Tennessee takes its barbecue seriously, and half the fun is not having to pick just one meat. At a good sampler-friendly joint, you can load up a plate with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken all at once.
That means you get to taste a pitmaster’s full range in a single sitting. Here are 8 Tennessee spots where a mixed plate of smoked meats is the smart move.
1. Central BBQ, Memphis
Memphis has plenty of barbecue heavyweights, but Central BBQ earns its crowds by keeping things approachable and consistent across several locations.
The menu covers dry-rub ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, and turkey, so a combo plate lets you compare styles side by side. Nachos topped with barbecue are a fun add-on if you want something beyond the classics.
The original spot sits on Central Avenue, with additional locations including one near the National Civil Rights Museum downtown. That makes it an easy stop if you are already exploring the city.
I like this one for first-timers because the range of meats is broad and the sauces let you customize each bite.
2. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Nashville
Whole-hog cooking is the calling card here, and it is what sets Martin’s apart from a lot of the pack.
Pit-cooked pork shows up in sandwiches and on plates, and you can round out a sampler with ribs, brisket, turkey, and smoked chicken. The redneck taco, served on cornbread hoecakes, is a signature worth adding.
Founder Pat Martin built the brand around West Tennessee whole-hog tradition, and it has grown to several locations across Nashville and beyond. The Belmont and downtown Nashville spots are especially convenient for visitors.
Come hungry, because the portions are built for people who want to try a little of everything.
3. Payne’s Bar-B-Q, Memphis
Old-school and proudly simple, Payne’s has been a Memphis fixture for decades in a converted former service station on Lamar Avenue.
The chopped pork sandwich topped with mustard slaw is the item people come for, and it shows off why classic Memphis barbecue needs no bells and whistles. You can also get ribs and rib tips to build a fuller plate.
The setting is bare-bones counter service, which is part of the charm. This is a spot that lets the smoke and the slaw do all the talking.
If you want to taste Memphis barbecue history without the tourist gloss, this is a solid choice.
4. Ridgewood Barbecue, Bluff City
Way up in the northeast corner of the state, Ridgewood has been serving barbecue near Bluff City since the 1940s.
The house style leans toward sliced, hickory-smoked pork served with a distinctive sweet-tangy sauce that regulars drive out of their way for. Plates come piled high, and you can add ribs and other smoked meats to make a proper sampler.
The location in the hills between Bristol and Johnson City makes it a natural stop on a mountain road trip. Its long history has earned it a loyal following across the Tri-Cities region.
I would save this one for a day when you are exploring upper East Tennessee and want a meal with real staying power.
5. Rendezvous, Memphis
Dry-rub ribs made this downtown Memphis institution famous, and they remain the reason to book a table.
Charcoal-cooked ribs seasoned with a signature blend of spices are the headliner, but the menu also includes pork shoulder, sausage, and smoked chicken so a group can spread out and share. The setup makes it easy to build a mixed spread.
Found in an alley near the Peabody Hotel, the basement dining room has served ribs since 1948. Its downtown location keeps it close to the city’s hotels and attractions.
For anyone who wants to understand the Memphis dry-rub debate, this is ground zero.
6. Peg Leg Porker, Nashville
Named for pitmaster Carey Bringle, Peg Leg Porker brings Memphis-style dry ribs into the heart of Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood.
Dry-rub ribs are the standout, and you can build out a plate with pulled pork, smoked chicken, and turkey. The barbecue nachos and hot chicken options give the menu extra range.
The restaurant opened in 2013 and quickly became a downtown-adjacent favorite for both visitors and Nashville regulars. Its location makes it convenient after a day of walking the city.
Reservations can help during busy weekends, so plan ahead if you are visiting during a big event.
7. Bar-B-Cutie, Nashville
One of Nashville’s longest-running barbecue names, Bar-B-Cutie traces its roots back to 1948.
The menu keeps to crowd-pleasing basics like pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, and turkey, which makes assembling a combo plate simple and satisfying. Family-style meals are a nice option for groups.
Over the decades it has grown from a single drive-in into a small local chain with several area locations. That longevity says a lot about its steady, dependable cooking.
This is the kind of place I would recommend to families who want reliable barbecue without a long wait.
8. Sweet P’s Barbeque, Knoxville
Knoxville’s barbecue scene gets a strong showing from Sweet P’s, which runs a lakeside original location known as The Downtown Dive counterpart on the water.
Hickory-smoked pork, brisket, ribs, chicken, and turkey give you plenty to mix and match on a sampler. Homemade sides and desserts round out the meal.
The waterfront original spot sits along the Tennessee River near Maryville, with a second downtown Knoxville location for easier city access. The outdoor seating makes it a good warm-weather stop.
For an East Tennessee sampler with a view, this one is hard to beat.
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