Nashville BBQ Spots Dads Are Hungry For
[Photo courtesy of Peg Leg Porker]
Mother's Day has brunch, so Father's Day has... BBQ?
After you’ve given Dad a gift from Batch (here's a good place to start), it’s time to hit up some of Nashville's tastiest spots for Southern BBQ. The results are in from all the Dads at Batch, of children and cats alike. Here are our recommendations for some Father’s Day BBQ both on and off the beaten path--just don't forget to make time for the inevitable food coma afterwards.
12 South/Belmont
Edley's
Fans of BBQ will understand why Edley's has been the must-try Southern eating spot since Will and Catharine Newman opened this flagship location in 2011. With a huge variety of smoked meat, tasty sandwiches, and a banana pudding that will make you love banana pudding, there's no way to make a mistake when ordering. Plus, they have an outdoor patio so you and Dad can people-watch in one of Nashville's most bustling visitor destinations. But if 12 South isn't Dad's vibe, you can also try the Sylvan Park or East Nashville locations. Or Chattanooga.
Edley's
2706 12 Ave S, Nashville TN
Hours:
Sunday–Thursday 11:00am–9:00pm
Friday & Saturday 11:00am–10:00pm
Friday & Saturday 11:00am–10:00pm
Martin's Bar-B-Que
Locals know why we couldn't shout out Edley's without also giving love to Martin's, its biggest competition and rival. Pat Martin has been doing whole hog bar-b-que in Tennessee since 2006, offering pulled pork shoulder, brisket, and smoked turkey, just to name a few. And while Martin's has plenty of Nashville locations to choose from, the one that sticks out is on Belmont Boulevard for its casual atmosphere and beautiful residential neighborhood. Don't forget to share some BBQ Nachos with Dad as well--they are every bit as good as they sound.
Martin's Bar-B-Que
3108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN
Hours: Daily, 11am - 9pm
Downtown
Peg Leg Porker
Once you take a bite of their pulled pork sliders, you'll see why Southern Living ranked Peg Leg Porker as one of the best in the South. Pitmaster Carey Bringle's secret sauce? Keeping the menu specific and focused, so only the best makes it onto your plate (tray). Peg Leg Porker has been catering to the foot traffic off Division since 2013, and it's still the only place you can try this unparalleled barbecue right out of the kitchen. Snag me a bottle of that White Sauce when you go.
Peg Leg Porker
903 Gleaves St, Nashville TN
Hours:
Mon - Tues: 11am - 9pm
Wed - Sat: 11am - 10pm
Closed Sunday
B&C Market Barbecue
The go-to stop for tasty Southern comfort in the Nashville Farmers' Market. These folks offer succulent meats by the plate, by the pound, or on a bun. Their mac-and-cheese is to die for, and they have a three-side plate option for our FOMO-fearing vegetarians. And with the location alongside both Bicentennial Park AND the Tennessee State Museum, it's hands down one of the best destinations to take Dad on this list.
B&C Market Barbecue
1900 Rosa L Parks Blvd Nashville, TN
Hours: Tues - Saturday: 11am - 4pm
Swett's Restaurant
Since 1954, Swett's has been serving up their delectable home cooking cafeteria style. Grab a tray and voracious appetite, because they've got it all: barbecue chicken, meat loaf, pork ribs, beef tips, pork shoulder, fried fish, turkey dressing... I could go on. This family-owned eatery has plenty of parking and sits just five minutes from Broadway.
Swett's Restaurant
2725 Clifton Ave, Nashville TN
Hours: Daily: 11am - 8pm
Mary's Old Fashioned Pit BBQ
The Nashville Scene once wrote: "
we could slather [Mary's] atomic hot sauce on a squashed armadillo and wind up gnawing the shell." Ms. Mary (Mama Mary to some) opened her old fashioned pit BBQ in 1962, right in the heart of historic Jefferson Street. Now nearly 60 years later, through gentrification, displacement, tornadoes, and--you guessed it--a global pandemic, they are still standing and better than ever. Their dining room is closed, but their pickup window is open and ready to dish out tender pork shoulder sandwiches and full racks of ribs perched on a bed of white bread.
Mary's Old Fashioned Pit BBQ
1106 Jefferson Street Nashville, TN 37208
Hours
Mon - Thur: 10am - 9pm
Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm
Off the Beaten Path
Papa Turney's BBQ
Even if you don't call him "Papa", you'll want to take your Papa to meet Papa Turney. This unforgettable BBQ joint is located at the marina right on the shores of Percy Priest Lake and doubles as both a homegrown barbecue shack and live music venue. This is real southern BBQ at its finest: messy, authentic, and irresistible. Their old fashion hickory barbecue will literally give you something to write home about.
Papa Turney's BBQ
3979 Bell Rd, Hermitage TN
Hours:
CLOSED Mon - Tues
Weds - Fri: 11am - 9pm
Sat: 11am - 10pm
Sun: 11am - 6pm
Aaaaannnd don't forget that Batch has a whole collection catered for Dads this year. Our Father's Day Collection has small business gifts for local Dads, wherever that "local" may be.
Photos courtesy of Peg Leg Porker