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The best barbecue joint in Georgia is in Forsyth County, according to Yelp
Socks' Love Barbecue 5 032019
New menus reflect the change in name of Socks’ Love Barbecue restaurant, where owner Steve Hartsock has been building a local following for his brand of “wood-fired, honest barbecue.” - photo by Brian Paglia

Socks' Love Barbecue is the newest barbecue joint in Forsyth County, but it's quickly gaining wider and wider acclaim.

On the heels of being voted "best barbecue" in the 2020 Best of Forsyth contest, the small lunch spot was recently named the best barbecue spot in all of Georgia, according to Yelp, the crowd-sourced review website.

Yelp determined the best barbecue spot in each state using a variety of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews that mentioned barbecue. 

And Socks' Love Barbecue came out on top in Georgia.

Yelp highlighted one review from user Cathy P.: "Ok, this place sits in a tiny spot in a plaza that you almost miss it, but inside are a few things you do not want to miss! The BBQ here is amazing! The menu is short and sweet and they are open until the food runs out, yes it's one of THOSE places."

Socks' Love Barbecue was first The Catering Kitchen, which owner Steven Hartsock opened at 1050 Buford Highway in 2015 as a barbecue catering business. Hartsock decided to try serving sit-down lunch in March of 2019, and while doing so changed the name of the business to Socks' Love Barbecue.

Hartsock has been building a following for his brand of “wood-fired, honest barbecue" ever since.

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Steve Hartsock poses for a photo on Monday, March 18, 2019, three days after unveiling his restaurant's new name, Socks’ Love Barbecue, to signal the transition of his business from emphasizing catering to a sit-down barbecue restaurant. - photo by Brian Paglia