Fincher's BBQ is Out of this World - just ask NASA!
Written: Feb 29 '00 (Updated Mar 10 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Best Brunswick stew, BBQ, and Coolest Atmosphere Anywhere!
Cons: Woman cannot live on BBQ and Brunswick stew alone, but she sure has tried to.
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| ccoggins's Full Review: Macon |
Walk up to the order window under the front awning and say, "A pound and a quart, please." In just two minutes, a pound of steaming hot fresh pulled barbeque and a quart of the finest scalding brunswick stew is handed to you through the window by one of the extended Fincher clan, for a grand total of $12.50.
This family owned restaurant was started by the Fincher family in 1935, and continues today to live up to the legendary reputation it has earned as having not only the best BBQ and Brunswick stew in town, but the most appealing atmosphere of any casual eatery in the entire middle Georgia region.
No I'm not talking about sawdust on the floor and splintered wooden tables and seats, though there are one or two of those rustic bbq places around as well. The main Finchers restaurant (there are 5 locations in town, a local chain) has that 50s drive-in layout, where you drive into a covered shelter and sit in your car to wait for an order taker to arrive at your window. On cold wintery days you will see the outside staff hovering around an old gasfired heater warming their nubs waiting for the next customer to arrive. If eating in your car is not your style, you can also step up to the front window for takeout, or seat your family in a booth inside the small diner area, maintained as well with authentic 50s decor. An old school clock hangs on the far wall as you enter, immediately setting you back a few years nostalgically.
The tables have that marble pattern metallic finish and the booth seat backs are shoulder height, so there is little privacy if that's what you need to eat a meal out. Like I said, the dining area is small, probably seating no more than ten separate parties. Overhead, the ceiling fans whir, keeping the rich fresh bbq aroma circulating in a breeze that is surprisingly comfortable no matter what temperature it is outside. Conversation is buzzing as everyone speaks over the sounds of the fans above, but the whir actually keeps your conversations at your table. It is nearly impossible to make out what is being said at the table across from you, thanks to these magical fans.
I usually pull into the driveway and let my favorite server read my hand signals: hold up your forefinger on your left hand for 'one pound of bbq' and your forefinger on your right hand for 'one quart of stew' and grin at him. He doesn't even have to walk to the car until the order is ready! I love this place, and he ALWAYS gets at least a $3 tip, just because the whole thing is so cool!
The menu includes standard bbq fare, burgers and fries, and a unique cole slaw that is not found at any other place in town. It's not so finely ground that you might feel a grit, but it's not the big chunks of cabbage & pickles that you get at those all-you-can-eat salad bars at the local Shoneys. The sweet flavor of the seasoning can easily tempt you to eat much more than you should, so be careful with the coleslaw, it's delicious.
The Brunswick Stew is like no other I've had at ANY bbq place before. All ingredients are finely ground together into a soupy, spicy mixture of tomatoes, corn, butter beans, pork and a few other secret ingredients. The only thing you can recognize in each spoonful is the occassional sliver of tomato skin, and maybe a bit of a kernel of corn, maybe. Smooth and always piping hot and very spicy, enough to break a sweat after a couple of spoonfuls.
The fries are also the kind of fries you used to enjoy at those old fish fry outings at the lake. Not the hard stick shells that have become the McDonald's standard, for sure. And not greasy as you might expect from these half-inch wide soft potato fries. Get an order of skins if you want some crunch in your meal. Brittle fried pork skins, made fresh there at the restaurant. GREAT snack for later in front of the TV.
So why would you take my word for it that this is the best bbq on the planet? Don't. For some reason*, Fincher's BBQ was hermetically sealed in a vacuum safe package and stocked on board a recent Shuttle mission for astronaut grub. I'd say it's reputation reaches alot farther than Middle Georgia, wouldn't you?
*If I remember correctly, a local Warner Robins native was one of the astronauts during that mission and he was allowed to pick the local food of his choice to go on that mission. When I get a chance to research the local paper archives downtown, I'll put the accurate info into this review.
Finchers BBQ is a famous food for catered affairs to nearly every casual function in the area, and has replaced the traditional ham and turkey at MANY Christmas eve family dinners. Nobody in Macon is a stranger to Fincher's BBQ.
The main restaurant is open daily 9am-9pm, at 3947 Houston Avenue, Macon. Call ahead for catering, 912-788-1900.
I've only eaten once or twice at the other locations in town and to me they just don't match the perfection of the main restaurant. It's a full 20 minute drive to this one from my home, but the distance is WELL worth it, every time!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ccoggins
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Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 48 members
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