Photo: Ichabod, CC BY-SA 3.0Area guide · Williamson County, Tennessee
BBQ in Franklin and Williamson County
Whole hog, Nashville hot, Memphis ribs and Texas brisket, from the Sizzle Awards and Visit Franklin.
© OpenStreetMap- 15 mi from Nashville
- 7.8 mi from Brentwood
- 2.2 mi from TN Smoke and Smash
West Tennessee whole hog · Nolensville Road, Williamson County
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
The original Martin's, home of West Tennessee whole hog since 2006.
- Today
Why go
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint opened in October 2006 in Nolensville, TN, as a 950-square-foot spot with 12 tables.6 Founder Pat Martin first came to West Tennessee whole-hog barbecue as a college student in Henderson, TN.6 Across Martin's, the meats smoke over local hickory wood for up to 22 to 24 hours.6
The brand's whole menu is made from scratch every day, and its signature dishes include Redneck Tacos and BBQ Nachos.6 It has since grown to nine restaurants across four states.1 Pat Martin was a landscaper with no restaurant experience when a wrecked equipment trailer led him to a vacant Mexican restaurant in Nolensville, which became the first Martin's, per the Tennessean.2
On these lists
- A top 10 from Visit Franklin, May 20265
Good to know
Whole hog
The style Martin's was built on.1
What people are saying
Posts and videos from people who’ve eaten here, pulled from 2 platforms and linked to the original.
By the numbersHow we counted
We use AI-assisted search to find public posts and press about each spot, then check them by hand. We can’t see every post, so these numbers count what we found, not everything out there. Last updated Oct 27, 2026.
- Press mentions: articles and lists in the press list on this page, all free to read.
- Latest mention: the newest dated creator post or press piece on this page. Shown only when it is under 60 days old.
- Creators: distinct accounts behind the creator posts on this page.
- Price: our own cost guide, not a ranking. We take the typical meal range from the spot's current menu and use its midpoint: $ under $12, $$ $12 to $20, $$$ $20 to $35, $$$$ over $35.
- EaterYouTubeView on YouTube ↗
- Kevin Kelly (Kevin's BBQ Joints)YouTubeView on YouTube ↗
- @JerryDeCarolisX · May 2024View on X ↗
Tap a post to play it here. We never edit posts or pay for them.
In the press
- Oct 21, 2026Nashville Business Journal · Martin's Bar-B-Que marks 20 years with expansion
- Oct 19, 2026The Tennessean · 20 years of Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint began with a wrecked trailer
- May 18, 2026Visit Franklin · Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Franklin That Will Keep You Coming Back for SecondsA top 10 from Visit Franklin
What we don’t know yet
We only publish what we can source. Here’s what’s missing.
- Prices
- Photos
- Wood and pits
- Cash or card
- The pitmaster
More barbecue nearby
TN Smoke and Smash
Nolensville · about 2 mi
9665 Clovercroft Rd
Edley's Bar-B-Que
Open dailyNolensville Pike · Nolensville Rd · about 5 mi
6025 Nolensville Rd
Famous Dave's
Smyrna · Industrial Blvd · about 6 mi
991 Industrial Blvd
Nearest trail: Franklin and Williamson County Trail.
Related guides
Photo: Ichabod, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kaldari, Public domainCity guide · Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville 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 2.0Style guide · West Tennessee
West 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.
Researched by Erik Peterson, sources linked below.
Sources (6) · every fact on this page links to one
- Home and story · Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- 20 years of Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint began with a wrecked trailer · The Tennessean · published Oct 19, 2026 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- Martin's Bar-B-Que marks 20 years with expansion · Nashville Business Journal · published Oct 21, 2026 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- Nolensville · Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint · Checked Oct 28, 2026
- Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Franklin That Will Keep You Coming Back for Seconds · Visit Franklin · published May 18, 2026 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- About · Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint · Checked Oct 28, 2026