Don Que knows a thing or two about BBQ and he knows a lot about hard work. Up and at the shop by 4:30 every morning Quamine Haywood, Que, lights the fire in his barrel smoker and gets his day started. His morning typically consists of smoking pork butt, brisket, chicken, burnt ends and ribs… lots of delicious ribs.
Lunch starts at 11 in his new (as of spring 2025) restaurant across from the hospital on Parkwood Drive in the heart of Brunswick. But it was a long road to get here. Working in a variety of restaurants then serving as pitmaster at Southern Soul on St. Simons for nearly a decade, Que mastered his craft. He sold his beloved Charger to buy a smoker and started smoking and selling out of a friend’s yard on his days off. The people loved it.
BBQ on Wheels
Tired of getting rained out, Que bought a trailer, converted it to a food truck and hit the road for regional food competitions. And he started winning: Best Oxtail, Best Overall, Best Regional BBQ and more. Meanwhile in Brunswick, the little pink food truck was becoming an icon. Between spending time on Altama to being a fixture at Brunswick’s wildly popular First Fridays, Don Que’s started to get a reputation for great food and great service. And a huge leap of faith eventually secured his new brick and mortar on Parkwood.
The space is super clean and decorated with family photos. The music is a throwback to my childhood, classic R&B, and the space is bright and airy. And, of course, the aromas are divine.
There’s something magic in Don Que’s spice rub. It’s a perfect blend of salt, pepper and some magic dust that lingers on the tongue in the best way possible. The ribs are very tender, but not fall-apart — the ideal competition texture. They’re smokey but not overwhelmed with smoke. It’s a clean taste that highlights the perfectly seasoned pork.
He has a variety of daily specials including much-in-demand fried pork chops and the wildly popular Saturday night special: the award winning oxtails. And they do soul food as good as it gets. Brunswick Eats tip: just ask and if it’s in the house, they’ll fry it up.
Watch the four minute interview below. Read more about Que from our friends at Black Owned Brunswick here.
DON QUE’S SOUTHERN BBQ
2700 Parkwood Dr, Brunswick, GA 31520
Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
Closed Sunday
Tel: (912) 289-9062