Abdullah The Butcher's House Of Ribs & Chinese Food

If your future plans include being anywhere near Atlanta and you like offbeat eateries, you'd be making a terrible mistake if you neglected to visit Abdullah The Butcher's House Of Ribs & Chinese Food.  Abdullah's primary claim to fame, of course, is as a professional wrestler with a reputation as a bloodthirsty brute.  In the ring, Abdullah was known for his maniacal habit of using a fork to carve into his opponents' foreheads.

His restaurant, located in a former 7-11 on Fairburn Road in SW Atlanta, has been dishing up delicious, expertly-smoked ribs since 1994.  Also on the menu: Chinese food, chicken wings, rib tips, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers (known here as Butcher Burgers) and a righteous collection of Southern soul food vegetables that change daily.  I recommend both the collard greens and the turnip greens.   

The restaurant's decor is a fantastic hodgepodge of memorabilia from Abdullah's many years in the ring. Hundreds of vintage 8x10 photos adorn the walls, and given the fact that this is a restaurant we're talking about, a disturbing number of them show "The Madman From Sudan" in the midst of inflicting bloody mayhem on his hapless wrestling opponents.  I must say, it's a very jarring experience.  For example, right next to the counter where diners pick up their utensils (plastic, fortunately!) is a gory full-color photo of a fork-wielding Abdullah carving up a foe in the ring.  That picture can be seen below.  If you're really lucky, Abdullah himself will be on hand, sitting out front and graciously greeting diners as they wander in.  Such was the case a few weeks ago when Fool's Paradise host Rex Doane came through town.  After a short tour of notable Atlanta sights like Fred Blassie's old house we headed for Abdullah's.  At one point, Abdullah himself even stopped by our table to ask how things were.  Unfortunately, Rex paused a split second too long before praising the meal, so Abdullah had to inflict some pain on him to teach him a lesson.  Check out the photo if you don't believe me.

Comments

[wee]

um. that's just his cane, right?

[Steve Barton]

Yo, Listener G.G. --

I have worn my FMU t-shirts all over the ATL for 12 years and have never once gotten a shout out for the Mystifying Radio Oracle (courtesy of this hour's splash page -- and that Ouija-theme bumper sticker fell off my trash can years ago) that beams from Jersey...the only notice has been admiration for the work of the artist's work on the shirt. Of course, it could be just me.

But if it isn't, where does one go in this town to run into other FMU listeners?

Listener Steve (Barton)
Dunwoody

[Listener Greg G.]

Steve, Atlanta's WFMU fans have been known to turn up at events at the Starlight Drive-In, especially during the annual Drive Invasion, held each Labor Day weekend. Also, I sometimes run into fellow enthusiasts at live shows at places like the EARL, the Star Bar, or Smith's Olde Bar or shows sponsored by Stomp & Stammer. Here's a link to an event (tomorrow!)which should find a few WFMU appreciators on hand. Music, by Caroline & The Ramblers will be free and so will beer! (Their drummer is an 'FMU aficionado.)

http://decaturcd.blogspot.com/2008/06/honky-tonk-angel-book-event-update.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/3hw8d3

If you make it, say howdy. Here's how to recognize me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfmu/1525426697/

And if Laura Cantrell ever comes back to town, the room will definitely be stocked with those who are very familiar with the station, at least if past history is any indication.

[John Dupont]

I dined at his restaurant last summer on a stop to Atlanta while heading home from Myrtle Beach. It was well worth the visit. He talked with us for nearly an hour, and was very gracious and hospitable. Even my wife, a non-wrestling fan, enjoyed it. The food is quite good, and very reasonably priced. Luckily, he wasn't holding a fork or knife during our visit.

[Jay-Bird]

I have dined at Abby's numerous times and brought family and friends. The food is good, but the atmosphere, service and people are what I enjoy the most.

I got a chuckle out of the staff when I told my children that they only have plastic knives and forks because they are afraid Abby might go after the customers if they had metal forks.

[ROBERT]

how do you get to the resturant from macon,ga

[John Werner]

Abdula the butcher was the greatest hard core wrestler, God Bless him and his Family , I am coming to georga to try out some RIBS I am interested in opening a cafe with my wife ! I will Fight in the ring one night to get his recipes The Best Ribs I herd 1 , Dont Die till I meet you a friend of Killer Kowalki , JW