Tennessee and barbecue go together like Johnny and June and the Ryman and country music. So it should come as no surprise that whatever your preference—from the sticky to the dry rub—our barbecue has a world-renowned reputation as a “must-have” culinary experience. With hundreds of barbecue joints scattered across the state, Tennessee isn’t lacking for tasty eats, or prestigious awards in the pork category. Here are a few accolades for Tennessee barbecue and why it’s worth bragging about.

Central BBQ in Memphis; photo curtesy of the Greater Memphis Chamber

  • Tennessee #5 on Top 10 U.S. states for BBQ, Trip Advisor
  • Nashville: #1 on America’s Best Cities for Barbecue, Travel + Leisure; #8 on America’s Ten Best Cities for BBQ, Huffington Post; Top 10 Best BBQ cities, Yahoo! Travel; #6 for America’s Best BBQ Cities, U.S. News Travel
  • Memphis: #2 on America’s 10 Best Cities for BBQ, Huffington Post; #2 on America’s Best Cities for Barbecue, Travel + Leisure; Best BBQ City in America, U.S. News; America’s Best BBQ Cities, TODAY Travel; America’s Best BBQ Cities, U.S. News & World Report; America’s Best BBQ Cities, Food & Wine
  • Top 10 barbecue restaurants in the U.S., Trip Advisor: #5 Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que in Chattanooga
  • 10 Great Barbecue Joints Across the USA, Forbes: Central BBQ, Memphis
  • The South’s 20 Best BBQ Joints, Southern Living: A&R Bar-B-Que, Memphis; Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, Memphis; Interstate Barbecue, Memphis; Cozy Corner, Memphis; Payne’s BBQ, Memphis
  • 10 best barbecue joints in the U.S. of A., Intelligent Traveler: Corky’s, Memphis; Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue, Memphis
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