Best BBQ in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, TN, is such a fantastic place for BBQ lovers like me! I’ve explored so many spots here, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. Trust me, you’re going to want to know where to find the best flavors and the juiciest meats in town.

So, what are the best BBQ restaurants in Knoxville, TN? Well, let me tell you! The best BBQ places here include Sweet P’s Barbecue, Calhoun’s On The River, Dead End BBQ, and a few more that are just amazing. Each one has its own special dishes and flavors that make them stand out. I’ll take you through all of them, so you’ll know exactly where to go for a delicious meal.

Get ready to dive into some mouthwatering details about each restaurant! I’ll share what makes their BBQ so special, and I promise you’ll be hungry for more by the time we’re done. Let’s dig in!

Top 10 BBQ in Knoxville, TN

1. Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive
2. Calhoun’s On The River
3. Dead End BBQ
4. Billie Rae’s BBQ Soul Food & Catering
5. The Humble Hog
6. Love That BBQ
7. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
8. Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse
9. Smash Mouth BBQ
10. Calhoun’s

1. Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive

Oh my gosh, Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive is one of my favorite places in Knoxville! It’s such a cool spot with a cozy, rustic feel. I love sitting there, surrounded by those big wooden beams. You can choose to eat inside or outside, and both are super nice!

What makes Sweet P’s really special is the amazing food. Everything is slow-smoked, and you can taste the love in every bite. I remember the first time I tried their pulled pork—it was so tender and smoky! And don’t even get me started on the mac and cheese; it’s creamy and just perfect!

If you go, you have to get the brisket and the cornbread. The brisket is juicy and full of flavor, and the cornbread is sweet and yummy. Sweet P’s really knows how to do BBQ right, and I can’t wait for my next visit!

2. Calhoun’s On The River

Calhoun’s On The River is one of my favorite spots in Knoxville! I just love how you can sit outside and enjoy the pretty view of the water while you eat. The atmosphere is always so cheerful, and it feels like a great place to hang out with friends or family.

What really stands out at Calhoun’s is their yummy BBQ and burgers. I remember the first time I tried their BBQ ribs—they were so tender and full of flavor! The sauce was just perfect, not too sweet or spicy, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Plus, they have some really cool craft beers to sip on while you eat.

If you go, you have to get the BBQ ribs and a fresh-ground burger. The ribs are super tasty, and the burger is juicy and delicious. Calhoun’s really knows how to make a meal special, and I can’t wait to go back!

3. Dead End BBQ

Dead End BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat in Knoxville! I just love how relaxed it feels inside, with all the cool sports stuff on the walls. It’s a perfect spot to hang out with friends and enjoy some yummy BBQ, whether you want to sit inside or outside.

What really makes Dead End BBQ special is their tasty sandwiches and plates. I remember the first time I had their pulled pork sandwich—it was so juicy and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just right, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Plus, their sides are super good, too!

If you go, you have to try the pulled pork sandwich and the baked beans. The sandwich is really filling, and the baked beans are sweet and smoky. Dead End BBQ really knows how to make BBQ that hits the spot, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

4. Billie Rae’s BBQ Soul Food & Catering

Billie Rae’s BBQ Soul Food & Catering is one of my favorite spots in Knoxville! When you walk in, it feels so warm and friendly. I love that you can sit inside or outside, and it always has a cozy vibe. It’s the perfect place to enjoy some yummy BBQ with friends or family.

What really makes Billie Rae’s special is how they mix BBQ with soul food. I remember the first time I tried their smoked chicken—it was super juicy and packed with flavor! The seasoning was just right, and it reminded me of my grandma’s cooking.

If you go, you have to get the smoked chicken and the collard greens. The chicken is so tasty, and the collard greens are seasoned perfectly. Billie Rae’s really knows how to make comfort food that feels like home, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

5. The Humble Hog

The Humble Hog is one of my favorite BBQ spots in Knoxville! I just love how cozy and welcoming it feels when you walk in. You can sit inside or outside, and it’s always a nice place to hang out with friends or family while enjoying some yummy food.

What really makes The Humble Hog special is their awesome flavors and super friendly service. I remember the first time I tried their brisket—it was so tender and juicy! The smoky flavor was amazing, and I loved how they paired it with delicious sides.

If you go, you have to get the brisket and the potato salad. The brisket is packed with flavor, and the potato salad is creamy and just right. The Humble Hog really knows how to make BBQ that feels special, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

6. Love That BBQ

Love That BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat in Knoxville! I really like how friendly it feels when you walk in, and you can choose to sit inside or outside. It’s such a nice spot to chill and enjoy some yummy BBQ with friends or family.

What makes Love That BBQ super special is their tasty meats and really good prices. I remember the first time I tried their pulled pork—it was so juicy and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just right, and I loved all the yummy sides they had.

If you go, you have to get the pulled pork and the coleslaw. The pulled pork is super satisfying, and the coleslaw is crunchy and fresh. Love That BBQ really knows how to make BBQ that feels like home, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

7. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is one of my favorite places to grab BBQ in Knoxville! I really love the fun American West theme inside; it makes the place feel so lively and exciting. You can choose to sit inside or outside, and it’s always a great spot to enjoy some yummy food with friends or family.

What makes Famous Dave’s super special is their amazing wood-smoked meats. I remember the first time I tried their ribs—they were so tender and packed with flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and I loved getting to pick from all the different sauces.

If you go, you have to order the ribs and the cornbread. The ribs are super delicious, and the cornbread is sweet and fluffy. Famous Dave’s really knows how to make BBQ that keeps you coming back for more!

8. Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse

Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse is one of my favorite BBQ spots in Knoxville! I really enjoy how cozy it feels inside, and when the weather is nice, sitting outside is super fun too. It’s a great place to hang out with friends or family while munching on some delicious BBQ.

What makes Barrelhouse BBQ really special is their amazing smoked meats. I remember the first time I tried their brisket—it was so tender and juicy! The smoky flavor was just perfect, and I loved all the yummy sides they had to go with it.

If you go, you have to get the brisket and the baked beans. The brisket is super tasty, and the baked beans are sweet and smoky. Barrelhouse BBQ really knows how to make BBQ that feels special, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

9. Smash Mouth BBQ

Smash Mouth BBQ is one of my favorite places to grab BBQ in Knoxville! I really enjoy the laid-back vibe there, and it’s nice that you can sit inside or outside. It’s such a fun spot to hang out with friends or family while enjoying some yummy food.

What makes Smash Mouth BBQ super special is their amazing flavors and friendly service. I remember the first time I tried their smoked sausage—it was so juicy and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and I loved getting to try all the different sauces they had.

If you go, you have to order the smoked sausage and the coleslaw. The sausage is super tasty, and the coleslaw is crunchy and fresh. Smash Mouth BBQ really knows how to make BBQ that feels special, and I can’t wait to go back for more!

10. Calhoun’s

Calhoun’s is one of my favorite places to eat BBQ in Knoxville! I really love how friendly it feels when you walk in, and you can choose to sit inside or outside. It’s such a nice spot to enjoy some yummy food with friends or family while having a good time.

What makes Calhoun’s super special is their delicious BBQ and fresh-ground burgers. I remember the first time I tried their BBQ chicken—it was so juicy and full of flavor! The smoky sauce was just perfect, and I loved all the homestyle sides they had to go with it.

If you go, you have to order the BBQ chicken and the loaded baked potato. The chicken is super tasty, and the baked potato is packed with all kinds of goodies. Calhoun’s really knows how to make BBQ that keeps you coming back for more!

Map of BBQ in Knoxville, 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
Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Calhoun’s On The River	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Dead End BBQ	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Billie Rae’s BBQ Soul Food & Catering	Moderate	Yes	Yes	–	Accessible	–
The Humble Hog	Inexpensive	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	Yes
Love That BBQ	Inexpensive	Yes	Yes	–	Accessible	No
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse	–	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Smash Mouth BBQ	–	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No
Calhoun’s	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the best BBQ restaurants in Knoxville?
  Oh, there are so many great BBQ places in Knoxville! Some of my favorites are Sweet P’s Barbecue, Calhoun’s On The River, and Dead End BBQ. Each one has its own yummy flavors and a fun vibe that makes them special.

• Is BBQ in Knoxville mostly pork or beef?
  In Knoxville, you can find both pork and beef BBQ! There are delicious pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, and ribs, so there’s something tasty for everyone to enjoy.

• Do BBQ restaurants in Knoxville offer takeout?
  Yes, lots of BBQ spots in Knoxville have takeout! Places like Famous Dave’s and Barrelhouse BBQ make it super easy to grab your favorite BBQ and enjoy it at home.

• Are there vegetarian options at BBQ places in Knoxville?
  While BBQ is usually all about the meat, some places do have vegetarian options! You can often find yummy sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and salads to enjoy.

• What is the typical price range for BBQ in Knoxville?
  The prices for BBQ in Knoxville are usually pretty reasonable. Most places have meals that won’t break the bank, so you can enjoy a tasty BBQ feast without spending too much!

• Can I make reservations at BBQ restaurants in Knoxville?
  Yes, some BBQ restaurants, like Calhoun’s, let you make reservations! It’s a good idea to call ahead, especially if you’re going on a busy weekend.

• What are the must-try dishes at BBQ spots in Knoxville?
  You have to try the pulled pork, brisket, and BBQ ribs when you visit! And don’t forget to get some sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread for a yummy BBQ meal!