Famous Atlanta BBQ joint to reopen inside Atlanta Kroger

ATLANTA — A popular Atlanta barbecue restaurant that burned down earlier this year is setting up shop in a newly-remodeled grocery store.

Bryan Furman, the owner of B’s Cracklin BBQ, announced in an Instagram post that the restaurant would open Oct. 16 inside Kroger at 725 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, just off the Eastside Beltline.

When it opens, customers will find all their B’s favorite meats - whole hog, brisket, ribs and chicken - along with sides like Carolina hash with rice, baked beans, collards, mac and cheese, and coleslaw, plus desserts such as peach crisp and banana pudding.

The B’s Cracklin’ counter at Kroger will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. six days a week – closed Tuesdays. But everyday, customers can avail themselves of B’s grab-and-go items from the nearby refrigerator to warm at home.

“I bring in my product, my staff. Nothing is going to change when it comes to the product,” Furman said.

Meats will be smoked on-site and, in keeping with Furman’s style, meats will continue to be prepared over wood (no gas, no electricity) in special smokers in the 700-square-foot kitchen designated for B’s in the grocery store. Initially, Furman will be the one manning the smoker.

“If anybody is going to mess it up, it’ll be me,” Furman said, referring to the food as well as the new partnership with Kroger, one that began months before flames took down his place in Riverside.

Furman, who is still planning to reopen a standalone location of B's Cracklin BBQ, has had a roller coaster ride of a year. His Riverside restaurant burned down earlier this year, and he's been popping up in various spots around Atlanta with his barbecue since, in addition to operating his first location in Savannah and a stand at State Farm Arena.

Cox Media Group