Let’s be real: when you think Gatlinburg, you think mountain views, moonshine, and airbrushed t-shirts, not pit-smoked perfection. But the barbecue here is no joke, and I’ve got the sauce-stained notes to prove it.

You’ll find everything from a Texan chef nailing brisket to a roadside shed that serves ribs so good I nearly cried into my smoked potato. I ate my way through nine joints, plus one deli that has no business being that good.

Grab a napkin. You’ll need it.

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que

Highlights
Sauces are very good
Friendly, accommodating service
Burgers and sides shine
Worth another visit
Garlic biscuit excellent

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que is the kind of place I walk into already knowing I'm leaving happy. The sauces are very good, and I'm not just saying that because I basically drank one straight from the bottle. Friendly, accommodating service makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. But here's the twist: the burgers and sides shine brighter than the BBQ. That garlic biscuit is excellent, almost dangerously so. Worth another visit, absolutely. I'll be back for the chopped pork again, but I might order two biscuits.

You might also want to check out the best bbq restaurants in Knoxville.

TENNESSEE JED'S Craft Sandwiches

Highlights
Best Reuben in Tennessee
Massive sandwiches, fair price
Insanely fresh, top-tier ingredients
Locally sourced kombucha too
Fast, friendly, unforgettable service

TENNESSEE JED'S Craft Sandwiches doesn't mess around. I had the Reuben, and it's the best one I've had in Tennessee, which sounds like a random award, but I'm giving it anyway. Massive sandwiches at a fair price, and the ingredients are insanely fresh, top-tier stuff. They even have locally sourced kombucha, which I tried just to prove I'm not a total barbarian. Fast, friendly, unforgettable service too. I walked in hungry, walked out with leftovers and a new favorite spot. Do not skip this place.

You might also want to check out the best bbq restaurants in Sevierville.

Ole Red

Highlights
Live music and drinks
Generous BBQ platter portions
Friendly bartender recommendations
Unique, appealing decor

Ole Red is more than a BBQ joint, it's a whole vibe. Live music and drinks set the mood, and the decor is uniquely appealing, think honky-tonk heaven. The BBQ platter portions are generous, so come starving or plan to share. The friendly bartender gave me solid recommendations, which I appreciated since I couldn't decide between the ribs and the pulled pork. The food is good, but you're really here for the atmosphere and the cocktails. Just don't expect fine dining, expect a good time.

You might also want to check out the best restaurant in Pigeon Forge.

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que

Highlights
Tender brisket, fall-apart ribs
Deep smoky flavor throughout
Delicious sweet chopped coleslaw
Kind, professional, helpful service
Fairly priced, generous portions

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que, second visit, same verdict. That brisket is tender, the ribs fall off the bone, and the smoky flavor runs deep through every bite. The sweet chopped coleslaw is delicious, a perfect counter to all that rich meat. Service is kind, professional, and helpful, even when the place is packed. Portions are generous and the prices are fair, which is rare in tourist town. I left stuffed and still thinking about that garlic biscuit. This place is a must-visit for any BBQ lover.

You might also want to check out the best bbq restaurants in Knoxville.

Bustin' Butts BBQ/210 Produce

Highlights
Best BBQ ever had
Suck-the-bone good ribs
Brisket worth dying for
Family run and friendly
Smoked potato with brisket

Bustin' Butts BBQ at 210 Produce is the real deal. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's the best BBQ I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of BBQ. The ribs are suck-the-bone good, literally. The brisket is worth dying for, which sounds dramatic but I stand by it. Family run, friendly as can be, and the smoked potato loaded with brisket is a meal that will haunt my dreams. If you're driving past, stop. If you're not, plan a trip. This is the one.

You might also want to check out the best restaurant in Sevierville.

Myron Mixon Barbeque Co. Gatlinburg

Highlights
Ask for Paula
Tender baby back ribs
Tasty honey margarita
Great fried okra
Sincere local advice

Myron Mixon Barbeque Co. in Gatlinburg, just ask for Paula. She knows her stuff and gave me sincere local advice on where to go and what to eat. But the food first: the baby back ribs are tender, falling off the bone, with a great smoky bark. The honey margarita is tasty, dangerously so, and the fried okra is great, crispy and not greasy. Portions are solid, prices are reasonable. I left full and happy, with a notebook full of suggestions for the rest of my trip. Paula is a treasure.

You might also want to check out the best steakhouse in Gatlinburg.

Smokehouse

Highlights
Brisket juicy and fatty
Texas-approved barbecue perfection
Mountain mac and cheese
Generous portions, fair prices
Chef knows their stuff

Smokehouse gets it right. The brisket is juicy and fatty, which is exactly how I like it. As a Texan, I'm picky, and I have to say this is Texas-approved barbecue perfection. The mountain mac and cheese is a standout, creamy and rich with a crispy top. Portions are generous and the prices are fair, so you get a lot for your money. The chef knows their stuff, clearly. I left with a happy belly and a new standard for mountain BBQ. This place is a winner.

You might also want to check out the best dinner in Pigeon Forge.

Hungry Bear BBQ

Highlights
Ribs are amazeballs
Sauces worth bottling
Sides that steal show
Juicy, flavor-packed meats
Family pit favorite

Hungry Bear BBQ, what a name, and the food lives up to the hype. The ribs are amazeballs, no other way to say it. The sauces are worth bottling, seriously, I would buy a case if I could. But the sides, oh the sides, they steal the show. I couldn't decide which was better, so I just ate everything. The meats are juicy and flavor-packed, and this is a family pit favorite for good reason. If you want a no-frills, all-flavor BBQ experience, come here.

You might also want to check out the best restaurant in Waynesville.

Calhoun's | Gatlinburg

Highlights
Spinach artichoke dip slaps
Smoked wings with real smoke
Burgers juicy and fresh
Worth it despite service chaos
Come for dip, dodge section

Calhoun's in Gatlinburg is a bit of a circus, but the food survives the chaos. The spinach artichoke dip slaps, and I'm not one for dips, but I could eat that with a spoon. The smoked wings have real smoke, not that fake barbecue flavor, and the burgers are juicy and fresh. Service was chaos, our server disappeared for half an hour, but the food made up for it. Come for the dip, but be ready to dodge your section like a game of dodgeball. Worth it, barely.

You might also want to check out the best burger in Gatlinburg.

Delauder's BBQ

Highlights
Brisket, ribs, sausage perfection
Owner chats with everyone
Sampler worth every penny
Best BBQ I’ve ever had
Juicy, flavor-packed plates

Delauder's BBQ is the kind of place where you become a regular even if you're just passing through. The owner chats with everyone, making you feel at home and like you're part of the family. The brisket, ribs, and sausage are all perfection, juicy and flavor-packed. The sampler is worth every penny, a little bit of everything to satisfy all your cravings. I said it once and I'll say it again: best BBQ I've ever had. If you're in the area, this is a must. Just go.

You might also want to check out the best bakery in Knoxville.

Josef's Deli

Highlights
Fresh, flavorful Italian subs
Friendly, welcoming service
Hot, perfectly made food
Great pasta salad sides
Worth a return visit

Josef's Deli is technically not a BBQ joint, but I'm including it because it's that good. The Italian subs are fresh and flavorful, loaded with cold cuts and perfectly dressed. Friendly, welcoming service, they treat you like an old friend. The food comes out hot and perfectly made, and the pasta salad sides are great, creamy and tangy. Worth a return visit for sure. If you're burnt out on BBQ but still want something delicious, this is your spot. I left with a full belly and a smile.

You might also want to check out the best bbq restaurants in Sevierville.

Preachers Smokehouse

Highlights
Burnt ends melt in mouth
Generous portions, fair prices
Friendly, down-home service
Banana pudding is pure heaven
Worth the 15-minute drive

Preachers Smokehouse is worth the 15-minute drive from Gatlinburg, trust me. The burnt ends melt in your mouth, literally, no chewing required. Portions are generous and the prices are fair, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Friendly, down-home service, the kind that makes you feel like you're at a Sunday dinner. And the banana pudding? Pure heaven, creamy, sweet, and with the perfect amount of vanilla wafers. I left stuffed and satisfied. This is the kind of BBQ that makes you want to get a second stomach.

You might also want to check out the best seafood restaurant in Gatlinburg.