Our Food: Why I Think Dead End BBQ is the Best BBQ Restaurant in Knoxville

There are so many options on the menu that it can be hard to decide what to order. But, fear not, you can’t go wrong with any choice. We started with an appetizer and were torn between the Bar-B-Queso and Smoked Sausage & Cheese.

Our Appetizer

We chose the Bar-B-Queso. Wow… it was so good! I was very impressed with the queso. Usually, it’s not as good when you’re not at a mexican restaurant. That wasn’t the case here. My fiance and I both couldn’t believe just how good the queso was. Top it with Dead End’s pulled pork and BBQ sauce…. chef’s kiss.

Our Entrées

It was SO hard for us to make a decision for our entrées. You can build your own meal or choose from the ones on the menu. We almost built our own, you can try more stuff that way. However, after some contemplating and talking to our waiter, we decided to order entrées already on the menu. We were so happy with our choices, the food was heavenly — haha!

BBQ Quesadilla

I chose the BBQ Quesadilla and I chose pork to go inside it. I also got a side of mac n cheese. I love cheese, I am a cheese connoisseur (yes, I gave myself that title) — haha! And I’m here to tell you their mac n cheese is amazing. They make it with pimento cheese, so it really just has a tasty kick about it.

I drizzled some BBQ sauce on my quesadilla and ate every bite! They have three sauces to choose from, our waiter explained the difference between them to us. They bring them to the table so you can try them all. My favorite was the Red Sauce.

 Burny Mac

My fiance chose the Burny Mac. He loves spicy food, mac n cheese, and burnt ends. So, it was the perfect choice for him! His dish started with the same mac n cheese I got (of course his was a larger portion), topped with brisket burnt ends, topped with spicy BBQ wing sauce and green onions. He got some local hot chow chow on the side too.

He added some extra BBQ sauce onto his and gobbled it up! I tried some of it too and we were both very impressed with the burnt ends. Dead End definitely earns the best BBQ restaurant in Knoxville award in my book

@mymacroscopiclife

Come celebrate national barbecue month at Dead End BBQ in Knoxville! 🤤 I loved my food here. Everything tasted amazing and the atmosphere was so fun! @Dead End BBQ #goodfood #bbq #restaurant #yummyfood #knoxville

♬ Food - Syafeea library

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The Atmosphere: What Kind of Place is It?

So, Dead End BBQ is considered a BBQ pit then? Well, not exactly. Think of any “BBQ pit” restaurant you’ve ever been to. Big smoker out front and the menu consists of BBQ and catfish — that’s what you’re thinking, right? Dead End BBQ is nothing like that.

There isn’t a smoker out front and catfish isn’t on the menu. However, there are non-BBQ options if you have someone in your party who isn’t a BBQ fan (we judge them silently but still love them —haha). Dead End has more of a sports bar vibe. They have a full bar consisting of house cocktails, flights, beer, and more. And, there are TV’s on almost all of the walls.

Memorabilia

Pay attention to the walls while you’re inside Dead End BBQ. They are full of Knoxville memorabilia. Old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, and more cover the walls.

Take a walk around before or after your meal and really take it all in. Trust me, they’re used to people walking around admiring everything. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you will have a greater appreciation of Knoxville when you leave.

Sports Memorabilia

Not only is there a lot of memorabilia about Knoxville in general, but there is A LOT of sports memorabilia. They’re huge University of Tennessee fans at Dead End BBQ (hence the TV’s on the walls). You’ll see framed jerseys, trophy’s, helmets, signed basketballs, signed pictures, and so much more.

The Patio

If you don’t want to sit inside, head to the patio. It’s open year-round, but on warm days they open the garage doors. I’ve heard some people call it a porch, but patio describes it better to me. It really gives you that backyard BBQ feel right at the restaurant. And, it adds to the overall sports bar vibe of the place.

So, does Dead End BBQ sound like a regular BBQ pit to you? I didn’t think so.

Dead End BBQ has Been Around for a Long Time then, Right?

Yes and no. Dead End BBQ is definitely a staple in Knoxville and deserves to be called the best BBQ restaurant in Knoxville. However, the restaurant didn’t open until 2009. Yes, you read that right. Jaw on the floor — I know. But…. technically they’ve been around since 2000.

Memorial Day: 2000

There was a huge block party going on where the neighborhood came together for a pig roast. There was about 40 people there and it was invite-only. It took place at (you guessed it) the end of a dead end street.

By 2001 the party had grown substantially and turned into an annual gathering. The guest list had increased too and more than 500 people were showing up.

BBQ Competitions

Aside from the annual block party, there was another thing that put Dead End BBQ on the map: the state BBQ competitions. In 2004 they began competing and won the State Championship a few years later. In 2008 they represented Tennessee at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational BBQ Competition.

The next year, in 2009, Dead End BBQ became an official restaurant.

Okay, I’m Sold. Where Exactly is the Best BBQ Restaurant in Knoxville?

Dead End BBQ is found on Sutherland Ave in Knoxville. It’s between downtown and West Knoxville, technically in Bearden. It’s very easy to get to, right off the side of the road. Just pop it into your GPS.

They do have their own parking lot. I get that question a lot when I’m talking about restaurants (and, believe me, I get it). But, yes, they have plenty of parking so that’s nothing to worry about.

Go, have fun, and enjoy some amazing food — the best BBQ restaurant in Knoxville!