Fall is here, which means I’m craving barbecue. Delicious smoked yumminess, with a cold drink, on a spacious patio. 

That’s why I’m in love with Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead: It has all three. And while the food and drinks are outstanding, the patio is what sells me. It’s giant, covered in plush faux grass, with plenty of wooden tables to enjoy your grub. 

As for the food, basically, everything is made or smoked in house. Everything also has a smokey flavor to it (hence the name), from the meat to sides to even some of the drinks. 

After starting with the blue cheese fries and homemade pimento cheese (which I took home — it was that good), the hubs and I moved on to the meat-tastic main course: Pulled pork plate for me and baby back ribs for him. I loved the smokey braised kale as my side (the mac-n-cheese didn’t disappoint either). 

If you’re watching your diet, Smokebelly offers some “skinny fixins,” like chilled smoked trout, smoked turkey and veggie lettuce wraps, and watermelon-smoked feta salad. 

Now for the cold ones: Smokebelly cocktails are a perfect way to start (or end) the meal or to enjoy at happy hour. My favorite is the Paloma, a tequila-based drink with grapefruit and lime juice. The hubs loves the extra smokey old fashioned, which is served with a house-smoked cherry. 

Now that you're salivating, who wants to join me on Smokebelly's patio for dinner?