4 Restaurants That You Need to Visit to Experience the Best Barbeque in Gatlinburg

calhoun's in gatlinburg
January 19, 2023

When it comes to dining out in the Smoky Mountains, you won’t want to miss out on the area’s top barbeque restaurants! This is your chance to chow down on some authentic southern bbq and enjoy a plate full of chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket and other mouthwatering options! Here are 4 restaurants that you need to visit to experience the best barbeque in Gatlinburg:

1. Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que

Bennetts

Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que has been serving moist and delicious barbeque meals for nearly 30 years, so it is no wonder why this is one of the most popular restaurants in Gatlinburg! Start your meal with a variety of tempting appetizers, including Hickory Wings, Onion Straws, Deep Fried Pickle Chips and other tasty plates! The dinner platters are the specialty at Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que, so choose from Jumbo Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Pork Shoulder and plenty of other exciting options! Regardless of your choice, you can count on food with a rich, smoky flavor that you can taste in every juicy mouthful at this top spot for barbeque in Gatlinburg!

2. Calhoun’s

You will find a mountain of good eating waiting for you at Calhoun’s, which is themed as a handsome mountain lodge! The original Calhoun’s opened in 1983 in Knoxville TN and has expanded to multiple locations throughout Tennessee, including the popular location in Gatlinburg! The growth is simply attributed to perfectly smoked meat, delectable sauces and scratch-made sides, not to mention the best ribs in America! Kick off your dining experience with a serving of Calhoun’s famous wings before moving on to one of the delectable barbeque platters! Be sure to save room for dessert too, which includes Macadamia Nut Banana Pudding, Key Lime Pie and Louise’s Triple Fudge Cake!

3. Delauder’s BBQ

pulled pork sandwich

Another one of the restaurants that you need to visit to experience the best barbeque in Gatlinburg is Delauder’s BBQ! This family owned bbq joint prepares fresh meals on a daily basis, so try to get there early before they sell out of your favorite dish! The appetizer menu features Fried Green Beans, Tator Bites and Mac-n-Cheese Bites, while the dinner menu offers traditional barbeque platters that come with sides such as potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans. If you prefer a sandwich, you will love the Pulled Pork Sandwich, Holy Bologna Sandwich and the Brisket Sandwich!

4. Bones BBQ Joint

You can’t discuss the best barbeque in Gatlinburg without mentioning Bones BBQ Joint! This authentic barbeque restaurant has proudly served the area since 2013 and was originally owned by Jim Ogle, an 8th generation resident of Gatlinburg. In 2019, he passed the torch to his niece’s husband, Chef Alex Davis, who is originally from Kansas City. Therefore, Bones BBQ features a unique menu featuring barbeque from the American south with a little Kansas City flair! Come hungry to experience dinners such as the Smoked Beef Brisket, Half Rack of Ribs, Pulled Pork and Half Springer Mountain Smoked Chicken!

Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay close to these amazing restaurants where you can experience the best barbeque in Gatlinburg! We look forward to seeing you soon!