Best BBQ in Pigeon Forge Tennessee: 9 Smoky and Saucy Joints You’ll Regret Skipping!
Pulled into Pigeon Forge with a trunk full of suitcases and exactly zero dinner plans? That’s a bold move in a town where the smell of hickory smoke has the power to derail even the most organized vacation itinerary.
For those chasing down the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge, it’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about who’s manning the smoker, how long the brisket’s been bathing in low-and-slow glory, and whether or not you’re willing to unbutton your jeans in public. Let’s be real: planning your next meal before you’ve even finished the last one is practically a sport here.
Finding the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge Tennessee isn’t a maybe—it’s a must, especially when the sides slap just as hard as the smoked meat. Skip the guessing game and head straight for the good stuff that locals whisper about and tourists accidentally fall in love with.
Keep reading, because this list is stacked with saucy spots that could literally change the trajectory of your trip!
BBQ So Good, Locals Would Fight You for the Last Rib
Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack
Roll up your sleeves and embrace the mess—because nestled along Wears Valley Road is Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack, where the smoker runs hot and the brisket runs out if you’re too slow. This local-favorite BBQ joint serves up the kind of meat that makes you consider switching careers just to work the pit.
Dig into their Brisket Plate or Sausage Plate, both served with not one but two sides—mac and cheese and baked beans are a no-brainer combo. Families will love that there’s a full kids’ menu too, with options like chicken tenders, kid mac, and a mini pork sandwich to keep even picky eaters quiet (at least until dessert).
Wash it all down with a sweet tea or grab a slice of carrot cake if you saved room (you didn’t, but do it anyway). For anyone searching for the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge TN, this off-the-beaten-path gem is the kind of place that proves legends live in small, smoky shacks.
Preacher’s Smokehouse
Leave the Parkway crowds behind and make your way to Preacher’s Smokehouse, a walk-up-window treasure in Sevierville that’s low on frills and high on flavor. The real sermon here is smoked meat—start with their Three Meat Combo or go all-in with the Sampler Platter loaded with beef, pork, chicken, sausage, and ribs.
Their brisket chili is beloved for a reason and pairs perfectly with skillet buns or a side of tater tots that’ll make you forget every sad tot you’ve ever had. Got little ones in tow? Preacher’s delivers on the family-front with smaller meal options like pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans, plus bottled sodas and unsweet tea to keep it easy.
Dessert is a whole other sermon—choose between peach cobbler, chocolate cobbler, or monkey bread if you’re feeling wild. Whether you’re on a road trip or a rib pilgrimage, Preacher’s earns its spot among the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge with food that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked in a Southern grandma’s kitchen.
Delauder’s BBQ
Don’t let the modest exterior fool you! Delauder’s BBQ in Sevierville is a smoked-meat powerhouse that’s been shouted out for having some of the best brisket in the country. Their Pulled Pork Platter with collard greens and baked beans is practically a rite of passage, while the Fried Mac and Cheese bites have a fan club of their own.
If you’re into mash-ups, the Smoky Mountain Nachos and Pulled Pork Nachos are chaotic good in the best way possible. Parents will appreciate the straightforward kid-friendly bites like tater tots and simple sandwiches, perfect for refueling after a Dollywood day.
Add on a side of potato salad or corn nuggets if you’re feeling traditional, then finish it off with a bottle of something cold (they’ve got water, tea, and soda covered). For travelers determined to taste the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Delauder’s brings major flavor without the tourist trap vibes.
Smoky Legends That Have Been Slingin’ Sauce Since Before Your First Cookout
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
Dig into smoky comfort at Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que, where the hickory aroma practically escorts you from the parking lot to your table. The stars here are the Dinner Platters, especially the BBQ Pork Shoulder and BBQ Beef Brisket, both served with hearty sides like mac & cheese, deep‑fried corn, collard greens, or potato salad.
You’ll also find standout starters such as Hickory Wings, Deep Fried Pickle Chips, and the Trailhead Combo loaded with wings, deviled eggs, and fried pickles for the table sharers. Kids get the full Southern treatment too, with options like corn dogs, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, baby back ribs, or a mini pork sandwich—plus applesauce or fries and even Jello with whipped cream.
Desserts don’t mess around either, offering peach or blackberry cobbler with ice cream, chocolate cake, and classic banana pudding to wrap things up right. With pulled pork leading the lineup of slow‑smoked staples, Bennett’s keeps generations of families returning like it’s a beloved Smoky Mountain tradition.
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Make room as Corky’s Ribs & BBQ comes in hot with Memphis-style ribs, saucy platters, and enough smoky goodness to convince you the South really does do it better. Start strong with Beale Street Starters like the Pig Out sampler, Memphis Mountain Nachos, fried pickles, or their Smoked Wings tossed in Corky’s BBQ sauce, dry rub, Buffalo, or served plain if you’re a purist.
Their rib lineup is a choose‑your‑own‑adventure moment, letting you pick between wet, dry, or muddy ribs, all served with Texas toast and classic sides like coleslaw, green beans, fries, or baked beans. BBQ dinners include favorites like pulled pork, smoked sausage, Southern fried catfish, chicken tenders, or brisket, and you can go even bigger with combo platters if halfway measures aren’t your thing.
Families traveling with kids can relax too, because the kids’ menu has crowd‑pleasers like chicken tenders, mac bowls, and small pork sandwiches ready to save the day. With locals bragging that Corky’s serves the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge, this spot delivers nostalgia, flavor, and big-plate energy that feels right at home in the Smokies.
Calhoun’s
Treat yourself to a polished Smoky Mountain classic at Calhoun’s, where you’ll find slow‑smoked meats, hearty sides, and a menu that makes choosing genuinely difficult. Their Tennessee Bar‑B‑Que lineup includes hickory smoked ribs, brisket plates, pork platters, smoked chicken, and even Southern‑fried catfish if you want a break from the smoke.
Appetizers like the Pulled Pork Nachos, Rocky Top Potato Skins, and Smoked Sausage & Cheese Plate set you up perfectly for the mains. Sides are their own event—think baked cinnamon apples, Spinach Maria, smoky beans, mac ‘n cheese, tater tots, or loaded baked potatoes.
Parents will appreciate the well-rounded kids’ menu featuring cheeseburgers, corn dogs, chicken tenders, baby back ribs, wings, and pork sandwiches, served with fries or applesauce and drinks like lemonade, tea, milk, or apple juice.
Add in desserts like Key Lime Pie, Hershey’s Triple Chocolate Fudgecake, and Macadamia Nut Banana Pudding, and Calhoun’s becomes a can’t‑miss anchor in any tour of classic Smoky Mountain BBQ spots.
Hidden Favorites That Deserve a Bite (or Three)
Junction 35 Spirits
At first glance, Junction 35 Spirits may seem like a distillery-first hangout, but their kitchen is more than pulling its weight with smoked meats and bold barbecue flavor. Their Smokehouse Mac is a beast of a dish—mac & cheese topped with slow-cooked pulled pork, crispy onion strings, breadcrumbs, and a drizzle of their signature J35 BBQ sauce.
You can go all-in with brisket or pork trays, or opt for BBQ Nachos stacked with pulled pork, queso, jalapeños, green onions, and Honey Bourbon BBQ sauce for a shareable crowd favorite. Smash burgers, brisket dip sandwiches, and Southern-style entrees round out the menu, while the wing sauces (blackberry moonshine, Nashville hot, mango habanero) prove they take flavor very seriously.
Parents of picky eaters can relax—kids can dig into chicken bites, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, or Alfredo, all with fries or applesauce and a drink on the side. If you’re after craft spirits with a saucy side of barbecue, Junction 35 is a bold contender for the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
Puckett’s Restaurant
Nobody blends Southern charm and smoky barbecue quite like Puckett’s Restaurant, where the vibe feels like your favorite cousin’s cookout turned restaurant. The BBQ Platter is a fan favorite, stacked with cherry wood-smoked pulled pork, brisket, or smoked turkey breast, alongside sides like fire corn, baked beans, and slaw.
Craving comfort with a twist? Try the Piggy Mac—pulled pork on top of creamy mac n’ cheese in a hot skillet—or the Puckett’s Mojo Burger, topped with BBQ pulled pork, cheddar, coleslaw, and baked beans.
Kids are more than taken care of with choices like mac & cheese and sweet potato fries, chicken bites, grilled cheese, and even PB&J with fruit, all served with a drink. With a stage for live music and a menu stacked with Southern staples and smoky meats, it’s no wonder folks keep returning for the full experience.
Five Oaks Farm Kitchen
This charming spot in Sevierville, Five Oaks Farm Kitchen, delivers Southern-style BBQ comfort with a side of nostalgia and hospitality. Their barbecue sampler platter is the go-to order, featuring a triple threat of tender brisket, smoky pulled pork, and juicy ribs, all cooked low and slow to let those flavors shine.
Sides like copper carrots, turnip greens, and fried okra show off their dedication to the “farm fresh” part of their name, while the skillet mac n’ cheese and cinnamon apples could easily steal the show. Even the kids get a full homestyle spread—think mini meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken and dumplings, or fried chicken tenders, all served with a classic side and drink.
Whether you’re rolling in for a sunrise breakfast of cinnamon roll waffles or capping the night with ribs and sweet tea, this place makes sure no one leaves less than full. For folks craving a big Southern meal with all the fixins’, you surely won’t want to miss Five Oaks Farm Kitchen.
So… Which BBQ Spot Are You Hitting First?
Finding the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge is a delicious dilemma, but it’s the kind of problem every traveler deserves. With ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and comfort-food sides calling your name, you’re basically guaranteed a memorable meal no matter where you land.
Before you pack extra napkins for the road trip home, this is the perfect time to start planning the rest of your Smoky Mountain getaway and make sure everything is squared away. From securing the easiest vacation packages through Tripster to lining up the top Pigeon Forge attractions, shows, and hotels, having your plans in place makes the whole trip smoother (and way more fun).
Exploring the best BBQ in Pigeon Forge Tennessee is just the start of everything waiting for you in town. Get ready to dive into the Smokies with a full belly and an even fuller itinerary!
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