Big Shanty Smokehouse
historic downtown Kennesaw, Kennesaw
Restaurant in Kennesaw, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Big Shanty Smokehouse is a practical Kennesaw pick when the brief is casual barbecue, especially for a quick meal or food to carry home. It is less compelling for a special occasion; compare it with Bub-Ba-Q for barbecue, Buzzin Burgers for casual comfort food, and Mac's Chophouse when the room and occasion matter more.
About Big Shanty Smokehouse
Big Shanty Smokehouse is a casual venue in Kennesaw with a limited weekly schedule. The main planning point is timing: it is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday, open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM. If your plans need a different setting, names to compare include Bub-Ba-Q, Buzzin Burgers, Mac's Chophouse, Moon Indian Cuisine, and Turmeric Indian Restaurant.
Choose it for a casual Kennesaw stop
The dress code is casual, so expectations should be set around an easygoing visit rather than a formal occasion.
That makes Big Shanty Smokehouse easiest to consider when the group is flexible and the schedule lines up. For a different option, Bub-Ba-Q is a natural comparison by name, while Buzzin Burgers, Mac's Chophouse, Moon Indian Cuisine, and Turmeric Indian Restaurant give diners other choices to consider depending on the occasion.
Go when timing matters
The operating schedule is the key detail. Big Shanty Smokehouse is not open at the start of the week or on Sunday, and its latest closing time is 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday have shorter hours, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
For booking policies, wait-time patterns, price range, or menu format, the safest plan is to check current details through the venue before making the trip. Treat it as a casual Kennesaw option with specific open days rather than an all-week fallback.
Planning details
- Location
- 3393 Cherokee St NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
- Website
- bigshantybbq.com
- Phone
- +17704997444
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Big Shanty Smokehouse presents as a neighborhood barbecue joint rooted in Georgia pit tradition. The place communicates itself first through wood smoke and slow-fire technique, and its character leans on authenticity rather than culinary theater. A well-formed bark, a deep smoke ring and properly rendered fat frame Big Shanty Smokehouse as classic, unpretentious, and warmly local. Service and surroundings read as community-focused rather than polished destination dining, so the overall feel is reliably familiar and approachable.
Best For
This is a smokehouse built for pragmatic, social meals: families, larger groups and casual meet-ups fit naturally here. The copy situates Big Shanty in suburban Kennesaw where value and volume matter, and it highlights weekday afternoons and the sensory signal of smoke on Cherokee Street, making it especially suited to leisurely lunches and relaxed dinners. Expect an unpretentious environment where sharing plates of brisket, pulled pork and ribs supports convivial, low-fuss dining rather than a formal night out.
Ordering Tips
Order the house signatures, brisket, pulled pork and babyback ribs, to sample the smokehouse’s core strengths. Look for a deep smoke ring, a pronounced bark on brisket and the texture of pulled pork as indicators of proper time and technique. When chatting with staff, asking about wood choice and cook times is useful because sourcing decisions, which wood, which cut, how long, are central to the barbecue’s approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Rustic atmosphere with the irresistible aroma of hickory smoke, complementing hearty Southern barbecue meals in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Dietary
- Gluten-free options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- brisket
- pulled pork
- babyback ribs
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 3393 Cherokee St NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Buzzin Burgers, Notable alternative
- Moon Indian Cuisine, Notable alternative
- Turmeric Indian Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Bub-Ba-Q, Notable alternative
- Mac's Chophouse, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Kennesaw
Big Shanty Smokehouse is the better fit when the decision is barbecue first and ambiance second. Bub-Ba-Q is the closest peer for the same craving, so cross-shop those two if smoked meat is the whole point. For a casual but different lane, Buzzin Burgers makes more sense when the group wants burgers rather than a barbecue run.
For a more occasion-driven meal, Mac's Chophouse is the cleaner choice: expect a more formal dining-room brief and a higher-spend feel. Big Shanty Smokehouse is easier to treat as a low-pressure meal, especially when booking difficulty matters less than timing and convenience.
Moon Indian Cuisine and Turmeric Indian Restaurant are better alternatives when the group wants spice, vegetarian-leaning flexibility, or a cuisine with more built-in range across dietary preferences. Choose Big Shanty Smokehouse when the order is going home, the mood is casual, and barbecue is the non-negotiable.
Explore Kennesaw
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Big Shanty Smokehouse guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Big Shanty Smokehouse
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Big Shanty Smokehouse | Kennesaw | No published awards |
| Buzzin Burgers | Kennesaw | No published awards |
| Moon Indian Cuisine | Marietta | No published awards |
| Turmeric Indian Restaurant | Marietta | No published awards |
| Bub-Ba-Q | Woodstock | No published awards |
| Mac's Chophouse | Marietta | No published awards |
How Big Shanty Smokehouse Kennesaw compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Shanty Smokehouse good for solo dining?
It may be, if you want a casual stop in Kennesaw and the hours work for you. The schedule is Wednesday and Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM.
Is Big Shanty Smokehouse good for a special occasion?
The dress code is casual, so it is safest to treat Big Shanty Smokehouse as a relaxed Kennesaw option. If your plans require a specific level of formality, seating style, or service format, check directly before you go or compare it with another option such as Mac's Chophouse.
Is lunch or dinner better at Big Shanty Smokehouse?
The venue opens at 11 AM on its operating days. Wednesday and Thursday hours run until 7 PM, while Friday and Saturday hours run until 8:30 PM. It is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday.
What are alternatives to Big Shanty Smokehouse?
Other options to compare include Bub-Ba-Q, Buzzin Burgers, Mac's Chophouse, Moon Indian Cuisine, and Turmeric Indian Restaurant. Choose based on the kind of outing you want and check current details directly with each venue.
How far ahead should I book Big Shanty Smokehouse?
Start by checking the day-of hours: Big Shanty Smokehouse is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday, open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM.
