Tennessee knows BBQ. From Memphis to Nashville and everywhere in between, pitmasters spend hours smoking meat to perfection. I set out on a mission to find the best pulled pork in the state, visiting 12 different restaurants and sampling their signature dishes.
After countless sandwiches, plenty of napkins, and more than a few sauce-stained shirts, I narrowed it down to seven spots that truly stood out from the crowd.
1. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint — Nashville
Walking into Martin’s feels like stepping into a real Tennessee smokehouse. The smell of hickory wood hits you before you even open the door. Their whole-hog smoking method takes patience and skill that most places just don’t have anymore.
What makes this spot special is how they smoke entire pigs low and slow for hours. The meat practically falls apart when you touch it. You get both the darker outside pieces mixed with tender inside meat, creating layers of flavor in every bite.
The hickory smoke seeps deep into the pork without overwhelming it. Each sandwich comes piled high with meat that’s juicy enough to soak through the bottom bun. They don’t drown it in sauce either, letting the natural smoky flavor shine through while giving you bottles on the table to add as much as you want.
2. Peg Leg Porker — Nashville
Peg Leg Porker earned its reputation one sandwich at a time. The owner actually lost his leg in a motorcycle accident but didn’t let that stop him from building one of Nashville’s favorite BBQ spots. His determination shows up in every plate they serve.
Their pulled pork comes piled so high you’ll wonder how to fit it in your mouth. What really sets them apart is the balance between their house sauce and the crisp slaw they pile on top.
The tangy vinegar-based sauce cuts through the richness of the pork perfectly. Meanwhile, the cold, crunchy slaw adds texture that keeps each bite interesting. You can taste the smoke, feel the tender meat, and enjoy the contrast of temperatures and textures all at once.
3. Central BBQ — Memphis
Memphis does BBQ differently than the rest of Tennessee, and Central BBQ proves why that matters. They’ve won awards and earned fans across the country, but locals still pack the place every single day. The secret? They understand that pulled pork doesn’t have to stay on a bun.
Their BBQ nachos have become legendary in Memphis. Crispy tortilla chips get buried under mountains of smoky pulled pork, melted cheese, and all the fixings. The pork itself is rich and deeply flavored from hours in the smoker.
Every chip you grab comes loaded with tender meat that’s been rubbed with their special spice blend. The smoke flavor is bold but not overpowering. People drive from other states just to try these nachos, and after one bite, you’ll understand why they’re worth the trip.
4. Jack’s Bar-B-Que — Nashville
Right in the heart of downtown Nashville, Jack’s has been feeding hungry crowds since 1976. Tourists and locals line up together, which tells you everything you need to know. When a place survives that long in a competitive city, they’re doing something right.
Their pulled pork sandwich is straightforward and delicious. No fancy twists or unusual ingredients, just perfectly smoked meat on a soft bun with classic Southern sides. The pork stays juicy without being greasy, and the smoke flavor comes through clean and strong.
What impressed me most was the consistency. Every sandwich tastes like the last one, which means they’ve perfected their process over decades. The mac and cheese and baked beans on the side are exactly what you want after exploring Nashville all day.
5. The Firehouse Restaurant — Johnson City
East Tennessee doesn’t get enough credit for its BBQ scene. The Firehouse Restaurant in Johnson City proves that world-class pulled pork exists outside Memphis and Nashville. They smoke their pork shoulders until the meat becomes so tender it barely needs teeth to chew.
Their hickory wood burns for hours, creating that signature smoke ring you look for in great BBQ. But what really makes them stand out is the Carolina-style tang they bring to their sauce. It’s not what you expect in Tennessee, and that’s exactly why it works so well.
The vinegar-based sauce brightens up the rich, fatty pork in a way that keeps you reaching for another bite. Each mouthful has bold hickory smoke balanced by a sharp, tangy sauce that cuts through perfectly. If you’re traveling through East Tennessee, this stop is absolutely worth the detour.
6. Fatguy Southern Kitchen — Lascassas
Don’t let the name fool you. Fatguy Southern Kitchen in Lascassas takes their BBQ seriously. This small-town spot about 30 minutes from Murfreesboro cooks with the kind of passion you only find when people truly love what they do.
Their pulled pork has that homemade quality that reminds you of family cookouts. The meat gets smoked until it’s fall-apart tender, with crispy bark on the outside that adds texture and concentrated flavor. They don’t try to be fancy or trendy, just honest and delicious.
The portions are generous enough to satisfy anyone who’s worked up an appetite. Their sides taste like grandma made them, which pairs perfectly with the smoky pork. Everything feels authentic and welcoming, from the food to the atmosphere.
7. Papa Turney’s Old Fashion BBQ — Hermitage
Papa Turney’s keeps old-school BBQ traditions alive in Hermitage. They’ve been smoking meat the same way for years, refusing to cut corners or chase trends. That dedication to doing things right shows up in every sandwich they serve.
They season the meat perfectly before it ever sees smoke, then let time and hickory wood do the rest. The result is pork that’s flavorful all the way through, not just on the surface.
Each bite delivers that nostalgic BBQ taste that reminds you why pulled pork became a Southern staple in the first place. The meat stays moist and tender, pulling apart easily without turning mushy. Their sauce complements rather than covers the smoke, letting you taste the care they put into every step of the process.