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    Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que

    4.2 (387 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque
    Open 10:30 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que Takeout or Delivery

    Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que Photos

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    JACK CAWTHON'S BAR-B-QUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos - Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que

    2 meat combo everything was 5/5!
    Rana R.

    Mmmhmmm- Jack's BBQ was really good! We got the 2-meat plate which included 2 sides of your choice. You know we had to get the brisket and the ribs. Both were soooo juicy and fall of the bone (ribs). The portion size was definitely enough for sharing. Also came with 2 cornbread which was excellent! The sides we chose were the beans & the mac and cheese. Both really solid choices. Them beans were sweeeeeet and the mac was cheeeesy. Perfect combo! Also tasted the pecan pie, really good without being overly sweet. 5 star meal for sure! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place wasn't busy when we stopped by on a Friday afternoon.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was clean and there were plenty of seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] All the employees were super nice and helpful. No complaints here!

    Outside entrance
    Paul M.

    Friendly staff. Quick service. One of my go tos for bbq in Nashville. Its been a staple. I enjoy the pork sandwich but I must admit that brisket was looking juicy and tender. The sweet potatoes were delicious. The turnip greens lacked some flavor this time around. I may go with the green beans next time. But still a good meal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Quiet atmosphere[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Three veggie plate with beans cornbread, Mac and Mac & Cheese, and Cole Slaw. This is the best cornbread I have ever had in my life.
    Megan B.

    The service at this bbq place was excellent. The beer was buy one get one and we don't think we were charged for all the food we got. I got two slices of cornbread I think because they didn't want me to just have the end piece of cornbread. It was the best cornbread I've ever eaten in my life. And the best thing between the two of us ordered. The coleslaw tasted like giardiena vinegary and crisp and was wonderful with the bbq. Beans tasted like the Kansas City bbq sauce which was my favorite of them.

    Turkey plate
    Patrick W.

    Stayed at the Townplace Suites, across the street from the Charlotte Ave location and gave this place a try. It was seriously fantastic. I had the turkey plate dinner, with corn bread, mashed potatoes w/gravy and coleslaw. All tasted so good and fresh. Loved how the coleslaw had a crunch. The #5 hot bbq sauce was some good stuff. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was very clean, nicely decorated and the staff was supper friendly and helpful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Coming back tonight!!! Well done!!! I came back tonight and it was just as great as the first night. Had beef brisket and all was great. Beef was falling off my fork

    Pulled pork regular sandwich
    Michelle C.

    Enjoyed a recent lunch visit during the week. They have free parking available both behind the restaurant and across the street. Cafe style order and go. You can order a plate meal, sandwich and extras for sides. You also can choose a regular vs larger portion too. I ordered the regular pulled pork sandwich and enjoyed it. Size seemed just right with the amount of meat. They have plenty of sauces to choose from as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was clean with available seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall good lunch spot with quick service.

    3 meat Combo Plate with brisket, sausage, and ribs
    Schyler D.

    It is not hard to see why this place is a Nashville institution and how it has lasted so long. The meats are all excellent, with good flavor, perfect tenderness, and nice portion sizes. The sides were so-so but there are definitely some others I'd like to try. The cornbread though is an underrated rockstar. It reminds me a lot of a poundcake. Spongy, thick, and sweet. So good!

    Chance B.

    Even to-go, Jack Cawthon's BBQ brings the kind of comfort and flavor that makes you feel like you're right at the family table. I ordered through Uber Eats, and it arrived fast and fresh -- I plated it myself and added a little of my own homemade sauce on top, but the meat didn't need much dressing up. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone delicious -- tender, smoky, and full of that slow-cooked soul you hope for in Tennessee BBQ. The potato salad was creamy and classic, just like Sunday best. The baked beans had that sweet, rich flavor that instantly brings to mind summertime cookouts and front porch conversations. The slaw was fresh with a nice crunch, though I'll admit I'm partial to a mayo-based version -- Bama roots run deep. The pickles and sliced onions on the side added that perfect final touch, bringing some brightness to the plate. This was the perfect way to spend the 4th of July -- simple, satisfying, and made with care. Whether you're dining in or taking it to-go, Jack Cawthon's delivers the kind of BBQ that reminds you why you love this city.

    Nicholaus W.

    Tucked away in a nice location with parking. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Smell of bbq lingered in the air.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The gentleman behind the counter was sharp and tentative with healthy portions per order. Food tasted amazing, pull pork was a delight. Carolina bbq sauce was spot on

    Beef Brisket plate with 2 sides and garnishes. OUTSTANDING!
    Michael S.

    Stopped in last night with a couple of friends and I was thinking about the plate of beef brisket with two sides. The Man at the cutting board offered me a taste of the brisket that he had just pulled out. It was TENDER, BEEFY, FATTY, JUICY, SUCCULENT and DEEELICIOUS! The free sample made up my mind! For my two sides I chose the collard greens and macaroni and cheese. The collard greens were cooked properly and not wilted. The mac and cheese was cheesy and not too salty. Service is cafeteria style and everyone behind the counter was polite and helpful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is family friendly, clean and hospitable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The portions are of a good size and I had leftover beef brisket and cornbread to take home for breakfast. Total after tax and tip was about $26. It was a good value for a dinner in these times of Bidenflation.

    A pint of Brunswick Stew with Cornbread and an iced tea- fabulously delicious combination!
    Holly T.

    Easy to park, walk through the line and pick what you like. I happen to love the Brunswick Stew and a side of cornbread! Everyone liked their pork bbq and sides- home cooking at its finest. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Male and female restrooms, one stall of the two was closed in the ladies room.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fun "flying pig" atmosphere as well as local photos to admire on the walls[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We love it here for ourselves and when we have company who want a casual atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    three meat platter with greens, cucumbers, brisket, ribs, and turkey
    Swapna Y.

    The service here was really great. They allowed us to sample the sausage and it had a lot of flavor. I ordered the three meat platter with turkey, ribs, and brisket. Everything was perfectly seasoned and tender. I loved that the brisket wasn't too fatty and that the ends was perfectly caramelized. The turkey was so moist; I'm not sure I've had moister turkey before. The ribs were magnificent and again not too fatty. I got greens and a cucumbers for a side and they were also both perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Definitely got a huge portion. I was very very happy with our meal. And we were able to get our food quickly and we didn't have any trouble finding seating.

    Two 2 Meat Combo Plate

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    3 months ago

    Food was fabulous! Variety of sauces and sides were incredible!! Employees were friendly! A must do!

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    7 months ago

    The food is amazing. The service was great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It smells soooo good in there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great value for fresh smoked meats.

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    9 months ago

    So good! Is a must when in town! I had pork, mashed potatoes and corn. With cornbread. Yum. Staff was nice.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que Reviews in Other Languages

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    Peg Leg Porker

    4.3
    (3.9k reviews)
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    Ribs were solid…read more Pulled pork - nothing special Mac and cheese - really good flavor, a touch watery? Baked beans - solid Potato salad - I'd get it again Coleslaw - mid Pork rinds - I'd get them again, kids loved them. Pimento cheese - decent but not super special. Great spot for bbq but was expecting really amazing as the "best bbq in Nashville " and it was just "pretty solid" spot, I'll still give it a 5 stars though. If I came back I'd buy a full rack of ribs with baked beans, potato salad and Mac.

    Alright...so on the advice of a stranger who doesnt even live in Tennessee, my buddy and I were…read moretold to try Peg Leg Porker because its the "best BBQ in Tennessee." Skeptical, we decided to give it a shot and folks it did not disappoint! The food was solid. I ordered the BBQ Sandwich Platter with mac and cheese and green beans as my sides. Yall...this bbq pork was solid! Great smoke, great sauce. The mac and cheese was on point. The green beans were delicious and came out piping hot. I did not partake in the fatty cakes but my buddy said the banana pudding was on point and gave me a look that I can only describe as "deeply invested" as he finished his dessert. The service was solid too. The girl working the register was knowledgable about the menu and the food pairings. I placed my order, grabbed my cup, and got myself a fountain drink...as I turned around and my buddy was finishing his order, my name was called. Before we sat down, his name was called. As far as ambiance, its exactly what you would expect of a hole in the wall BBQ spot. Appropriate decor, the smell of BBQ, and tables big enough you dont feel crammed. They have an awesome covered patio too. We sat inside because it was warm when we got there, but by the time we finished it had cooled down and there was a monsoon outside. *Special note: Primarily street parking, but there is parking on the side of the patio. Its a little tight so make sure you know how to operate a motor vehicle otherwise you'll be doing the Austin Powers 18 point turn to get it in there...

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    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    4.1
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Nashville may quietly be an underrated barbecue mecca. You've got the Jack Cawthon's legendary…read moreJack's Bar-B-Que, pitmaster Carey Bringle's incomparable Bringle's Smokin' Oasis, and then you have Edley's. For the longest time, Bringle's was my absolute favorite in town, but Edley's may have just managed to take the crown. I almost feel like I'm cheating on Mr. Bringle by saying that, but as he famously put it, "You don't have to hate somebody else's barbecue to like mine." My default order at any top-tier joint is either a brisket plate or a multi-meat combo platter with brisket as the anchor. Edley's plates come properly equipped with two sides and a slice of cornbread. Where they really set themselves apart, though, is the menu flexibility: -The Add-Ons: You can throw on a $5 upcharge to add an extra 3 oz of meat or a jalapeño cheddar smoked sausage. -Burnt Ends: Edley's offers burnt ends, which is a bit of a rarity in town and something you don't easily find over at Jack's or Bringle's. If they're available when you order, grab them. Price-wise, Edley's isn't cheap, but it's far from overly expensive. It sits at fair market value, costing roughly what you'd pay for a comparable meal at any of the other major players in Nashville. The meats are high quality, wonderfully smoked, and packed with deep flavor. Beyond the rare burnt ends, the sauces here are what truly elevate the meal. Across the board, Edley's house sauces--from their classic red to their white sauce--are probably my personal favorites in the city. Between Jack's, Bringle's Smokin' Oasis, and Edley's, you genuinely cannot go wrong--Nashville barbecue is in great hands. But right now? Edley's holds my top spot. It is my ultimate "treat yourself" meal in town.

    There are at least four Edley's locations. We ordered from the 12th avenue south location. Full…read moredisclosure, this was takeout for a large office group. I had the brisket tacos, which were flavorful, though a little dry. I am giving grace here because it was takeout and possibly was much more moist prior to transport. I did like how the toppings brightened things up: cheese, slaw, pico de Gallo, bean salad, and fried jalapeños. I also had the Nashville hot link, a smoked sausage with house made spicy pimento cheese and pickled jalapeños. It was indeed pleasantly spicy. We shared some fries, which were hot, crisp, and well seasoned. They also have ribs, wings, bbq nachos and fries, fried pickles, bbq chicken and turkey, various sandwiches and platters. They also offer Nashville's staple hot chicken in platter, sandwich, and taco form. Catfish is another option, in all the same varieties. Sides: cornbread, Mac & cheese, baked beans, green beans (in bone broth and bacon). Cold sides such as bean salad, potato salad, Cole slaw. They also have a couple desserts and salads available, as well as a kids menu. Very affordable, as we got meals for 15 people for only 230 dollars.

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    Fireplace in covered dining area
    Fireplace in covered dining area
    Southern Salad
    Southern Salad
    Nice wave artwork on side of building

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    Nice wave artwork on side of building
    HoneyFire BBQ

    HoneyFire BBQ

    4.3
    (603 reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$

    I found myself over at Bellevue for dinner, 2 hours before my hockey game. I wanted quality food…read morebut not super carb heavy but also not something that could potentially wreck my stomach. After all, can you imagine having digestive problems while playing hockey? I love barbecue so I thought I'd try this place. I walked in and it wasn't at all busy at 5:32. However when I finished my order, the line was out the door. I asked the cashier what was good and the manager (maybe owner) walked over and I asked him. I wanted ribs or brisket, but needed a 2nd opinion. He said he would choose brisket because theirs is USDA Prime and he would put it against any other barbecue restaurant in Tennessee. Those are some bold words. So I ordered the brisket platter (fatty portion) with green beans and cinnamon baked apples. What I received was 3 good sized portions (1/2 pound) of fatty brisket. The meat was tender, melt in your mouth without an overbearing amount of fat clumped together. The bark was salty and very peppery. It was actually good enough to eat without a sauce. Speaking of, there was only one sauce on the table, so I used that. It was a sweet sauce, definitely honey-based but not overly sweet like other honey-based sauces I've had in the past. The thing is I love everything honey-related, so I would definitely buy this to take home. It was so good, I was scavenging for brisket fibers on my plate. So I praised the brisket but I think the shocker was the green beans. These were hands down, the best green beans I've ever had...ever. Salty, tender, peppery, with chunks of meat and fat, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Who would have thought that a side could be that good? Last but not least, the Cinnamon Baked Apples. I love baked/fried apples. Something about the tart and sweetness brings me back every time. The apples were soft, but not mushy. I would have liked them to be a little more tender and more slices of apples. I think there was more sauce than apples but nevertheless, they were great. Overall I'm glad I visited Honeyfire for the first time. I'm here often (near Bellevue) so I'll definitely be coming back again and again.

    I needed to eat before an appointment in the area & decided to stop in for lunch. I was happy to…read morefind they have really good lunch specials, which start as low as $9.99. The place is open, spacious & clean. The team members are kind. There's free parking out front & in the surrounding area. Love: fries (crispy; seasoned well); bbq sauce (sweet; could put on everything) Like: pulled pork sandwich (soft bun)

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    The whole shebang
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    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    4.4
    (407 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$

    Edleys is a Nashville staple if you want good bbq. It came highly recommended from a few locals and…read moreit did not disappoint! We ordered the family platter which was plenty for 4 adults. We had so much leftover! The cheesy grits casserole were a hit. I'm not a fan of grits but it was definitely a favorite. Brisket and ribs were so flavorful and delicious meat literally melted in our mouths. Everything was so delicious. We left with full belly's. Great ambience and service. Would definitely go back again.

    Honest take-out review: On vacation I tried SC/NC/GA/TN BBQ the brisket here is the winner! 5/5…read moregreat sides too! Tap in below: Whether dining in, or taking out, this location has a dine in section and a take out section. Both sections were extremely nice and inviting: took mine to go but I can promise you it'd have been even more than a 5/5 if I sat down and had a meal there. Highly recommend!!! -Ribs and brisket platter: 5/5 Trying brisket in 4 states and 5 different styles I'll say the cuts I was given were well paired with sauce which compliments the brisket, but it honestly doesn't need it.... Collagen that melts as you bite into the fatty part and melt in your mouth tenderness that's just a smokers craft. Ribs were fall off the bone, flavorful, and just well done. BBQ sauce was well paired with it but would like to try some different sauces to complement it differently than the brisket. The potato salad was astounding, but the Cole slaw.... Probably tied for best slaw I had on the trip. Overall, THIS is the place you go for BBQ in TN. There's a ton of reviews for other places, but this is where the locals go. Donelson has a gem with Edley's here. I would venture to say that this location is a perfect spot for trying Tennessee style bbq first hand and loving every bit of it! Restaurant seemed to be lively and just a place you'd love to step into for a drink and a good meal!

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    Platter with brisket
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    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    Edley's Bar-B-Que

    4.6
    (217 reviews)
    10.3 mi
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    Visited Edley's in Nolensville on a Monday night with my husband and three young kids. I've been to…read moreall of the Edley's locations around Nashville, but this one is by far the best for families, mostly because of the outdoor play area. Parking was super easy, and the woman at the counter was friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean, and the restaurant itself is spacious with plenty of tables and room to spread out, which is always appreciated when dining with little kids. My kids played outside while we waited for our food, but the food came out quickly. The kids' meals are some of the best values in town. One tip: the bun on the kids' cheeseburger is huge compared to the patty. I asked if they could add an extra patty, and they did for just $1. After removing some of the bun, it made for a much better burger and still kept the meal incredibly affordable. The spicy chicken tacos are also some of the best tacos in town. Our family of five ate for about $50. We usually buy Edley's gift cards at Costco, so our actual cost was closer to $40. It's refreshing to have a restaurant in Nashville that truly welcomes families while still serving great food. Highly recommend for anyone dining with kids.

    There is always great service from the employees here. The ribs were…read more very good and tender with a nice pull. The brisket was on the dry side but tolerable.

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    Counter
    Counter
    Loaded Potato
    Loaded Potato
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    Nashville Style Pulled Pork Sandwich

    Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que - bbq - Updated August 2026

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