Murdered bodies have been found in this pristine area of southeast Atlanta. We didn't find any, fortunately. Nor did we leave any.
Waste Management bought the property in 1989. While they didn't want to dump bodies, in 1993, they did want to turn this beautiful land into a landfill. Neighbors protested the stinky action, and stopped it. And in 2020, Atlanta bought the 200 acres of woodlands as a natural respite from sprawling city life.
Welcome to Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve, larger than Piedmont Park. It has over 200 acres of old forestlands with majestic beech, white oaks, rare shagbark hickory, and many other trees.
This was a perfect place for Trail Master Guy to lead George, Brad, Roy, and Patrick hiking on a clear and cool Autumn day with the trees holding on to their leafy coats for warmth. Steve blew us off to participate in a Zoom meeting with some people in Thailand. The missing Trailhead is sick. We are fans of Thai food but not Thai Zoom calls.
We hiked Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve once before in December 2021 (read about it here). If you’d like to know about the fascinating history of this unique area, Atlanta author Hannah S. Palmer wrote the definitive article in Southern Cultures. Read it here.
Of course, we knew nothing of the history (as usual), only that it was a hiking trail listed on AllTrails. To reach it, you go down Moreland past the old Starlight Drive-In Theatre and into an industrial park, where semi-trucks buzz like bees to the honeycomb of warehouses and distribution centers. We began hiking in earnest (and in hiking boots).
The sky had rid itself of cloud cover, and the sun beat down mercilessly, but the thick tree canopy protected our pasty skin shells.
Trailheads congratulated Patrick on his son Matt’s recent marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Desiree. They eloped and married at the Marietta Courthouse. Congratulations to the happy couple from a bunch of marriage veterans!
We noticed some improvements since our last visit here. The trail was wide, had gravel for stability, and was artfully strewn with colorful dead leaves. We came to a fork in the road. We're fans of forks. They remind us of food and Johnny Carson and Carol Wayne. Guy decided to take the road less (if ever) traveled. We obediently followed, complaining all the way.
We saw an old, rusted mower, and Trail Master saw an immediate photo op for Fio. She said he’d have to book the shoot through her agent. Guy began sobbing. Fio felt guilty and followed his direction while Guy snapped pictures like a schoolboy at a nudist camp. She signed a release, and we were on our way.
Trailheads continued down the short path, which soon ended. Trail Master commanded, “Follow me, boys!” He began charging into a wild-growth area with no path or trail. We watched the madman, our mouths agape (which comes naturally when we’re not filling our pie holes).
“Looks like there’s snakes in there,” Roy said.
“Probably chiggers, too,” Brad said.
“I’ll bet there’s lots of ticks,” Patrick said. “What do you think, George?”
He looked to his right, and George was gone. He had joined Trail Master and the dogs in the wildlands. It was like those two were brave explorers.
We followed them hesitantly, looking closely at the ground for slithering objects, blood-sucking tiny critters, or human-gobbling holes.
Soon, the two glory hogs were striking heroic poses on a large rock, like big-shot adventurers. If snakes were watching, they no doubt laughed. Especially when Patrick joined in on the fun.
Carrying on, we saw old bottles and a deflated basketball.
“Maybe this area hosted an alcoholic basketball team,” Patrick deduced.
“No,” Roy corrected. “It was probably just some litterbugs.”
“Are litterbugs related to chiggers?” George asked.
"Litterbugs are like jitterbugs, George." Brad offered up. “But not as dancy.”
Brad knows George is a closet jitterbug fan.
“Will you guys shut your yaps and get going?” Guy said, Stooge-slapping us into order. Trail Master is a hard taskmaster.
There was a fallen tree up ahead, and Roy began flop-sweating.
“We’ll never make it over that enormous thing,” he said. “It’s impossible!” George quickly scaled the trunk, and Roy followed suit. “I did it, I did it! Did you guys see that? Amazing, right?”
We yawned and moved onward.
Brad pointed out the remains of houses that looked out onto the now-drained lake. A creek runs through the flatlands where Lake Charlotte once was. Fio and Elvis drank the creek water and wondered if it had been fluorinated. The dogs are very conscious of proper dental hygiene.
We saw more mysterious discarded remnants: a car grill, more empty bottles, and downed power lines that we touched to be certain they weren’t live. What’s wrong with us? Fortunately we remembered Louie The Lightning Bug that our friend Gene Powers helped create years ago. Louie warns youngsters (and Trailheads) to be careful around electricity.
Trailheads had done this short trail and much more with our meanderings. The ground began rumbling, aftershocks of hunger pangs, and we knew it was our feeding time. We hike to eat, and today, we were face-stuffing at one of our favorite joints, the original Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Ave. Read about a recent visit here.
This is where Jonathan and Justin Fox brought their authentic Texas barbecue and unique recipes to Georgia. We’ve been thankful ever since.
This location’s food is always on point. We asked our friendly server, Demetrius Wilson, why the DeKalb Ave. restaurant is more dependably delicious than the offshoot locations. He smiled and said, “Because we have the best people working here.”
Demetrius is wise, and his attentive service and knowledge prove the point.
We got a pic of the place where the cooking magic happens. Happy people make food that makes diners happy.
Trailheads surveyed the menu and daily specials. It all looked so good. Guy saw Chicken Fried Ribs and decided we had to get some. It would be rude not to, right? After all, it was "Chicken Fried Thursday." We are polite people.
Six beautiful buttermilk-battered fried golden-brown babies arrived, and we made short work of them, leaving all bones picked clean.
We resisted ordering the chicken fried steak daily special, which was heroic given its incredible deliciousness. Those who have eaten it swear the entrée is all that––and then some. We placed our orders, drank beverages, and chatted like wind-up sets of teeth.
Patrick talked about his recent trip to a CAT Scan machine in preparation for his knee replacement surgery at the end of December. He assured his bandmates he’d return on the trails as soon as possible, and they shrugged.
“Who are you, again?” they asked. He is half Patrick and half replacement parts, after all.
Soon, the trays of food were delivered, and while our eyes feasted, our mouths went to work. Let’s get into it, sports fans.
Fox Bros. spareribs are things of beauty. They’re meaty, packed with a savory smoke flavor, and glazed with the addictive Fox. Bros. original recipe barbecue sauce. You’ll eat your way to happiness.
The pulled pork is epic. While most barbecue joints can do a fine job with pulled pork, this version ups the game by smoking tender, succulent meat to perfection. You don't smell the smoke. You taste it. Dress it with flavorful sauce and go to town.
But the dish that made Fox Bros. legendary is their beef brisket. Saddle up to eat and save yourself a trip to Texas––this is the real deal, and your spurs will be spinning in delight.
Patrick swears by the brisket chili he got as a side. It combines two of his favorite foods: brisket and chili––probably major food groups on the soon-to-be-released updated food pyramid. There are no beans or fillers here—just the good stuff.
George ordered the vegetarian special of the day, the smoked portabella mushroom sandwich, and raved about it. It was smoky and slathered in melted cheese.
Brad did him one better by declaring that the special veggie of the day, Fried Brussels Sprouts, was terrific. “The sauce doesn’t overpower the sprouts,” he gushed. “And the feta cheese compliments the flavor perfectly. It’s nuanced, bold, and balanced.”
We love it when he talks all flowery about his food, especially with his mouth full.
The Brunswick Stew is the real deal. Thick, meaty, dense with deliciousness.
The slaw is the classic recipe––cool and comforting. Good to the last forkful.
The Tots are Tots. What’s not to like? Potato perfection.
We ate our fill and asked for a few to-go boxes. Fox Bros. makes excellent meals that also serve as delectable leftovers.
We snapped a picture with our new hero, the server who sets the bar high and always delivers. Thanks, Demetrius, you’re the best.
Roy drew a fun cartoon on his leftover box and snapped a pic to send his wife and let her know that tonight’s dinner was on the way. He’s a natural artist. Patrick borrowed the pen and showed his artistic flair.
We reviewed his masterpiece and knew it was time to go. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Rating: Four Ribs*
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
1238 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30328
404 577-4030
*About Our Barbecue Rating System
Trailheads do not claim to be food experts, epicureans, or sophisticated palates. We are hungry hikers who attack a selected barbecue venue and ravage our way through whatever smoked fare and fixings they're dishing out.
Our reviews feature what we believe are the highlights of the menu we sampled. So our intent is not to trash talk the saintly folks who tend to smoldering smokers on hot, humid summer days. They are sacrificing themselves in the noble art of smoking meats and feeding the drooling masses. Many are independent entrepreneurs who are the backbone of this humming American economy.
Now that you know our standards, you may wonder why every barbecue place gets a four-ribs rating. The answer is easy: our group has acclaimed designers, and they think the ribs graphic looks cool.
Who are we to argue? Enjoy.
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