10 Best BBQ Places in Nashville
October 25th, 2018
If there’s one rite of passage you can’t escape while visiting Nashville, it’s BBQ (unless, of course, you’re vegetarian—in that case, we can’t help you). From pulled pork sandwiches to dry-rub ribs, Tennessee barbecue comes in all shapes and sizes. And while new establishments are opening on the regular, many of our favorites have been around since before Nashville rose to “it city” status.
Photo by Sam Frawley
Edley’s is a Nashville classic draped in American flags, where the milkshakes are spiked and everyone—families, dog owners, college kids on dates—comes out for the hot chicken. If you’re feeling ambitious, order the Tuck Special: a few slices of smoked brisket, pork, chicken, or turkey; in-house pimento cheese; an over-easy egg; red and white sauce; and pickles, slapped between sandwich bread. Just order at the counter and grab a seat. Pro tip: If you head directly to the bar in the back-left corner, you can also order food while avoiding an oft-long line.
Think of this lower Broadway hotspot as your refueling station before a night out on the town.
Courtesy Peg Leg Porker
This down-home diner serves “West Tennessee BBQ,” a different take from the rest of Nashville—and a variation on Tennessee BBQ as a whole.
There’s no fuss at this drive-through/grab-and-go BBQ chain, which serves your standard classics.
Mexican, Spanish, and Eastern European cuisines sound like weird influences for a BBQ restaurant, but your taste buds will light up when you try Butchertown’s dishes.
Courtesy Puckett’s
Come for the live music, come for the smoked brisket, come for the Americana vibes—Puckett’s has it all.
Nostalgia abounds at this classic Tennessee BBQ joint, which is worth its weight in sides alone.
People who come to Martin’s aren’t messing around; they’re there to eat. The smells wafting out of the smoker pit in the main room are enough to make any diet crumble. The TVs make it a popular hangout during football season—as do the patio, biergarten, and top floor full of games. The dry ribs and smoked pulled pork at Martin’s are the kind of finger-licking goodness you can only found in the South. Don’t bring anyone who won’t let you pick off their plate.
Fast-casual, delicious Tennessee BBQ is the heart and soul of this family favorite.
It doesn’t get more unassuming than this stationary food truck, which serves variations on Tennessee BBQ classics.
This article was published on Condé Nast Traveler and written by Kristin Luna.