The South is known for hearty, homestyle cooking with favorites like fried chicken, casseroles, and, of course, barbecue! The Smoky Mountains area in particular is home to lots of juicy, mouthwatering barbecue options. Whether you’re looking for dry-rubbed chicken or saucy pulled pork, you’re sure to find a delicious meal that suits your tastes. Here’s a list of some of the best local Smoky Mountain barbecue joints that you’ll want to check out while you’re in town.
1. Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ
If you find yourself in Sevierville, you’ll want to make a stop at Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ in the heart of downtown. This Smoky Mountain barbecue restaurant slow smokes locally sourced hogs daily so you can enjoy fresh, juicy, and perfectly smoky barbecue dishes. Start your meal with some crunchy Pork Rinds before digging into your main course. Favorite items on the menu include the Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pork Ribs, ½ Dry Rub Chicken, Smoked Bologna Sandwich, and Smoked Meatloaf Sandwich. Order a Sampler to try a variety of smoked meat specialties. You can find Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ just down the street from the famous Dolly Parton statue in Sevierville.
2. Delauder’s BBQ
If you’re looking for a family-owned, award-winning Smoky Mountain barbecue joint, make sure you check out Delauder’s BBQ. This Gatlinburg restaurant has been ranked among the country’s top 25 barbecue restaurants by Travel + Leisure magazine. You can find Delauder’s BBQ just a few miles outside of downtown Gatlinburg. You can order a variety of slow-smoked barbecue meats, including pulled pork, baby back ribs, brisket, sausage, and more. Favorites on the menu include The Sneaky Pig Sandwich, Smoky Mountain Nachos, Holy Bologna Sandwich, and Smoky Mountain Potato. In order to keep food fresh, this local restaurant makes a limited amount of meats and sides each day, so make sure you arrive early in case menu items sell out.
3. Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Q
One of the best places to find Smoky Mountain barbecue is Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Q. This barbecue restaurant has locations in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Bennett’s bastes their pork ribs, beef brisket, chicken, and pulled pork in their own special sauce before smoking them over hickory wood for up to 14 hours. This gives each bite a juicy, rich, and smoky flavor. You can order sandwiches or barbecue platters piled high with the smoked meat of your choice. Other items on the menu include Chargrilled Burgers, Cow Poke Chili, Hog Legs, Catfish, and much more. Make sure you save room for dessert so you can end your meal with a tasty Baked Cobbler.
4. Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack
You can find all your favorite Smoky Mountain barbecue classics at Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack on Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge. They serve pulled pork, beef brisket, pork ribs, and half chickens all rubbed or sauced by hand and smoked on site. This makes each bite exceptionally juicy and full of flavor. If you’re feeding a crowd or going on a picnic, order Pulled Pork, Sliced Brisket, Smoked Sausage, or Ribs by the pound with an order of rolls and side dishes. Or, choose a sandwich filled with your favorite smoked meat. You can also find traditional Southern dishes on the menu like Chicken N Dumplings and Country Fried Steak.
You can’t go wrong with a meal from these delicious Smoky Mountain barbecue joints. If you’re looking for more local restaurants to try during your vacation, check out this guide to the best local restaurants in the Smoky Mountains to find your new favorite places to eat!
