew and slaw.

Love it. Tiny. Accidentally found it. Would recommend anytime you are near the lake. There is a guard gate at the marine tell them you are eating and they just let you in. read more

SmokeyQ - Inside small and chill / awesome - Barbeque Near Me - Cumming, Georgia

A bit hard to find, at the end of Bald Ridge Marina road. Stop at the guard shack and let them know you are eating there. Go all the way to the end and park. It is in the back of the first building you pass. Nice small place on the lake. Owner is very friendly and the BBQ is some of the best in town. Moist, tender, great flavor. I don't know how I managed to not know this place existed for two years. Looking forward to going back and trying the ribs. read more

Nice setting overlooking the lake and music. My ribs were very fatty. Drinks were good.

I am so disappointed and I hate giving bad reviews. Paying $30.00 for a lb. of pork and a small slab of ribs I really need it to be good. Sorry to say the pulled pork was very dry and not a lot of flavor, same on the ribs. Food like this has to be smoked and no smoke tast at all. I hear the burgers are good but after this I can't come back. Sorry ... read more

Best bbq on Lanier hands down! Sides are spot on! The atmosphere is all American music / film memorabilia.... so cumfy! Right on Lanier so you can dock boat at bald ridge. read more

Note: you do not have to be a member of bald ridge marina to eat here! Great out door views of the lake. Food was excellent! First visit and I think my new favorite place. I ordered a three rib combo with Mac and cheese and a pork sandwich with bbq beans. The ribs were juicy and flavorful and could have been eaten without sauce they were so good but I opted to dunk into the mild which was fantastic! They must brine their ribs because those were juicy and full of flavor. The pork sandwich was equally as great. Tasty, juicy and required no sauce but I did dip. Mac and cheese was five stars. I'll be back. It's a shame I have lived in the area and did not visit but like Fish Tales and other restaurants the area just tell them at the gate to the marina you are there to eat. Met the owners and they were very hospitable and nice. I'll be back. They also have cold beer!! read more

Pay no attention to the bad review. Our food was delicious and everyone was friendly. No one pushed anything on us except maybe to try the Carolina barbeque sauce. People were watching the game and talking amongst themselves, but it was all good. Nice folks and good food. They probably don't share our views, but didn't say so and we were all just having a good time. read more

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With all due respect to Yelp, too small of a reviews sample here to do Smokey Q justice. Look at Smokey Q Facebook page reviews - 17 of them - every one 5 stars! This from 2 weeks ago. Outstanding. Excellent food & hospitality during UGA's 1 point blowout of Notre Dame. Proprietor Rudy (not to be confused with that Fighting Irish dude) extends great courtesies to UGA fans even though he is a dastardly Bama alum. The place is an essential stop for food AND the archival quality rock & roll memorabilia covering the walls. Smokey Q should be THE football haven for all fans in the Lake Lanier vicinity. No Bald Ridge Marina entry fee required. Just tell guard gate you're going to see "the good Rudy" for a day & night of gridiron action. This from 9/23/17. On first 2 visits got my standard BBQ pork plate. Exceptional, including standard cole slaw & baked beans sides. Exceptional proprietary Smokey Q homemade sauces, from red to Carolina mustard. All sauces perfect. This visit I just asked Rudy to "fix me up" - and he did. Smoked BBQ chicken & wings - all smokey perfect. Mac & cheese was a new side I had not tried - also perfect with just a little added salt and lots of black pepper to suit my palette. $3 draft beer specials, always something interesting - Stella, Dos Eguis, etc. Never typical mainstream brew. I have done approx 1/3 of the "Lewis Grizzard Southeast US BBQ Tour", as he so often wrote about favorite haunts in his columns & books. Most of the late great Lewis's favorites are excellent. Not a one is superior to Smokey Q. read more

The ribs were outstanding. Great setting on the lake.

We really loved the smoked wings and the pulled pork sandwich and the ribs are delicious. Their red bbq sauce is some of the best I've had and am hoping one day they will sell it by the bottle (hint). The owner is attentive and accommodating, we enjoyed sitting on the outdoor patio, plus for a "game day special" the ribs were only $1.25 each and draft beer was $2 a glass. We will be back. Yum. read more

I just had a pulled pork sandwich (loved the sauce!!), the smoked wings (amazing!), and baked beans. Smokey Q catered a birthday party tonight and everyone loved it!! Try it-you won't be disappointed! read more

Always great service. All the food is amazing! Fantastic pulled pork sandwiches and yummy barbecue sauces. Love the fact that this place is open everyday. read more

Some of the best food on the lake! Awesome little spot and the bbq is perfect! The sauce choices are awesome. The potato salad is some of the best I've ever had. The Mac and cheese...is even better. Highly recommended! read more

Food was below average for BBQ. Lack of flavor and dry. There are better options in and around Cumming, GA. I guess the location is good (reason for 1 of the stars), but I suggest just having drinks and avoid the food altogether. read more

Hidden gems of lake Lanier cuisine.... Smokey Q is run by a gentleman named Rudy and he has the greatest BBQ on Lanier. The hot sauce is my favorite on top of a smoked chicken sandwich. I wish the servings were a little bigger because it is sooooo good. Would definitely recommend. Make sure to check the hours though because they close early. read more

Really good bbq, quick and friendly service, dog friendly. Go by boat or car. Outside dining is covered and there is plenty of room. Great vibe to hangout. read more

The ribs are so goood! Best service ever with great view. Would come back anytime soon!

One person job, impressive. Best BBQ I've ever had!

Excellent little spot for some BBQ! Super friendly service as well. Looking forward to coming back!

Great BBQ! The wings were cooked perfectly, the cole slaw was delicious, and their Mac and cheese was too! Wish it was closer so I could go there all the time, but maybe it's for the best, haha. read more

The other guy is right the low number of reviews do not do this restaurant justice. The food is very good atmosphere is good and the owner is on premises to help. This is a local framily run barbecue restaurant. read more

Best wings I've ever had. Great staff! Will be back next weekend for more live music! Staff is so nice too. Great experience.

So glad I found out about this place! I live right around the corner and am thrilled to have a good place to grab delicious food on the lake!!! The BBQ is delicious and I loved the sauces as well! We had the pulled pork with baked beans (yum) and the mac and cheese was divine!!! Can't wait to go back! The owner is super friendly (even if he's an Alabama fan )...this will definitely become one of my go to favorites read more

I guess you still don't understand that you should have just taken the review and learned from it. I called in order to try to talk to you so maybe you would try to make some changes, I know that people and businesses have caller id that's why I called like that and did not block my number. I did not yell at the girl that answered the phone but because she was screening your calls because I guess you don't want to talk to your customers because your embarrassed by the horrible food that you reheat per your words. I just told her to tell you that your food sucks and I waited for a response and since there was not any I just simply hung up and awaited the call that I then knew you would. But I still would not ever eat there again and I will make sure that I let everyone that lives on lake Lainer to never eat there because you serve re heated food and horrible food. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Maybe you will make some changes to your food and the way that you do business but I highly doubt that since you can not take any criticism and take 3 months to respond to a review and then think that you should take the time to as you call it to take a shot at the customer because they criticized your horrible food. Have a nice day read more

Good bbq and a great down home feeling on the lake. My wife and I had a good talk with the owner while we were there a few weeks ago as well. Great place for good bbq and some good scenery. read more

my gosh, that place was nasty. worst bbq ever. service was worse than the food. and, yes, ridiculously overpriced. do not pay attention the the avg. 4.5 stars. tap water might have some gasoline mixed in it from the marina. read more

Great Q, the owner Rudy is really cool and makes you feel at home. The sauce is outstanding

Food is mediocre at best, kinda expensive for what you get. I have lived near the marina for many years and have seen numerous businesses come and go in this space; with all the restaurants on Marketplace Blvd, you are better off getting takeout before getting to the Marina. read more

Rudy is a true smoke Master! He has catered events I've attended and I've eaten and witnessed feedback on many items on the menu, all positive. Smoked pork, chicken, ribs, wings and beef hotdogs-all delish! Paired with award winning sauce and homemade sides-mac n cheese, potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans. Don't forget the frozen banana pudding and key lime cups! Great music inside and out, Marc Kenney band is terrific and has quite a repertoire! The owner Rudy is passionate about food and is a walking encyclopedia of music. I'm happy to support this small business with great bbq! Thanks Rudy-keep smoking! read more

Hands down my favorite place to eat. The owner , Rudy, is one of a kind. This is a hidden secret on lake Lanier that I hope all boaters discover. Here is too a long time Bbq spot!! read more

I'll start by saying - I realize it's the off season. I'm a bbq snob. We look for new places everywhere we go. The bbq was great, nice flavor. Only two sauces but both were good, great mix together. Lacking in side options. Slaw and potato salad were good. Not sure what to say about the wings. I have no idea how they cooked and it wasn't the day I ordered them. Way over cooked with no flavor. He gave us extra, saying they were small. One reviewer said they were the best wings he'd ever eaten. I'm going to have to go the extreme opposite. read more