Sconyers Bar-B-Que Augusta, GA

Hey gang - Mod Betty has been wicked busy lately -  not only prepping for the Retro Roadmap Roundup at The Shoe House this Sunday, but also dealing with all sorts of technical boring behind the scenes stuff. I'll be back to posting regularly soon, promise! 

In the meantime, here's a submission from Retro Roadmap Reader Roger K.  While the entry probably would've been more timely during The Masters, I'm sure Sconyers is a place to check out year'round!

Sconyers Bar-B-Que  Augusta, GA

Augusta, Georgia. This quaint, southern city is a prime location for hospitality, great food and golf. Part of The Masters experience is the food. There's no way around it. The players must eat, the visitors watching the tournament must eat, and well, when you're in the south, what could be better than some good ol' southern barbecue? Nothing compares in my book.

Sure, when it's time for The Masters in Augusta, people tend to crave pimento cheese and whatever is on the menu at the Masters Champions Dinner, but for some, like myself, hitting up the local institutions is what it's all about. And when it comes to barbecue in Augusta, there is no better place than Sconyers. If you ask the locals where to eat, 7 times out of 10 they're going to point you here.

I must admit, the place is a bit off the beaten path. Located off Bobby Jones Expressway (an amazing golfer himself), Sconyers is snuggly situated on Sconyers Way. A pig lying on a big log welcomes you to the restaurant- a big, retro, cabin-like building surrounded by a serene, wooden lot. It's definitely a bit out there, but something that families, tourists, and obviously the locals love. Sconyers has actually been around for 60 years, with its traditional pit barbecue at the center of its menu, it's no wonder folks flock here. Heck, you can smell the amazing, smoky aroma from a mile away, drawing you in for some good barbecue.

Driving up to a place like this is always a little unnerving, you really hope the food and barbecue is going to be amazing, but hey when you are traveling it can be a bit tricky to find good places. Like Mod Betty recently said in her What-a-burger Drive-In post, it's better to take the gamble for good local food, than succumb to the preserved "cuisine" you'll find at most chain places. (Just to back Mod Betty up, What-a-burger is some good stuff, including the skipped witchdoctor.)

Places like Sconyers and other retro restaurants are still open for a reason, good food, a good atmosphere and tradition. Nothing is better after hours in the car, or when you're traveling, than a really good, homey meal, and Sconyers definitely offers that.

Like you would expect, the menu offers a variety of barbecue- chicken, ribs, hash, turkey, pork and beef. There is an amazing sweet, smoky flavor on everything, giving it a signature taste. The ribs were heavenly and the beef needed no extra sauce (now you know that's good meat). Speaking of sauces, there were a few on the table to choose from, a mild red sauce, a spicy red sauce and a peppery-vinegar sauce. It's a nice combination of east and west barbecue, but my favorite had to be the vinegar based. That on the pork was absolutely amazing, and worth the trip to Augusta alone. The sides, potato salad, coleslaw and hash on rice, were good, but nothing amazing. It's all about the meat at Sconyers, and man is it good.

Whether you're looking for a more casual Masters Dining experience or just some doggone good barbecue in Augusta, have a look at Sconyers. They're only open Thursday through Saturday, packing out the place, but the southern staff handles it with ease, leaving pitchers of the refreshing tea at your table. Chances are you will have at least another meal's worth of food to take home, so either share a plate or make sure you have a mini fridge in the hotel. My one suggestion when traveling for an event of any type, venture outside the event grounds and talk to the locals. You're bound to find some amazing food if you do that.

 Submitted to Retro Roadmap by Roger Kethcart  who "recently made the move from restaurant-rich Louisville KY to small town America where he often longs to undercover a hidden gem of a dive to call home.  In addition to his food adventures, Roger is a blogger, writer and editor."