Helen's BBQ has been featured in Southern Living and Garden & Gun magazines. There's a reason why: simple pulled pork smoked onsite with charcoal also prepared by Ms. Helen. BBQ is a labor of love and you can taste the love at this renowned smoke shack. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Ms. Helen burning green wood for use as charcoal. - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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Helen's came in #15 in Southern Living's 2019 ranking of the top 50 southern BBQ restaurants. The first thing to be said is that the price point here is phenomenal. $18.80 purchased a St. Louis style rib platter (3 ribs) with required sides of baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad, and a regular pork sandwich "Memphis style." The pork and its mild sauce worked well with the coleslaw, and the ribs and their hot sauce were tasty while separating cleanly at the bite. The mashed potato salad complemented the ribs well, but not so the baked beans, which tasted like they had come straight out of a can. Since the sides are mandatory, a little more effort here would be welcome. In sum, we judged this to be decent but not awesome BBQ, especially given the limited scale of the menu. read more

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Oh man, so glad I detoured off my route from Nashville to Memphis to give this CASH ONLY place a go! The is some seriously old-school real deal Southern BBQ. There is a smoke shack running out back and as soon as I stepped out of my car the smell was intoxicating! I am a rib guy, so once I saw the menu outside the walk-up window I knew exactly what was gonna go down. I ordered the rib plate which came with four bones, a white bread bun and I chose baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw as my three sides. They have a couple of picnic tables scattered out front, so I pulled onto one and dug in! These meaty ribs were smoked tender, but still required some "chew" to get them off the bones (just like they should be!). Their sauce was on mild side, but they also offered a spicy version which many folks ordering seemed to like. The cole slaw was the chopped (super fine) style and vinegary to the taste. The potato salad had a unique tangy flavor and a creamy texture...they were my favorite side. The baked beans were also on the tangy side and the portion was quite hearty. Top it all off with a Dr. Pepper and this was one rock star meal! Don't hesitate to drift (about 20 minutes) off the path between the two larger Tennessee cities to give Ms. Helen a try...you will NOT be disappointed! read more

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Who could have guessed that this shack (a real bbq joint) would have some of the best Q I've ever tasted! For over 23 years Helen has been a one woman show. Her husband may show up at 6:30 to start the hickory and oak fire, but after that's it's all her. The quality and taste of everything is why she's been written up in Southern Living, and been invited to San Francisco, New York, and Switzerland to show how she does it. We had ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and (believe it or not) smoked bologna. No food reviews here. Just trust me that it's all good! read more

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This place has to compete on the food and not atmosphere because this is as basic BBQ joint as you will find. Any comparisons to Payne's in Memphis as far as food is concerned are unfounded. Unfortunately, on my visit the BBQ was just OK. Not a great deal of flavor or smoke, just plain very wet (moisture, not sauce) pork. Sauce is very sweet without the vinegar tang usually found with whole hog BBQ. Beans were meaty, but not very flavorful. Outstanding side was the potato salad which was very good. Panhandler in the parking lot works the crowded line of people sitting or standing in line waiting at the window which is a nuisance. Brownsville is an interesting place to visit, hope my visit was just a bad day and the food improves to return to other's experiences. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - BBQ pork plate, beans, slaw, pot salad - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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It doesn't look like much from the outside, but that's not what matters here. The BBQ is top-notch. I got a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and a bologna sandwich - both were excellent. We sat outside at the picnic tables and had a nice conversation with Helen's husband. He asked where we were from (Chicago) and gave us marriage advice lol. The food and general atmosphere made me feel at home again and gave me nostalgia since I grew up nearby and haven't quite found a good BBQ place in Chicago. If you want good BBQ made with love, check this place out. FYI - cash only - so stop by an ATM before you get there. read more

My quest for the best BBQ brought me here! I have to say Ms Helen does have some BBQ she can definitely brag about! And apparently others think so too according to the internet and food critics. I'm just mad I didn't get any of that banana pudding that was being tried by a couple of locals. Helen's is cash or check only and she got my last $10 (heaping portion of bbq, 3 sides and a bun!) Being an out of towner, I didn't want to ask if she'd take my check (tho she was the sweetest thing! Even had me sign her visitor book!) so stop by the ATM and come prepared! You won't regret it! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Barbq plates were excellent.and their service was great.It's a to-go restaurant, nothing fancy except the staff.

What a gem!! Come visit Helen for the best smoked bologna and pulled pork!! If you are lucky, Helen will greet you at the window. Looking for an original spot, you cannot get anymore authentic than here! read more

This is BBQ as it should be. Ms. Helen knows and we reap the benefits. Her BBQ bologna sandwich is not to be missed. If you find yourself anywhere near here, this is the place to go. read more

Love this place and I love this woman ! Her BBQ is the best !!!!! She is a cash only business is the only complaint that I could think of.

Saw this place on You-Tube and could not pass through TN without coming by here, and I am so glad we did! OMG, the ribs and potato salad was the BOMB! I felt like I was at my grandmothers house! Now the polish sausage with coleslaw was surprisingly delicious! Would definitely stop here again if passing through!! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Sausage/coleslaw dog... A messy goodness! - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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Helen, the shop, and the food combine for a fun experience. Smoke pours from the kitchen into the tiny 2-table dining room..causing your eyes to sting. Very immersive in the roadside BBQ feel. -Pork BBQ: large chunks of pulled style pork (not chopped), moist with outer crisper bark edges. Not overly smokey, but still very good. -Spicy BBQ sauce: sweet, moderately tangy, and on the thinner side. I'm a fan -Ribs: actually my favorite over the pork. Had more smoke flavor and were meaty and tender. Could have been microwaved (saw/heard them use it) but was still good nonetheless, if true. I had the opportunity to sign Helen's guestbook as well (thanks). So now we will both have memories bridged by a great meal. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Pork BBQ and Rib plate - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Great BBQ. Small town but great food her ribs are great and the jumbo bar b que sandwich is my kids favorite. The bens and slaw are great too read more

There are no better ribs than those at this restaurant. It's never open when I want to eat here, but they have the best freaking ribs, like fall off the bone tender and juicy, you'll love it. This is by far the best barbecue joint around here. read more

Always great bbq. Polite and courteous service. Good prices and good quantity of food for the money. Helen's is always my first choice. Her sauces are amazing! read more

This is where God comes for BBQ. So glad I discovered this modest place with amazing aroma of BBQ wafting out of the back of the kitchen. I ordered the spicy ribs which were ideally part smoke, part sauce, and all pork. Perfectly cooked- not falling off the bone, but giving in after the slightest tug. Perfect! The basic sides were also perfect. More mayo than mustard in the potato salad; ideal amount of pork in the spiced beans; and crispness of freshly made slaw. Perfect! The styrofoam container they handed me was heavy! The portions were huge, and a super good value for the price. All this deliciousness come your way by women who care about your experience as much as they care about the food they want to feed you. I was greeted warmly by everyone who came in and out of the door. This is definitely worth a visit, and not too far off of 40. You may even have passed it not knowing there is a huge reward for stopping. Do it! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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Had a BBQ plate w ribs & brisket (sweat I tasted Dr Pepper in the sauce) but u can legit TASTE the delicious smoke/wood in ribs and rub! Mmm! And comes w delicious potato salad, beans, coleslaw not rlly my thing here or bun bc carbs - ALL FOR $14.75!! Including my can drp! A truly hidden gem that I hope stays that way forever. Wish there were more of these!! Treasure! read more

Absolutely hands down best BBQ I've had in years! Cole slaw out of this world. So worth the stop!!!

The. Best. BBQ. Around. . Pit smoked. Will see the smoke and smell the cooking before you find the place. Folks are hometown and good as gold. Ms. Helen is a read more

One of a kind experience, at a one of kind destination from a special one of a kind lady. Great pork sandwich - travel worthy.

Awesome BBQ thanks to Ms. Helen! Best BBQ in Tennessee! Always consistent! Food and service is always superior!

Miss Helen made our whole day in our trip from Virginia down to Ole Miss. I had the barbecue and bologna sandwich and the rest of the crew had pulled pork and ribs. They use wood which makes a big difference in the smoking. This isn't a fire but their smoke shack. read more

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It wasn't a bunch of options, but what they did have was amazing The ladies were nice and told us about all the TV shows that they've been on and probably forgot some too. read more

Barbecue is awesome, the barbecue bologna is the best ever!! She has a special sauce that is the kicker to all of it. And the prices are what the were twenty years ago. A landmark definitely worth the trip... read more

Another great place that you can drive right past, Helen's is a small unadorned building on US 79 heading in Brownsville. This place has some of the best, if not the best, barbecue in Tennessee. Tender tender hunks of pork piled high on a bun with mild or hot sauce. Go for the slaw on top--worth every bite. My group went for the mild but I knew to go for the hot--not too spicy at all but with some kick. Menu is simple here--pulled pork, bologna, or ribs with 3 simple slides. And if you want fancy digs go elsewhere but if you want the real deal--just step up into the hole in the wall and order away. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Don't be shy, step and order a bit of BBQ heaven - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

After sampling 5 BBQ sandwiches at 4 joints (!!) between Madison and Haywood Co's today, it's clear I underrated Helen's. The flavors here are so intense compared with the others I had. The complexity of the hot BBQ sauce combined with the slaw is something to behold. Get it! Don't go in wearing clothes that need to be dry cleaned. You can see the smoke haze in the air of the dining room. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Check out the spices in the sauce! - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Pulled pork sandwich was delicious. Slow smoked over hickory & oak, so it's smokey, juicy, not too fatty, very flavorful. Mild sauce = good. Hot sauce = very good. Housemade slaw was good enough. Mustard potato salad is fluffy, not chunky or soupy. I liked it. This is not a dine-in type restaurant, unless you happen to get one of the 2 tables. It is the kind of place you grab lunch on-the-go, or pick up a family sized order. There are plenty of potato chips, snack cakes and sodas to add to your order at the window. I usually have a pretty small appetite, so I try to make my meals count. I actually thought about ordering a second sandwich at Helen's. After only waiting about 5 mins inside for lunch, the sweet/smokey smell was infused into my hair, much to my husband's delight. Take cash. Plan to picnic. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - The Pit - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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I've ate at Helen a couple times due to a reference and bbq was decent until I walked up wanting to be served and said a lot of flies hovering over uncovered food with no care in the world. After that I've never ate there again. read more

How could you not want to go to visit Helen? She's a nice woman, and she makes some damn good sandwiches. This place is an old-time BBQ joint. It ain't fancy, but it's so damn authentic. Helen's is the kind of place that you can only find outside the city. She cooks her Pork on wood coals. That's an arduous process. To accomplish this, she has a fire going burning down hardwood into coals and embers. She scoops these coals across the back room into her cooker. I'd imagine she uses hickory and oak, but I didn't ask Helen that question. It doesn't really matter........her pork sandwiches are very good, with just a hint of smoke. I ordered a Jumbo Bologna and a Jumbo Pork sandwich along with a can of Coke. It was a lot of food for 8 dollars. Helen's has two sauces.....Hot and Mild. I tried both, and they're both very good. The tomato based sauces have more vinegar than most in West Tennessee, and it makes them a tangy delight. The Hot is not that hot, so don't be afraid to try it. I'll post some photos of the food and of the place. It's a wonderful detour if you're coming through the area between Jackson and Memphis. The service is good, and Helen is a nice lady. She's executing BBQ in fine fashion as well. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - The prep area with Miss Helen making up some of her hot sauce - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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Stop Stop Stop. Some of the best ribs I have ever eaten! Fall of the bone tender with outstanding flavor.. Pull pork very good too. Homemade sides...I liked the potato salid and beans. Slaw was a viniger base and good but not my taste. 4 star because pf the location not because of food or outstanding service. Get off the Hwy and live high on BBQ! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Great down home simple good bbq. Had the pulled pork, baloney sandwich and beef, Mmmm Mmmm Good. Helen was cooking and made me feel special. Small place, two tables inside, one outside but good for a sit down, a quick bite or take out. Reasonable and good. Being from NY this is heaven. read more

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Stopped by Helen's for the best pulled pork and the pit master herself gave us some cracklin' to go with it! The pulled pork was amazing with tender, hickory kissed pulled pork, coleslaw, hot sauce and bits of char for texture! Best pulled pork EVER! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Possibly the best BBQ sandwich I've ever had. Great spot, got to meet Helen while I was there. Yelp wants me to keep writing more so I can post this as a review so I'm just padding it out due to the yelps stupid policy read more

I had to check this place out since it made the Food Network's top 5 rib joints in the U.S. The restaurant is hole-in-the-wall place there in Brownsville and isn't much to speak of, but it does have character. One of the guys in line said he comes 1-2 times per week to get BBQ to go, and said he'd been coming since he moved here from California in 1972. DANG that's a long time. Ms. Helen seated us and then took our order after which she told us to help ourselves to a drunk in the case cooler (bottled drinks of all kinds). I ordered the rib sandwich, but it really was just some ribs with a jumbo bun. The ribs were great - juicy, fall of the bone flavoring. However, the sauce was DYNAMITE! It was sweet and tangy with the right amount of flavor. I would definitely go back if I was in the neighborhood. read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Where the magic happens. - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

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We're traveling across the south Ann's found this place for lunch. Three BBQ plate was delicious and a lot of food. The owner was so nice and wanted to serve us herself. Doesn't look like much on the outside but the food was great! read more

Helen's Bar B Q - Small place, great food! - Barbeque Near Me - Brownsville, Tennessee

Best bbq around! Great good. Delicious. Great workers. Very polite and respectful. Definitely recommend. Cash only

Great bbq. Couldn't decide which sandwich to get, so got the Bologna/Pork sandwich AND the pulled pork sandwich, Hot on both. Excellent taste,excellent sauce. Highly recommend! read more

Not much to look at, some of the best are that way. Inside is tiny. Regular barbecue sandwiches with slaw are excellent. No alcohol service. read more

Ms Helen is the undisputed queen of bbq, everything she makes is the best, the pulled pork sandwich there's nothing even close to it, the ribs are also great, she and her husband are always there, such nice people it a pleasure going there, if your love bbq this is the place read more