Nashville’s Best BBQ Joints
While Nashville may not be the first city that comes to mind out of all the Southern BBQ capitals down here, it still hosts some of the finest food in the region and barbecue is no different.
If there’s one thing the South knows more than the rest of the country, it’s definitely how to barbecue meat to the most perfect consistency. In the Bible Belt, people love their meat, especially when it comes off the pit extra hot and juicy with a side of sweet BBQ sauce to compliment the smoky flavors.
While Nashville may not be the first city that comes to mind out of all the Southern BBQ capitals, it still hosts some of the finest food in the region and barbecue is no different. With a variety of local hangouts mixed with regional chains, it’s hard to choose just one delectable place to savor some baby back ribs or smoked brisket. Here are just a handful of some of the best BBQ joints around Nashville to get your hands on some delicious dishes:
Jack’s Bar-B-Que: 416 Broadway / jacksbarbque.com
What to order: Tennessee Pork Shoulder with baked beans and mac & cheese In all the hub-bub downtown, it’s easy to lose track of time and honkytonks. For those in need of a quick bite while hopping from bar to bar, Jack’s Bar-B-Que is the ideal spot to take a load off and enjoy some juicy meat. As a downtown Broadway institution, it’s vital that all visitors try the Tennessee pork shoulder plate—don’t forget to ask for those spicy baked beans on the side for the ultimate meal.
Edley’s: 2706 12th Ave S / edleysbbq.com
What to order: Tuck Special (lunch only) with sides of potato salad and banana pudding
If there is a line out the door and down the street at a restaurant, that’s a sign that they serve some of the best food in town. This statement seems to be quite true from open ‘til close at Edley’s, which boasts a couple locations in Music City. While anything at Edley’s is delicious (especially with their red and white BBQ sauce combination), the Tuck Special is a lunch favorite for many locals and visiting tourists for its mouthwatering brisket topped with cheese and an egg.
Peg Leg Porker: 903 Gleaves St / peglegporker.com
What to order: ½ rack of dry ribs with smoked green beans and mac & cheese
While Peg Leg Porker has been featured on numerous television shows and gotten rave reviews in the press, the food speaks for itself in its own right. Located in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville, this dive-style BBQ restaurant is tucked away from the busy streets but still finds itself busy every day of the week. Their ribs are out of this world with the perfect amount of dry rub seasoning to spice up the juicy meat. If you have room for dessert, the fried pie in various flavors is an absolute Southern must!
B & C BBQ: 2617 Franklin Pike, Unit 112 / baconandcaviar.com
What to order: Pulled chicken sandwich combo with daily grit selection of the day
Wanna know what B & C stands for? No, not brisket and chicken. Not even close. B & C BBQ, or Bacon & Caviar for those who are new to this place, is known for some of the best barbecue in the Music City limits. All of their meats are cooked to perfection and their sides compliment quite well with the smokiness. We hear their daily grits choices are incredible, ranging from cheese to buffalo chicken. Our taste buds are tingling just talking about it.
Martin’s Barbecue Joint: 3108 Belmont Blvd / martinsbbqjoint.com
What to order: Redneck taco with potato salad and sweet tea to drink
We know, we know—why would anyone go to a barbecue joint for a taco? Bear with us now. The redneck taco is a creation all its own, with a cornbread hoe-cake as the tortilla and brisket for the meat of choice. (Don’t worry—you can choose from a few other meats for the filling as well.) Substitute traditional iceberg and salsa for slaw and sauce, and you’ve got yourself the all-mighty redneck taco. Plus, their sweet tea is like heaven in a cup!
Hog Heaven: 115 27th Avenue North / hogheavenbbq.com
What to order: Pulled pork sandwich
How could you go to somewhere like Hog Heaven and not get a little bit of pulled pork? Glazed and lathered in their prize-winning BBQ sauce, this sandwich doesn’t break the bank or your heart. In fact, it may just be the sandwich of any barbecue lover’s dreams.
