Fresh Air Barbecue, a staple of Georgia-style
barbecue for 95 years, has been serving Macon
with its mouth-watering smoked pork for over
35 years. The original restaurant was founded
in 1929 by Dr. Joel Watkins in Jackson, GA, and
first served barbecued rabbit and goat. George
“Toots” Caston took over in 1945, introducing
pit-smoked pork hams and Brunswick Stew—
a refined version of his father’s recipe from
the 1890s. The chopped pork served with a tangy tomato and vinegar-based sauce steals
the show, along with a cup of their famous Brunswick stew and creamy coleslaw. Now run
by Toots’ grandson, George Barber, Fresh Air Barbecue has upheld the same time-honored
traditional cooking methods and recipes for four generations.
The atmosphere at Fresh Air Barbecue is a warm embrace of tradition, where the aroma of
wood-smoked barbecue fills the air. With their old-fashioned pit burning 24/7, 365 days a
year, Fresh Air Barbecue remains dedicated to its roots of serving a consistent product without
cutting corners and using the traditional slow-cooking process and recipes. Visit Fresh Air
Barbecue and experience the authentic taste of Georgia barbecue that has been perfected for
nearly a century
