Of all of the stories we will share on our television show (Saturdays, Noon WTOC-TV) this one might have been one of the most enjoyable. It’s a story about learning, growth and finding your groove. Oh and taking your best shot at living happily ever after.
Where will you find it? In the heart of Brunswick, Georgia. Downtown Brunswick is an hour or so South of downtown Savannah and an hour of so North of Jacksonville.
Founded in 1738, Brunswick seemed forgotten for the longest time. The barrier islands, St Simons and Jekyll Islands draw most of the attention as well as the tourists. But Brunswick is having another moment in its long history.
Development is beginning downtown. Silver Bluff Brewing Company has become a mainstay as well as several restaurants and shops. Yes, downtown Brunswick remains small, but it is most definitely a thing.
Enter Judd and Kate Foster, the power couple behind maybe the best BBQ in this area you’ve never tried.
South of Heaven BBQ is a tiny spot in the heart of Brunswick. If you know the turf, then you know the drill. They are literally across the street from Willies Weenie Wagon and those apparently world famous fried pork chop sandwiches.
Over here, it’s a different story. Just pure BBQ. Judd is the Pit Master. He’s here in the middle of the night every morning getting the fires going.
Kate is in the kitchen with the staff running the show. I call it a show because some of the dishes coming out of here are absolutely works of art.
Judd’s an upstate New York guy. Moved to Atlanta once upon a time and began working for Big Green Egg. The two met and began visiting the Golden Isles because that is where Kate is from. Eventually, they figured they’d settle here.
They had a successful BBQ shop up in Carrolton, Georgia but then came the 2020 shutdown which, like it did for so many others caused a serious re-evaluation of the business.
The decision was made to move down this way sooner than planned and here they are.
What they are serving is equal parts traditional and equal parts works of art.
The non-traditional can look like the Morrocan style ribs with Thai peanut sauce and coconut curry crema topped with fried garlic. This was one of the during one of our visits.
On another visits a few weeks back, they had a burger special going. Double smashed patties with homemade pimento cheese and bacon jam. Yes, I ate the whole thing. Yes, it was one of the best burgers I’ve had in years. It was just out of this world spectacular.
Another burger special featured a smoked patty that sits in duck fat before it is seared on a griddle and served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle as well as that amazing bacon jam and a smoked red pepper truffle aioli.
The Messy Blanco was a Chicken Philly complete with beer cheese and topped with peppers and onions and a tiny bit of that bacon jam.
Are you getting the picture?
If you are a purist and they know most of you are, the menu is the same as you’d see anywhere else. Two or three meats, some sides, hoe cakes and boom. You are done.
The brisket is the best I’ve had along the Georgia coast. The pulled pork was outstanding as well.
When they first opened they were lunch only. Now they are open until 7pm. They don’t typically run out, but it has happened.
The routine around here is pretty simple. Once the rush is over, the Fosters roll out to pick up their little boy at school. Then they come back for the dinner rush.
On the weekends, you’ll find them where else, but at the beach. If there is one thing I’ve come to learn about this family is that quality time a couple of days a week is just as important as to them as the time they are putting in in the kitchen.
There are some whispers about expansion, seating and otherwise, but that’s later on. For now, they are just in their groove making some of the best BBQ around.
Between Southern Soul on St Simons and South of Heaven in Brunswick, these two have this region on lockdown for great meats. You’ve likely had one, you owe it to yourself to try the other.
You will Eat It and Like It.
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