The Best BBQ: Our Staff Picks

When people talk about food in Nashville, one dish seems to get most of the attention: Nashville Hot Chicken.

And deservedly so.

But while visitors stand in line to see just how much heat they can handle, there’s another Tennessee food tradition that doesn’t always get the same attention around Nashville:

Barbecue.

Last month, we took a break from talking about homes and asked the Michael’s Homes team a much more important question: Who has the best burger around Nashville?

That sparked some debate, so this month we’re doing it again—only this time, we’re talking BBQ.

These aren’t rankings put together by a national food magazine or generated from a list of Google reviews. These are places recommended by members of our staff—the people who actually live, work and eat here.

So, if you’re visiting Nashville, moving to Middle Tennessee, or you already live here and you’re willing to venture outside the Nashville city limits for some good barbecue, here are a few Rutherford County spots we think are worth checking out.

Slick Pig BBQ — Murfreesboro

Let’s start with a Murfreesboro institution.

Slick Pig has been serving barbecue in Murfreesboro for years, but ask people what you absolutely have to order and you’ll hear one answer over and over:

The smoked wings.

In fact, in a recent Murfreesboro discussion about the area’s best BBQ, the smoked wings were repeatedly singled out, along with the potato salad. One local simply responded, “Slick Pig,” while another specifically recommended the smoked chicken.

And this isn’t just hometown loyalty. The Tennessee Magazine named Slick Pig the 2024 Readers’ Choice winner for Best Barbecue in Middle Tennessee.

If you’ve never been, don’t go expecting a fancy dining experience. This is the kind of place where the food is supposed to do the talking.

Our recommendation: Don’t leave without trying the smoked wings.

Single Tree BBQ — Murfreesboro

If brisket is how you judge a BBQ restaurant, Single Tree needs to be on your list.

Single Tree came up repeatedly when we looked at what Murfreesboro residents are saying about their favorite local BBQ. One commenter praised the brisket, ribs and mac & cheese, while another called Single Tree “probably the best local” option and specifically mentioned its lunch specials.

Customer reviews also frequently mention the sliced brisket, pulled pork, bologna burnt ends and loaded pork fries.

This is a good choice for the person who isn’t simply looking for a pulled-pork sandwich—they want to sample the smoker.

Our recommendation: Start with the brisket.

Better Days BBQ — Smyrna

This may be one of the more interesting choices on our list because Better Days has developed a strong following without the name recognition of some of the bigger BBQ restaurants.

Located on Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, Better Days is earning particularly strong reviews for its brisket, pulled pork and ribs.

Current Restaurant reviews give it a 4.7 rating from more than 200 ratings, with customers frequently complimenting the tenderness and flavor of the brisket. The ribs also receive high praise, along with the brisket nachos, loaded baked potatoes and banana pudding.

Sometimes the smaller local restaurants are exactly what you’re hoping to find when you’re traveling—and Better Days fits that description.

Our recommendation: Try the brisket, but save room for banana pudding.

And Then There Are the Familiar Names…

Rutherford County also has plenty of recognizable BBQ restaurants.

You’ll find Jim ‘N Nick’s, Mission BBQ, Whitt’s and now City Barbeque, which just opened a new Smyrna location on August 24 after entering the Murfreesboro market.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing a familiar favorite. But part of the fun of this series is introducing people to the places our staff and other locals talk about when someone asks:

“But where do YOU go?”

That’s where things get interesting.

So Who Has the Best BBQ in Rutherford County?

That’s where we’re going to let you help us.

We build homes throughout Middle Tennessee, which means our employees spend a lot of time driving through Murfreesboro, Smyrna and the surrounding communities. We’ve eaten at plenty of restaurants along the way, but we also know there are probably some great BBQ spots we’ve missed.

Maybe it’s a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Maybe it’s a food truck.

Maybe there’s a place where the brisket is unbelievable, but hardly anyone outside the neighborhood knows about it.

We want to know about it.