Knoxville: Downtown Food Tour with Tastings and Guide
Discover the flavors of Knoxville on a guided food tour. Enjoy tastings at local restaurants, learn about the city's history, and explore the neighborhoods of Market S...
Knoxville's hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwich, the East Tennessee tradition that runs sweet rather than vinegar-forward and arrives on a soft white bun.
Buddy's Bar-B-Q opened at 5806 Kingston Pike in 1972 and codified East Tennessee whole-hog barbecue into a region-wide chain with hickory smoke and a thin sweet tomato sauce. Sweet P's BBQ added a soul-food angle to the East TN tradition in 2009 with the riverfront location on Maryville Pike. Dead End BBQ in Bearden brought the competition-team approach to a Sutherland Avenue dining room with multiple regional trophy wins on the KCBS circuit.
4 editor picks for East Tennessee Pulled Pork in Knoxville, ranked by editorial score. All Knoxville signature dishes · East Tennessee Pulled Pork across every city.
Sweet P's BBQ Uptown Corner ★ 4.5
fountain-city · 3029 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918
Sweet P's BBQ Uptown Corner on Tazewell Pike, Cookie Patton's North Knoxville barbecue and soul food counter, runs the brand's pulled pork and brisket.
Dead End BBQ ★ 4.5
bearden · 3621 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919
Dead End BBQ on Sutherland Avenue in the Pond Gap neighborhood near Bearden, the competition-team-turned-restaurant, runs award-winning smoked brisket.
Buddy's Bar-B-Q ★ 4.3
bearden · 5806 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Buddy's Bar-B-Q on Kingston Pike, the original flagship since 1972 where Buddy and LaMuriel Smothers opened the chain, anchors Knoxville's East Tennessee.
Calhoun's on the River ★ 4.1
downtown · 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902
Calhoun's on the River at Volunteer Landing, the Copper Cellar group's barbecue and burger room overlooking the Tennessee River, runs baby-back ribs.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
East Tennessee Pulled Pork makes more sense with someone from Knoxville explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Knoxville
Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River
Sail through Knoxville's scenic waterways. Relish a three-course meal at your private table while enjoying a breathtaking sunset.
Knoxville: Scenic Lunch Cruise on the Tennessee River
Cruise along Knoxville's riverfront while enjoying a delicious meal. Relax in comfort and take in sights like Neyland Stadium.