Barbecue is loved worldwide, but nowhere more than in the United States. In fact, before the Civil War, it is estimated that Americans ate about five pounds of cooked pork for every pound of beef.
Whether it’s smoked, slathered or dry rubbed, barbecue is a traditional American favorite. The South is famous for flavorful meats, so it’s no surprise there are great BBQ joints in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Today you can enjoy pork, beef, chicken, turkey, and even shrimp barbecue-style with a favorite regional flavor. Barbecue lovers won’t be disappointed when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains.
A great option for lunch and dinner, try these barbecue spots and bring your appetite!
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que is family owned and operated, with restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. They specialize in tender smoked chicken, beef briskets and pork ribs. Smothered in Bennett’s secret sauce, their meat sits in the smoker for up to 14 hours. People who have visited either their restaurant in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg describe Bennett’s as some of the best barbecue they have ever tasted!
Delauder’s Smoky Mountain BBQ
This sandwich shop and barbecue favorite uses their award-winning rub to make sandwiches, barbecue and wings. The small purple building and friendly staff welcome barbecue lovers from all over.
Hungry Bear BBQ
With two restaurants in Gatlinburg, Hungry Bear BBQ is ready to accommodate any size group’s barbecue cravings. The homey atmosphere within these two restaurants in Gatlinburg will give you the charm of down home southern cooking without ever having to leave the Parkway! Visitors to Hungry Bear BBQ highly suggest the pulled pork barbecue sandwich and potato salad.
Bones BBQ joint
Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Bones BBQ Joint offers real barbeque, serving fresh cooked beef brisket, pork, ribs and chicken Homemade sides- potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, etc.
Calhoun’s
Known best for their ribs, cooks at Calhoun’s slow cook their meat over split hickory logs until their famous ‘Smoke Ring’ appears on the meat. They have propriety sauces and dressings – you can also buy – and award-winning barbecue sauce.
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
According to Corky’s, nothing beats the flavor of true Memphis-style barbecue. With a heritage of unique flavorings, this Tennessee tradition can be experienced right here in the Smokies in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The meat is slow cooked in pits with hickory chips and charcoal, then hand pulled and basted with Corky’s special blend of sauces.
Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill
After more than 25 years in the entertainment industry, Gospel singer Tony Gore decided to pursue his second love – cooking – and opened his one-of-a-kind restaurant in Sevierville. Famous for mouth-watering, fall off the bone Baby Back and St. Louis style ribs, Tony Gore’s serves up a wide variety of Southern favorites including smoked pork, beef brisket, chopped steak, catfish and even fried corn on the cob.
Little River BBQ
Located just outside of Pigeon Forge, in Townsend, Little River BBQ prepares only the freshest meat when cooking their delicious smoked barbecue. What makes Little River BBQ stand out against all the restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, is once you have finished your barbecue, you can take a ride on the go-kart track, or go tubing on the Little River located just next door at River Rage.
