Tennessee barbecue hits with smoke that clings to your clothes and stories that stick even longer. I’ve waited under tin awnings as wood fires caught, watched ribs lifted from the pit with quiet precision, and tasted sauces that argue without words, sweet in Memphis, tangy in the east, bold in between.
Locals talk about barbecue the way some talk about family, with pride and certainty, sometimes with dispute.
These eleven chains carry that tradition across the state, proving scale doesn’t have to dull flavor. If you’re chasing real Tennessee barbecue, these places keep the fire alive.
1. Corky’s BBQ
Smoke curls through Corky’s dining rooms like a constant companion. The scent of hickory and charcoal welcomes you before the door opens…