I'm near Friendsville from time-to-time and decided recently to drive over and see what was "downtown". Answer: not much, but there is some top notch barbecue! Walking in you get the vibe that this is going to be a proper barbecue place and they do not disappoint. The dining area has down home antique decorations that give it a nice cozy feel. For food, they have a varied menu with a variety of meats, but pulled pork is my go to so I ordered a sandwich with slaw...it came piled high with enough meat for two meals! The side of barbecue beans was also excellent. Growing up in Knoxville my favorite was always the local chain there, but Small Town will have me "cheating" the next time I'm in the area. Check them out if you want some great 'cue. read more

Small Town BBQ - Rustic dining room - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

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This is the best barbecue that we have found for the area; but I'm from Texas, and in my opinion, it's just different. That said, their chicken wing rub was very sweet and I was expecting a spicy rub. The pork ribs were good. The bologna tasted like hotdogs honestly. The sourdough bread wasn't really sour, it just tasted like regular white bread. Of the sauces, our favorites were Tennessee Red and Spicy mixed together; and we found that by mixing them together, it tasted closer to what we were used to. They still had a bit of an aftertaste that we couldn't quite place. I loved their cute store and their service was amazing! I told them about my egg allergy while ordering and was promised everything would be egg free. We had gotten the bacon burger with sauce that looked very similar to thousand island dressing, and the restaurant made it right by making us a brand new one, while profusely apologizing. We understand that there may be a little bit of cross-contamination, but the dressing on the burger was more than cross-contamination. The lady who took our order told us there was nothing on the burger except for burger, bacon and cheese, and then asked if I wanted lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on the side. I asked specifically about the condiments and she said they don't put any condiments on their burgers. The bathrooms and store overall were very clean and very well kept. It felt like good small town America. If it weren't for the egg allergy sauce mixup, they would've gotten four stars. read more

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What a find! Well worth finding tiny Friendsville TN. Best Down home BBQ we ever had!

We went for the first time yesterday and it was a 10! Ribs were best I have ever had. Fried okra was excellent. Super nice people. The pulled pork was awesome. Simple place and not fancy just great food. We will be back. read more

The best BBQ in this area !!! Everything is always delicious . The fries, ranch, okra, pork and potato salad are our favorites ! Can't forget the sweet tea. The owner is so nice and the food is always fresh . Highly recommend stopping by ! read more

Absolutely amazing, ambiance is cute feels like a mom and pop place but super authentic, I cannot wait to go back. The people are always so sweet there and are always willing to work. Now the food was absolutely spectacular, the best bbq I have had. And each table has 6 bbq sauces and hot sauce. read more

Small Town BBQ - Pulled pork, pulled chicken, fried Smoked Bologna - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

LUNCH ALERT! Swung by Small Town BBQ in Friendsville, TN--and let us tell you, the smoked chicken wrap hit the spot! Juicy, smoky, and packed with flavor. And those beef tallow fries? Next level. Golden, crispy, and loaded with rich flavor. If you're rollin' through East Tennessee, make sure this local gem is on your foodie map. Support small, eat big. If you're showing up at noon, it made from scratch. Friendsville, TN #SmallTownBBQ #EastTennesseeEats #BBQLovers #SmokedChicken #TallowFries #SupportLocal #FriendsvilleTN #LunchGoals read more

Small Town BBQ - Double Smash Burger with bacon - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

Oh My Goodness!! Best BBQ I have EVER had!!! I got pulled pork with coleslaw slaw and beans. They had a bunch of different sauces to put on your meat, but I didn't need ANY! The pulled pork was so tender and the burnt ends were so crunchy and tasty!! I loved every bite!! So delicious!!! Yummmm!! I'll be back for sure!! read more

Small Town BBQ - Small Town BBQ in Friendsville, TN - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

Y'all!!! Hands Down my favorite BBQ around! Tasty, mouthwatering, smoked deliciousness, they've certainly figured it out. In the heart of Friendsville, just a short drive from Knoxville, this cute little place will knock your socks off with flavor. Locally owned, Chef James, is what I would call a smoke pit master. I have never had a bad meal here. My favorite thing on the menu right now is his smoked chicken salad wrap, it's so freaking good. Topped with a chicken sauce, stuffed with lettuce tomato and sweet & spicy pickles, YUM! My mouth is watering as I write this review. I literally love everything here, the smoked pulled pork, the smoked chicken, the smoked bologna, the ribs, the smash burgers etc, the list could go on forever! OMG and please try that burrito, it's HUGE but oh so good! I usually have to take half home. Don't even get me started on the variety of barbecue sauces he has, I love every single one! LOVE LOVE LOVE, and I am that saucy person! They are very active on Facebook so you can see his daily specials along with pictures of what you would be eating. They also offer catering so if you have an event coming up just ask them. If you haven't tried this place out then you need to get off your hiny and drive out there and eat some delicious BBQ. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I hope you love this place as much as I do! Cheers and Enjoy! read more

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Just wow!! This place was incredible. Highly recommended. Probably the best pulled pork I've ever had. If you have it in you get the big burrito thingy. That thing was great. Basically a southern meal wrapped in a burrito and damn it was good. My wife had the chicken quesadilla and she said it was out of this world. And get the chips with the pulled pork or the pulled chicken. Do not pass this place up. It's in a beautiful small old building and what used to be the town center of Friendsville. read more

If there was LESS than 1 star, I would give it to this AWFUL restaurant. I've tried several times & have NEVER BEEN SATISFIED. WAY-WAY OVER PRICED for (At best!) mediocre food- served on STYROFOAM PLATES & PLASTIC Forks. The only reason I have EVER gone there is bcuz it's local & I want to support them- but I really can't. I came in this afternoon (430p) to get some ribs- special today- ALL SOLD OUT. Asked why at such an early hour that they were out- "Don't know" per cashier- this answer was after I waited 10 mins while she took food out to people waiting already. Walked out & got a VERY ANGRY CALL from "owner" - no apologizes, just excuses why. His final words to me "Never come back here" told him not a problem - NEVER WILL. Went to Publix, got whole rack of ribs AND 3 pieces of catfish for $23... read more

Best BBQ I've ever had!! Had it for the first time the other week and we've been back three times. The ribs are incredible.

Great food.... Worth it to go And get anything they have. You won't regret it. The bbq is great, and the sides are off the chain!

M family and I love Small Town BBQ. Since moving to Friendsville we try to eat here every couple of weeks. Everything we have tried has been fantastic! Great food and great service! read more

Been there many times and have never had an other than a great meal. Service is always good and it can get very busy sometimes. Love the ambiance of the old building vibe. I count the days until I get to go back and I try and bring friends that haven't been there before. Make sure you look at their Facebook page to see the specials. read more

Excellent! The Tritip, Ribs and Brisket had an excellent favor!!!!! I will drive 20 min to buy it again and again.

The name says it all. As soon as you walk in, the smell of barbecue takes over. A friendly small town smile and hello greets you. Service was fast and easy. The food was next level for a small town. A definite small town gem! read more

Small Town BBQ - Brisket sandwich with slaw and fries! - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

Small Town BBQ is the best! We feel so fortunate to have a fun little restaurant in our "small town" of Friendsville that serves quality food. The ribs are some of the best I've ever had including what we BBQ ourselves at home, but make sure they're on the menu before you come. And you can't go wrong with the menu items or the specials that are cooked up with owner/pitmaster James' unique flair. If you're looking for fancy or run of the mill, kept warm under heat lamps kind of food this isn't the place for you. But if you're looking for a piping hot, freshly prepared meal in a quaint little restaurant in a quaint little East Tennessee town c'mon over and enjoy the hospitality! read more

Love the food. From Pork to Brisket and Ribs the food is always delicious and the service is great. Our favorite BBQ place

The food and the service was great. Our new go to B-B-Que place. You need to get there early if it's lunch time but well worth it.

Got the Boss Hog. Hunk of smoked bologna, BBQ and bacon on bun with baked beans. Sandwich loaded high. Pretty good. Nice folk, good food, quaint restaurant in Friendsville. Recommend giving it a try if in neighborhood between Maryville and Lenoir city. read more

Well we ate here this past winter and the BBQ was legit, my wife loved the wings and their pulled pork was on point. I love they have a selection of sauces on the table, nice quiet place in out of the way area. Heading there tomorrow for lunch, I hope this place does well. It blows away some of the big local BBQ chain restaurants. read more

Best BBQ in Knoxville area! It's worth the drive to Friendsville just off of 321. Every single time we've enjoyed the juiciest pulled pork ever! read more

Legit pulled pork bbq, inventive scratch-made daily specials, and friendly service. Really cool old mercantile building. If they had a bar, it would push it over the top. Highly recommend - have been twice in 4 days read more

Small Town BBQ - Smoked Shepherds Pie - today's special - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

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Tried Small Town BBQ for the first time. Great place. Delicious food and amazing service. The owner is so friendly and helpful. Went back for brisket which they only have on Saturdays. Very tender and juicy brisket. Pork is scrumptious and the smoked chicken is excellent. This is now our favorite BBQ place!!! read more

Small Town BBQ is one of the most redonkulous places I've ever visited and in a good way! The BBQ, flavor, and unique combinations offered are out of the roof. James and his staff are terrific. Great portion sizes. Cool hometown feel. Would rate higher than 5 stars if possible. Absolutely recommend this place!!! read more

Small Town BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

What a great find! I had the special - cheesy girls with collards topped with bbq pork and pickled onions - too much food for me but hubby managed to finish it off - he had a slaw dog with baked beans. I didn't get a bite of the hot dog but the baked beans were amazing. Highly recommend. read more

Excellent Q whether as a sandwich, plate or by the pound. Potato salad not to be missed and perfect atmosphere. This is one of the best kept secrets in the state. Been there two times in one week. Going back again this week! read more

Small Town BBQ - Pulled pork dinner with potato salad and fried okra - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

Well worth the short drive from Maryville. Will definitely be going back. They have the biggest selection of sauces I think I've ever seen. At least eight choices but the meat was so flavorful you won't need much. read more

Good food, good sauces, friendly staff, clean place, real small town. The Trio sampler was unique. The home made chips/dip was good. I'll be back! read more

Small Town BBQ - Trio sampler - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

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First time customers, tried the BBQ Burrito loaded with Mac n cheese, fries, pulled pork and jalapeños. Wow! It was fantastic! Whole heartedly recommend this local place. read more

I would give this place 5 stars, but the SERVICE we just got dropped you 2 stars We just came in and spent 35 dollars on food, i think the young girl needs to put her feelings aside when someone (me) comes in with a MEGA hat on. We ordered for dine-in, sat down, and food was in togo containers when she brought it. She asked if we needed anything else, I said yes, a side of pickles, please. She the was pickles? Yes please Oh, that's like 1.00. Ok, no problem, I give e her a buck She comes back with 5 small slices of pickles Like, really? 5(I said to myself) No, thank you... no nothing..... Then my wife asked for foul paper as we get ready to leave for her quesadilla. The girl was like, I don't know if we do that, "Hey, do we give doil paper out?" The guy in the back hands one over. After talking with my wife and sitting down, I realized what hat I had on Trump 2020. Anyways...food is good...the service ruined it for us. As we left...no thank you for coming, have a good day...nothing So much for supporting small business Maybe she was hangry!!! read more

I have been wanting to try this place for a while, but it's a little bit out of the way. So when I had some time I made myself take the drive. Not knowing what to get I figured I'd get the Trio and several sides and take leftovers home. The Trio is the pulled pork, shredded chicken and smoked bologna. First impression, I can't tell what they're specialty is: burgers, fried chicken tenders, bbq or specialty fries. I wanted brisket, I mean how better to determine a good bbq joint. Nope. Large portions. Im not a big bologna guy and when I eat it I want thin sliced with a char, not huge thick slices. Pulled Pork and chicken were good, fried okra was too much breading for me, Mac n cheese was very good and slaw was good. A lot of sauces which I have mixed feelings about. My preference is pick your style and do it right. So I give the food 4 stars but take a star off due to cashier and cook talking very loudly back and forth about personal stuff. It's a small place and there was an elderly couple, a family with small kids and me right there. Not professional. Kind of uncomfortable. So based on ok bbq and not professional staff I give it a 3. Not something I'm craving to go back for. My son (29yo) loves it, mainly due to its portions lol. read more

The restaurant is quite small and very busy at lunch. They offer pork, chicken, bologna and dogs. Soft drinks and tea. The servers were very pleasant, and provided all the assistance you could want. We had the pulled pork (offered with or without bun), and fried okra. The okra was crispy but the pork was greasy (more than normal). The sweet tea was weak, even when they brewed a second batch. I doubt we will return. read more

Tired this restaurant for the first time today for pickup. We ordered 3 Tennessee Melts - 2 with light onions and no jalapenos. One "regular" with everything. The staff was very kind and the restaurant is very clean and cute inside. We were excited to try a business in our hometown. The burgers were very good. Only complaint, and reason it was a 4 and not a 5, is that all 3 burgers had jalapenos on them. My mother in law and Fiance' didn't want them and wasn't expecting to bite into something spicy. They had to pull them off themselves. We'd probably still be back as it was very good, but we'd double check our orders before leaving next time. read more

Very cute little restaurant! The food is fantastic and the people are always friendly.

Definitely worth the drive. A small friendly place with a great menu selection. Can't wait to go back and try one of the daily specials. Haven't found good bbq in the area, until we found Small Town. read more

We were exploring the area and thought we'd try this place out. The building used to be an antiques store and much of the inside decor was left alone during their renovation into the bbq place. So the inside is very cool looking. It was very clean and spacious as well. I ordered the small town pork sandwich. The bread, bbq sauce, slaw and most importantly, the meat, were a perfect combination. The meat was very tender and flavorful. And for the price, the sandwich was huge. It was a place I'm definitely going back to again and I would recommend this place to anyone in the areas looking for some great bbq. read more

Small Town BBQ - Small town pork sandwich and fries - Barbeque Near Me - Friendsville, Tennessee

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I fell in love with this restaurant the moment I went though the door. The patrons and the staff were interacting like they were family. You order first and then they bring you your food at the table you picked. While you are ordering you can look at the kitchen a buzz from the ordering desk. Everyone was moving with purpose, but still smiling and answering questions. One of the specials was a wonderful tender fall apart brisket cooked on the pit with just the right amount of smokiness. They offer a delicious tri sampler of meat available on the regular menu with a side. I asked if the Brisket could go on that, because it wasn't on the regular menu and they said of course and it was only a $3 up charge. Well it was worth it because the gave me three thick pieces, you do the math. We were a party of 9 five adults and 4 children. The children had Plain dogs and they loved them,one of the girls had Mac and cheese and it was very cheesy. The adults had the Tri plate with the brisket, pulled pork cooked slow and full of seasoning and chicken so juicy that I almost forgot about the brisket, almost. We had the friendsville hot chicken sandwich with slaw on the bun- so tasty ! We also had the pull pork sandwich which slid in your mouth with tenderness and flavor. Finally the made fresh Okra that had enough crisp on the outside that made you think that this is the only Okra you will ever eat. The delicate inside made you know a professional cook had prepared it, I dipped it in their homemade bbq sauce. They run specials everyday and today was shrimp and grits. They had chewy brownies for dessert. I knew the food would be good when I heard the first 3 days of opening had lines out the door. This will be my restaurant of choice every time I come into town! read more

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I finally found my BBQ spot in Knox! This is the real deal BBQ!!! Been disappointed in Knox BBQ until today. Ordered baby back ribs and brisket, with sides of sweet slaw, baked beans, fries and chips and queso as takeout. Every item had outstanding flavor, even the BBQ sauce was great! Ribs only available on Fridays with a small offering on Sat. Brisket only available on Sat. Only knock is that ribs and brisket isn't available everyday, maybe it will when more people discover this place. Best by far in Knox!!! read more