Pigeon Forge is a mountainous town in Eastern Tennessee. Famously home to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park, it takes BBQ seriously.
So, whether you want classic pulled pork, steak or a huge rack of ribs, these BBQ joints in and around Pigeon Forge will have something for everyone. Here are the eight best BBQ joints in and around Pigeon Forge.
Best BBQ in and Around Pigeon Forge
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
Bennett’s Pit is one of the most famous BBQ joints in Pigeon Forge. They have been delivering high quality BBQ for over 30 years, so you can trust they know what they are doing!
The pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken and beef briskets are basted in Bennett’s own special sauce for a unique smoky flavor. Then the meat is placed over smoldering hickory wood and smoked for up to 14 hours! The heat and special sauce penetrate deep into every layer of meat. Every mouthful will be flavorful.
To go with your choice of BBQ meat, we recommend the spicy mac and cheese, garlic biscuits, deep fried corn, potato salad, and green beans. The sauce comes on the side so you can enjoy as little or as much as you want.
- Address: 2910 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-3314
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day and season; check the official location page for current hours
- Price: $$
- Awards: Travellers’ Choice from Trip Advisor, Best Barbeque In Pigeon Forge
- You should try: The ribs
- Takeout: Yes
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ brings Memphis-style barbecue to the Parkway, making it a handy stop if you want ribs, pulled pork or a sampler without leaving Pigeon Forge.
Corky’s is especially known for hickory-smoked ribs served wet, dry or muddy, so it is a good choice if you want to compare different rib styles. The menu also covers sandwiches, loaded potatoes, salads and family packs, which makes it easy to feed a group.
If you want a classic order, go for the ribs or a combo plate with barbecue beans and coleslaw. It’s a relaxed, casual spot with dine-in, takeout and catering options.
- Address: 3584 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours can vary by day and season; check the official page for current hours
- Price: $$
- You should try: Ribs, pulled pork and combo plates
- Takeout: Yes
Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack
Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack is a locally owned BBQ joint and a true staple of the area. It’s tucked away from the tourist trail, making it an ideal spot if you want a quiet family meal. With over 35 years’ experience, this is a hotspot for locals.
This BBQ Shack specializes in slow-cooked meats, with smoked chicken and pulled pork favorites with their customers. Their signature sauce is a zesty mix of mustard tang and sweetness.
Their specialty is family-style meals. The Barbecue Pork Sandwich Plate includes sides, and the Brisket Value Pack will feed your whole family with a full pound of brisket.
- Address: 1198 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours can vary; check the restaurant’s current hours before visiting
- Price: $$
- You should try: Barbecue Pork Sandwich Plate and rib plate.
- Takeout: Yes
Puckett’s
Puckett’s has roots stretching back to the 1950s when they started as a little grocery store in the village of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. Not just a BBQ joint, they regularly host local live musical acts for you to enjoy as you eat their Southern comfort classics.
Puckett’s has a pretty varied menu and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their dessert menu is probably the best for a Pigeon Forge BBQ joint. While the food is a nod to Southern barbecue, it avoids being a kitschy cliché (this is no Cracker Barrel!).
This venue is so popular, we recommend booking a table, especially if there is a live act on. Their breakfast menu makes this a hotspot for a morning crowd, and their platters are a fantastic way to share great food with friends.
- Address: 2480 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner; check the official location page for current hours
- Price: $$
- You should try: Brisket nachos, smoked meats and BBQ plates
- Takeout: Yes
Calhoun’s
Calhoun’s is one of the best BBQ restaurants in Pigeon Forge, famed for their ribs. You can get all kinds of delicious ribs. If you can’t decide what to get, they have a trio platter with pulled pork, ribs, and chicken tenders.
Calhoun’s also has salads, sandwiches, burgers, steak, and chicken. With a fun cocktail menu, you can enjoy an evening of fun with friends alongside your tasty BBQ.
This spot gets busy as one of the traditions for visiting fans of SEC football is to eat at Calhoun’s. A hotspot for Sunday brunch, their sausage links and giant waffles are a must-try. We recommend someone order the brunch and someone order the BBQ, then you can create the perfect BBQ brunch!
- Address: 2532 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day; check the official location page for current hours
- Price: $$
- You should try: Pulled pork nachos, Hickory Smoked Bar–B-Que Ribs and Ale steak
- Awards: Multi-time winner of the coveted Best of Knoxville reader awards,
- Takeout: Yes
JT Hannah’s Kitchen
J.T. Hannah’s is an independently and locally owned Southern eatery. The restaurant initially opened in mid-2011 and has quickly become a favorite with locals thanks to the fantastic casual dining experience and value for money. J.T. Hannah’s stands out for not being a chain restaurant.
Their signatures may be steak and seafood, but locals will recommend their delicious burgers and deluxe sandwiches. Their St Louis spare rib is so renowned they have even won awards. If you have room, try Mama Laura’s Famous Strawberry Short Cake!
This BBQ joint gives you the atmosphere as well as the food. Their warehouse is filled with rustic décor and relics reminiscent of the 1930s. Opened in honor of J.T. Hannah, a prosperous businessman in the Great Smoky Mountains, the establishment’s goal is to keep the tradition of good food and even better prices alive.
- Address: 3214 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day; check the official website for current hours
- Price: $$
- You should try: Award-winning St. Louis Spare Ribs and Mama Laura’s Famous Strawberry Short Cake
- Takeout: Yes
Preacher’s Smokehouse
Although not technically in Pigeon Forge, Preacher’s Smokehouse is well worth the visit. Located off the beaten track in Sevierville, this family-run BBQ restaurant delivers fantastic home style meals in a friendly environment. Enjoy a cozy atmosphere and low-cost food.
This BBQ joint looks like nothing more than a cabin, but it has some of the best reviews for restaurants in the area. The owners will treat you like family, happy to chat and give you recommendations.
Their menu is limited, but it’s authentic. They even offer a sample platter with a bit of everything, if you’re the indecisive type. Their BBQ ribs are the jewel in their crown, although they also have tasty sandwiches and authentic sides.
- Address: 2929 Pittman Center Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Opening Hours: Limited weekly hours; check the official page before making the drive
- Price: $
- You should try: BBQ ribs
- Takeout: Check ahead
Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ
Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ is another Sevierville option worth considering when you’re willing to make a short drive for barbecue. The restaurant focuses on whole-hog smoked pork, giving it a different angle from the rib-heavy spots around Pigeon Forge.
The menu keeps things casual with barbecue plates, sandwiches, and classic sides, and the downtown Sevierville location makes it easy to pair lunch or dinner with a walk around the historic square. If you are serious about pork barbecue, this is one of the more useful nearby additions to your list.
For a first visit, start with the whole-hog pork plate or sandwich and add traditional sides so you can compare it with the more Parkway-focused BBQ stops.
- Address: 127 Bruce Street, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Opening Hours: Hours can vary by day; check the official page for current hours
- Price: $$
- You should try: Whole-hog pork plate or sandwich
- Takeout: Yes
Also Read:
Best BBQ in Pigeon Forge: FAQs
What is Tennessee BBQ?
In Tennessee, BBQ is usually defined by both dry and wet pork ribs as well as pulled pork shoulder served with a tomato-based barbecue sauce. Memphis will pretty much put barbecue sauce on anything, including nachos, pizza and even pasta!
Every restaurant and chef will have their own recipe, and you usually won’t find out what is in it as they like to keep the special sauce ingredients a mystery! You can try every restaurant on this list and not taste the same BBQ twice.
What are Dry and Wet Ribs?
When browsing menus for BBQ restaurants in Pigeon Forge, you may notice dry and wet ribs included on the menu. Dry ribs usually involve rubbing a mix of dried spices and herbs onto the meat before smoking it. Wet ribs are basted during smoking and then covered in a wet sauce. Either way, it’s tasty.
Whether you are dining with family, looking to enjoy a boozy evening with friends or want a quick bite, Pigeon Forge has a BBQ option for you. Although ribs are popular, these restaurants will cater to every type of taste.