Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in Knoxville, According to Yelp

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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Knoxville, according to Yelp

Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.

The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.

As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.

No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Knoxville using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.

#30. Texas Roadhouse

- Rating: 3.0/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 Morrell Rd Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#29. Smokehouse 228 On The Water

- Rating: 3.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 3725 Maryville Pike Knoxville, TN 37920
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#28. Texas Roadhouse

- Rating: 3.0/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11001 Turkey Dr Knoxville, TN 37922
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#27. The Pint House

- Rating: 3.0/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 815 Merchant Dr Knoxville, TN 37912
- Categories: Bars, Burgers, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#26. Calhoun's

- Rating: 3.0/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 625 Turkey Cove Ln Knoxville, TN 37934
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#25. Big O's Famous BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 6247 Royal River Dr Knoxville, TN 37914
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#24. Buddy's Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 3.5/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8402 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#23. Buddy's Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 3.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4500 N Broadway St Knoxville, TN 37917
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#22. Holy Smokin BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3104 Topside Rd Knoxville, TN 37920
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#21. Smoky Mountain Brewery

- Rating: 3.5/5 (209 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11308 Parkside Dr Knoxville, TN 37934
- Categories: Sports Bars, Pizza, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#20. Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 3.5/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 208 Advantage Pl Knoxville, TN 37922
- Categories: Barbecue, Comfort Food, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#19. Dead End BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (333 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3621 Sutherland Ave Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#18. Calhoun's

- Rating: 3.5/5 (134 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10020 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37922
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#17. Calhoun's

- Rating: 3.5/5 (478 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 400 Neyland Dr Knoxville, TN 37902
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional), Bars
- Read more on Yelp

#16. Archers BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5415 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#15. Buddy's Bar-B Q

- Rating: 3.5/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5806 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#14. Buddy's Bar-B-Q Farragut

- Rating: 3.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 121 W End Ave Knoxville, TN 37922
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#13. Buddy's Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 3.5/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3700 E Magnolia Ave Knoxville, TN 37914
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#12. Calhoun's

- Rating: 3.5/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6515 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#11. Sweet P's Uptown Corner

- Rating: 4.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 3029 Tazewell Pike Knoxville, TN 37918
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#10. Archers BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10205 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37922
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#9. M & M

- Rating: 4.0/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1039 Summerwood Rd Knoxville, TN 37923
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

#8. Clantons BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 2507 E Governor John Sevier Hwy Knoxville, TN 37914
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Sweet P's BBQ Downtown Dive

- Rating: 4.0/5 (577 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 410 W Jackson Ave Knoxville, TN 37902
- Categories: American (New), Barbecue, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp