Not an expert on Columbus bbq but I’ve heard clearview mentioned before. Zombie pig was supposedly pretty good but heard they closed up. whistling pig is good but its all the way up in pine mountain.
North Columbus - Clearview (they finally finished renovating a couple months ago but I haven't had a chance to go since they reopened) Midtown - Smokey Pig Fancy - Smoke Bourbon and BBQ Phenix City - Mike & Eds Don't go to Country's.
I personally was never impressed with Zombie Pig. They were in a shopping center and I doubt they used a wood burning smoker
Listen, it's a popular spot and they absolutely crush. We actually eat there a lot. But no one is going there for the actual barbeque. They do a lot of other things very well but, as a result, they do not prioritize the cue itself. Amazing vegetables however.
I grew up on Mike & Ed’s. So I’m partial to that. Is 13th St BBQ still downtown? It’s been a long time since I went there.
Mike from Mike & Ed’s was my landlord ~15 years ago (horrible experience). Butcher Paper is run by ultra-MAGA fucks. Anecdotal experience from me, but for those looking for semi-ethical consumption, I’d avoid those places.
My only Country’s experience is Montgomery. It was by far the worst BBQ pork I’ve ever eaten. The 80 year old I was with swore by the Catfish though.
Country’s used to have all you could eat bbq chicken on maybe Tuesday or Wednesday night? That was a high school staple.
Gotcha. I grew up just outside PC. Played little league there, went to elementary school at Central. All that stuff until we moved to Auburn when I was 12. Most of my family is from around the Phenix City/Columbus area.
I’ve been in/around the service industry in Auburn/Opelika since the mid 2000s. And no, BP is definitely not unique in that regard.
You might enjoy Dusty Slay’s stand up material about his time working at Western Sizzlin’ and Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers.