521 Kitchen & Que is Serving Savory Southern Eats… & BBQ!

Being from Texas, I have some pretty high standards when it comes to southern-style eats… especially barbecue. Now, I’m no “pit pundit” or “grill guru” but I do pride my tastes on discovering eatery’s around town serving some of the best Que. Sorta like a “Que Connoisseur” you could say. 😉 So when I find a BBQ joint praiseworthy of my picky palate I can’t help but share the sauce. Cue Que Atlanta’s latest restaurant that’s serving up the savory, 521 Kitchen & Que.

Photo by Raftermen Photography

To say that 521 Kitchen & Que has stolen my heart (and my taste buds) would be an understatement. Maybe it was their fully-flavored southern fare, or perhaps it was the smoky aroma dominating the atmosphere. I can’t quite put my finger on the sole reason for this love affair, because 521 gave me so many reasons to fall in love.

During a complimentary menu sampling, I was able to try some of 521’s famed foods, and that’s when I knew I’d be the eatery’s new biggest fan. First, I tried an appetizer – the Crispy Pickled Okra with Sweet Onion Jam – a perfect melody of flavor and texture. I think this dish was my absolute favorite! Then I moved on to a sampling plate of their specialty meats: Crispy Smoked Wings, Sliced Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs and Smoked Turkey.  521 Kitchen & Que prides themselves on their “sauce optional” policy, which means they don’t douse the meat in sauce before you even try it. Each meat variety is freshly smoked daily for hours resulting in succulent bites that tastes too good to swallow. What makes 521’s menu a true treat is the special culinary attention that local Atlanta husband and wife duo, Drew and Roma Kirkland take with each dish.

Photo by Raftermen Photography

Photo by Raftermen Photography

Photo by Raftermen Photography

To pick out a couple of the meat platter highlights, the brisket and ribs were excellent, and the smoked turkey was very tender and equally as tasty. Perfectly complementing the savory southern meats, I enjoyed the Stuffing & Gravy, Cola Braised Collards, and Shells & Cheese (clutches pearls)… They were sooo deelish!!! Washing all of this down, of course, with a sip of freshly squeezed lemonade! I was in BBQ Heaven to say the least. But every great meal simply doesn’t end at the main course. I was treated to a seasonally appropriate Pumpkin Pie for dessert, and it was the perfect payoff to a delectable dining experience!

Even if barbecue isn’t your style, you can still enjoy yummy options like Citrus Roasted Chicken, sumptuous salads, and even meat-free eats like a Black Pea Burger for those with vegetarian tastes. There is something savory for everyone at 521 Kitchen & Que!

Photo by Raftermen Photography

And with the holidays right around the corner, 521 Kitchen & Que would love to feed your family a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. So now you can enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal without all of the holiday hassle! Simply pre-order the full Smoked Turkey with all the trimmings, and keep the apron and the oven tucked away on Turkey Day.

Photo by Raftermen Photography

Be sure to put 521 Kitchen & Que on the menu this holiday season and pamper your palate with a meal more memorable than Aunt Bertha’s ‘famous’ fruitcake soufflé. 😛

Visit 521 Kitchen & Que at 4365 Roswell Rd NE in Atlanta, GA.

521 Kitchen & Que provided me with a complimentary tasting; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.