3 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Knoxville, TN

“Calhoun's On The River is known for their slow-smoked BBQ, cooked with hickory logs for great flavor. Their menu includes BBQ, burgers, sandwiches, homestyle sides, and craft beers. Garrick Cole Butler is the Manager of this restaurant. They focus on great service and have plenty of seating, with space for 250 guests upstairs and 25 downstairs. They also host events at all their locations, making them a great choice for special occasions. You can enjoy their food at nearby locations, too. Come relax with family and friends and celebrate special moments. Gift cards are the perfect gift for any occasion, whether for family or friends. They also serve vegetarian dishes and happy hour food. They also serve at Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Maryville and Oak Ridge.”

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“Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que serves wood-smoked meats and sides in an American West-themed setting. The restaurant is an award-winning BBQ restaurant located near the intersection of I-40 and Cedar Bluff Road. Famous Dave Anderson is the pitmaster of this restaurant. He has won over 700 awards and is a recognized expert in the BBQ world. They learned the secret to the best ribs from street vendors using 55-gallon smokers, following the deep South tradition. Enjoy house-smoked meats, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Dine in, order to-go, or let them cater your event with authentic pit-smoked BBQ, made-from-scratch sides, and handcrafted desserts. They also offer gift cards for birthdays, holidays, thank-yous, or any occasion.”

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“Sweet P's Barbeque & Downtown Dive offers tasty BBQ and Southern-style sides in a cozy rustic setting with exposed beams. The restaurant has table service, a bar, and outdoor seating. Their menu is full of soul food favorites, plus a great selection of beers and wines. Sweet P's Barbeque & Downtown Dive also provides catering for events like tailgates, weddings, corporate gatherings, and charity events, serving groups from 25 to over 1,000 people with customizable packages. Their Kids Plate features pork or chicken served with one side. All sandwiches come with your choice of Sweetwater Farms' roasted garlic pepper cheese grits or brunch potatoes.”

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