STEEL & SADDLE

The Best BBQ Spots Within Driving Distance of Nashville

If you're wearing the right western wear and sitting in a saddle, odds are you know a thing or two about good barbecue. Nashville's got plenty of smoke and meat to go around, but the real treasure lies just beyond the city limits. We're talking about the kind of BBQ joints that don't need fancy signage or Instagram filters to prove their worth. These places have been doing it right for decades, and they're worth the drive from Marathon Village or wherever you're calling home.

These places have been doing it right for decades, and they're worth the drive.

Peg Leg Porker: Just Down the Road

Start with Peg Leg Porker in Nashville itself. This isn't some trendy spot trying to capitalize on Nashville's boom. It's legitimate nose-to-tail barbecue done by people who understand the craft. Their smoked meats come wrapped in butcher paper, and they don't apologize for keeping things simple. The pulled pork and brisket will remind you why you made the trip in the first place. It's the kind of place where a cowboy or rancher feels right at home, and the staff won't judge you for still wearing your work boots and wranglers.

Melrose BBQ: Worth the Detour

Head east toward Antioch, and you'll find Melrose BBQ. This is old school Tennessee barbecue served by people who've been doing this since before Nashville became whatever it is now. Their ribs have a smoke ring that speaks for itself. The baked beans are made right, not from some industrial bucket. This is the kind of place that fuels ranch hands and rodeo folks before heading back to work. No frills, no flash, just meat cooked low and slow over real smoke.

Pat Martin's Martin's Bar-B-Que Stand

If you're willing to drive about an hour south to Franklin, Pat Martin's is the kind of destination that justifies the gas money. This man knows barbecue the way a good cowboy knows horses. Everything here is smoked in a custom rig, and the whole operation has the feel of someone who cares about doing right by the meat and the people eating it. The burnt ends alone are worth clearing your afternoon. It's no-nonsense barbecue in a no-nonsense setting.

The burnt ends alone are worth clearing your afternoon.

Silo: Southern BBQ Done Right

Over in Mount Pleasant, about an hour away, you'll find Silo. This joint serves the kind of barbecue that makes sense in the rural South. Their whole hog is excellent, and the sides are actually made to complement the meat, not distract from it. The folks who run this place understand that barbecue is about respect for the animal and respect for the people eating it. It's a working person's restaurant, the kind where you'll see ranch owners sitting next to construction crews.

The Road Trip Itself

Here's the thing about seeking out good barbecue in Tennessee. The drive matters just as much as the destination. You'll pass through country that still looks and feels like the real thing. You might see actual ranches with actual cattle, or pass through small towns that have more character in their water towers than most cities have in their downtown districts.

From the Store

Founders Hat

$36.00

Heavyweight Active Tee

$30.00

Classic Sweatshirt

$38.00

Signature Tee

$38.00