Why Locals Love The AfterTaste Smokehouse & Grille
The AfterTaste Smokehouse & Grille in Lawrenceville, GA, is a true Southern culinary gem that expertly balances the rich traditions of barbecue, soul food, and classic American fare. Nestled conveniently at 706 Grayson Hwy #212, this barbecue and steakhouse destination offers not only hearty, soulful meals but also an inviting atmosphere that feels like a warm Southern embrace.
The restaurant’s menu is a vibrant celebration of smoky, savory flavors and comforting sides. A standout is the SmokeKissed Lamb Lollipops, where tender lamb chops are infused with subtle woodsmoke, delivering a mouthwatering depth of flavor paired perfectly with two generous sides of your choice. For those seeking a meatless option, the Meatless Entree is thoughtfully crafted to satisfy without compromising on taste, priced reasonably at $17.00.
Complement your entrée with a diverse selection of a la carte sides that are anything but ordinary. Imagine savoring crispy, golden Fried Okra, sweet and buttery Candied Sweet Potatoes, or the nostalgic comfort of creamy Macaroni & Cheese. The Southern Fried Whole Corn on the Cob, buttered and fried to perfection, adds a joyous crunch and decadent sweetness to your plate. Each side is carefully prepared to enhance the main dishes and bring that genuine Southern soul food experience to life.
Step into The AfterTaste Smokehouse & Grille and you’re immediately enveloped by a rich decor filled with character—an ambiance that supports relaxed dining with a playlist featuring soulful hits from the ‘70s through the ‘90s. Whether you’re out enjoying a casual date night, meeting friends for girl’s night, or dropping in for takeout, the vibe is welcoming and lively without ever sacrificing comfort.
Customers consistently praise not only the quality of the food but also the genuine hospitality. One diner, April A-Love Taylor, highlighted the friendly owners and the plentiful portion sizes that allow you to savor your meal well beyond the first sitting. Another enthusiastic guest, Jason Farina, raves about the fall-off-the-bone tenderness of the smoked turkey leg—a dish so flavorful it hardly needs any sauce. The owners’ passion for quality and customer satisfaction shines through in every interaction, ensuring personalized service and memorable meals.
Whether you’re indulging in ribs, brisket, or one of their expertly smoked chicken dishes, paired with rich baked beans or tangy collard greens, The AfterTaste Smokehouse & Grille offers a flavorful journey deeply rooted in Southern tradition yet refreshingly modern and attentive to detail. They also offer catering for special events, bringing a complete and impressive smorgasbord that delighted Shirley Sanford’s reunion group, including beautifully carved watermelon and an array of perfectly cooked salmon, brisket, and sides.
Overall, The AfterTaste Smokehouse & Grille is more than just a restaurant — it’s a local treasure that brings soul, smoke, and Southern hospitality to every meal. Don’t miss out on this hidden jewel in Lawrenceville where the food is abundant, the flavors are bold, and the experience is truly memorable. Reservations, takeout, and catering inquiries can be made at +1 470-702-8285.
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What Makes This Place Friendly
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as veteran-owned
- Kerbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Comfort food
- Halal food
- Happy-hour food
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Family friendly
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Feb 16, 2026
Loved the decor and ambiance, good music was playing and one of the owners that served us was very nice and friendly. This place should not of been empty on a Saturday evening. The food took a bit long and I was surprised to get my food in to go containers for dining in, but it worked out cause my portion size was very plentiful , I was able to eat twice off my meal. I ordered a combo with smoked chicken & brisket. The sauce was tasty and the brisket tender and delicious. When I have a BBQ craving I will definitely order again . My son ordered the fried chicken , and red kool aide he said it was crispy and tasty and the koolaide sweet . I hope to see this place stick around .
- Feb 15, 2026
The food was excellent and the owners are incredibly engaging! The atmosphere and decorum is really good and the food is cooked to order. Portions are really good and the food was well seasoned. We ordered ribs, chicken, fries, baked beans, Mac n cheese and greens. Th owners go above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied with your selections. The service was excellent! Highly recommend giving them a visit.
- Feb 13, 2026
Very beautiful restaurant. Dine in or take out. Delivery services will have to go inside to pickup. Known for their bbq. Excellent customer service. Very clean. Awesome place for date night or girl night. The music is on point here if you like 70s-90s music. Plenty of parking. Located in a plaza.
- Jan 24, 2026
I can't say enough about this restaurant! The only issue with them not having a line out the door is their location. But once people find this jewel they will be packed non-stop. The food is AMAZING!!! The portions are huge, I couldn't stop eating! The Turkey Leg was huge and so delicious we didn't even use the sauce that came on the side, it was smoky & fall off the bone tender, with an excellent dry rub. The sides come out in separate bowls, so they're perfect to pass around. This was the best cabbage, cooked just right with just a hint of vinegar. I stole the potato salad from my girlfriend , I loved the sweet relish flavor. And the Spicy Slaw was definitely a treat. Absolutely nothing needed salt or pepper as everything was perfectly seasoned. Even the other customers were friendly & social. The waitress was so proud of the food they served & was so happy with how much we were enjoying our meals. If this place was in Atlanta, Roswell, or Alpharetta it would be the talk of the town.
- Dec 31, 2025
Just had our 50th Line Reunion this weekend. Aftertaste catered to our Airbnb a complete smorgasbord of main dishes & desserts. The food was excellent! 2 types of cooked salmon (ginger sauced & blackened) So good!! Brisket and fried chicken. All kinds of sides included. The fruit was so sweet & fresh. They even carved a beautiful watermelon to celebrate us!! ( See attached) It was an unexpected surprise They helped make our celebration a beautiful success. I give the highest reference for this Catering Team. They provided professionalism & perfection to an important part of our Celebration. Much appreciated
- Dec 19, 2025
Friendly staff. Ambiance inside was really nice. It has a upscale vibe to it with the music and decor so I recommend you dine in. I ordered the Ribs with Mac & Cheese and Baked Beans which was really good. I also ordered the Banana pudding cake. That tasted good too. The cost was a bit pricer compared to other BBQ spots but to be fair they didn’t skimp on the portion size. I would get the ribs again and try other items on the menu.
- Dec 15, 2025
My sorority sisters and I was celebrating our 50th anniversary. We decided to use The AfterTaste Smokehouse and Grill as our caterers for dinner for two nights. The food and service were impeccable. It was truly a pleasure to work with Segundo and Michelle. I highly recommend The AfterTaste Smokehouse and Grill for all of your catering needs. You will not be disappointed. Top Notch!
- Nov 30, 2025
Omg!! What a gem!!! The atmosphere was phenomenal! The music?!! Indie soul, 70s like Al Green! Just a great vibe! The food was delicious! No salt or sauce needed! It’s cook to order so the wait was a little lengthy but not too bad! I also had great company tho so that helped!
