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.
© OpenStreetMap- 6.1 mi from Nashville
- 4.4 mi from Old Hickory
- 1.7 mi from Whitt's Barbeque
Texas-style barbecue · Madison, Davidson County
Shotgun Willie's BBQ
Texas-style brisket and ribs over white oak and pecan, lunch only in Madison.
Why go
Texas pitmaster Bill LaViolette opened Shotgun Willie's in 2020.4 On May 25, 2024, it moved to 1500 Gallatin Pike South in Madison, a space about 4 times larger than the original.1 At the original location, brisket smoke came from a 500-gallon, oak-fueled Primitive Pit smoker.5
Highlights include American wagyu brisket, Texas hill country sausage and the "frequently sold-out salt and pepper ribs."6 Hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm "or until sold out," and it's closed Monday and Tuesday. Brisket, ribs or sausage can run out before the 3pm close.14
Bill Laviolette named Shotgun Willie's for his favorite Willie Nelson song. The brisket and ribs are smoked over white oak and pecan.2
What to order
What people are saying
Posts and videos from people who’ve eaten here, pulled from 3 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.
- Creator posts: TikTok, Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook posts on this page dated in the last 12 months. YouTube videos without a stored date are not counted. Reddit threads are not counted as creator posts.
- 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.
- Tennessee CrossroadsYouTubeView on YouTube ↗
- @jessietiggesTikTok · Oct 25, 2026View on TikTok ↗
- @LanceMcAlisterX · Mar 2025View on X ↗
- @ndreasMuellerX · Oct 2024View on X ↗
- @ccoexchangeX · Sep 2024View on X ↗
Tap a post to play it here. We never edit posts or pay for them.
In the press
- Oct 2024Nashville Scene · Shotgun Willie's, Best of Nashville 2024 Writers' Choice
- Main Street Media · Let's Eat: Shotgun Willie's doubles in size at new location in Madison
What we don’t know yet
We only publish what we can source. Here’s what’s missing.
- Prices
- Photos
- Cash or card
More barbecue nearby
Whitt's Barbecue
Madison · E Old Hickory Blvd · about 2 mi
114 E Old Hickory Blvd
Curry Boys BBQ
Open dailyEast Nashville · about 3 mi
1304 McGavock Pike
Mission BBQ
Opry Mills Dr · about 3 mi
161 Opry Mills Dr
Nearest trail: Nashville in a Weekend.
Related guides
Photo: Kaldari, Public domain
Photo: Johnsparks75, CC BY-SA 4.0City guide · Nashville, Tennessee
Brisket in Nashville: where to find it
Where to find brisket in Nashville, with sell-out notes and what to order.
Road trip · Tennessee
Tennessee BBQ Road Trip Planner, by Region
West Tennessee ribs and whole hog, Middle Tennessee around Nashville, and Knoxville spots in the east, with trails, hours and drive times.
Researched by Erik Peterson, sources linked below.
Sources (6) · every fact on this page links to one
- Home · Shotgun Willie's BBQ · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- The best barbecue in Nashville · Eater Nashville · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- Shotgun Willie's, Best of Nashville 2024 Writers' Choice · Nashville Scene · published Oct 2024 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- Let's Eat: Shotgun Willie's doubles in size at new location in Madison · Main Street Media · published 2024 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- Shotgun willies nashville · texasmonthly.com · Checked Oct 28, 2026
- Shotgun willies · theinfatuation.com · Checked Oct 28, 2026