accessAtlanta

Bill Beadle's business started in the back seat of a VW Beetle — literally. On a trip through the Tennessee mountains, he saw a battered, blue '73 Beetle with a crumpled roof and no windshield. When most people would think, "Hunk of junk," Beadle thought, "Barbecue."

He turned the car into a giant smoker that he hauled around to parties and events on weekends. Five years ago, he went the traditional restaurant route, opening his first Beetles BBQ at 150 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. He soon quit his day job to do 'cue full time. Two weeks ago, he opened his second location less than a mile away, at 9539 Ga. 92.

Andy Sharp/AJC Staff (ENLARGE)
Dan Wadsworth (from left), David Martin and Ismael Lopez savor the menu at Beetles BBQ on Towne Lake Parkway. A Volkswagen bus is among memorabilia at the auto's namesake restaurant.
MOST POPULAR STORIES Police: Jeffrey Donovan arrested, suspected of DUI Report: Abdul's return to 'American Idol' doubtful Beastie Boy Adam Yauch has 'very treatable' cancer Fallon's '7th Floor West' is a silly, soapy treat Chris Brown apologizes for Rihanna beating
EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR

"I've owned a number of Italian restaurants, worked for food companies and did the corporate gig, but my passion has always been food," said Beadle. "Every weekend, I found myself barbecuing as entertainment."

Just 'cue

Beetles' menu is short and sweet.

Sandwiches, plates and platters feature barbecued pork, chicken, beef brisket or baby back ribs. You can get three on one plate, or a jumbo size of your favorite. And take your pick of barbecue sauces: the cowboy country, ketchup-based; Carolina vinegar; Lowcountry mustard; and the Beetles' "secret sauce" made with tomatoes and apples.

Sides include cole slaw, baked beans, fried okra, fries, apple sauce, potato salad, mac 'n' cheese, salad or onion rings.

The recipes are Beadle's own, tweaked by his personal palate. "At one point, I sat down and ate everything we served," he said. "My grade was based on whether I'd serve it at home or not. I made a lot of change and took months to improve the quality."

The difference shows up in small details: Kaiser rolls for buns; sauce on the side so your sandwich doesn't come as a globby mess; china and cloth napkins. Each restaurant is full-service. And the runaway best-seller in both spots is the four-ounce pork sandwich.

The new 'cue

A selection of wines, beers and cocktails is available at the new location only. And entertainment is a key component of the venue.

"My plan is to have entertainment every night," said Beadle. "There's really nothing out here where people can hear something other than loud garage rock."

Families are welcome until 8 p.m., and after that, it's the place for the 21-and-older crowd to light up, kick back with a cocktail or draft beer and groove to the blues.