Best BBQ in East Tennessee, TN

When it comes to BBQ, East Tennessee is like a treasure chest filled with delicious surprises. I’ve explored this area and found some amazing spots that really know how to serve up mouthwatering barbecue. Trust me, I’ve tasted my way through the best, and I’m excited to share my favorites with you!

So, what’s the best BBQ in East Tennessee, TN? Well, the best BBQ here includes places like Dead End BBQ, Sweet P’s Barbecue, and Ridgewood Barbecue. Each of these spots has its own special flavors and styles that really show off what East Tennessee BBQ is all about. You’ll find tasty meats, yummy sauces, and a warm, friendly vibe that makes you feel right at home.

Get ready to dive into a world of smoky goodness and savory bites! I can’t wait to take you on this tasty adventure, where you’ll learn all about the best BBQ joints and what makes them so special. Let’s dig in!

Top 10 BBQ in East Tennessee, TN

1. Love That BBQ
2. Dead End BBQ
3. Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive
4. Clanton’s BBQ
5. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
6. Ganns Pit Stop BBQ
7. Ridgewood Barbecue
8. Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que
9. Smash Mouth BBQ
10. Li’l Jo’s BBQ

1. Love That BBQ

Love That BBQ is such a fun place! It’s right on Maryville Pike in Knoxville, and I just love how cozy it feels. When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meat hit me right away, and I knew I was in for a treat. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is great for hanging out with friends or family on a nice day.

What makes Love That BBQ really special is how they care about their food. Everything is made with love, and you can taste it! I had their pulled pork sandwich, and oh my goodness, it was so tender and tasty. The homemade sauces are just the cherry on top!

If you go, you have to try the ribs! They are so soft that they just fall off the bone, and the sauce is super tangy and delicious. Trust me, Love That BBQ is a place you don’t want to miss if you love good BBQ!

2. Dead End BBQ

Dead End BBQ is such a cool place in Knoxville! It’s on Sutherland Avenue, and when you walk in, you see all this neat sports stuff on the walls. I remember feeling super excited as soon as I smelled the yummy BBQ cooking. It’s a nice spot to hang out, whether you want to sit inside or outside.

What I really love about Dead End BBQ is their food. They have BBQ sandwiches and plates that come with the best sides. I tried their brisket sandwich, and oh wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! Plus, their homemade sauces are just amazing and make everything taste even better.

If you ever go, you have to get the ribs! They are so tender that they just fall off the bone. Dead End BBQ is definitely a place you’ll want to come back to for more tasty BBQ!

3. Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive

Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive is one of my favorite places to eat! It’s right on Jackson Avenue in Knoxville, and when you walk in, it feels so cozy with those cool wooden beams. I remember the first time I went, and the smell of all the slow-smoked meats made my tummy rumble with excitement. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with friends or family.

What I really love about Sweet P’s is their BBQ and Southern comfort food. I tried their smoked chicken, and oh wow, it was super juicy and full of flavor! The sides, like the mac and cheese, were creamy and made me feel all warm inside.

If you go, you have to get the pulled pork! It’s so tender and goes perfectly with their yummy homemade sauces. Sweet P’s is a must-visit for anyone who loves delicious BBQ!

4. Clanton’s BBQ

Clanton’s BBQ is such a cool spot in Knoxville! It’s on Governor John Sevier Highway, and I remember the first time I went there. The moment I walked in, the yummy smell of smoky BBQ made my mouth water, and I was so excited to try their food. The place feels really friendly, and it’s super easy to grab takeout if you’re in a hurry.

What I really love about Clanton’s BBQ is how they focus on making everything taste amazing. I tried their smoked brisket, and oh wow, it was so tender and juicy! You could really tell they put a lot of care into their cooking.

If you ever go, you have to get the pulled pork! It’s so flavorful and goes perfectly with their tangy sauce. Clanton’s BBQ is definitely a must-try for anyone who loves delicious BBQ!

5. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is such a fun place to eat in Knoxville! It’s on Advantage Place, and when you walk in, you see this really cool American West theme everywhere. I remember the first time I went there; the yummy smell of wood-smoked meats made my tummy rumble with excitement! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for hanging out with friends.

What I love about Famous Dave’s is how many BBQ choices they have. I tried their St. Louis ribs, and oh my goodness, they were so tender and packed with flavor! You could really taste that smoky goodness in every single bite.

If you visit, you have to get the BBQ sampler! It’s a great way to try a little bit of everything, and their sauces are super tasty. Famous Dave’s is definitely a must-try for anyone who loves BBQ!

6. Ganns Pit Stop BBQ

Ganns Pit Stop BBQ is such a cool place in Knoxville! It’s on Asheville Highway, and I remember the first time I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, the friendly vibe made me feel right at home. I was super excited to see that they have both indoor and outdoor seating, and the smell of BBQ was just so inviting!

What I really love about Ganns Pit Stop BBQ is how yummy and affordable their food is. I tried their pulled pork, and oh wow, it was so tender and juicy! You could really taste that smoky flavor, and it made me want to come back for more every time.

If you ever go, you have to get the BBQ nachos! They are piled high with meat and all sorts of tasty toppings, making them perfect for sharing. Ganns Pit Stop BBQ is definitely a must-try for anyone who loves delicious BBQ without spending too much!

7. Ridgewood Barbecue

Ridgewood Barbecue is such a cute little place in Bluff City! It’s on Elizabethton Highway, and I remember the first time I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I was in a cozy old-timey restaurant. The smell of BBQ was so yummy, and I was super excited to try their food!

What I really love about Ridgewood Barbecue is their tasty BBQ platters and classic sides. I had their BBQ sandwich, and oh wow, it was piled high with meat and so delicious! You could really tell they put a lot of care into making it just right.

If you ever go, you have to try the smoked sausage! It’s so full of flavor and goes perfectly with their homemade sides. Ridgewood Barbecue is definitely a must-visit for anyone who loves yummy BBQ in a comfy spot!

8. Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que

Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que is such a great place in Decatur! It’s on Peakland Road, and I remember the first time I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, I felt so welcome and cozy. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for enjoying a meal when the weather is nice.

What I really love about Uncle Gus’s is their yummy BBQ and super friendly service. I tried their smoked pulled pork, and oh wow, it was so tender and full of flavor! You could really taste how much care they put into making it.

If you ever go, you have to get the BBQ nachos! They are piled high with meat and all sorts of tasty toppings, making them a fun treat to share. Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que is definitely a must-try for anyone who loves delicious BBQ!

9. Smash Mouth BBQ

Smash Mouth BBQ is such a cool place in Knoxville! It’s on Oak Ridge Highway, and I remember the first time I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, the yummy smell of BBQ made my tummy rumble with excitement! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with friends.

What I really love about Smash Mouth BBQ is how tasty everything is. I tried their smoked brisket, and oh wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! You could really tell they know how to make BBQ that makes you smile.

If you ever go, you have to get the BBQ platter! It’s a fun way to try different meats, and their homemade sauces are super yummy. Smash Mouth BBQ is definitely a must-visit for anyone who loves delicious BBQ!

10. Li’l Jo’s BBQ

Li’l Jo’s BBQ is such a cute little place in Maynardville! It’s on Maynardville Highway, and I remember the first time I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, I felt so welcomed by the friendly atmosphere. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for enjoying a meal when the weather is nice.

What I really love about Li’l Jo’s BBQ is their yummy food and awesome service. I tried their smoked chicken, and oh wow, it was super juicy and full of flavor! You could really taste how much love they put into their cooking.

If you ever go, you have to get the BBQ sandwich! It’s piled high with meat and comes with their delicious homemade sauce. Li’l Jo’s BBQ is definitely a must-try for anyone who loves tasty BBQ!

Map of BBQ in East Tennessee, TN

Choosing the Right Restaurant for You

With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Restaurant	Price	Seating	Takeout	Delivery	Wheelchair	Reservation
Love That BBQ	Inexpensive	Yes	Yes	–	Accessible	No
Dead End BBQ	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Clanton’s BBQ	–	No	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Ganns Pit Stop BBQ	Inexpensive	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Ridgewood Barbecue	Moderate	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que	Moderate	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Smash Mouth BBQ	–	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Li’l Jo’s BBQ	Moderate	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best BBQ places in East Tennessee?
Oh, there are so many great BBQ spots in East Tennessee! Some of my favorites are Dead End BBQ, Sweet P’s Barbecue, and Uncle Gus’s Mountain Pit Bar B Que. Each place has its own yummy flavors that really show off what BBQ is all about here.

2. What types of BBQ can I find in East Tennessee?
In East Tennessee, you can find all kinds of BBQ! There’s smoked meats like pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, plus lots of tasty sides like coleslaw and baked beans. It’s a BBQ lover’s dream!

3. Are there vegetarian options at BBQ restaurants?
Yes, many BBQ places have vegetarian options too! You can usually find things like smoked veggies, salads, and yummy sides like mac and cheese. Just ask the staff for their best veggie picks!

4. Can I get BBQ delivered in East Tennessee?
Absolutely! Lots of BBQ restaurants in East Tennessee offer delivery, so you can enjoy your favorite BBQ right at home. Just check their website or give them a call to see if they deliver to your area.

5. Is BBQ in East Tennessee kid-friendly?
Yes, most BBQ spots are super kid-friendly! They often have kids’ menus with smaller portions and tasty options that kids love. Plus, the casual vibe makes it a great place for families to enjoy a meal together!