20 best Barbeque joints in Nashville 

Taste Of Manila Food Festival In Toronto, Canada - Source: Getty
Taste Of Manila Food Festival In Toronto, Canada (Image via Getty)

20 best Barbeque joints in Nashville

Taste Of Manila Food Festival In Toronto, Canada (Image via Getty)
Taste Of Manila Food Festival In Toronto, Canada (Image via Getty)

Barbeque, or Barbecue, which is often written as BBQ, is a cooking method where meat is cooked with the help of heat from fire or burning coal. The process gives the meat a unique flavor that can change depending on the type of wood used. This list of best BBQ joints in Nashville has been created with the help of various online articles as well as user ratings on Google and Yelp.

20. Arnold's Country Kitchen, 8th Ave S

Pancakes and hot chicken tenders from Arnold's Country Kitchen\(Image via Instagram/@arnoldscountrykitchen)
Pancakes and hot chicken tenders from Arnold's Country Kitchen\(Image via Instagram/@arnoldscountrykitchen)

Arnold's Country Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant that primarily serves southern and soul food, was opened in 1982 by Jack and Rose Arnold. They serve lunch from Monday to Friday and Bruch on Saturdays. Before you visit the place it might be a good idea to check their menu because they may not serve all dishes every day. Coming to the food, the popular items include the roast beef and brisket.

19. Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, Charlotte Pike

Wings from Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q (Image via Instagram/@jimnnicksbbq)
Wings from Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q (Image via Instagram/@jimnnicksbbq)

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q comes with a huge menu that includes items such as salads, pitmaster nacho platters, smoked wings, and pulled porks, among other delights for barbeque addicts. Their Sunday lunch is particularly popular.

18. Swett's Restaurant, Clifton Ave

Generic Image of a Barbeque (Image via Pexels/@Samer Daboul)
Generic Image of a Barbeque (Image via Pexels/@Samer Daboul)

Swett's is a southern restaurant widely known for its southern or soul cuisine. The menu at the restaurant is not limited to just soul food as they also provide 'smoked meats' such as ribs, pulled pork, chicken, brisket, rib tips, and pork chops, among other delights.

17. Mission BBQ, Opry Mills Dr

Oak-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich from MISSION BBQ (Image via Instagram/@missionbbq)
Oak-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich from MISSION BBQ (Image via Instagram/@missionbbq)

Mission BBQ was opened in 2011 and, as the name would suggest, the restaurant focuses on serving customers Barbeque and classic sides, and they "serve it to you in a patriotic dining room filled with tributes" to first responders, soldiers, and others in service to America.

16. Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q, Foster Av

Tex’s World Famous Bar-B-Q (Image via Instagram/@texsworldfamousbarbq)
Tex’s World Famous Bar-B-Q (Image via Instagram/@texsworldfamousbarbq)

At Tex's, they offer lunch service on weekdays from 11 am to 2 pm. Coming to their menu, it is surely not as limited as the service time of the establishment. You would want to check in advance if the items you want are available on the particular day that you visit, because certain items such as the Rib Plate are only available on Thursdays. The most recommended items include the brisket and the smoked bologna.

15. HoneyFire BBQ, Sawyer Brown Rd #304

BBQ from HoneyFire BBQ (Image via Instagram/@honeyfirebbq)
BBQ from HoneyFire BBQ (Image via Instagram/@honeyfirebbq)

HoneyFire BBQ in Nashville is a family-owned Barbecue joint that opened on One Bellevue Place in 2018. According to the establishment, the place is known for its "modern, upscale Nashville twist to the best of traditional barbeque." The popular items on the HoneyFire menu include the Chopped Brisket, corn pudding, Alabama slammer, queso mac, and cheese, among other attractions.

14. The Loveless Cafe, TN-100

Food from Loveless Cafe (Image via Instagram/@lovelesscafe)
Food from Loveless Cafe (Image via Instagram/@lovelesscafe)

The Loveless Cafe is a southern outlet that is said to have begun its journey from Lon and Annie Loveless's home, when they started selling made-from-scratch fried chicken and biscuits in 1951. Now, after 70 years, although their menu has expanded to feature many more items, The Loveless Cafe continues to be famous for the soft biscuits, and tender and juicy fried chicken. The place is popular among locals for its Barbeque menu, too.

13. Bacon & Caviar Gourmet Catering, Nolensville Pk

Food from Bacon & Caviar Catering (Image via Instagram/@baconandcaviar)
Food from Bacon & Caviar Catering (Image via Instagram/@baconandcaviar)

Bacon & Caviar Gourmet Catering, with its interesting exterior and satisfying menu, is considered one of the most popular BBQ joints in Nashville. The popular items at Bacon & Caviar include the smokey and tender BBQ, with an array of sauces and sides to choose from. Their desserts menu, notably the banana pudding, is a big attraction, too.

12. Shotgun Willie’s BBQ, Gallatin Pike S Suite 104

Texas BBQ from Shotgun Willie's BBQ (Image via Instagram/@sgwbbq)
Texas BBQ from Shotgun Willie's BBQ (Image via Instagram/@sgwbbq)

According to the homepage of the restaurant, owner Bill Laviolette named the outlet after his favorite song, Shotgun Willie, by Texas icon Willie Nelson. An article in Thrillist credits Bill for popularising the brisket among the locals by cooking it up the Texas way and. Not surprisingly, the briskit continues to be the most recommended item on the Shotgun Willie's menu even today. Other popular items include the Texas BBQ, known for its smokey flavor and tender and juicy meat.

11. Central BBQ, 11th Ave N

Food from Central BBQ, Nashville (Image via Instagram/@centralbbqnashville)
Food from Central BBQ, Nashville (Image via Instagram/@centralbbqnashville)

Central BBQ opened in 2002 and claims to use "hickory and pecan woods, along with intricate dry rub," to create tender meat for customers. So, if you are visiting Central BBQ, the most recommended ribs with a side of fries would be well worth a try.

10. Mary's Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que, Jefferson St

Image from Mary's Old Fashioned Pit Official Site (Image via Official site/@marysbbqpit.com)
Image from Mary's Old Fashioned Pit Official Site (Image via Official site/@marysbbqpit.com)

Mary's is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving North Nashville since 1962. So, what should you get when you visit the place? According to Google Reviews, one of the most popular items to try out is the pulled pork sandwich, with perfectly smoked meat covered in equally good hot sauce. Coming to sides, their potato salad and slaw receive great reviews.

9. Bringle's Smoking Oasis, Centennial Blvd

BBQ from Bringle's Smoking Oasis (Image via Instagram/@bringlessmokingoasis)
BBQ from Bringle's Smoking Oasis (Image via Instagram/@bringlessmokingoasis)

The name Bringle's will repeat once more in this list. Carey Bringles, the owner of this place also owns the Peg Leg Porker, also one of the best places in Nashville to get BBQ. But coming back to Bringle's Smoking Oasis, one can try their popular items like meaty rib with a tangy, sweet barbeque sauce slathered on it, and tender brisket. Another interesting feature of Bringle's is its huge outdoor seating with television, making it a perfect hangout spot during the football season.

8. Jack's Bar-B-Que, Broadway

Pit-to-plate BBQ from Jack's Bar-B-Que (Image via Instagram/@jacksbarbque)
Pit-to-plate BBQ from Jack's Bar-B-Que (Image via Instagram/@jacksbarbque)

Jack's O Bar-B-Que was opened in 1976 by Jack Cawthon, referred to as "Nashville’s godfather of barbecue" by Thrillist. This Barbeque joint has an outdoor patio seating and indoor seating, with a view of the Broadway. The outlet is often praised for its tender briskets and well-seasoned ribs. This place is a go-to for many BBQ lovers.

7. Puckett's Restaurant, Church St

Chicken from Puckett's Restaurant (Image via Instagram/@puckettsrestaurant)
Chicken from Puckett's Restaurant (Image via Instagram/@puckettsrestaurant)

Puckett's is a popular Southern bar and grill located in Downtown Nashville, where one can enjoy food with live music. You would not expect a BBQ restaurant to have many vegetarian options but, according to a Conde Nast Traveler article, the place does provide good vegetarian options including the popular baked beans, sweet potato fries, and potato pancakes.

6. Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse, Donelson Pike

Food from Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse (Image via Instagram/@barbcutie)
Food from Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse (Image via Instagram/@barbcutie)

Bar-B-Cutie is available in various locations, but one one of the most popular ones has to be in Donelson Pike. Bar-B-Cue, a Barbeque joint," specializing in hickory smoked meats," has been serving the locality since the 1950s, and is often praised for not just their main dishes like pork or brisket, but also for their equally or more delicious side dishes including Fried Okra, and stuffed potatoes.

5. Peg Leg Porker, Gleaves St

Chicken from Peg Leg Porker (Image via Instagram/@peglegporker)
Chicken from Peg Leg Porker (Image via Instagram/@peglegporker)

Peg Leg Porker is a family-owned business launched in 2013 by Carey Bringle, and is run by Carey and Delaniah Bringle. Their Dry Rub, widely praised for its taste, has the perfect combination of sweetness and spice. Other than the Dry Rub, their BBQ, claw, and BBQ beans are on the popular list of highly recommended dishes on the Peg Leg Porker menu.

4. Whitt's Barbecue, Multiple Locations

Rib Plate from Whitts Barbecue (Image via Instagram/@whittsbarbecue)
Rib Plate from Whitts Barbecue (Image via Instagram/@whittsbarbecue)

Whitt's Barbecue is present in multiple areas of Nashville, such as Nolensville Pk, Hwy 70 S, and Lebanon Rd, among other locations. The popular items recommended by satisfied customers of Whitt's Barbecue are Barbecue Sandwiches, are pulled pork sandwiches and loaded baked potatoes, among others.

3. Butchertown Hall, 4th Ave N

Brisket Nachos from Butchertown Hall (Image via Instagram/@butchertownhall)
Brisket Nachos from Butchertown Hall (Image via Instagram/@butchertownhall)

Butchertown Hall is a high-end BBQ joint whose cuisine is said to draw influence from multiple cuisines including German, Mexican, and Spanish, in an effort to provide customers with a unique experience. The Brisket and gravy, Butchertown Queso, Brussels sprouts, pulled pork, Oysters, and bone marrow are the most popular dishes on their menu.

2. Edley's Bar-B-Que, 12th Avenue South

Brisket, green beans, banana pudding, and cornbread from Edley’s Bar-B-Que (Image via Instagram/@edleysbbq)
Brisket, green beans, banana pudding, and cornbread from Edley’s Bar-B-Que (Image via Instagram/@edleysbbq)

Edley's Bar-B-Que can be found in multiple locations across Nashville, including 12th Ave S, Woodland St, and Lebanon Pike. All these places are rated high on Google. This Barbeque joint provides smoked and slow-cooked items alongside traditional southern sides, as well as fried chicken and catfish. According to Thrillist, one of their iconic items is the BBQ version of the spicy Nashville Hot Chicken, a.k.a the Nashville Hot Barbecue.

1. Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, Multiple Locations

Ribs from Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Image via Instagram/@martinsbbq)
Ribs from Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Image via Instagram/@martinsbbq)

Visiting Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint in Downtown is considered an experience worth your time, not just for the food but the ambience, too — with beer gardens, picnic tables, live music, and games. If you prefer privacy, they also offer private dining space. Coming to the food, Smoked Bologna Sandwiches, whole-hog barbeque, slaw, broccoli salad, and the hoe cake are the most recommended items on their menu. Their meats are also often praised for seasoning and tenderness.

Edited by Vinayak Chakravorty
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