Chic Barbecue Joint Becoming Popular With Grayson Locals

It’s not just the city of that is no longer a well-kept secret in Gwinnett – it’s also where you can find the best barbecue joint in town.

Still Waters, dubbed “a Chic Bar-B-Q Joint,” opened a month ago in the location of the old Grayson House Restaurant and quickly earned a name for itself as serving up some of the best barbecue in the southeast. Charles Hill, a former Grayson House customer who considers himself a barbecue connoisseur, said he was impressed.

“The barbecue served at here is some of the best I’ve ever had,” Hill said. “I go to great lengths to find the best barbecue - and I’ve been all over. I’ve had barbecue in North Carolina, Virginia, many places, and I’d say the Brunswick stew served here is the best I’ve tasted. Great smoked meat and the sauces - you can tell a lot about a barbecue place by the sauces - the sauces here are great. I eat here at least a couple of times a week now.”

Still Waters is the realization of a dream for owners Anthony and Caralyn Butts of . The couple, who got their start in the restaurant business with a barbecue-on-wheels operation in Stone Mountain and a catering venture, are surprised by the response to Still Waters.

“There’s nothing still about this place. We’ve been open a month and it hasn’t stopped. It’s truly been a blessing,” said Carlyn Butts. “I never realized there was such a need for good barbecue in the area.”

Carlyn Butts said they were eating at Kelly’s in Loganville when they first heard the old Grayson House location would be available - and from then on everything just fell into place.

“I needed to get Anthony out of my kitchen - that's what did it,” she said. “I was tired of him messing up my kitchen.”

Anthony Butts, who has been cooking for about 35 years, said the location was perfect for him.

“It’s not a big place so it’s the perfect intimate setting,” he said. “It allows you to keep that contact with the people you are serving. This is exactly what we’d hoped for and so much more.”

Carlyn Butts said she wasn’t so sure of the setting when she first saw it, but now realizes it was just what they needed.

“I’ve decorated it with furniture from my home. There are still things we want to do but there hasn’t been time. We were busy right away and it hasn’t stopped yet,” she said.

The restaurant is decorated in keeping with the peaceful theme of the name of the restaurant, Still Waters, with each room named for one of the lakes in Georgia.

“I love the peace you get from still waters, that’s where the name came from,” Carlyn Butts said.

Anthony Butts said although barbecue is the main focus, they do still serve some of the gourmet meals the regulars were used to at the old Grayson House, offering a combination of “Butts' BBQ and Southern Gourmet Cuisine.” Another popular item on the menu is their signature iced Peach Tea.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays, from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Menu information can be found on the website. Reservations are still available for Mother's Day but are filling up fast. To reserve a space call 678-376-3001.