The customer service at this establishment was essentially top of the line. Someone very important to me and I were stopping for a quick lunch bite while we were on a roadtrip. I did not anticipate the food to be so fast...but it was serve instantly as we got there. My boyfriend got pork and I ate a vegetarian option to stay healthy since the chicken I wanted was just too big for my portion preferences. And as someone who eats vegetarian from time to time...this did not bother me. My favorite parts were the beans and the mashed potatoes along with the five star customer service. We will be back in the future as they were playing my favorite Scooby doo show and the temperature was ideal. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Table and sign. - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

Everything tasted brilliant, some of my friends thought the portion sizes of the sides were a bit small, but I think they were ok. Service was super fast and still managed to be friendly. My favorite was the beef sausage and around the table the honey slaw and the brisket won the round. Ambiance is very casual open and lively atmosphere and a very working class Texas vibe. Plus points for having Mexican Coke! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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I was behooved to get up to SGW's for months and I finally did with much anticipation because I've struggled to find a great brisket BBQ place in Nashville. When you've lived in Austin where there are world-award winning BBQ places, it creates pretty high standards ha. In short, brisket is dry and doesn't come close to Texas quality. They do have a nice peppery bark, and the flavor is good but the texture is tough and dry when it should be juicy and melting in yur mouth. I don't know if their cook is too hot or they cut off too much fat or where they get their beef or what...but it's just not cutting it. Their sides I found to be quite tasty, but corn bread is just ok. I will return again to try other meats and do another rating but I'd say jacks was a bit better brisket. Overall, STILL have not found a great brisket bbq in Nashville, and I think I've had em all now. However, Terry Blacks (from Austin) is opening soon I heard and I've had blacks before and they are going to BLOW everyone out of the water in Nashville! read more

Yesterday... J (my son): "Why did you hold up the line at Shotgun Willie's?" PAUSE! Do I seem like the type of dude that would hold up the line? I got my faults, vices, mannerisms, OCDs, lack of patience, and all that, but.... Wait a second. I got a lot (a ton) of people reading these reviews now but many readers are just people looking to see if this place is good. It's not about me, is it? I guess I should add narcissistic to my list above. I'm actually not at all. But we'll roll with it. If it makes one or two people feel better. One Week Ago... J ordered brisket with two sides and Texas toast. He told me to get the brisket. But I was thinking logically at the time and thought I could just taste his brisket while I got ribs. I got ribs because if you scroll down on the reviews, some dude from Canada said it was the best ribs he ever had. Maybe he had only tasted Canadian Ribs. I actually don't know if he's from Canada. I just wanted to say he was from Canada. But he did leave a review. As I approached the dude (and former drummer) behind the counter, I inquired about a half-and-half plate--as in 1/4 lb and 1/4 lb. Instead of 1/2 lb of brisket, ribs, or smoked chicken. I know this is a famous place with Michelin mentioning but I had never seen a BBQ place with no half-and-half. This inquiry led to him explaining what he could and couldn't do with half-and-half. I was only following at about 36% of what he said, which made me feel like I was back in 8th Grade Spanish class and the teacher said, "Cómo estuvo tu semana?" I stared back at him as if I knew what he was saying and nodded my head and played it off with: "Nah. I'll just get the ribs then. Thanks though!" So, did I hold up the line? Maybe but it wasn't intentional. As for the brisket and ribs (and other food items).... The brisket was superb. The ribs were good yet nothing amazing. The Mac 'n Cheese was very good and would probably be loved by most. The green beans were very wet. I like some things very wet but not green beans. As for the Texas Toast, it was just a big piece of white bread with no taste. The service and atmosphere were excellent. The price for two was $56. I recommend this place but not as a regular spot and for the experience. And only if you get the brisket. I don't know much about the smoked chicken because I didn't eat it. This was a cool spot for sure but our best meal when in Nashville was for $14 at a pizza place, which is the review just before this one. read more

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I had a friend in town that looks for really well reviewed restaurants, and he wanted to come here since it's Michelin reviewed. We ordered one of the platters that came with brisket, sausage, ribs, bread, and 2 sides. For the sides, we got potatoes and green beans. The prices were a little high, but not astronomical. We didn't wait very long at all for the food. I'm usually not a brisket person, but theirs was delicious! It was so tender that it melted in your mouth. The seasoning was perfect with plenty of salt and just a little bit of spice. The sausage (especially the jalapeño cheddar) was super juicy and full of flavor. The ribs really fell short. They didn't fall of of the bone and they weren't very tender. I think they weren't cooked long enough (not raw but not "done"). Definitely get the green beans! They were delicious as well (not healthy - nothing here was healthy). For dessert I got the banana pudding, which was probably the best part. It was fresh, chilled to the perfect temp, and delicious. They didn't have hot sauce - that was a huge bummer. Also their BBQ sauce wasn't that great. The good thing is that the meat had so much flavor that you didn't really need the sauce. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Delicious banana pudding - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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100/10 customer service 100/10 food Sooooo good! The owner was so nice and assisted us in ordering and checked on us as well. read more

So my sister is visiting town again. I asked her to get this world famous bbq for me. She actually lives down the street like 10 minutes away! When I visit it's going to be on a Saturday so that I can get a beef rib.Brisket sandwich is loaded I tried the delicious brisket sandwich and the delicious beef sausage. Best beef sausage I ever had from a bbq restaurant! The Mac and cheese is delicious also the sauce is good. My family members tried different entree's from here also This food is delicious! My bro and I watch Ant bbq channel on YouTube iykyk! The food here is delicious! Pull up and check them out if you are ever in the area! I tried this food for the first time today on 4-3-2026. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket Sandwich with Mac and Cheese and 2 Beef Sausage and Sauce. - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

I would give it a 3.5. The meats are great. Brisket was juicy and they ask if you want a fatty or more lean piece. Pulled pork was also good. Service was good as well nice people. The only bad, the sides. They just aren't good at all. Tried baked beans, potato salad and Mac and cheese. All of them are better at Walmart. If they improve those 5/5. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

Shotgun Willie's BBQ is located in Madison directly on Gallatin Pike a stones throw off of Briley Parkway and shares a small strip with Vega and Daddy's Dogs. If that isn't ringing a bell, the small strip they occupy sits at the front of the Eastside Bowl complex! This SGW is an upgraded and expanded location for the brand, who used to have a smaller spot just right up the road. The space is large, bigger than expected, and is one large open air space where you almost feel like you are dining in the back of the house. The line forms immediately to the right upon entry and takes you past a wall of BBQ and of course, Willie Nelson, themed decor. It's leads you right to the counter where they are freshly cutting the meats and scooping the sides as you order. The dining room features plenty of seating, and if the weather is good, then they have a large outdoor picnic area to enjoy. It's unconverted, hence the weather dependency. They do have a rule here and ask that you do not grab a table until you order and get your food. And I appreciate that! Now speaking of food, I have d ample a few things on the menu with my normal and favorite being the sliced brisket plate and the habanero cheddar sausage link. I appreciate the option of fatty or lean brisket, which you normally don't get...and I usually go lean, as it gets you more meat in my opinion. The sausage is great, a smokey essence with a perfect snap to the casing. You'd expect more heat, but the balance is nice. We have also gotten the pork shoulder sandwich and it's always tasty. They dust the meat with seasoning before tossing it on a bun, which is a nice touch. They have a solid selection of sides, and while they are all tasty, none really stand out as top tier bbq sides. The Mac n cheese, along with the green beans are usuals, and are both kind of one note in flavor. They aren't terrible by any means, but just okay. Pricing is in line with what you expect at local BBQ joints around Nashville. Lunch for two including drinks and dessert will run you around $50. SGW is a lunch spot, only open 11a - 3p, so if you are hungry, get in there early! Overall, Shotgun Willie's is a good spot that pulls a solid 3.5 stars for me. Not my favorite in town, but tasty and convenient when the meat cravings get the best of me! read more

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Absolutely some of the best bbq I've had in my life! Excellent bark and still so moist. We will definitely be back next time we're in Nashville. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket, Mac&Cheese, and Cornbread. - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

I Love BBQ! I've had it from Seattle, WA to Miami, FL! From Portland, ME to San Diego, CA and everywhere in between; I just love it. And, of course I have my favorite places which would take me 30 minutes to name them all. But the top three is easy: Green Street BBQ - Chicago, IL 12 Bones BBQ - Asheville, NC Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Nashville, TN Shotgun Willie's was today (for lunch) and immediately took a Top Three spot on my illustrious list of BBQ joints. Everything about Shotgun Willie's was great: The ambiance was fun, creative and very interesting The service was bright, witty and some of the most expert Q'ers I've ever seen The food was just sublime - the brisket we ordered had just the right amount of fat. The meat was tender as hell and the bark on the edges was addicting This was Texas BBQ at its best; in Tennessee? Go figure. The sides were ridiculously good as my potato salad and cole slaw was like a narcotic. I couldn't get enough of it. The seating was great and mostly communal and the restaurant itself was immaculate. The cutters / servers / cashiers were humorous and fun loving. What else can I say except having a Shotguns Willie BBQ lunch was the very best way to end this very fun golf trip! read more

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Incredible brisket they slice it right in front of you and let you choose how lean or fatty you want it. Portions are very generous. My husband and I shared a plate and added the smoked half chicken, which they split for us. The sauce was solid, the seasoning had great spice, and the queso mac was comfort-food perfection with just a little kick. Paired with a Mexican Coke, it was the perfect lunch. Free and easy parking in their lot makes it even better. A really fantastic spot. read more

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I did a mini barbecue tour in Nashville. Shotgun Willie was my absolute favorite in terms of the baby back ribs. They are just beautiful and not only did they look good, they taste very good. I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce though as it was a bit runny for me. However the ribs are flavorful and stand up by themselves with no sauce. The sides were heaping and also very enjoyable compliments to the meat. The restaurant was decorated with nostalgia. This was also the only restaurant I went to with a formidable line and consistently so. Casual. Easy parking. Indoor seating. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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We're big fans of Texas brisket, and I'd heard Shotgun Willy's was the real deal -- and they did not disappoint! My son and I stopped by for lunch today. By the time we arrived, they were already sold out of the cowboy caviar, chicken, and ribs (a good sign, honestly). He ordered the brisket plate with queso mac and a jalapeño cornbread muffin, and I went with the brisket sandwich and dill pickle potato salad. We ate there to soak up the full experience, and everything was delicious. The brisket had a bold, flavorful crust and was melt-in-your-mouth tender -- not too fatty, just right. Honestly, it's the best brisket we've had outside of Texas, and even compared to our favorite Texas spot, it would be a serious contender. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket plate, side of queso mac and jalapeño cornbread muffin - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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The best Brisket in Nashville. The staff are super friendly and the sides are delicious, but their Brisket is the star of the show here with its perfect bark, excellent flavor, all while being perfectly moist and tender. I love that they measure the meat portions; 1/2 pound for a plate and 1/3 pound for a sandwich. You can get your Brisket sandwich slices or chopped. Both are delicious, but I prefer mine chopped. All the sides are homemade and tasty. The Green Beans and the Mac & Cheese are really special. There is lots of seating. I really hope they get their soda dispenser repaired soon. More than half the drinks were out of order, including all of the diet options. I highly recommend Shotgun Willie's BBQ! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Lots of seating indoors - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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OMG. this place is amazing. Best BBQ I've ever had and #1 in Nashville. The meats were all spiced and cooked to perfection. Wait time is quick and they prepare it as you order. brisket was top tier. Ribs were fantastic. I highly HIGHLY recommend. Absolute 11/10 and will definitely be back!!! read more

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Its always a good sign when you see the owner himself slicing the meats. Everything we tried was a 8/10 or better except the ribs which we found a little dry. Fresh off trying the other nashville bbq last night I can wholeheartedly say Shotgun Willie's blows them out of the water. The owner took some time to talk with every guest as he sliced their meats and the other staff were friendly. Tons of interesting decor on all of the walls. Come check them out! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Trinity Plate with a side of mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

We enjoyed the Texas Trinity platter, where the brisket and jalapeño cheddar links were the stand outs. The side of the day was hominy and green chile casserole which was incredible. Casual vibe and fantastic food - what's not to love? read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - TX Trinity platter with half rack ribs, links, brisket, hominy green chile casserole, green beans, and mac and cheese. Easily feeds 3-4! - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

We tried this place on the last Saturday of the month so that we could get the giant beef ribs. Yummy!!!! They are one of the best I've ever had. We also got the brisket and smoked chicken. Everything was delicious and we can't wait to go back. The ambiance is BBQ restaurant with the wonderful smell of the great food to come. Make sure you arrive a little before they open if you wanted to get the beef ribs. The line fills up fast, but so worth the wait. read more

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We stopped here on our way out of town at the recommendation of friends we met up with. Everything was incredible! The people working were so friendly- I really enjoyed chatting with them while they prepared our meals! The inside was super cute with tons of seating. We loved the brisket and sausage and all of the sides were great too! Definitely coming back next time we're in Nashville! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Brisket Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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My hubs is a big bbq'r, loves brisket, ribs, kiddo loves mac n cheese, and I love all of it, so he mentioned this and said we have to come here, and it did not disappoint. We actually came back again since they had this aged meat that we had to get before we left on our trip. Everything was cooked soo precisely and the right amount of spices and time for the meat, I mean everything was delicious and no wonder they have a great reputation. read more

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Delicious brisket! The sides were good too and the staff were very friendly. There aren't specific kids meals but the adult portions work well to split between kids. Highly recommend! read more

Can I give it 10 stars? This was the best meal of my week in Nashville and I think the best brisket sandwich of my life. Tip: go with the chopped brisket when ordering a sandwich instead of sliced- you get some burnt ends and bark in the chopped. The cucumber salad and Mac and cheese were great. Even the sweet tea and pickles were fantastic. Bill, the owner, was a gem and the absolute best at making recommendations since this was my first visit. I was downtown all week and visit for lunch on my way out, but called my husband and told him he needs to try it. If you want brisket, go early, I heard they run out and do some strict quality control, only serving the best. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Chopped brisket sandwich, Mac and cheese, cucumber salad - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

I had read that Shotgun Willie's was the place to go for Texas Style BBQ in Nashville. That is very true and I finally made it after a year or two. The decor is Texas inspired and Willie Nelson inspired. Just like Texas BBQ, you go through the counter and order or you can order a plate or sandwich off the menu. The choice for me was easy as I had to try the brisket. I really wanted a 2 meat plate but I was on a budget. The owner or manager told me they could do a 2 meat plate but you would have to add a la carte. The brisket was thick and fresh! I wish it was more moist than the pieces I received but overall, very good. There are 2 sauces: a mildly sweet and peppery style and a hotter version with cayenne pepper. I enjoyed the hot more than the mild. The queso mac and cheese was fantastic and creamier than the photos showed. I loved the Jalepeno cornbread but I did not like the potato salad. The dill was too overwhelming. Sweet tea was refreshingly sweet! I will making another visit to Shotgun Willie's in the future. read more

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We were in the area today and saw that Shotgun Willie's was close by. Decided to stop and have lunch. Best decision of the day. The line was out the door but was still moving at a good pace. The staff was so nice and friendly. I ordered the brisket with queso mac and baked beans. The wife ordered pulled pork with queso mac and potato salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. Setup was like a normal bbq joint. Very packed and busy but found a table really easy. The only drawback was one family that stayed there forever and one of their kids screamed every 2-3 minutes. This is not a reflection on the restaurant, more of a reflection of poor parenting and not caring about others. BEST BBQ IN NASHVILLE!!! read more

This is some of the best BBQ I have had in Nashville. stars all the way. Top 3 of best spare ribs I've ever had. Second the brisket is top notch. The staff is very friendly and will always point you in the right direction. I eat here once a month if not more. If you wants a great meal and have leftovers this is your place to check out. Great portion sizes also. I would say the price is just right for a great meal. read more

We visited from California and this was our #1 favorite spot in town that we tried. The brisket was delicious. Ribs were so good with the BBQ sauces. The jalepeño cheese sausage was the best too!! Their best sides are the dill pickle potato salad, along with their mac and cheese & greens. Corn bread was average. But overall we loved everything. The customer service was so welcoming, and they all carry themselves with a smile and great conversation while ordering our food. Will definitely be back!! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Ribs, brisket, jalepeno cheese sausage, mac and cheese, dill pickle potato salad, corn bread, Texas chocolate cake dessert - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

Great place in Nashville for BBQ! The best I had so far. So many items to choose from. I tried a few. Service was good!! Ambiance setting was spacious, plenty of room here. I would go back here for sure. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Coleslaw, green beans, brisket plate, cheddar type sausage and regular sausage. - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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We could not wait to get in on Father's Day. Bill the owner wrote back to me on Yelp, apologizing about standing in line. Bill told me to come back on Wednesday or Thursday less of a line on those days. We did and the Brisket was the best we ever ate! Service is very fast. The decor is based on Texas. Oh, Cyndi said, the restroom is spotless. Believe us this is one of the most outstanding BBQ Establishments in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Whitehouse and Franklin KY! Thanks again Bill! That special that feeds 4 people is perfect for the 4th of July. Who wants to grill or smoke meat and ribs for hours??? Ron & Cyndi read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - 1 pound of Texas Beef Brisket. Outstanding! - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

Located outside of downtown Nashville - just minutes off I65 is Shotgun Willie's. We had the BBQ ribs platter. The ribs were very good and they were served with pickles and pickled onions. The slaw was ok but lacking in flavor. The potato salad was excellent! Service is quick- you order and move down the line to add extras- paying at the register. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were all very pleasant and the service quick. The decor was typical bbq style restaurant- a little lighthearted and very casual. read more

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The friendliest staff! We came from the airport, hungry, tired, and in need of some kindness. We were welcomed and instructed how to order. We were not familiar with this type of order and sit down set up but with an open warm welcome we were soon chowing down on some of the best BBQ! We were so happy after some food in our bellies we got a BBQ sauce to take home. read more

my favorite barbecue in Tennessee I've had and slinging one of my all time favorite ribs. They do something magical and the magic is they disappear before I know it. One second I have 1/2 a rack on my plate. Next second they are all gone. All 4 times (2x this week) I've stopped by over the last couple years, the juices just flood into my mouth each bite and it holds the shape with the cartoonish bite mark along the bone. A beautiful exterior covered in bits of black pepper. Doesn't get more ideal than this. The brisket doesn't pull punches either. It's a peppery brisket with a wonderful bark. I don't think I've had a full on fatty end since I never specify unless asked but Im not at all upset. The flat is so juicy and im honestly scared for the day I get the point here lol. Each bite had me slapping my knees with joy. The green beans are also magic!!! I don't feel like Im eating my veggies. Oh get the butter cake. Get the banana pudding!!!! Ride the mechanical bull (I didn't but). Oh also there is a signed sticker before the bathroom my Daniel Vaughn!!! I could go on forever but the plane is starting to take off and I need to go into airplane mode lol. The food was so bomb, TSA literally stopped me to take samples off my hands lol. Maybe not for that reason exactly but let's pretend that was why. read more

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I dove 25 miles and this was my second visit to shotgun Willie's. The first visit was a 4.5 to 5.0 but this visit was more of a low 3. First, the beef sausage is very good and the only thing that would make it better would be a char or some grill marks. Today the brisket was tough; very different from my previous visit. This is a minor thing but they offer Texas Toast that is not toasted. Go figure. Anyway, I hope the brisket regains the mojo. read more

Best BBQ you can find in Nashville, won't find a better one until you go Taxes. Owner and servers are really welcome, feel like a big family. Good environment vibe. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

Another amazing experience but in their new location. We went early in case they sold out and so glad we did as by lunch time the line was out the door! They have all the meats and a lot of fun sides. I e got the brisket with green beans and Cole slaw, plus some jalapeño cornbread. Yum! I'm usually not a meat eater but this kept me stealing bites from my spouse's plate! Definitely try their desserts as well as all the items are delicious. Not to be missed when in Nashville! read more

30 min wait for some of the best BBQ outside of Texas. Highly recommend. Possibly the best chicken I've ever had in my life.

This was okay. Visiting Nashville for the day and this is the highest rated BBQ spot so we decided to try. I got the brisket sandwhich with a side of queso mac. First of all, they didn't have any onions, which is a little odd as he never had that issue anywhere. Second, the meat didn't have much taste outside of the crust. The portion size is good, but I didn't really have any want to finish it. The queso mac is a little odd, doesn't taste like queso or mac and cheese. Sauce is very tangy. The person cutting the meat was a little bit snappy, but the guy at the cash register was super nice. There are industrial, BBQ, picnic vibes inside. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, but I also wouldn't be upset if I needed to come back. read more

Ok! Color me shocked. I travel for a living and have a lot of Texas and Texas Style BBQ. This was hands down the best i've ever had. We got a brisket plate and a pulled pork plate with a jalapeño cheddar sausage and a beef sausage to split. We were a little late in the day and they were out of ribs so i'll be back soon to try those. The pork was perfect and the brisket was too. The sausage was spot on as well. Jalapeño cheddar being my fave. The folks at the counter were super nice and welcoming and cut a generous portion of the meats. I also thought the sides were spectacular. Especially the green beans. Yes, they are that good. I cant say enough about this place. My new regular BBQ place! read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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On a whim while in the Nashville area, we stopped here for lunch. Definitely a hidden gem. We had half a slab of ribs and beef brisket. Try the potato salad and Mac and Cheese. Both were great sides for the BBQ. Pickeled onions and pickles are also a nice touch. Hospitality was perfection. read more

Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Ribs and brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Madison, Tennessee

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Texas style BBQ in Middle TN. I think they moved to this location last year and it's less than 15 minutes from Nashville. It's worth the drive to come and eat here. The staff are friendly and the food is top notch. The man knows how to smoke some meat and the sides are very good, too. They use American Wagyu Brisket and He slices it right in front of you when you order it. You walk in and tell them what you want and they prepare it as you walk down the line to pay for it. They offer Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs, 1/2 Chicken, and Beef or Jalepeno Cheddar Sausage Links. They have 2 housemade BBQ sauces on the table( Mild and Hot ) The Ribs and Brisket are some of the best I've had in Nashville. If you like BBQ then you need to try this place. read more

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