The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Come for pork, stay for whiskey
Twin Smokers up and running in the Luckie Marietta District.
After some delays, Twin Smokers, the latest concept from Legacy Restaurant Partners, opened in downtown Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District in late December. The space features a pair of custom fire engine red Oyler 700 smokers, nicknamed Elizabeth and Matthew, with one designated for chicken and pork, and the other for beef.
The look: The surprisingly cozy rustic design features a central bar area with views of the smokers. One wall of the dining room displays the “wood library,” neatly stacked with mesquite, oak and hickory logs used to smoke and flavor the meats.
The scene: One recent weeknight, Marietta Street was jammed with Hawks game
traffic. Inside, the majority of diners were seated at the bar, watching basketball and drinking beer, with a few couples and some larger parties scattered at booths and tables.
The food: Like Elizabeth and Matthew, the menu is divided between oak- and hickory-smoked Southern-style pulled pork, pork ribs and chicken, and oak- and mesquite-smoked Texas-style brisket, beef ribs and local Patak sausage. Sandwiches ($8-$11) are served with one side, while plates and combos ($10$26) are served with two sides. The family-style “Pride and Joy” ($75) serves four to six with a pound of pulled pork and a pound of brisket, two sausage links, a full rack of pork ribs, three pintsize sides, bread and pickles.
The drinks: Whiskey and craft beer are the stars of the beverage menu with plenty of top shelf Kentucky straight bourbons and a good selection of small batch whiskey, rye and moonshine. The recent local draft beer list included Monday Night Drafty Kilt ($7) and Red Hare Common ($6). The Twin Smokers Bar Cocktail ($7) is a mix of Evan Williams Reserve bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice and basil. The potent Double Trouble milkshake ($12) blends High Road vanilla ice cream and Bulleit bourbon.
The extras: Meats and sides are available for carry-out, or you can call to schedule drop-off or fullservice catering. Threehour validated parking at the Hilton Garden Inn deck directly across the street is free with a minimum purchase of $10 weekdays and $20 weekends.