10 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Joints In Tennessee That Every Meat Lover Should Discover
One barbecue stand on this list opens at 4:30 in the morning, and yes, ribs are on the menu. Breakfast and smoked meat sharing the same sunrise feels like a plan worth supporting.
Another spot stacks a full pound of meat on a single bun. A third has been smoking pork since 1923, which means it has outlasted drive-in movies, rotary phones, and countless diet fads.
Tennessee keeps some of its best barbecue inside cinderblock buildings, walk-up stands, and highway storefronts with handwritten specials. I trust a place more when the menu board looks like someone wrote it in a hurry between orders.
None of these joints waste effort on fancy decor. They put it into the pit, the sauce, and the pie case, and that seems like exactly the right priority.
So loosen your belt a notch and pick a direction.
1. Payne’s Bar-B-Que
Blink at the wrong moment and you might drive right past a plain cinderblock building on Lamar Avenue. That would be a serious mistake for your lunch plans.
Memphis has plenty of barbecue with big signs and bigger buzz. This one wins you over with a sandwich and zero fuss.
Ordering happens at the counter, and the specials are written by hand. No servers float around your table, and honestly, you won’t miss them.
The headliner is the chopped pork sandwich, and the mustard slaw is what makes it memorable. That tangy slaw piled on smoky pork is a Memphis combo worth crossing town for.
Pulled pork and sliced pork are on the menu too, so you can pick your texture. Smoked sausage gives you another route if pork on a bun isn’t your mood today.
Rib fans should head straight for the rib plate, which comes with beans and slaw. It’s a full, no-nonsense meal that lets the pit do most of the talking.
Timing matters a lot here, so plan ahead. Doors open at 11 AM Tuesday through Saturday and close around 2 PM, with Friday stretching to 2:30.
Sunday and Monday are off days, so circle the calendar carefully. Treat this as a lunch mission, not a late dinner backup plan.
Reservations aren’t part of the deal, and takeout works great if you’re short on time. Catering is available too, in case your next family gathering needs a serious upgrade.
Address: 1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
2. Elwood’s Shack
A sandwich called the Red Headed Step Child carries a full pound of meat on one bun. That alone tells you this little Summer Avenue shack doesn’t do things halfway.
Elwood’s Shack calls itself a no-frills barbecue and comfort food joint, and the menu runs wild with it. Smoked meats share space with burgers, tacos, hot dogs, and even pizza.
Brisket tacos are a strong place to start if you like your barbecue wrapped up. Shrimp and fish tacos keep things interesting when someone in your group wants a break from pork.
Burnt ends and smoked turkey round out the smokehouse side of things. Then there’s the BBQ pizza, which sounds like a dare but is a real menu item.
Hot dog lovers get the Tijuana Dog, and burger fans can go for the Golden Texas Burger. You may need two visits just to cover the basics.
Here’s a fun twist: the doors open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday. Breakfast is on, including eggs Benedict, so smoked meat cravings don’t have to wait for noon.
Sunday hours run from 8 AM to 3 PM, which makes it a handy brunch stop. Thirsty?
You can order sweet tea by the gallon, which feels very Memphis.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. A kids’ menu and high chairs make it easy to bring the whole crew.
Address: 4523 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
3. Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q
Warren G. Harding was president when this barbecue joint started serving in January 1923.
More than a century later, the pit is still hot along US-70 in the small West Tennessee community of Mason.
Bozo’s proudly calls itself a piece of Tennessee history, and the vintage feel backs that up. The room leans old-fashioned in the best way, like a time capsule that smells like smoke.
Pork comes sliced or chopped, so you can choose how you want your platter. Ribs and smoked sausage give the menu even more muscle.
The sides deserve their own spotlight here. Onion rings, hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, potato salad, and seasoned fries all make a strong case for space on your table.
Not feeling pork? Catfish is on the menu, which is a classic Southern detour.
You also get a whole assortment of barbecue sauces to test.
Save room for pie, because dessert is a big part of the appeal. Coffee and tea are on hand if you want to linger over that last slice.
Early birds should plan for a late-morning start. Bozo’s opens at 10:30 AM Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, and at 9 PM on Friday.
Unlike many barbecue joints, Bozo’s accepts reservations and offers table service. That’s handy if you’re rolling in with a big family group after a long drive.
Address: 342 US-70, Mason, TN 38049
4. B.E. Scotts BBQ
Whole hog barbecue is a West Tennessee tradition, and it takes serious patience. In Lexington, this rustic mom-and-pop spot keeps that slow, old-school method front and center.
The hogs cook over hickory wood coals in open pits. It’s the kind of barbecue that asks for time, wood, and a whole lot of attention.
Your main event is the pulled pork, served on sandwiches or piled onto plates. Portions lean generous, so arriving hungry is a smart move.
Sauce comes in mild, sweet, or hot, which turns your order into a fun little decision. Try a different one on each half of your sandwich if you can’t choose.
Chicken sandwiches are available for anyone who wants a break from pork. Baked beans and potato salad are the classic sidekicks on the menu.
Ordering happens at the counter, with no table service and no fuss. The room has a casual, rustic feel that matches the food perfectly.
Plan your trip around the hours, because this isn’t an evening hangout. Doors open at 9 AM, closing at 6 PM Tuesday through Friday and 4 PM on Saturday.
Sunday and Monday are closed, so weekday or Saturday road trips work best. Free Wi-Fi is available if you need to check directions for your next stop.
Address: 10880 US-412, Lexington, TN 38351
5. Exit 87 BBQ & Catering
Most barbecue joints are still asleep at 4:30 in the morning. This walk-up stand off I-40 is already open and ready to feed you.
That early start makes it a gift for road trippers, truckers, and anyone with a dawn alarm. Truck parking is part of the setup, which says a lot about who stops here.
Breakfast is on the board, including a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. Later in the day, the smoker takes over the spotlight.
St. Louis-style ribs are the big draw, and you can get them on a rib plate. Pulled pork plates and smoked brisket keep the meat lineup strong.
Then there’s the BBQ bologna sandwich, a West Tennessee favorite served in thick slices. If you’ve never tried smoked bologna, this is a great place to start.
Hot dog fans aren’t left out either. Slaw dogs, chili dogs, and nachos make this stand more fun than a typical rest stop.
Picnic tables give you a place to eat outdoors, and a drive-through helps when time is tight. Dogs are welcome too, so your road buddy doesn’t have to wait in the car.
Hours run from 4:30 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the window is shorter, from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Finish with a slice of cheesecake before hitting the highway again.
Address: 2049 Hwy 70 E, Jackson, TN 38305
6. Ridgewood Barbecue
A bowl of blue cheese with crackers sounds like an odd thing to order at a barbecue joint. At this East Tennessee favorite, it’s one of the menu highlights.
Ridgewood Barbecue has some serious bragging rights for a low-key spot. It was named Tennessee’s Best Barbecue in 2014 and made Southern Living’s list of the South’s top 50 barbecue restaurants.
The star is thinly sliced, pit-smoked pork that sets it apart from pulled pork joints. You can get it on a sandwich or as a full platter.
Can’t decide between beef and pork? The beef and pork combo with fries settles the debate nicely.
Hand cut fries, coleslaw, and baked beans fill out the side lineup. The sauce gets plenty of love too, so don’t skip it.
The surroundings feel old-fashioned and homey, with a nice view as a bonus. It’s the kind of place that hasn’t chased trends, and that’s part of the charm.
Expect a wait, and parking can be a little tricky to find. Curbside pickup is available if you’d rather grab your food and go.
Watch the hours closely before you drive out. Tuesday through Thursday runs from 11 AM to 7:30 PM, while Friday and Saturday close between lunch and dinner.
Those weekend windows are 11 AM to 2:30 PM, then 4:30 to 8:30 PM.
Address: 900 Elizabethton Hwy, Bluff City, TN 37618
7. Chatt Smoke House
Frozen fruit ices and smoked ribs on the same menu? That’s the kind of combo that makes a hot Chattanooga afternoon a lot more fun.
Chatt Smoke House sits on M L King Boulevard and keeps the setup refreshingly simple. You order at the counter and get straight to the good part.
Ribs are the big headline, cooked until they pull right off the bone. Look for that pink smoke ring, which is a sign the pit has done its job.
Chopped pork and chopped beef sandwiches are solid picks too. The beef sandwich comes loaded with coleslaw for a crunchy, cool contrast.
Chicken fans can go for the smoked chopped chicken breast plate. There’s even a fish sandwich if somebody in your crew wants to swim upstream.
The sides add plenty of personality. Homemade potato salad and okra are standouts, while chili-cheese fries bring the comfort food energy.
Chili dogs are available as well, which feels right at a laid-back spot like this. Service is quick, so it works for a lunch break.
Weekend hours stretch late, with Friday and Saturday open until 10 PM. Tuesday through Thursday runs from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday and Monday are closed.
Catering is offered too, if your next party needs ribs.
Address: 416 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403
8. Shuford’s Smokehouse
Banana pudding might be the real reason to plan a trip up Signal Mountain Road. It’s homemade, and it caps off a plate of smoked meat beautifully.
From the outside, Shuford’s looks small and plain, like a roadside stop you’d easily miss. Inside, the dining room is casual and relaxed.
The menu sticks to the barbecue basics and does them well. Pulled pork, brisket, and ribs are the three heavy hitters.
A classic pulled pork sandwich is a safe first order. Brisket fans and rib lovers won’t feel left out either.
Service comes to your table, which is a nice touch for a no-frills joint. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs.
In a rush? A drive-through lets you grab barbecue without leaving your seat.
It’s a handy trick when you’re heading up the mountain or back into town.
Here’s a bonus many barbecue spots can’t match: it’s open on Sunday. Hours run from 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Sunday.
Monday is the only day off, so plan around that one. Catering is available if you want to bring the smokehouse to a crowd.
Tea drinkers get a good selection too. Pair a glass with that banana pudding and call it a perfect Chattanooga afternoon.
Address: 924 Signal Mountain Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
9. Love That BBQ
With a name like Love That BBQ, the bar is set high before you even order. Luckily, this little Knoxville eatery seems happy to clear it.
It’s a family-owned, mom-and-pop spot on Maryville Pike in South Knoxville. You walk up to the counter, place your order, and let the smoker handle the rest.
Pulled pork is a Southern-style classic here, and it’s a natural first choice. Brisket and ribs give you two more reasons to come back.
Ribs come fall-off-the-bone tender, so keep napkins nearby. The brisket brings a juicy option for beef lovers.
Hush puppies are a must on the side, served fresh and crispy. Fresh cut fries are another strong pick if you want something salty to share.
Leave room for dessert, because the sweets are homemade. That’s the kind of detail that turns a quick lunch into a happy ending.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. The inside has a laid-back, quiet feel that suits a slow, hungry lunch.
This spot keeps daytime hours, so dinner plans need to start early. It runs 10:30 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday.
Sunday is closed, so make it a weekday treat. Catering is offered too for bigger crowds.
Address: 1901 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920
10. Perrys Smokin Pig
Somebody at this family-run spot had a lot of fun naming a sandwich the Pig-mento. That kind of playful spirit carries right through the menu in White House.
Perrys Smokin Pig sits along Old Highway 31 West in a quiet, casual storefront. You order at the counter, grab a seat, and wait for slow-smoked goodness.
Brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage lead the meat lineup. Bone-in barbecue chicken platters and ribs add even more choices.
Fridays bring a rib plate special, so mark that one on your calendar. Other daily specials have included smoked meatloaf, which sounds like comfort food with a promotion.
The sides feel like a Sunday dinner at a relative’s house. Think creamy mac and cheese, spicy beans, baked beans, and turnip greens.
Cornbread rounds things out, and it’s perfect for soaking up anything left on your plate. Dessert is on offer too if you still have room.
A drive-through makes it easy to grab dinner on the way home. Outdoor seating works nicely on a pleasant Middle Tennessee day.
Hours run from 11 AM to 6:30 PM Tuesday through Friday. Saturday wraps up at 3 PM, and Sunday and Monday are closed.
Catering is available for parties, reunions, and anyone brave enough to host a hungry crowd. That might be the best gift you give all year.
Address: 2025 Old Hwy 31West, White House, TN 37188