Right off Highway 70 East in Jackson sits a little barbecue stand that has become a weekend ritual for locals and travelers alike. Exit 87 BBQ & Catering doesn’t look like much from the road, but step up to that walk-up window and you’ll understand why people line up every Saturday and Sunday.
The smell alone is enough to pull you in, but it’s the falling-off-the-bone ribs and tender pulled pork that keep folks coming back week after week.
The Tiny Jackson BBQ Stand Locals Line Up For Every Weekend
Exit 87 BBQ & Catering sits right at 2049 Highway 70 East, positioned perfectly for both locals making a deliberate trip and travelers hopping off I-40. It’s the kind of place you might drive past without noticing if you didn’t know what you were looking for. But once you’ve been, you’ll never miss it again.
The setup is refreshingly simple. There’s a walk-up window where you place your order, outdoor picnic tables scattered around for dining, and a parking lot that accommodates everything from compact cars to 18-wheelers. Truckers especially love this spot because it’s right across from Love’s, making it an easy pit stop that doesn’t require complicated maneuvering.
What makes people line up every weekend isn’t fancy decor or Instagram-worthy interiors. It’s the food, plain and simple. The stand opens early at 4:30 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, shifting to 9 AM on Sundays, and they stay busy straight through closing time.
Regulars know to arrive with a game plan because popular items sell out. Mac and cheese tends to disappear quickly, and by late afternoon, you might find they’ve run out of chicken or brisket. That’s actually a good sign – it means everything is made fresh daily with zero food waste.
The staff keeps things moving efficiently despite steady crowds. Orders come out fast, usually within 10 to 15 minutes even during peak times. The ladies working the window are friendly and helpful, happy to let you sample sides if you’re undecided.
Port-a-potties are available on-site, which might not sound glamorous but truckers and road trippers appreciate the convenience. There’s also free truck parking for professional drivers, making Exit 87 genuinely trucker-friendly in ways that matter.
Exit 87 BBQ & Catering Is Small In Size, Big On Smokehouse Flavor
Don’t let the modest exterior fool you. Exit 87 might operate out of what’s essentially a glorified shack, but the flavors coming from that smokehouse rival spots ten times its size. This is proper low-and-slow barbecue done right, with smoke rings and bark that prove these folks know their craft.
The menu focuses on St. Louis-style ribs as the signature item, though you’ll also find pulled pork, brisket, and chicken. Reviewers consistently describe the smoke flavor as deep and rich rather than shallow or overdone. That’s the mark of patient smoking at proper temperatures, not rushing meat through a quick cook.
One Texas native and self-proclaimed BBQ expert gave Exit 87 his stamp of approval, which says something. When someone from barbecue country compliments your brisket, you’re doing things right. The meats stay moist throughout service, even late in the day when lesser joints would be serving dried-out leftovers.
Portions are generous without being wasteful. A rib plate with two sides runs from $13 to $17 depending on what you order, which is reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive. Half-pound add-ons of brisket or pulled pork cost extra but give serious meat lovers the chance to load up.
The barbecue sauce complements rather than masks the meat. It’s got a sweet base with just enough kick to keep things interesting, though spice lovers might want to bring their own hot sauce for extra heat. Some customers mix in Scorpion Tabasco to amp up the temperature.
Exit 87 proves you don’t need a sprawling restaurant with table service to deliver exceptional barbecue. Sometimes the best food comes from the simplest setups, where all the effort goes into the smoking process rather than fancy presentation.
The Slow-Smoked Meats Are The Main Reason Crowds Keep Coming Back
Walk up to Exit 87 and you’ll smell the smoke before you see the menu board. That aroma comes from hours of patient cooking, the kind that can’t be rushed or faked. Low-and-slow smoking is what separates real barbecue from grilled meat with sauce, and Exit 87 understands the difference.
The ribs steal the show for most customers. They’re cooked to that perfect point where the meat pulls cleanly off the bone with slight resistance – not mushy, not tough. The exterior develops a beautiful bark from the rub and smoke, while the inside stays juicy and tender.
Pulled pork gets similar treatment. When it’s fresh from the smoker, it’s moist with pronounced smoke flavor that doesn’t need sauce to taste incredible.
Brisket is available for those who prefer beef, and it earns praise from folks who know their way around a smoker. The key is getting there before they run out, since brisket takes the longest to prepare and they only make what they expect to sell that day.
Even the chicken benefits from the smoking process. While one reviewer noted it’s technically grilled chicken breast rather than traditional smoked bird, it still picks up good flavor from the cooking method. It might not be the star of the menu, but it gives non-pork and non-beef eaters a solid option.
Exit 87 sells out of meat regularly, which might frustrate hungry customers but actually signals their commitment to freshness. They’re not reheating yesterday’s leftovers or keeping meat under heat lamps for hours. When it’s gone, it’s gone, guaranteeing everyone gets food that was smoked that same day.
This Is The Kind Of Tennessee BBQ Spot Where The Sides Matter Too
Plenty of barbecue joints phone in their sides, treating them as afterthoughts to fill out a plate. Exit 87 takes a different approach. The sides here earn their own compliments in reviews, with customers specifically calling out favorites that hold their own against the smoked meats.
Mac and cheese is so popular it sells out frequently. Made with long noodles and a unique cheese sauce, it’s not your standard elbow macaroni with orange goop. Some folks aren’t fans of the nacho cheese-style sauce used, but plenty of others request it as both their sides.
Potato salad hits that perfect balance of creamy without being soupy, cold and fresh even during busy service. The ingredients blend together properly rather than tasting like mayo with chunks floating in it.
Baked beans come loaded with meat and carry a sweet profile that pairs beautifully with the smoky pork and beef. They’re substantial enough to feel like more than just a filler side. A few customers found them too sweet, but that’s the traditional Tennessee style.
Coleslaw is available for those who want something crisp and refreshing alongside rich meats. The staff will even let you sample it before committing if you’re picky about slaw. It’s got that classic creamy-sweet taste that cuts through barbecue’s heaviness.
At $13 to $17 for a plate with two sides and generous meat portions, you’re getting real value. The sides aren’t skimpy scoops either – they’re proper servings that actually fill you up. Some customers make sandwiches with their pulled pork and save the extra meat for later, which tells you the portions are legitimately filling.
Weekend Lines Move Fast, But The Flavor Tastes Like It Took All Day
Here’s the beautiful contradiction at Exit 87: the line moves lightning-fast, but the food tastes like it spent all day in the smoker. That’s because the time-consuming work happens long before you arrive. The staff just has to plate up what’s already been perfected through hours of patient smoking.
Most customers report wait times of 10 to 15 minutes from ordering to pickup, even during weekend rushes. That’s impressively quick for a place serving made-to-order plates with multiple components. The staff has their system down, moving efficiently without making customers feel rushed or unwelcome.
You can call ahead if you’re pressed for time.
The speed doesn’t come at the expense of quality. Meats are still tender, sides are still fresh, and plates still come out hot. This isn’t microwave reheating or steam table service – it’s properly managed barbecue production that keeps food at peak quality throughout service hours.
Weekends naturally see the biggest crowds, with locals making Exit 87 part of their Saturday or Sunday routine. But even with steady traffic, the operation handles volume without falling apart. There’s no chaos, no forgotten orders, no irritated staff snapping at customers.
The quick service makes Exit 87 practical for travelers who can’t afford long stops. Truckers especially appreciate being able to grab legitimate barbecue without burning an hour of driving time. You get in, you get fed well, and you get back on the road with minimal delay but maximum satisfaction.
Why Exit 87 BBQ & Catering Feels Like A True Local Hidden Gem
“Hidden gem” gets thrown around too loosely these days, but Exit 87 actually fits the description. It’s the kind of place you’d drive right past if someone didn’t tell you about it, yet once you know, you can’t imagine not stopping whenever you’re in the area.
The location helps maintain that under-the-radar vibe. Positioned across from Love’s truck stop on Highway 70, it caters to a mix of locals who deliberately seek it out and travelers who stumble upon it through word of mouth or CB radio chatter. There’s no massive advertising budget or social media influencer partnerships – just good food creating its own buzz.
With nearly 3,000 Google reviews and a 4.6-star rating, Exit 87 has clearly been discovered by plenty of people. But it still maintains that authentic, unpretentious atmosphere where the focus stays on the barbecue rather than trendy branding. The pig statue wearing a wig and thong adds quirky personality without trying too hard.
That kind of hands-on ownership is increasingly rare. When someone has a bad experience, he provides his personal phone number and invites them back for a replacement meal or refund.
The prices stay reasonable despite the quality. You won’t find $30 brisket plates or $8 sides. Everything is priced fairly for working folks and families, not positioned as upscale dining.
That accessibility is part of what makes it feel like a true community spot rather than a tourist trap.
Exit 87 succeeds by doing barbecue right without overthinking it. No fancy sides with microgreens, no craft beer lists, no Edison bulb lighting – just solid smoking technique, generous portions, and friendly service.
What To Know Before Visiting This Smoky Jackson Favorite
Exit 87 BBQ & Catering operates at 2049 Highway 70 East in Jackson, right off Exit 87 from I-40. The location is across from Love’s truck stop, making it easy to find if you’re coming from the interstate.
Hours are 4:30 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday running 9 AM to 4 PM. Yes, that means you can get barbecue for breakfast if you’re so inclined. Early birds and truckers on odd schedules appreciate the extended hours that accommodate different meal times.
Cash and cards are both accepted. They do ask about tips at checkout, which some customers find odd for counter service, but tipping is optional. Given the quality and service, many regulars happily tip anyway.
Popular items sell out, especially later in the day. Mac and cheese disappears quickly, and by afternoon, you might find they’re out of brisket or chicken. The owner explains they prefer selling out over wasting food, which means everything is made fresh daily.
If you want the full menu selection, arrive earlier rather than later.
Parking accommodates everything from cars to RVs to 18-wheelers. There’s free truck parking for professional drivers, plus the layout makes it easy to maneuver large vehicles. Port-a-potties are available on-site, which matters more than you’d think when you’re traveling.
Seating is outdoors at picnic tables. It can get dusty from road traffic, so don’t expect pristine conditions. This is casual, eat-with-your-hands barbecue in a parking lot setting.
If you need climate control and white tablecloths, this isn’t your spot.
Call ahead if you want to order for pickup. The staff is happy to have food ready when you arrive, saving you wait time during your stop.