Every McKeska (Jerry's Brothers Have BBQ places. I think Jerry is the oldest. 5 or 7 brothers IIRC) They are all good last time I tried them. My kids and wife went to Columbus H.S. Jerry had his place up town.... It was great.
There is a place called brooks BBQ in a trailer at FM 529 and Barker-cypress houston/cypress in front of the Ace Hardware Excellent ribs and good Brisket.
I ate there a couple of times and while I found it good did not find it memorable. I am a sauce guy anyhow so that did not bother me too much...I'm surprised some named Hard Eight in DFW (Coppell). Their brisket is SO DRY, I have to drown it in BBQ sauce to get it down my fat gullet. PASS!
Don't feel you are alone in the woods. While I never ate at those in Athens, I stopped off at a place that got raves, been in business since the 50's up in Amarillo (IIRC). My London born English wife was with me. Like you we threw the junk out and I was embarrassed this was called BBQ. Stopped in another place over in S Carolina, "Proudly serving BBQ since 1946", it was uneatable. Took it back, they gave me some more it went in the round can as we left.Finally got to the other BBQ place in town... if you must eat BBQ in Athens swing by my house, you don't want to kill your taste buds at either of those places - Cripple Creek or Danny's. I won't say which but one provided a unique experience for me in that I actually threw ribs in the garbage after one bite, the other served a brisket with no visible smoke ring!
I'm surprised some named Hard Eight in DFW (Coppell). Their brisket is SO DRY, I have to drown it in BBQ sauce to get it down my fat gullet. PASS!
I have eaten at that one and do not remember of it being dry, its was quite good in fact...The one many of us are talking about is in Roanoke not Coppell.
Rudy's is pretty good - but there are many better options
Pecan Lodge in downtown Dallas is tops
Hard 8 is pretty damn good
3 Stacks in Frisco - deeelish
I had Salt Licks at the airport in Austin on a layover and loved it!