Georgia News

Tilly’s Smokehouse to Bring Barbecue to Carrollton in January

Opening in January, the restaurant will feature traditional barbecue, table service, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Image courtesy of Tilly's Smokehouse website.

CARROLLTON, GA — Rhett Hayes told Business Debut that his new restaurant, Tilly’s Smokehouse, is targeting an opening in January at 700 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, GA 30117. Business Debut learned about this story first from The City Menus.

What to Expect

Tilly’s Smokehouse will serve traditional barbecue in a fast-casual setting with full table service and a drive-thru. The restaurant will seat about 80 to 100 guests indoors, with additional patio seating for outdoor dining. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine at the bar.

The menu will feature smoked meats such as pulled pork, spare ribs, and half chickens, along with signature items including smoked shanks, jumbo smoked-fried wings, and barbecue quesadillas. Hayes said he’s especially excited about a dessert twist — peach cobbler egg rolls. “It’s a classic Southern flavor with a fun twist,” he told Business Debut. The restaurant will also serve sandwiches and Southern sides like smoked cabbage.

Family and Inspiration

The restaurant’s name is a tribute to Hayes’ daughter, Tilly. “The name Tilly’s came from my daughter,” he told Business Debut. “I’d had the idea for a barbecue restaurant for a while, but once she was born, the name just fit.” Hayes and his wife, Peyton, are partners in the business and their two children — Tilly, age three, and Witcher, age one.

Hayes spent seven years in the barbecue business before launching Tilly's Smokehouse. He handled everything from cooking and managing staff to inventory and vendor relations, eventually serving as general manager. “The people I worked for taught me a lot, not just about barbecue but about the restaurant industry as a whole,” he told Business Debut. “I’m grateful for that experience, and I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned to my own restaurant.”