WhistleQ BBQ is a Texas-style smokehouse led by two-time published cookbook author and award-winning pitmaster Craig Tabor of Buford, Georgia. With decades of experience on the live-fire circuit, Craig brings authentic smoke, heat, and heart to every plate — from slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork to melt-in-your-mouth ribs and signature sauces. Backed by restaurateur Roland Stanley, acclaimed chef Nicholas St. Clair of Antebellum, and culinary veteran Gustavo Godinez of Big Burrito fame, WhistleQue unites the soul of Southern barbecue with chef-driven technique and hospitality. Expect handcrafted sides, bold flavors, and the unmistakable aroma of real wood smoke.
Whistle Q
Think BBQ you know, and BBQ you didn’t know you needed. THE MENU. confit dark meat chicken salad, sliced … 5509 Main Street | Flowery Branch, GA 30542.
Josh Tahan
Some of the best BBQ I’ve had, anywhere!! Was in town (from Tampa) so went big and got jalapeño popper fritters, rinds, meat sweats platter and smoked wings. When in Rome, err, Flowery Branch, right? Let me tell you that I’ve eaten my fair share of BBQ and this place does IT RIGHT. From the post oak to the slicing station all the way down to the scratch made sides and banana pudding, zero short cuts taken. This isn’t a quick service restaurant…yes, it’s small. Yes. It’s efficient. But my god- the quality is incredible. Highly recommend the ribs! It’s not something I would typically order but they were lights out amazing that I may never eat brisket or pulled pork again!! (At least not in Flowery Branch). 10/10. Will be back whenever I am in GA!
… moreChris Vallee
Oh man you are in for some real BBQ of you visit this gem of a place! They serve what they have until it runs out so go a little early if you can for lunch or dinner. We luckily got the last batch of lunch smoked wings and talk about a blend of crispy, smoky and tender deliciousness ! They serve with a side of an Alabama or something dipping sauce that’s really good as well. Their sides were amazing too! You can’t go wrong. We tried the okra which was fresh fried, potato salad was amazing, collards were fresh. Also tried the BBQ Pork which was really good. They have one type of sauce at the table that was good as well. My only gripe was they give you a piece of bread with your meal and I would prefer toasted and buttered. The chef did come around to check on everyone and he told
Me on request they will grill the bread for you! I saw him open a slab of ribs and the steam just bellowed out, they looked so meaty and seasoned I can’t wait to go back and try their ribs! They don’t have a ton of seating, but they have floor space in the middle so if they get busier maybe they can add more tables in the middle area. I saw lots of to go orders happening so hoping this place becomes a staple of the downtown Flowery Branch scene because they are not playing around!
… moreJason Moore
When you open your box of ribs and feel like a judge at the BBQ competition, you know it’s going to be good. BTW that was my “over order” TOGO box because I wanted ribs to share when I got back to work, at least that’s my story! I had the brisket sandwich, the brisket was sliced on the block in front of me and it was a great, perfect mix of lean and marbled!
… moreLoy Roper
Great barbecue ribs I really enjoyed the atmosphere as well as the different sauces offered ,though barbecue ribs were good even without sauce. The restaurant was very clean and the food was very flavorful as well as a lot of food on their plate.
… moreKim D Realtor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whistle Q in downtown Flowery Branch is hands-down some of the best BBQ around! It’s owned by these talented partners — Craig, Nick, Roland, and Gus — who have created something truly special here. The food is always on point and the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
I’ve had the pulled pork with fried okra (amazing combo!) and today I tried the smoked wings with Alabama white sauce and Nick’s potato salad — absolutely delicious. The wings were perfectly crispy and full of flavor — I didn’t need to add a single thing (and that says a lot coming from a ranch-and-blue-cheese girl! ).
Every bite was finger-lickin’ good, and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier. Whether you’re a BBQ purist or just looking for a fun, local spot to eat, Whistle Q delivers every time. Flowery Branch is lucky to have this gem!
… moreTysh Roberts
10/10 this BBQ is hands down amazing. I’ve been four times since they opened. I’ve had the brisket, pork, sausage, Dino rib, and I finally got to try their wings!!! The wings are smoked and then flash fried for that crunch!!! Best wings I’ve ever had! The sides are all amazing!!! Can’t say enough positive things! Go try them out! Two people are on pork skins, two sides and 8 wings…right at $40 and we had food leftover!!!
… moreSujata Gill
Yet another amazing restaurant in downtown Flowery Branch! Never realized that BBQ could and should be so well seasoned. The ribs, the wings, all of it…order takeout or dine in—what a wonderful culinary experience!!
… moreChristopher Gentry
Excellent Craft BBQ. All of the proteins are perfectly smoked, tender, juicy & full of flavor! The beef tallow fried okra was my favorite side, but those pork rinds!! Can’t wait to go back for the legendary banana pudding! Fantastic new addition to Flowery Branch! 5⭐
… moreKristen L Hayes
The best pulled pork I’ve ever had—hands down. The mac and cheese and banana pudding were equally outstanding. Our whole family loved their meals, everything came out hot and fresh, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. Highly recommend!
… moreBill Clossin
After many tries, we finally found a great BBQ place — Whistle Q in downtown Flowery Branch. Simply put everything we ordered (the meat sweats platter) was delicious. Ribs, Turkey, Jalapeno Cheese Sausage, Pulled Pork, and last but certainly not least is the Texas-style Beef Brisket. It is the best brisket we have eaten outside of Texas in a long, long time.
The sides were beef tallow fries (unbelievably good) and excellent collared greens.
We highly recommend Whistle Q. The staff were friendly, and the owner Craig knows exactly what good BBQ is all about.
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