About us
A nod to sibling owners Howard and Anita Hsu's Asian roots and Southern upbringing, Sweet Auburn Barbecue offers traditional style barbecue with an Asian twist. Items on the menu, such as pimento cheese wontons and Chinese BBQ ribs, demonstrate the perfect marriage of traditional and innovative styles that Sweet Auburn Barbecue has become known for.
Howard and Anita grew up working in the hustle of their family restaurants with their brother Ron. From a young age they gained a passion for food and hospitality. Ron Hsu is the classically trained chef of the Hsu siblings. He is the operating partner and executive chef at Lazy Betty, the latest concept by the Hsu siblings.
Soon after graduating from the University of Georgia, Howard and Anita opened Gezzo’s West Coast Burritos in Henry Country. With the success of Gezzo’s, Howard set out to expand the business and started experimenting with smoked meats. Eventually, his special BBQ recipes won the Chomp and Stomp chili cook off, Suwanee Wing Festival and Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation BBQ Battle three years in a row. Sweet Auburn Market saw how much Atlanta loved the Hsu’s southern style BBQ with an Asian twist and invited Howard to open a permanent restaurant within the market. Here, the name “Sweet Auburn Barbecue” was born. For two years, Sweet Auburn Barbecue flourished with its food truck and the Sweet Auburn Market location. In 2014, Howard and Anita expanded once again, opening the Poncey-Highlands location. This location features a full-service dining experience including a full bar and cocktail menu, taking their award-winning barbecue experience to a whole new level.
Sweet Auburn BBQ's newest location is now open in McDonough, Ga!
press
EATER Atlanta | May 2023
Essential Atlanta Barbecue Restauranta
Thrillist | MAY 2022
The 14 Best BBQ Restaurants in Atlanta, According to Local Experts
Washington Post | FEBRUARY 2022
Dragons, dumplings and draft beer: How three cities are celebrating Lunar New Year
Atlanta EATER | JANUARY 2022
22 Atlanta Restaurants Serving First-Rate Wings
Atlanta EATER | NOVEMBER 2021
Where to Order a Thanksgiving Feast This Year in Atlanta
Atlanta EATER | SEPTEMBER 2021
The Eater Atlanta Guide to Tailgating Food During Football Season
Atlanta EATER | JUNE 2021
Essential Barbecue Restaurants to Know Around Atlanta
Thrillist | MAY 2021
The 12 Best BBQ Joints in Atlanta, According to Local Experts
Thrillist | FEBRUARY 2021
For the Hsu Siblings, Lunar New Year Means Lion Dances, Long Noodles, and Even KFC
AJC | APRIL 2019
3 show-stealing barbecue sides that even can save lives
The Manual | JANUARY 2018
Sweet Auburn BBQ Fuses Asian Flavors with Classic Southern Barbecue
Huffington Post | JANUARY 2016