Here in Tennessee, there’s really nothing like a fantastic meal to end a long day at work, especially if that meal is full of meat and veggies and perhaps even a thick slab of cornbread, what do you say? We put together a fantastic road trip that will take you to the best bbq restaurants in East Tennessee, each of them better than the last. If you’re looking to enjoy a meal off-the-beaten path, then we can’t recommend this trek through pretty Tennessee more. Feeling hungry? Let’s go!

You can follow our trip to the best BBQ in Tennessee for yourself on our interactive map. Enjoy, friends!

GoogleMaps
Our road trip will take you mainly through the eastern side of the state to keep the experience succinct, but keep an eye out for our western Tennessee focus! There are too many incredible eateries to count here in the Volunteer State.
1. Ridgewood BBQ - Bluff City
Ridgewood BBQ - GoogleMaps
900 Elizabethton Hwy, Bluff City, TN 37618, USA
Louis Szuch - GoogleMaps
You'll find Ridgewood BBQ tucked away in Bluff City, Tennessee, quite literally off the beaten path in Bullocks Hollow. It has been open, serving locals and tourists in kind, since 1948. The pork and beef on the menu are smoked for 8 to 10 hours, and the flavor is so incredible that Ridgewood has taken home a number of awards. The eatery is open every day of the week except for Sundays.

Get an overview of Ridgewood and its scrumptious food:

2. Dead End BBQ - Knoxville
Dead End BBQ/Facebook
3621 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919, USA
Dead End BBQ - GoogleMaps
Dead End BBQ is the most established eatery on our list, and it may seem a little mainstream until you realize that the eatery was born from a few neighbors who used to get together to barbecue on their dead-end street. Humble beginnings beget a phenomenal eatery where folks gather to enjoy platters of meat and sandwiches with a side of draft beer. Dead End BBQ is open every day of the week beginning at 11 a.m.

Take a closer look at some of the best BBQ in Tennessee:

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3. Sons of Smoke - Loudon
Sons of Smoke - Facebook
304 Cedar St, Loudon, TN 37774, USA
Sons of Smoke - Facebook
Sons of Smoke is a BBQ restaurant that's open in Loudon, Tennessee, and serves a full menu of barbecue favorites both in-house and from its food truck that's available for special events. Enjoy starters of fried pickles and pork rinds, and sandwiches of chopped brisket and shredded chicken really hit the spot.
4. Lefty's Barbecue - Crossville
Lefty's Barbeque - Facebook
2565 Genesis Rd, Crossville, TN 38571, USA
Mark H - GoogleMaps
Lefty's Barbecue in Crossville is situated in a charmingly rustic space that boasts American flags and seasonal décor. Expect to be greeted with a smile and a wave and treated like a local while you enjoy a platter of chicken, pork, or maybe even brisket! The eatery is open beginning at 11 AM during the workweek and closed on the weekends.
5. County's BBQ - Oneida
County's BBQ - Facebook
16765 Alberta St, Oneida, TN 37841, USA
County's BBQ - Facebook
Oneida, Tennessee really lucked out when County's BBQ opened its doors. Over the last decade, the eatery has only grown in popularity for offerings like a pulled pork burrito and smoked bologna sandwiches. Expect a bit of a twist on your classic barbecue restaurant when you visit County's, open beginning at 11 a.m. every day of the week.

How many of these hole-in-the-wall BBQ eateries have you been to? What are your personal picks for the best BBQ in Tennessee? Let us know in the comments! Here’s another gem with some of the best Tennessee BBQ.

 

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More to Explore

The Culinary Diversity of Tennessee

William Suphan | February 07, 2023

What are the most unique restaurants in Tennessee?

The most unique restaurants in Tennessee include:

  • Elliston Place Soda Shop. This diner is an old-fashioned 1950s soda fountain and burger place that still makes hand-made shakes.
  • The Catbird Seat. You’ll need reservations far in advance, and you won’t know what you’ll get as the menu is decided by the chef for a special evening.
  • Hugh-Baby’s. This place quickly became popular for its yummy burgers and makes a version of the Depression-era slugburger.
  • Monell’s. This restaurant has family-style seating all around a big table with homestyle cooking where diners pass the dishes along to each other.

Discover a few more of the most unique restaurants in Tennessee.

What are the most iconic foods in Tennessee?

These are the most iconic foods in Tennessee:

  • Sweet Potato Pancakes. These delicious treats can be found at the Pancake Pantry in Nashville. 
  • Hot Chicken. Nashville Hot Chicken is a Tennessee icon and some of the best of it is found at Hattie B’s in Nashville
  • Fried Pickles. The South loves its fried foods, and fried pickles are a local favorite, especially at Gus’s in Memphis.
  • GooGoo Cluster. This sweet treat made of chocolate-covered peanuts, caramel, and marshmallow nougat is loved locally and is found in Nashville.

Learn more about these and a few more of the most iconic foods in Tennessee. 

What are the best lakeside restaurants in Tennessee?

Some of the best lakeside restaurants in Tennessee are:

  • The Rudder. Located on Anchor High Marina in Hendersonville, this whimsical tiki-style restaurant and bar has great food and a wide selection of fun cocktails.
  • Steve’s Landing Waterfront Grill. This restaurant in Soddy Daisy is a local haunt for fresh catfish and you can get there by car or boat.
  • Tanasi Bar and Grill. Overlooking Tellico Lake in Loudon, this restaurant serves top-notch food at affordable prices with a remarkable view.
  • Papa Turney’s BBQ. This casual BBQ joint serves hickory-smoked goodness on the shores of the J Percy Priest Reservoir.

There’s more to find out about the best lakeside restaurants in Tennessee.

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