The EAT group has really sunk its teeth into Richmond (pun intended), now operating 13 restaurants covering numerous genres. They’ve attacked tacos, burgers, pizza, ramen, oysters, fried chicken, and more. In April 2019 they opened Fatty Smokes, their seemingly inevitable barbecue restaurant.

They are self-described as a “barbecue mecca” and needless to say, if you’re going to refer to your own place as a “mecca,” it’s better be pretty damn good. Luckily, it is.

Reputation – 4.5/5

Strong reviews all around, culled from Google, Yelp, DoorDash, and TripAdvisor. I haven’t personally heard a ton of buzz about this place since it opened, but the few words I have heard have all been positive.

Experience – 4.6/5

I visited on a quiet Friday afternoon and sat at the bar. The bartender was a bit slow in getting me set up but was very amicable and knowledgeable. Food arrived quickly and I waited a few extra minutes to order a beer, in order to cash in on their pretty fantastic happy hour (3-7 every day and all day Tuesday, featuring $2 off draft beers, several $2 snacks, and plenty of other specials). A sandwich with one side included was $10. Overall it was a smooth, affordable and enjoyable experience.

Presentation – 4.7/5

I really like the presentation of the food. I chose fried onion straws for my side per the bartender’s recommendation, which included placing them on the sandwich. My meal arrived on a blue and white porcelain (I think) tray with the onions stacked aside the sandwich. The bar had folded paper towels and three sauces with styles attributed to VA, NC, and Kansas City.

Quality & Taste – 8.8/10

The pork was very good – tender, juicy, and flavorful. I wouldn’t quite place it in the top tier of all the pork that I’ve tried, but it’s not far off. The coleslaw was a little unexciting after trying ZZQ’s but it was good. Standard diced cabbage and such in a mayo-based coating. The onion straws looked great but came out a bit dry. The standout part of the meal for me was actually the bun – it was buttered and toasted absolutely perfectly and really brought the sandwich together.

Final Rating – 90.4

Really strong overall. I will definitely visit again. The location is not great, being downtown with limited parking, but Fatty Smokes is absolutely worth the trip. As mentioned earlier, I would definitely aim to hit it for happy hour.