Tucked away on St Simons Island, a former gas station has transformed into one of Georgia’s most beloved barbecue destinations. Southern Soul Barbeque draws crowds of hungry locals and tourists who willingly stand in long lines for a taste of their oak-smoked perfection.
With a 4.6-star rating from over 3,000 reviews, this humble smokehouse proves that exceptional food needs no fancy setting. From tender brisket to their famous Brunswick stew, every dish tells a story of Southern tradition and serious barbecue craft.
The Legendary Weekday Worker Special
For just ten bucks, you can score what locals consider the best lunch deal on the island. This daily special includes a jumbo pulled pork sandwich piled high with tender meat, a generous portion of seasoned fries, and your choice of beverage.
The value alone makes this a favorite among regulars who know good barbecue when they taste it.
What makes this sandwich special goes beyond the price tag. The pork gets smoked low and slow over oak wood until it practically falls apart, creating that perfect texture barbecue lovers crave.
You can choose from four house-made sauces to customize your experience, though many locals swear by the sweet sauce.
Even though the line often stretches out the door during lunch hours, the efficient staff keeps things moving quickly. Many reviewers note that despite the crowds, their food arrives faster than expected.
The portions are so generous that some people report sharing one sandwich between two people.
This special represents everything Southern Soul stands for – quality food at fair prices without any pretense. Workers from around the island make this their go-to lunch spot, and first-time visitors quickly understand why this simple meal has earned such devoted fans.
Brunswick Stew That Sets The Standard
Ask any barbecue enthusiast what side dish deserves star billing at Southern Soul, and they’ll point you straight to the Brunswick stew. One reviewer called it the best they’d ever tasted, rating it a perfect ten out of ten.
Chunks of various smoked meats swim in a rich, savory broth that tastes like Southern comfort in a bowl.
This isn’t your average vegetable soup pretending to be Brunswick stew. The kitchen loads each serving with generous portions of their smoked meats, letting all that oak-flavored goodness infuse every spoonful.
The thickness and heartiness make this more than just a side dish – some folks order it as their main meal.
Traditional Brunswick stew recipes vary across the South, but Southern Soul’s version stands out for its smokehouse twist. Instead of using regular meat, they incorporate the same slow-cooked proteins that make their barbecue famous.
This creates layers of flavor that you simply can’t achieve with conventional cooking methods.
Whether you order it as a side with your barbecue platter or grab a bowl on its own, this stew showcases why Southern Soul has earned its reputation. Multiple reviews specifically mention this dish, with travelers claiming they’d make the drive just for another serving.
Oak-Smoked Brisket Worth The Drive
Brisket separates the serious smokehouses from the pretenders, and Southern Soul takes this challenge seriously. Their brisket gets the full low-and-slow treatment over oak wood, developing that coveted smoke ring and tender texture that barbecue dreams are made of.
When paired with their spicy sauce, reviewers describe the flavor combination as absolutely amazing.
Some guests specifically mention driving forty-five minutes or more just to order a pound of this brisket. That level of dedication speaks volumes about the quality you can expect.
The meat arrives at your table with a beautiful dark bark on the outside while remaining juicy and flavorful throughout.
Reviews show mixed experiences with brisket consistency, which honestly reflects the reality of cooking this challenging cut. Some diners praise the moistness and seasoning, while others received drier portions.
The kitchen offers both lean and moist options, though communication at ordering time helps ensure you get your preferred cut.
Despite occasional inconsistencies, the brisket remains one of their most popular items. When it hits the mark – and reviews suggest it usually does – you’re tasting some of the finest smoked beef on Georgia’s coast.
Pair it with their signature Brunswick stew for a meal that showcases Southern Soul at its absolute best.
Pulled Pork That Made Them Famous
Every great barbecue joint needs a signature dish, and pulled pork holds that crown at Southern Soul. Smoked until it reaches that perfect point where fork-tender meets fall-apart delicious, this pork arrives at your table ready to star in sandwiches, platters, or whatever creation you have in mind.
The meat quality consistently earns praise from reviewers who know their barbecue.
What sets their pulled pork apart starts with the smoking process. Using oak wood gives the meat a distinct flavor profile that differs from hickory or mesquite-smoked versions found elsewhere.
The result tastes authentically Southern without overwhelming the natural pork flavor with too much smoke or heavy seasoning.
The kitchen serves sauce on the side, which any barbecue purist will tell you is the proper way. This approach lets you taste the meat’s quality first, then customize with your preferred sauce intensity.
Many customers mix the hot and sweet sauces together, creating a custom blend that hits all the right notes.
Portion sizes border on ridiculous in the best possible way. The Soul Sandwich features a jumbo serving of pulled pork that often proves too much for one person to finish.
Whether you order it as a sandwich or part of a sampler platter, expect tender, flavorful pork that justifies those long lines outside.
Baby Back Ribs Cooked To Perfection
Ribs at Southern Soul get that low-and-slow oak smoke treatment that makes everything else on the menu so special. These baby backs come out tender enough to pull cleanly from the bone without falling apart before they reach your mouth – that perfect middle ground that rib lovers appreciate.
The meat stays juicy and flavorful throughout, carrying that signature smokehouse taste in every bite.
Ordering ribs here works whether you want them as your main event or as part of their popular sampler platter. The sampler lets you pair ribs with other proteins like brisket or pulled pork, giving you a full tour of what their smokers can do.
Many reviews specifically mention getting ribs alongside other meats and being impressed with the quality across the board.
Some guests prefer their ribs sauced while others go dry, letting that smoke flavor shine through without any sweet or spicy additions. The kitchen accommodates both preferences, and with four different house sauces available, you can experiment until you find your perfect combination.
While reviews occasionally mention inconsistency with other items, the ribs regularly receive praise for their preparation and flavor. The meat pulls away cleanly, the seasoning balances nicely with the smoke, and the portions satisfy even serious appetites.
For many visitors, these ribs represent exactly what Southern barbecue should taste like.
Flavor-Packed Smoked Wings
Wings might not be the first thing you think of at a barbecue joint, but Southern Soul’s version deserves special attention. These aren’t your typical fried buffalo wings – they get smoked first, then finished with one of four distinctive flavor options.
The Maui flavor proves so popular that it regularly sells out by the time afternoon rolls around.
Reviews describe these wings as meaty, smoky, sweet, and spicy all at once. The smoking process adds depth that typical wing preparations simply can’t match.
You get substantial meat on each piece, making them feel more like a proper meal than just an appetizer or snack option.
Guests consistently mention the generous portions and value for money when ordering wings. Unlike places that serve tiny wings that leave you still hungry, Southern Soul loads up each order with substantial pieces.
The combination of smoke, sauce, and properly cooked chicken creates flavor profiles that keep people coming back specifically for this item.
Trying to get the Maui flavor requires some strategy – arrive early or call ahead to check availability. The fact that one flavor sells out regularly speaks to both its popularity and the demand for these smoked wings.
Whether you choose Maui or one of the other three options, expect wings that taste nothing like what chain restaurants serve.
The Massive Cuban Sandwich
Who says a smokehouse can’t put a Southern spin on a Cuban classic? Southern Soul’s version takes traditional Cuban sandwich elements and adds their signature smoked pork into the mix.
The result – a massive sandwich that earns rave reviews and surprises guests who don’t expect this item on a barbecue menu.
Size matters here, and this sandwich delivers in a big way. Multiple reviews describe it as huge, massive, or simply more than one person can reasonably finish.
The combination of smoked meats, proper condiments, and that pressed, melted cheese creates something special that bridges barbecue tradition with international sandwich craft.
One reviewer mentioned ordering the Cuban during the busy period between Christmas and New Year, calling it very good despite the long wait times. The kitchen manages to keep quality consistent even when slammed with vacation crowds, which speaks to their preparation and systems.
This sandwich represents the kind of creative confidence that successful barbecue joints develop over time. Rather than sticking strictly to traditional offerings, Southern Soul isn’t afraid to showcase their smoked meats in different formats.
The Cuban works because they start with exceptional base ingredients – namely that oak-smoked pork that makes everything taste better. If you want something different from the standard barbecue plate, this sandwich delivers satisfaction and plenty of leftovers.
Four Signature Sauces To Choose From
Sauce selection might seem like a small detail, but at Southern Soul, it represents an important part of the experience. They offer four distinct options – sweet, hot, vinegar, and mustard – covering the major regional barbecue sauce styles across the South.
Locals overwhelmingly request the sweet sauce, though adventurous eaters enjoy mixing different combinations to create their perfect blend.
The vinegar sauce stays true to Eastern Carolina traditions with its tangy, peppery profile that cuts through rich smoked meats. Some reviewers found it too simple, describing it as basically just vinegar, while others appreciated its authentic approach.
This thin, sharp sauce works particularly well with fatty cuts, helping balance each bite.
Meanwhile, the mustard sauce represents South Carolina barbecue heritage with its distinctive yellow appearance and tangy-sweet flavor. Hot sauce lovers get their fix with the spicy option, which pairs especially well with brisket according to multiple reviews.
The sweet sauce takes a more traditional approach that appeals to the broadest audience, explaining its popularity among regular customers.
Having sauces served on the side rather than pre-applied shows confidence in their meat quality. You taste the smoke and seasoning first, then decide how much and which sauce enhances your particular order.
This respect for customer preference and barbecue traditions demonstrates why Southern Soul has built such a loyal following over the years.
Unforgettable Atmosphere And Quirky Decor
Walking into Southern Soul means stepping into a space that celebrates Southern barbecue culture with personality to spare. The walls practically disappear beneath hundreds of license plates from across the country, creating a unique visual that guests frequently mention in their reviews.
Magazine articles featuring the restaurant add to the decor, showing off the national recognition this island smokehouse has earned.
The building’s history as a former gas station gives the space character that purpose-built restaurants simply can’t replicate. That authenticity extends throughout, from the counter ordering system to the casual seating arrangements both inside and outside.
Nothing feels pretentious or overthought – just honest barbecue in a space that fits the food perfectly.
Outdoor seating proves especially popular, letting guests enjoy St Simons Island’s beautiful weather while diving into their meals. The area near the city airport provides airplane watching opportunities for aviation enthusiasts.
Clean, well-maintained spaces show that the owners care about the entire experience, not just the food coming out of their smokers.
A separate gift shop and merchandise building lets fans take home shirts, sauces, and other branded items. This entrepreneurial spirit reflects the restaurant’s success and gives visitors ways to remember their meal long after the last rib disappears.
The combination of great food, quirky atmosphere, and genuine Southern hospitality explains why people gladly wait in those famous lines.