With very few exceptions, most new places in Athens that try to take on barbecue tend to approach it on the surface, instead of treating it with the seriousness it deserves as a true culinary reference point. Po’ Boys, created by the sharp and passionate chef Vassilis Sporos, has become exactly that: a benchmark for everyone else. Over the past few years, it has set the bar high, with a level of dedication and authenticity that even Americans would admire.
After a journey through the American South that proved to be life changing, Vassilis returned with images, techniques and recipes that shaped everything that followed. He studied the craft, experimented relentlessly and refined his approach. In 2018, he introduced Athens to what he had learned, along with his own inspirations and signature secrets. One of them is the restaurant’s handmade smoker, the starting point for every meat dish that comes out of the kitchen.
Here, slow cooked takes on a whole new meaning. Hours of cooking over charcoal allow the meat to stay juicy and unbelievably tender, while developing a buttery caramelized crust and that deep smoky flavor that defines true Southern barbecue. The result is meat unlike anything you have tasted before, served through bold menus that change often to keep the excitement alive.
Po’ Boys burgers have become legendary, thanks to creative ideas that go far beyond the usual. A perfect example is the latest “Cheesiest Cheeseburger”: served sliced in half, drenched in bubbling cheese fondue right in front of you, sizzling in a scorching cast iron pan with two thin patties inside. Pure indulgence.
There are also outstanding chicken options, like the “Buttermilk Fried Chicken” topped with a dreamy bourbon glaze, balanced beautifully by the freshness of homemade coleslaw. And after popular demand, the “Bad Egg” has made its return. This is the only burger that combines fried chicken with Mac and Cheese, now with an extra kick thanks to a Korean style spicy sauce.
Vassilis approaches his craft with one question in mind: what more can we do to make our product even better, even more unique? That mindset led him to introduce Melts, served in soft, fluffy bread with choices like smoked turkey, brisket or the “Bacon Jam Patty Melt” with pork belly and beef patty. These are sandwiches made for those who crave serious comfort and flavor.
Sliders are also on the menu, served on light potato buns in portions that let you try more than one. One of the newest additions is the “Jalapeño Onion Slider”, featuring a patty mixed with jalapeños, bacon, and gouda cheese. And of course, you cannot leave without tasting the pastrami.
Between the steaks, the best Mac ‘n’ cheese in the city and countless other indulgent creations, Po’ Boys is a place where surrender feels inevitable. Because here, everything we love about food comes together in one experience: crispy textures, tender bites, rich melts, street food elevated into something inspired and unforgettable. A delicious sin you will never regret.
Po’boys BBQ
12 Agatharchou Street & Lepeniotou Street, Athens, tel. +302103234672
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