City guideNashville, Tennessee
Brisket in Nashville: where to find it
Nashville is a pork town. Brisket is the Texas transplant that moved in and stayed. Here's where critics and locals say it's worth the line.
The short version
Short on time? Start with these four.- Wagyu brisketShotgun Willie's
American wagyu brisket in Madison; in the Infatuation's guide and the Scene's 2024 Writers' Choice12Jump to it: Shotgun Willie's ↓ - NewestStoke Haus
Weekend sliced brisket1; Scene Writers' Choice for new barbecue, 20264Jump to it: Stoke Haus ↓ - Something differentCurry Boys BBQ
Prime brisket with Thai flavors; sell-out risk is high5Jump to it: Curry Boys BBQ ↓ - Old schoolJack's Bar-B-Que
The old-school Nashville brisket answer; go to Trinity Lane1Jump to it: Jack's Bar-B-Que ↓
We don't rank spots on our own taste. Every spot below comes from published reviews and polls, cited at the bottom.
Why brisket in a pork town
Tennessee barbecue grew up on hogs. The Infatuation says Nashville has no specific barbecue style beyond a focus on smoked pork1, and when the Nashville Scene gave Shotgun Willie's its 2024 Writers' Choice award for barbecue, writer Steve Cavendish called the award "a betrayal of sorts," since "our tradition is pig"2. That is exactly why the brisket scene is interesting. It's a small group of pitmasters cooking in Texas traditions a long way from Austin: Shotgun Willie's seasons its wagyu brisket with salt and pepper2, Curry Boys smokes over post oak6, and Bringle's leans West Texas7.
A few things to know up front:
- Brisket sells out. The Infatuation warns about it at Stoke Haus, Martin's and Curry Boys15, and Shotgun Willie's posts its hours as "or until sold out"14. Go early, especially on weekends.
- Some spots only do brisket on certain days. Stoke Haus serves sliced brisket on weekends1; on weekdays the Scene points to its smoked brisket burger4.
- Say how you like it. If you're partial to a fattier or a leaner slice, tell the person at the cutting board. Asking never hurt anybody.
The short list
| Spot | Neighborhood | What the sources say | Sell-out note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shotgun Willie's BBQ | Madison | In The Infatuation's Nashville BBQ guide; Scene Writers' Choice 202412 | Ribs sell out most often; open until sold out114 |
| Stoke Haus Brewing & Barbecue | East Nashville | Scene Writers' Choice, new barbecue, 20264 | Weekend brisket, arrive near 11am1 |
| Curry Boys BBQ | East Nashville | Prime brisket, thick smoke ring56 | High sell-out risk5 |
| Bringle's Smoking Oasis | The Nations | West Texas-style brisket7 | Not noted |
| Jack's Bar-B-Que | Trinity Lane, Charlotte Ave.15 | The old-school brisket answer1 | Not noted |
| Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint | Downtown | Sliced brisket, "cross your fingers it hasn't sold out"1 | Yes1 |
| Butchertown Hall | Germantown | Brisket by the pound, brisket tacos8 | Not noted |
| Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q | South Nashville | Consistent, cafeteria-style brisket1 | Not noted |
The spots, one by one
Shotgun Willie's BBQ
The Infatuation's Nashville BBQ guide includes Shotgun Willie's and singles out the slow-smoked American wagyu brisket1. In its full review, the brisket is "just like Texas intended," tender and juicy3.
The Nashville Scene's 2024 Writers' Choice went to Shotgun Willie's, describing Bill Laviolette's place in Madison as a "house of brisket" and the brisket as American wagyu cooked with salt, pepper and 12 hours of smoke2. Eater Nashville notes the Texas-style brisket and ribs are smoked over white oak and pecan8. The Infatuation says the ribs "always seem to be sold out"1, and the spot's own website lists its hours as 11am to 3pm "or until sold out"14.
- What to order
- Brisket by the pound, plus the dill potato salad and baked beans1.
Full listing: Shotgun Willie's BBQSpot’s website: Shotgun Willie's BBQ →Directions to Shotgun Willie's BBQ
Stoke Haus Brewing & Barbecue
Stoke Haus is a brewery where the barbecue might be the main event. The Nashville Scene gave it a 2026 Writers' Choice award for new barbecue, saying weekends are for "smoky sliced brisket that would impress a native Texan," with pitmaster Mike Morbitzer on the smoker4. The Infatuation says you'll need to arrive around 11am on Saturday or Sunday to get brisket before it runs out1.
- What to order
- Weekend brisket. On weekdays, the Scene points to a smoked brisket burger Wednesday through Friday4.
- Know before you go
- It's small and easy to miss, through a door in a wooden fence on Main Street1.
Full listing: Stoke Haus Brewing & BarbecueDirections to Stoke Haus Brewing & Barbecue
Curry Boys BBQ
Curry Boys is a San Antonio import that pairs Central Texas barbecue with Thai flavors. The Infatuation says the brisket "has a smoke ring as thick as a stalk of lemongrass"5. Its Brisket Smoke Show bowl pairs oak-smoked prime brisket with green curry over rice5. The Nashville Scene's first look describes the same dish as Prime brisket smoked over post oak on a large rotisserie smoker on the back patio6.
- What to order
- The Brisket Smoke Show, or brisket on its own.
Bringle's Smoking Oasis
Bringle's comes from Carey Bringle, the pitmaster behind Peg Leg Porker13, and it leans West Texas. The Infatuation's review lists West Texas-style brisket alongside smoked pastrami and prime rib, with a big astroturf patio that fills up on football weekends7. Eater Nashville mentions brisket and "behemoth beef ribs," with smoked prime rib on Fridays8.
- What to order
- Brisket and the pastrami that The Infatuation calls "show-stealing"7.
Full listing: Bringle's Smoking OasisDirections to Bringle's Smoking Oasis
Jack's Bar-B-Que
Jack's is the brisket answer from before brisket was trendy. The Infatuation says if you ask an old-school Nashvillian about their favorite brisket, "there's a 99% chance they'll say Jack's." It recommends the Trinity Lane location for better food and smaller crowds1. Eater Nashville says Jack's covers St. Louis, Texas and Tennessee styles8. The Broadway location closed on August 4, 202511, and Jack's own site now lists two locations: 334 West Trinity Lane and 1601 Charlotte Ave.15.
- What to order
- Brisket with the Texas sweet hot sauce, which The Infatuation says has won Jack's awards1.
- Know before you go
- The Infatuation says the Trinity Lane location has better food and smaller crowds1.
Full listing: Jack's Bar-B-QueSpot’s website: Jack's Bar-B-Que →Directions to Jack's Bar-B-Que
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Martin's cooks whole hog, but brisket is on the order. The Infatuation recommends the downtown location and says to get the sliced brisket, adding "cross your fingers it hasn't sold out"1.
- What to order
- Sliced brisket, plus the pulled pork, mac and cheese and hoecakes The Infatuation recommends1.
- Know before you go
- The sliced brisket can sell out, so The Infatuation says to cross your fingers1.
Hours not confirmed · call (615) 288-0880
Full listing: Martin's Bar-B-Que JointDirections to Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Butchertown Hall
Eater Nashville's map points to Butchertown Hall, an Eater Award winner in 2015, for its take on Texas barbecue, and says to "order anything with brisket," from oak-roasted brisket tacos to brisket by the pound8.
- What to order
- Anything with brisket: the oak-roasted brisket tacos, brisket by the pound or the brisket-grind double burger8.
Full listing: Butchertown HallDirections to Butchertown Hall
Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q
Tex's isn't one of the big names, but The Infatuation calls it legit, with a reasonably priced and consistent menu of brisket, ribs and other meats served cafeteria-style1.
- What to order
- A combo plate with the brisket, plus the barbecue bologna The Infatuation calls the dark horse1.
- Know before you go
- Service is cafeteria-style1.
Full listing: Tex's World Famous Bar-B-QDirections to Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q
Worth the drive: Williamson County
Closing for good November 14, 2026. Go before then.12
Down in Brentwood, Visit Franklin describes Judge Bean's Bar-B-Que as serving Texas-style barbecue with "legitimate Texas-approved beef brisket"10. Judge Bean's has announced it will close permanently on November 14, 202612. See our Franklin and Williamson County guide for more.
A brisket day in Nashville
On a weekday, swap Stoke Haus for Curry Boys at opening.
FAQ
Where can I find brisket in Nashville?
Shotgun Willie's in Madison, Stoke Haus and Curry Boys in East Nashville, Bringle's in The Nations, Jack's on Trinity Lane and Charlotte Ave., Martin's downtown, Butchertown Hall in Germantown and Tex's in South Nashville all serve it.
Which Nashville spots sell out of brisket?
The Infatuation flags Stoke Haus (weekend brisket, arrive near 11am), Curry Boys (high sell-out risk) and Martin's downtown. At Shotgun Willie's, the ribs sell out most often, and the spot stays open only until it's sold out.
Is there Texas-style brisket in Nashville?
Yes. Shotgun Willie's, Stoke Haus, Curry Boys (by way of San Antonio), Bringle's (West Texas style) and Butchertown Hall all cook in Texas traditions.
What day does Stoke Haus serve brisket?
Sliced brisket is a weekend thing, and The Infatuation says to arrive around 11am on Saturday or Sunday. On weekdays, the Nashville Scene points to a smoked brisket burger Wednesday through Friday. Check its social media before you go.
What’s changed
Spots close and polls change. Here’s what we’ve updated, newest first.
- Oct 2026Judge Bean's in Brentwood announced it will close permanently on November 14, 202612.
- Aug 2025Jack's Broadway Downtown location closed on August 4, 202511.
Sources
- The Best BBQ In Nashville · The Infatuation · published Oct 14, 2026
- Best of Nashville 2024 Writers' Choice: Shotgun Willie's · Nashville Scene · published Oct 17, 2024
- Shotgun Willie's Review · The Infatuation · published Aug 28, 2025
Show all 15 sourcesShow fewer sources
- Best New Barbecue 2026: Stoke Haus · Nashville Scene · published Oct 8, 2026
- Curry Boys BBQ Review · The Infatuation · published Apr 23, 2025
- First Bite: Curry Boys BBQ · Nashville Scene · published Apr 28, 2025
- Bringle's Smoking Oasis Review · The Infatuation · published Sep 30, 2024
- The Best Finger-Licking Barbecue in Nashville · Eater Nashville · published May 2024
- Discovering the Best BBQ in Nashville · Appetites Abroad · published Jul 1, 2026
- Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Franklin · Visit Franklin · published May 18, 2026
- Broadway Downtown: Location Closed August 4, 2025 · Jack's Bar-B-Que · published Oct 21, 2026
- Brentwood's Judge Bean's BBQ Closes for Good After 16 Years · Hoodline · published Oct 19, 2026
- Carey Bringle Prepares to Open Bringle's Smoking Oasis in The Nations · Nashville Scene · published Dec 2, 2021
- Hours and Location · Shotgun Willie's BBQ · published Accessed Oct 25, 2026
- Locations · Jack's Bar-B-Que · published Accessed Oct 25, 2026
How we write guides. We don’t publish our own reviews or scores. Listings reflect where independent press and readers’ polls agree, and every claim links to its source. Paid placements never change a guide. Hours and sell-outs change, so check with the spot before you drive.
Next guideBBQ in Franklin and Williamson CountyMore Tennessee guides
Photo: Kaldari, Public domainNashville Barbecue, Explained
Where critics and locals agree, by style and neighborhood, plus a one-day route, food trucks and sell-out tips.
Photo: Chun Yip So, CC BY 2.0West Tennessee Whole Hog Barbecue, Explained
History, how it's cooked, the pitmasters who kept it alive, and how it compares to Memphis, Texas and Carolina.
Photo: Ichabod, CC BY-SA 3.0BBQ in Franklin and Williamson County
Whole hog, Nashville hot, Memphis ribs and Texas brisket, from the Sizzle Awards and Visit Franklin.