Ask ten Tennesseans where to find the best pulled pork sandwich and you might get ten different answers, plus a few strong opinions about slaw. That is part of the fun.
Barbecue here is personal, and the humble pork sandwich is the everyday order that keeps regulars lined up at the counter week after week. This list covers eight spots from Memphis to Knoxville, with stops in Nashville, Chattanooga, and a small West Tennessee town known for whole hog cooking.
Some are no-frills counters on busy roads. Others are lively neighborhood hangouts with house-made sauces and fun twists on the classic.
Each one earns its place with a sandwich people actually crave, plus practical details like hours and parking so you can plan your visit. Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always asks where to eat.
1. Elwood’s Shack, Memphis, TN
Barbecue for breakfast is a real option on Summer Avenue. Elwood’s Shack opens at 7 AM Monday through Saturday, so the smoker crowd and the coffee crowd share the same counter.
The pulled pork sandwich is the easy pick here, especially with the spicy slaw piled on. That slaw shows up across the menu, alongside brisket tacos and dry ribs.
Big appetite? The Red Headed Step Child sandwich packs a pound of meat onto a bun.
The menu also wanders into brisket nachos, BBQ pizza, the Tijuana Dog, and even Eggs Benedict.
Prices stay friendly at roughly $10 to $20 per person. It is counter service, with no reservations, and the parking situation is usually easy.
Sunday hours are shorter, from 8 AM to 3 PM. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, and there is a kids’ menu if the whole family tags along.
2. BallHoggerz BBQ, Memphis, TN
In a city crowded with barbecue, getting your pork sandwich voted among the best in Memphis takes some doing. BallHoggerz BBQ on Airways Boulevard has pulled it off.
The kitchen leans hard into Memphis-style cooking, with a dry rub that gives both the ribs and the pork a well-seasoned crust. Portions run generous, and the Pork Sandwich Combo makes ordering simple.
Round it out with BBQ beans, grilled corn, or potato salad. Jumbo turkey legs and a rib sandwich are on the board too, if your group wants to spread out.
Plan ahead on timing, because it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Friday and Saturday run until midnight, which makes it a strong late-night pick, while Sunday wraps up at 5 PM.
3. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Nashville, TN
Whole hog, pit-fired barbecue is the calling card at Martin’s, and that tradition shows up right on the bun. The pulled pork shoulder sandwich is one of the menu’s steady favorites.
The Belmont location is a big roadhouse-style space near the university neighborhood. Five house-made sauces sit ready, so you can tune each bite however you like.
Sides keep things classic with hushpuppies, mac and cheese, and potato salad. If someone in your party is not in a pork mood, there are brisket sandwiches, BBQ nachos, tacos, and smash-style burgers.
Doors open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM. Weekday lunch tends to be calmer than Friday and Saturday evenings, and dogs are allowed both inside and out.
4. Edley’s Bar-B-Que, Nashville, TN
Pulled pork, pimento cheese, and a fried egg on one sandwich sounds like a dare. At Edley’s, it is the Tuck Special, and it might be the most talked-about item on the menu.
The 12 South location sits in one of Nashville’s most walkable neighborhoods. Counter service keeps things moving, and outdoor seating gives you a spot to people-watch.
Beyond the Tuck, the menu stretches to pulled pork nachos, pulled pork tacos, dry rub wings, burnt ends, and brisket. Grits casserole and banana pudding are sides worth saving room for.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, with Friday and Saturday going until 10 PM. Families will find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables.
5. Chatt Smoke House, Chattanooga, TN
Simple menus often hide the best surprises. Chatt Smoke House on East M.L.
King Boulevard keeps things straightforward, and the pulled pork sandwich has a loyal following because of it.
The pork comes out tender and well seasoned. Pair it with the coleslaw, which includes celery and skips the heavy creaminess, for a lighter crunch.
The fish sandwich is a sleeper hit, and the ribs hold their own. Chili dogs, chili-cheese fries, and frozen fruit ices add a fun, old-school touch.
Check the calendar before heading over. It is closed Sunday and Monday, open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday, and stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
6. HWY 58 BBQ, Chattanooga, TN
Road trippers heading out Highway 58 should know this family-owned spot by name. HWY 58 BBQ is a small, casual place where the pulled pork sandwich and the oversized loaded potatoes share top billing.
Those potatoes are big enough to be a meal on their own. Still, the pork sandwich is the order that keeps folks coming back, often with fried okra or mac and cheese on the side.
One standout is the smoked chicken plate, which can be tough to find on many barbecue menus. Ribs and corn nuggets round things out.
Hours are 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Takeout is easy, and catering is available for bigger gatherings.
7. The Humble Hog Craft Barbecue, Knoxville, TN
Downtown Knoxville’s Gay Street is busy with shops and theaters, and The Humble Hog gives it a craft barbecue anchor. Brisket may be the specialty, but the pulled pork sandwich stands right beside it.
The menu gets creative. Smoked lobster hush puppies, hog jowls with pickled pepper hash, a smoked bologna sandwich, and house-made pastrami on rye all make appearances.
Sticky ribs and brisket mac and cheese are popular companions to the pork. Gluten-free comfort food is a focus here too, which is a nice perk for anyone with dietary needs.
Unlike most spots on this list, The Humble Hog accepts reservations and offers table service. It is closed Monday, and paid lots plus street parking serve the downtown block.
8. B.E. Scotts BBQ, Lexington, TN
West Tennessee is whole hog country, and B.E. Scotts BBQ in Lexington carries that tradition proudly.
Its pork sandwich is often counted among the best in this part of the state.
Ordering happens at the counter, and the setting is relaxed with a historic feel. The pulled chicken with white sauce is another favorite, and the tender pork ribs have their own fan club.
Classic sides like baked beans and potato salad fit right in. Portions are generous, and the nachos get plenty of attention too.
Timing matters here. Doors open at 9 AM Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 6 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on Saturday, with Sunday and Monday off.
Plan your US-412 drive accordingly.
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