In Honor of Harold's BBQ

I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a true icon of Georgia BBQ, Harold Hembree, founder and owner of Harold's BBQ in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.  Here is the text of the article as it ran online today:

Barbecue was a family business for Harold Hembree, son of the founder of the legendary Harold’s Barbecue. Mr. Hembree served as co-owner and operator of the barbecue restaurant on McDonough Boulevard until about six months ago, when he could no longer work because of cancer, said his stepson, Ken Cannon. Mr. Hembree, 76, of Covington, died Sunday at his home.

Harold’s Barbecue was founded in 1947 by his father, Harold Hembree Sr., and mother, Hugh Hembree. Harold Hembree Sr. died in 1958 and Mrs. Hembree and her four children carried on.Over the years, Harold’s became a popular destination for comedian Jeff Foxworthy, politicians such as Jimmy Carterand Gov. Lester Maddox.

“The barbecue has been in lots of articles, in Southern Living and other places,” said Mr. Hembree’s wife, Frances Hembree of Covington. “Somebody told me the City of Atlanta used to be run out of it, so many politicians were there.”When he wasn’t running the barbecue business, Mr. Hembree loved to go deer hunting, play golf and watch the Atlanta Falcons, his stepson said.The funeral was Sept. 10 at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan in Covington.In addition to his wife, survivors are stepchildren Buck Cannon, Ken Cannon, Dale Cannon, Sunday Wiley, Susan Wright and Surina Cannon; brother Lee Hembree of Thomaston; sister Kay Branyon of Eatonton; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Comments

[scott sapp]

based upon mobley's bbq harold's bbq had the right stuff. great pork, a sizzling stew, out of this world cracklin corn bread and flavor all over the place so good make you want to suck up a mouth full to carry home and savor later. the man will be missed. let's hope the tradition continues.