Tennessee’s Real BBQ Real Fast
260 Andover St, Peabody, MA, 01960
Tennessee’s Real BBQ Real Fast Menu
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Address :
260 Andover St
Peabody, MA, 01960 - Phone (978) 977-9977
- Website https://tennesseesbbq.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Leah N.
I enjoyed my meal , I got beef ribs , Mac n cheese , cuc. Salad and corn bread. Beef was good but kinda fatty , Mac n cheese was amazing as was the corn bread , and cuc. Salad good alittle to tangy for me but will go back .
(4)Susan C.
Food tastes like it came from a frozen dinner. The meat is fatty and lack luster. The mac and cheese and the corn bread are good. It's very pricy. But there is not much for good BBQ around peabody. But the service is fast and the portions are ok. It's good for a quick and easy dinner or lunch
(3)Phil C.
Not the best, but I think it was what I ordered. I got the pork sandwich which was soaked it a vinegary sauce, too much. Made the sandwich inedible, could only pick at the meat. The side of cucumber salad was great. My wife got the sliced brisk sandwich which was a little well too done but still good. It is a hit or miss, probably will not return.
(3)Christina P.
I'm not sure how Tennessee or how real this BBQ is, but it's still mad tasty. I wish New England had those ridiculous barbecue platters you see on /r/food for dirt cheap, but we don't so gotta work with what we have. And what we have is an easy-to-miss dive in Peabody with decent BBQ. You order at the counter and grab your food when they call your #; all the other fixins like sauces are available self-serve. I was starving so I got a plate of 4 Memphis ribs (came with 5, yesss) and 3 sides and I ate every last bite (don't judge). The ribs were meaty, but ya know, you could always have more meat. As for sides, get the cucumbers. Do it. Best side they have and it's super refreshing to have with anything saucy. Also went with baked mac n' cheese and sweet potato, which were both just okay. Neither really blew me away. Other times I've had the mashed potatoes, bbq beans, corn bread,dirty rice, etc. and nothing really stands out aside from the cucumbers, so just pick two other things you like. This place will satisfy a barbecue craving at the very least and at least I feel like I'm getting my money's worth here vs. at Redbones.
(3)Van M.
Arrived 9:20-9:25 on Friday and was told "Sorry, no more ribs - the grill is closed." Wait, aren't you open until 10:00? "Yes, but we have to shut down the grill early." Umm, I guess I can understand 10-15 minutes ... but 35-40 minutes? I guess the purpose of my post is to let you know you should probably get there by 9:15 or earlier if you want ribs.
(1)Chris L.
By far the worst experience I have had here to date and unfortunately will be the last time I eat here. Memphis ribs were like shoe leather and mostly fat. The sweet potato side was semi rotted and had a funny taste and the cole slaw tasted like dirty water. I've been a few times over the years and this was the WORST meal I have had. Too much money for terrible food.
(1)William G.
Pricey but good! I ordered the baby back ribs and it was really tasty and fresh. BBQ beans and smashed potatoes are a must. You could skip the coleslaw. The atmosphere in this place brings you to Tennessee, and the smell of BBQ on the grill and blues playing on the radio is awesome! This particular location, you can also order beer with your food, which is always nice.
(4)Amy C.
I don't think Tennessee's would ever be on Triple D, but it'll pass. Not great, but pretty good and consistent. It's nice to come down every now and then for pulled pork or ribs and good ole southern sides.
(3)Ralph D.
I'll give it 4 stars. I got the Dixie chicken and PORK ribs with corn bread, dirty rice , corn on the cob I enjoyed all but the corn on the cob thought it was soggy then hard ?? Idk lol. As far my girl goes she got the BEEF RIBS and they were inedible !! The fat was overwhelming I tried myself and truly not good so I shared my meal with her. she did like the corn bread cucumber s and Mac n cheese.
(4)Christopher B.
I drove by this place for a couple years wondering if I should try it out. I finally had a chance to eat there tonight and I can say that I am extremely disappointed...and sick! I have had real southern cuisine before and trust me, this is NOT "Real BBQ" I got the pulled chicken sandwich with mashed potatoes and "baked" Mac & cheese. Sounds like the fixin's of a soulful meal but I couldn't have been more wrong. The "baked" Mac & cheese was very obviously frozen and microwaved. And it didn't even try to look baked. The mashed potatoes were halfway decent but I ordered no gravy and they put it on there anyway. The chicken was, again, very obviously bagged or frozen. It was slimey and chewy to the point of being inedible at times. I did, however, eat most of it because I had paid $12 bucks for it and I was starving. But I regretted it just a few short hours later. Eating at Tennessee "Real" BBQ only left me with a very real intense drive home ending with me clenching my toilet in agony, painfully reliving every morbid bite of that atrocious slop they call food. I'm not even going to mention the miserable staff that couldn't have been more disinterested in being there. Oops. Stay very far away from this place. It's a shame, too! This area needs an authentic BBQ joint!
(1)Duke D.
This place is pretty solid overall. Ive had some really great ribs here and go back every couple months. The mac and cheese is sneaky good too! Little over priced imo but still a good spot.
(4)Jon M.
This place is good, dont listen who over reviewers who rate BBQ joints on their sides and other stuff such as burritos and mac and cheese. If you want BBQ food who cares about the sides, you come for the smoked delicious meats which this place delivers.
(5)Salma F.
OMG!!!! The sloppiest food ever!!!!! I had a BBQ beef burrito and it was a mess, I couldn't taste the BBQ because of all the fat, it was awful, i couldn't even hold on to the burrito cause it was soaked wet. I don't know about the ribs and wings, defiantly not going back to try anything
(1)Dave M.
this place was pretty decent. the food and portions were good for a reasonable price. i got a 1/4 chicken platter that comes with 3 sides ($9.49). wife got the chicken salad ($9.29). the chicken salad was a little overpriced for the portion especially compared to what you get with the 1/4 chicken platter. i wouldn't recommend the salad there. the place is a good size and has a southern feel to the design. they have beers and their own soda brand. they provide 3 types of sauces to dispense at your own liking and their napkins are commercial grade brown paper towels. the service was decently friendly and the food came out quick. overall, i would recommond this place.
(4)Chris B.
Whoa! Is all I can say. This is some real deal serious BBQ, definitely a place I expect to frequent often. I recommend the Memphis ribs (I'll order with sauce on the side next time) - huge ribs, lots of fall of the bone meat. In fact all their portions are on the large side. Collard greens? Yes please! Some of the best I've had. Believe they only have two beers on tap (Ipswich Ale being one of them). Will be back!
(4)Traci F.
My family and I have been here a bunch of times. We like everything we have tried. My husband raves about their ribs. I like their pulled pork. The place is clean. The food comes out relatively quickly. We've never waited more than a few minutes to order. The staff is ok. I do however wish they had either coke or Pepsi products on fountain. They have no name lemonade, no name root beer, no name cola, ect. The napkins are paper towels from a roll. I would recommend this Restaraunt.
(4)Andrew B.
Good food! Looked busy so thats always a good sign. Dirty rice, smashed potatos qtr bird of bbq chicken you cant go wrong. Will Be back
(4)Shawneen M.
Order four dinners tonight from here. 3 baby back ribs with 3 sides each and a chicken burrito. As u started to dig into my mashed potatoes a huge black threadish looking thing came out! At first I thought it was a piece of here but the. U realized it wasn't when I saw the thinker end! Destroyed my appetite! And everyone else's! Called then to let them know and they refund us out 18 bucks for that one dinner! Ughh
(1)Simon L.
Two meat combo adding $2 to include some of the meatiest beef ribs I've had the pleasure of tasting. Memphis ribs also had a deep smoky flavor with nice pink throughout. Both served with sauce, a bit too sweet for me. Good collard greens. Mayo-less pepper flaked cole slaw, very fresh and crispy. Cucumber salad also fresh. Booths line the wall, walk to the back, look up and place your order. When you hear your number, awesome BBQ will be waiting on a tray. Grab some paper towels from the rack under the condiments, you're definitely gonna' need 'em. Pump some sauce from the giant vats if you want extra. Bottled beer and soda available. A small but good spot in Peabody.
(4)Chris G.
I've driven by this place for a while, and happened to be at Target at lunchtime today so I decided to hop over and give this place a try. Upon walking in, my first impression was that it "looked" like a real barbecue place. While this may sound funny, I think it's important because having been to a lot of barbecue places in the south, there is a specific look and feel to a "real" barbecue place and this restaurant has captured much of that look. Unfortunately, they didn't capture much else. I asked the girl working the register what their specialty was because I wanted to try their best item to give them a fair shot. She pointed at the specials board and I finally had to rephrase my question to "what is the best thing you make". She shrugged and said the pulled pork is really popular I guess, so that's what I went with, I guess. I got sides of collard greens, sweet potato and cornbread. I started with the greens and they were good, a little too sweet for my taste, but not bitter at all and I'd rather have sweet than bitter, so no complaints with the greens. The sweet potato was good, cooked to the point it was nice and soft and the plastic fork just glided right through it. Next I went after the pulled pork, unfortunately the texture of the pork was equivalent to that of the potato. Far too mushy for my liking. They also have 3 different sauces, tangy, hot and sweet. They all looked exactly the same and tasted roughly the same too. You could identify the hot and tangy ones because they were slightly hotter and slightly tangier than the sweet sauce respectively. The cornbread was pretty good, exactly the way I like it, dry, but not too dry and a little sweet. The cornbread and the sweet potato were by far the best parts of the meal. Not exactly what I'm hoping to say when leaving a barbecue joint. If you don't travel outside of New England much then perhaps this passes as good barbecue, but if you've ever been south of Connecticut I don't think you'll be impressed.
(2)Mark S.
Wow. What a diamond in the rough! If you have a hankering for BBQ, you should go well out of your way to get to this place. I don't remember the last time I was this pleasantly surprised by a restaurant I was skeptical about visiting. Decent BBQ in the Boston suburbs?? You better believe it. Don't pass this up...you'd be making a huge mistake. The pulled pork was phenomenal. The Big BBQ Burrito was out of this world delicious. Get here and eat real fast.
(4)Cristal K.
Food is super goid. Great portions. Friendly staff. Beer available. But prices are a little high. If prices were lower i would go there weekly. Right now I can only afford to go there once every few months
(3)Victor A.
I like the food! I've been there about 10 times in the many years it's been open. 9/10 I enjoyed the food! Love the pulled pork.
(4)Craig D.
(4) ~ very good overall food & service MY MENU: RIBS: * 1/3 Rack Memphis Ribs(dry rub) = (4) very good...these are meatier than baby backs & slightly bigger. I would describe them as a "St. Louis" style rib in their rectangular shape and size. St. Louis cuts are bigger than baby backs but smaller than Spare Ribs. SAUCES: * Sweet BBQ = (4) very good...my fav!;) * Tangy BBQ = (3.5) good...lots of tomato notes. * Hot BBQ = (3.5) good...but wanted more heat;) SIDES: * Corn Bread = (4) very good & moist...tasted great with added Honey too;) * Smashed Potatoes w. Gravy = (3.5) good * Mac-n-Cheese = (3.5) good...like a little more burnt crust in mine;) DESSERT: * Pecan Pie = (3.5) good DRINKS: * Draft Root Beer = (3.5) good NOTE: You order at the counter for both Take-Out & Dine-In. There's about (12) booths/tables inside. They'll call your Order# when ready. There's BIG barrels of each of the (3) BBQ Sauces to try.
(4)Marc H.
Best southern bbq I have ever had!!!!!
(5)Mike K.
I just came back from lunch at Tennessee's. For the Northeast, this was damn fine BBQ. I have actually eaten BBQ in Memphis, and this was as close as you are likely to get in this geography known as greater Boston. Tennessee's is a small place, order at the counter, and wait for your number to be called out. Unlike some other reviewers I found the staff really friendly and accommodating. This was a work lunch so no beers, but they do have a liquor license and from what I could tell a decent selection of bottled beers to wash down this fine BBQ chow. The prices were pretty average. I had a 6 bone baby back rib platter with 3 sides and it came out to $16.99. That is really fair considering I couldn't eat it all. For sides I went with collard greens, BBQ beans, and cole slaw. The only downer for me was the cole slaw was the vinegary style, and I prefer creamy style. However, that was the only negative in a sea of positives. One side note on the location, a co-worker brought me here, otherwise I would have driven right by it. I actually have driven by it on several occasions and never noticed it was in this little strip mall. They need a new roadside sign, as the current one is terribly faded and very difficult to read. Anyway, I know the location now and will be a regular for future visits. I am already looking forward to those ribs.
(4)Kyle D.
A friend recommended this place to me, and in turn I shall recommend this place to you. I have never really been an expert on barbecue, but that has never stopped me from putting in my two cents. This is a special barbecue place. The food is very good for the area. You can really taste and savor the sweet molasses in the sauce for the pulled pork and the wings. The pulled pork sandwhich is one of the best I have ever had. The pork just overflows the sandwhich and it is pure heaven. You will need a fork to eat the rest off of your plate. The wings will definitely fill you up right. The rice is good and the mac and cheese is average. You will not be disappointed by the selection at this place. I believe they cater also. Plus, they serve beer. You can't go wrong with a barbecue joint that serves beer. It is a great for a late night on route 114. There is decent parking, maybe a little cramped for parking spaces, and there is good seating inside. You can expect quick service at good prices. These people really give you a lot of food for $20. There weren't too many people there when I visited this restaurant, and they served me quickly. The only significant criticism I have is the atmosphere is the type where you think Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre is going to bust out of kitchen with a chainsaw. I don't know what it is about this place. It is family oriented, just not the same as a place like the Outback. But don't let that stop you from coming here. I am thinking about trying the hot wings myself.
(4)Nicole J.
Their food is a good value if you share. I am always disappointed by their sides, but their meat is always cooked to perfection and you HAVE to try their root beer on tap!
(4)Phil B.
I love good ribs and BBQ, but the ribs I had here last night weren't even suited for a dog. Hardly any meat on the bone, overcooked, and just plain awful. Seriously, some of the worst ribs I have ever had and I order ribs at restaurants that don't specialize in BBQ. Had some brisket, too, which was good, but overall I was disappointed with this place. Even the baked beans and mac and cheese were a miss. The mac and cheese is very bland and the beans were also overcooked. As for service, nothing special and nobody was going around wiping tables. Had to do that ourselves. As you can imagine, at a BBQ joint that's a lot of work in and of itself. It's worth the drive to head to American BBQ in Rowley. That's good BBQ, this is not.
(2)Gee Z.
Always delicious. Quick service. Meaty bbq. Just yum! It's the preferred place for us to go when we are too lazy to cook for ourselves. Highly recommend any day.
(5)J C.
I wasn't feeling this place at all. The Memphis Ribs were very low quality. When you slow smoke or cook a rib the meat is supposed to fall off bone, these on the other hand were overlooked and dry other than the BBQ sauce that drenched it. The brisket chili was extra salty & greasy, the brisket was just tough chewy large chunks of very low quality beef. The green beans side definitely previously frozen, no taste. The good part of this place was the service and speed of food coming out, we waited legit only 5 minutes for takeout. My wife liked her BBQ chicken salad though. The cornbread was really god.
(2)Shawn H.
I've eaten here a few times and although the food is decent the service is terrible. There is one girl that works behind the counter that is extremely rude, unfriendly, and she always has a frown on her face. You can tell she hates her job. Every time I go back I'm surprised she's still there. Another thing that annoys me is every single time we've been here she overcharges us. My wife doesn't drink soda but she always charges us for 2 sodas. A few times I've asked her to fix this but she's so rude and nasty as it is I don't even say anything anymore just so I don't have to deal with her again. Another time I asked where the napkins were and she just rudely pointed in a direction but I spent several minutes looking for them on my own. It turns out the napkins are kind of hidden under the counter on a roll. It seems to me it would be less confusing and more efficient to put a paper towel roll on each table, this is a BBQ place after all. The food isn't bad but it's a bit pricy for what you get. I usually get the pulled pork sandwich but honestly I could make a better sandwich myself at home. The rolls they use are just simple rolls you can buy at your local supermarket. The ribs are good and the food is decent but it hardly makes up for the bad service. Every time I come here I remember why I don't enjoy it and I regret it but there isn't a lot of decent BBQ options in the area. I give it 2 stars only because the food is decent.
(2)C D.
Very large ribs but reheated just as we placed our order. Kind of dry and fatty... Not a good tribute to real BBQ Ribs... Staff kind of friendly; simple formula but on the more expensive side for what it is... 12 ribs plus 3 drinks was around $45...
(2)Natalie T.
Mmmmmm... Everything's delicious. I recommend the Caribbean chicken and ribs. All the sides are great and they have a variety of drinks including beers. They also have a lot of sauce options. This place can get pretty expensive, just warning you.
(4)Janet S.
I am a HUGE Fan! I called this week to order a BBQ for 16 people for my son's 15th birthday. They could not have been nicer! Called me back immediately. Ran through the list of options. Gave suggestions. He had the order done and even offered to deliver..and this was only with 2 days notice! They food was amazing! Everyone that came was amazed at the ribs, chicken, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and corn bread..all was delicious! The woman that delivered brought everything in ..and set it up. You don't need to worry about a thing when you order from them...all plates, napkins, wet naps..everything! I would order again without hesitation. 5 stars all around! Thank you! Happy Marblehead Client!!
(5)Martin F.
Listen my children and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in 2012, I struck out to ride and what did I find.... BBQ! This is a pretty good place in a southern town and an absolutely amazing place in Massachusetts. I had a brisket sandwich and my daughter had the pulled pork. Sandwich plus side was $ 9, not bad considering how much we were served. I had low expectations coming from Texas but was happily surprised. The beans were good, the tangy sauce was great. I have never seen the selections they have in the soda machine, but perhaps it is a northeast thing. Feel free to go out of your way a little for some real Que - you won't be disappointed.
(4)Dan R.
i LOVE having a great BBQ on the north shore. I am a huge fan of Redbones, but this totally satisfies my cravings for great ribs and BBQ. Food is fast, tasty, and plentiful. I love that they have beer with counter service. I really liked their vinaigrette cole slaw and the corn bread is nice too. It's hard for me not to get a slice of pecan pie. LOVE THEIR RIBS The guy who is always at the register is super nice too Always happy to support this business
(4)Chris P.
Good atmosphere and music . Bad BBQ and sides . This is not the real deal. Maybe passable for a naive new englander who doesn't know better but being a southern boy this doesn't come close to satisfactory. More if a novelty. Crap service too. Gotta have the southern hospitality. Maybe a good place to grab a beer and burrito but that's it.
(2)Jessica K.
Just had a birthday party catered. It was fantastic, Dave was so easy to work with. Food was great and lots of it! Highly recommend it and will be back for sure
(5)Mike R.
In general, I like the BBQ here. I normally stick to the ribs, which seem to be cooked well and are flavorful. The choice of sauce is not great but its okay. The wings are also good. I also like the sausage which can be added to any meal for $1 or $2. Plus it is a good value and they have ample seating if you just want to chill out while you eat your food.
(4)Sarah S.
This isn't real southern BBQ, but it's pretty good for a place above the Mason-Dixon line. I've gotten ribs, chicken and pulled pork, and they were all pretty good. I love the corn bread, and the Mac and Cheese is one of the best that I've found (that I didn't make myself!). Collard greens are tasty too. I haven't tried the cucumber salad, but I think I may after reading some of the reviews. The portions are big, the price is decent, and the food is above average for the area.
(4)Emily H.
I had been to the one in Braintree about a year ago and thought it was good. Being from Memphis and having lived in Boston for five years, I am no stranger to being on the hunt for good bbq in new england. This place is good. C'mon- you're in Danvers, MA. This is good bbq for the area, not to mention some of the only BBQ I'm familiar with on the northshore. If you really want to be picky, yes, the Pit in Dorchester is a little better. BUT I've tried them all- redbones, blue ribbon, soul fire, red-eyed pig- and none of them are as good in terms of flavor of the meat and sides. The beef ribs are good and the sides and cornbread and tasty. Very moderately priced. A great place to have on the north shore when you're craving decent BBQ.
(4)Jenny J.
My husband and I are frequent customers of Tennessee BBQ. We normally get the (sweet) pulled pork burritos that keep us full for literally the rest of the day & night. Only complaints are they overfill the burrito with rice (I now order with 'light rice'), they're stingy with their guacamole (like 99% of the places out there, avocados are expensive on the east coast!) and their fountain drinks, bleh. Okay, now on to the praising ... 07/12/2014 We had Tennessee BBQ cater our son's first birthday party for 30 people. All the planning, running around, entertaining, etc. - we certainly didn't want to worry about cooking. I have never had food catered before, so I was super nervous when we placed the order early in the week. I had a few modifications that wasn't written on the receipt and the day or time wasn't written on our receipt either. I was planning on calling to get a copy of the handwritten order but of course I never got around to it. I went over everything about 10 times before my husband and brother picked up the order, and they refused to take my checklist (neurotic, I know). When he arrived back home, he talked about how amazing the owner/manager was. He thoroughly explained everything and personally checked the order before his employees packed it up. We ordered chicken, pulled pork, macaroni & cheese (*cue Drake's 'Best I Ever Had'), dirty rice, corn on the cob, sweet potato (YUM!)cornbread (semi burnt) and it came to less than $10 per person. That's UNHEARD of in the catering world. The food was a huge hit and we had enough food to feed a small army. At LEAST 50 people. We were considering donating the left over food to a shelter but my brother begged to take it. He's been eating them for 5 days straight =X If we weren't impressed enough, a friend at the party was saying they only have TN BBQ cater her son's birthdays. They are never disappointed and there are always leftovers. Her husband recently got deployed to Afghanistan but before he left they dined here (in his army fatigues) and they thanked him for his service and said the meal was on the house. AMAZING. As if I didn't already love this place!
(5)Phatkatmeowmeow M.
like the 50s look and the BBG is on point the pull pork, Collard Greens,Baked Mac & Cheese , & the Memphis Ribs the down side CANNED sweet potato & the chicken was roastie then grill NOT COOL
(4)Frannie Z.
I've gotta give this place four stars solely on the fact that the owner didn't kick me out the first time I went. Lemme explain.... I love BBQ but I like either a dry rub or a North Carolina style sauce. So when I walk into a BBQ joint & happen to mention to the owner (I didn't know he was the owner at the time, he was sitting in a booth) that I don't like BBQ sauce -- yes, I generalized my statement -- and a conversation starts, that's a good thing. Most BBQ guys probably woulda thrown me out on my butt no questions asked. My first trip I had the brisket. It was very tender. After talking to the owner, he gave me tips on what to try next. That, plus the fact that he sent me away with some North Carolina pork and 3 ribs to try has kept me coming back to sample more of the menu. FYI if you're like me & don't like the regular style BBQ sauce, they can serve them dry with just the rub. I can tell you they are quite fine served this way (yummmm). I've also had the chicken burrito and a sandwich made with the pulled pork. I think I prefer the Memphis ribs over the Texas beef but I may just have to try them again (and again and again) to come to a real conclusion. My only problem here is the sides. I've had the cole slaw, collard greens, dirty rice, corn bread and mac & cheese. Out of all of them, I only truly enjoyed the corn bread. The others did nothing for me. But hell, that just means I have more room for meat! I will give the beans and the cucumber salad a try one of these days & report back once I've done so.
(4)Michael W.
Just judging by location and outside appearance, you'd think this place was terrible. In fact, what you have here is a little dusty gem. Barbecue in Boston is a funny thing. We're really not in the right part of the country to have amazing smoke shacks on every corner. In places like that, Tennessee's would be just OK, but here it's great. There are a few places around town with excellent barbecue, but outside of the city this is about as good as it gets. I haven't tried the sandwiches, but the ribs, pulled pork and wings were very good. The ribs were smoked to perfection and cut to the perfect size. The wings were appetizing and the pulled pork had a great consistency. There has been a lot said about authenticity in these reviews. This place has great food but as a whole but remember it's a chain, so it may offend BBQ purists. The sauces on offer are your basics, and the sides I've had (collard greens, corn bread and baked beans) were tasty and filling. If you're looking for a quick BBQ fix north of the city, you can't go wrong. If you could turn to your right in any BBQ shack and school the person next to you on the finer points of BBQ philosophy, you may want to keep driving.
(4)Mike Z.
More like a 3.5. Don't be sketched out by the exterior or even the interior of this joint, the BBQ is not bad. The beef briskets were the highlight of the meal, tender as it can be and very flavorful. The "jumbo" wings were not as jumbo as I had expected, it tasted decent. A bit too charred. Baby back ribs were tender, but lacked flavor. I'd stay away from the soda. The soda vendor is apparently called something like Real Soda City and all of the flavors (yes, all) tasted funky. For a split second there, I had thought that they were a subsidiary of Pepsi or Coke because I didn't know any other soda companies existed. For good reason. There weren't that many sauces to choose from, just Tangy, Spicy, and Sweet from what I can remember. Not impressed.
(3)Vivian L.
My visit here is quite interesting because I found myself to be a huge fan of the sides this place offered than the ribs themselves! I ordered the baby back ribs with a side of cucumber salad, watermelon and mashed potatoes. I also got to try the sweet potato, corn bread, and collared greens that my family ordered and loved all of it! The baby backs were a bit disappointing though. They were far from fall of the bone and lacked flavour, and my mom (who ordered the same thing) agreed with me. Can't speak for the beef ribs though since I didn't try it, but my cousin in law loves it though. And no, I'm not some strange person who hates meat, I am quite carnivorous actually, and being a Canadian I was really looking forward to American bbq ribs, but sadly was let down a little here. However I think this is a solid place in terms of its sides! If I return I will likely order the beef ribs though, in case that's significantly better than the baby backs!
(3)Herb Z.
When I came here a week ago I was not impressed. Staff was rude to the point of being wize and flip with responses. Food was not even close to the hype I heard about it. Cole slaw was brutal and soggy with vinegar, meat was borderline dried out. What kind of BBQ place does not have regular fries??
(2)W. M.
Real bad. Real fast. I'm not a barbecue snob but I know the point of barbeque is to make the meat tender. The meat on the ribs we got was like plastic (we actually peeled off pieces and started clicking the table with it). Out of our entire order there were maybe two pieces that were edible -- and those two pieces were cold. The sides were just as bad. The dirty rice was just rice with a little seasoning, the collard greens and green beans both had no flavor at all. I thought about calling the manager over to complain while we were there but they'd already lost us as customers so what was the point? I'm not sure if this place is a chain but that's what it feels like -- lots of money spent on decor and food made as quickly and cheaply as possible.
(1)Ryan S.
My favorite here are the fall off e bone tender ribs. With a great spice and slow cooked. I crave these delicious ribs. Fn to go here with friends and the brisket my friend had had him raving for weeks. I did not sample it myself but it may be what I try the next time around. He is a tough customer to please so it is a pretty good recommendation.
(5)Sean G.
This place has great BBQ food on the cheap. I love the pulled pork, the ribs, and the brisket. They have great sides too like cucumber salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, and mac & cheese. You can't go wrong here. Also, it really is fast!
(5)Will W.
Great smoked meats, awesome sides and cold beer. Reasonable prices too!
(4)Courtney N.
I was not thinking barbecue. In fact, in short order I was thinking Bagel World (line literally out the door), Qdoba (line to the door), and Panera (we were turning around in Tennessee's parking lot to get there) when it hit me that I haven't had barbecue in forever. Okay, and maybe I didn't want to deal with a huge line. I was very pleasantly surprised, and would go back again with this as my first choice! As I said, no line. No wait. The food was out super fast. The menu was awesome. So much to choose from. My boyfriend and I got the Dixie chicken meal to split. And believe me, there is enough food to split! The chicken was awesome. The sides were all right. I would get the mac n cheese again, but would pass on the potatoes (too much of that 'made from the box' taste) and the cole slaw (used oil instead of mayo). They have so many sides to choose from that you could keep trying new combos every visit. I'm not a big barbecue person. In fact, I usually hate barbecue because the food is over-grilled or the sauce is way too spicy. The Dixie chicken was perfect. My mouth is watering thinking about it right now. The prices were tremendous for all of the items on the menu. I definitely recommend giving this place a chance!
(4)Ravi K.
Good food. I go there 2-3 times a month & close to my place. However, last night their corn on the cobb was little raw. Make sure to tell them what chicken type (breast or legs) you want if it's in your order.
(4)Bryan F.
Awesome. Bad ass music. Staff has some kick in them and the food is outrageously yummy
(5)Rob W.
I'll start off by saying I'm a huge BBQ guy and their meat selection is very, very good. What really threw me off was the poor quality of their sides. The sides (I got mashed potatoes and green beans) reminded me of a middle school lunch and left little to be desired. They deserve a 3.5 but I wasn't happy to pay $10 for a sandwich with 2 sides that were pretty bad in all honesty. All in all, I'll definitely stop in again for the BBQ - hopefully they can redeem themselves in the 'sides' department.
(3)Megan E.
I had a craving for delicious spicy chicken and boy did I get my wish. I ordered a chicken sandwich with baked mac & cheese and dirty rice. I also had one of the original soda options that they had the orange cream. The sodas taste pretty much like Jones sodas but I do love when I have options that are not Pepsi and coke. Anything with cane sugar wins my heart. My sandwich beyond being MASSIVE, was super spicy (they warn you on the menu) and delicious. I had to inhale half of my sides in order to cool my mouth off. I inhaled the entire meal though it was beyond delicious. The corn bread that we ordered as an additional side was melt in your mouth. Probably the best corn bread I've ever had at a restaurant. I think my only disappointment with the entire restaurant was that the plates were plastic along with the silver wear. I'm pretty environmentally conscious and I feel like this could be a HUGE waste. I appreciate that they recycle the soda bottles, but I think it would be a huge improvement if they could use some real dishes. I live in NY and I will defiantly be looking forward to my next mass trip so I can have another delicious mouthwatering sandwich.
(4)Patricia K.
I've only been here once but it was overall a great experience. I got the chicken and ribs plate with cornbread (amazing!), cucumber salad (also delicious), and green beans. The bf got Texas ribs with mashed potato and cornbread which he said was very good too. Overall, pretty good prices for the ridiculous amount of food and friendly customer service. I'll be heading back shortly, (after working off the comfort food calories).
(4)Josh S.
Well added this to a must list. The BBQ here is far and above what some in the state of Massachusetts call BBQ. The Ribs: The ribs were fantastic they were meaty as well as juicy all while retaining that smoky flavor BBQ is supposed to have. Interesting that they leave the under membrane on but I think its more for technique than anything else. The Pulled Pork: This was pretty much standard run of the mill I wouldn't turn my nose at it but I also wouldn't use it as their claim to fame. The Brisket: Absolutely good, moist and like the ribs retained that smoky taste with plenty of moisture and the fall apart in your mouth. Cucumber Salad: Wife went ballistic over it .. absolutely loved it BBQ Beans: Great taste not drowning in BBQ sauce great onion and pepper flavor with chunks of pork The Sauces: Loved them
(4)Gretchen L.
The food is great, and the prices are pretty good, but I wouldn't use a credit card there! The last time I was there I used my debit card and caught the guy behind the counter taking a pic of it w/ his phone. It was late and since I was the only customer in the place I didn't say anything and just canceled the card as soon as I left. I haven't been back since. If you're looking for yummy BBQ in the Peabody area definitely head over, but I'd use cash if I were you!
(1)Adamson T.
Been going to "The Smokehouse" as I call it .. for a long time and I must say its dynamite. Tennessee's has great pulled pork burritos and sandwiches, and the sides they serve keep me coming back. The cornbread , sweet potatoes and spicy collard greens are a must. Cold beer is available as well. Not the greatest location but they have been open for years for a reason. If your local and looking for solid thick BBQ its worth the stop.
(4)Christopher P.
Ah, another lunch at Tennessee's. Me--Carolina pulled pork sandwich, collards, cucumber salad and their house ale. Husband--same sandwich with baked sweet potato and Cole slaw. Kids content with ribs. Easy, delicious and reasonably priced. I love this place. It's hard to believe it's in a nondescript store front on a busy commercial strip.
(4)TK W.
Hands down, my only BBQ joint. Enough said. Juicy, favor, smokey, heavenly.
(5)Tony P.
I used to look high and low for the best Barbeque food locally after trying some really good places across the country where BBQ is a specialty and I have to say how fortune I am to have the best I have ever tried right here in my back yard. After spending some time in Austin, St. Louis and Nashville I still say that Tennessee BBQ in Peabody is the best that I have ever had without a doubt. -Tony
(5)H L.
I didn't expect getting decent BBQ in the Boston area, but this place is worth a visit. This place feels a little touristy with all of the neon and rough wood paneling, almost a caricature of what a southern BBQ joint might look like. I got the special which was chopped beef BBQ and 4 pork ribs with baked mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. The meat was flavorful and portions generous. Nice smokey flavor. The mac and cheese was VERY good with a traditional flavor. The collard greens were spicy and not very traditional, but still good. The cornbread was ok - was fine with honey. Everything was served on plastic plates with plastic-ware and industrial brown paper towels torn off the roll. My main beef (pun intended) with this place was the BBQ sauces. They present three kinds: spicy, tangy, and sweet. I didn't find any significant difference between the three sauces. They all had the same color and similar flavors with slight differences. They tasted like they were off-the-shelf bottled sauce. Nothing spectacular. Having eaten BBQ in VA, NC, TN, TX and MO, I've had many varieties. This was solidly good. Portions gave good value for the dollar. If you're in this area and wanting decent BBQ at a good price, I would visit this place.
(3)Miss T.
Cant go wrong with their food, its always yummmmmmyyyy. My favorite is the cuc salad and the ribs. Huge portions of food and great prices.
(5)Ilya E.
Got the pulled pork. Good for a quick on the go bbq place but doesn't really compare to any real bbq places around here.
(3)Jang David K.
I'm hesitant in reviewing this place cause i've never been to the south. I haven't had some good southern BBQ but I'm already suspicious that in Peabody, MA, a 4 to 5 star BBQ joint would exist. I actually enjoy going here to satisfy my BBQ craving since I can't get any BBQs around Northshore to begin with. I usually order their texas ribs which is ok. I would say a bit too much sauce for my taste but I won't complain. For sides, i get collard greens, cole slaw and bbq beans. It's all ok. Nothing special. If you are craving for some BBQ and are pretty stuck in northshore, give Tenessee's BBQ a shot. But let me warn you, you won't be shocked. Next time around, i wanna try their wings. But if you are visiting Northshore, don't waste a meal on Tennessee's. Go get some seafood.
(3)ME G.
They think that just good, well done bbq meat can make up for not so interesting sauces.
(4)Jenny G.
I'm pretty picky about my ribs, but Tennessee's BBQ is sooo DELICIOUS. I had been craving ribs for awhile but didn't have the time to make them lately. When I ordered the memphis ribs, brisket, and chicken, I was not disappointed. The ribs were huge! I was expecting them to be the size of baby back ribs but they were at least twice the size. The brisket was so tender and literally melted in my mouth. Mmmm...and the chicken was beyond moist. The sides were additionally AMAZING. The mac and cheese was sooo good and the mashed potatoes have a huge ladle of gravy in the middle. I'll admit that this kind of food would taste better homemade, but considering it's ordered out, it's out of this world.
(5)Jarrod C.
People in Tennessee will argue this isn't what REAL Tennessee BBQ tastes like. And they probably would be correct, but, that being said it's really quite delicious. The pulled pork is tender and juicy, just the correct amount of seasoning and sauce. The collard greens are tender melt in your mouth tasty, with hints of ham hocks and caramelized onions. The baked beans are delicious, the cucumber salad in vinegar is crisp and refreshing. Even the cornbread was airy and fluffy.. Pricing is great too, with more than enough food to make you waddle your way out the door. The restaurant was clean, efficient, and very pleasant. Definitely nothing wrong with Tennessee BBQ. Check it out!
(4)Amanda Z.
Too quiet. It was the kind of feeling you get when watching a slasher film and a couple has just gone in to the restaurant and it's just eerily quiet, with faint "theme" music playing. Then, of course, some crazy psycho man comes out with a machete and lops off one of their heads. There were a few other people there, and it didn't take long to get our orders: mine the North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and his the Barbeque Chicken Sandwich with baked beans and corn bread. The cool thing about this place is that they carry sodas from The Mercury Brewing Co. which makes sodas with real sugar in all sorts of crazy flavors (i.e. blueberry, coconut, etc). The food was good, but the atmosphere, which can really bolster a place was completely lacking. It reminded me of those model homes you go to when checking out a residential neighborhood with a homeowner's association: everything looks nice, but it's all fake. Again, the food was good, but not memorable enough to make up for the lack of flare that most barbeque joints generally have.
(3)Roy P.
This place isn't real BBQ. The cornbread was good, but the rest of the meal was terrible. Pulled chicken and BBQ beef was very average, the sides, beans and slaw were awful. Wouldn't go there again.
(1)Busy L.
Great BBQ but the service is terrible. Would've easily been a 4 star review. Cashier texting before my order was complete was unreal...
(3)Sam L.
Let's be realistic here. While i can agree that for it's moderately cheap ($10-20) price it's quite good, you can't tell me this deserves 5 stars! The memphis ribs are what i recommend. They do a decent job of cooking it well and the sides are just ok. Beef ribs i'd never order. Big texas ribs i used to get at uncle pete's have ruined my taste buds for all other too greasy too sweet not enough smoky meat places like here. Chicken wings are not that bad but they are not fried. Over all when i have a BBQ craving i'll occasionally stop by for a quick service which they provide.
(3)Susan M.
Sooo much better than Red Bones & Blue Ribbon. I make the drive if I'm looking for great Southern Food. I am not a fan of mac and cheese at all but I have to say I'm guilty of indulging in it's baked goodness. I'm not a fan of cucumbers but my friends love the cucumber salad. Corn bread is great with a side of pulled pork. Worth the trip!
(5)Kathleen H.
I love this place. I'm surprised no one has reviewed this yet! The ribs are fantastic. Really. I love them. Smoky, sweet, spicy, finger lickin' good. The sides are many and varied - we can't get enough of the beans, the collards are awesome if you like that kind of thing, cucumber salad is a nice mix of sweet and tart, the cornbread is more like cake, but that is what it is supposed to be like at a place like this. . .I recommend overdoing the butter. The pecan pie is yummy and sweet. The pulled pork is also good - comes with white buns. There is extra sauce (sweet, spicy) available in big metal pump bins, sodas - I can't remember if they have beer or not - we always get take out and supply our own. You can eat in - It is casual and bare bones - but this is definitely a place where the food is the point! If you like BBQ, Tennessee's is the place! Wow, I am so hungry after writing this. .
(4)Steve T.
Food was great, really good choice including sides but was massively let down by the guy preparing and passing out the food. Had a real 'I just don't want be here' attitude. Shame!
(3)George B.
Smokin' Memphis BBQ gets in your eyes....... My belly was hankering for an ice cold beer and some BBQ for a while. Isn't it funny how in the middle of December you can crave some summer time food? At least that is how I imagine BBQ food. TRBBQ is a small eatery with an unique decor. It goes for that Memphis, TN vibe. It would have been nice to play some music from Memphis. I am hearing the king, Elvis but not hear. I didn't mind it cause my belly was here for the eats. I decided to go with a sampler of ribs, cornbread, dirty rice and mac & cheese with a long neck Bud Light riding shotgun. The sides were good. I really liked the mac and cheese. It could have been a tad creamier but it was all good. The ribs were moist and tender and had a great smokey flavor. It is nice BBQ but a little pricey. Go Vols and check out TRBBQ!
(3)Toni T.
The meats are delicious. The sides, especially the mac & cheese and yams could use a little bit more southern love.
(3)Allan B.
I am amazed at some of these other reviews. They must be either employees or they have never had real BBQ or they are used to McDonalds. This was some of the worst BBQ that I have ever tasted. The meat was tasteless; the beans were NOT waht you find in the South. The fountain drinks were some off brand (they should remain unnamed). This is NOT Tennessee Real BBQ by any stretch of the imagination. I base this on having had BBQ at a number of restaurants in both Tennessee and Carolina on a regular basis
(1)Bill F.
Prior to returning to the Northeast in 2002, I lived in Tennessee for 8 years, 6.5 of those in Memphis; having tried a number of BBQ joints in the Bluff City itself, I like to think I know what real Memphis BBQ should look and taste like. That said, Tennessee's, while clearly a chain, is about as close to the real deal as you're likely to find north of the Mason-Dixon line, and that's saying something. My wife and I stopped in here one evening for a quick bite while out shopping - as a pre-supermarket stop, since you never want to grocery-shop hungry (I've done it, I'm sure we all have, and it's a mistake you'll regret!) - and were pleasantly surprised by the sandwiches. Typical hamburger buns, but good pulled pork in a nice tangy sauce (and of course, you can choose the level of spice you want); good mac-and-cheese, too. Also, they offer beer, which few chains that aren't expressly sit-down places do, as well as some apparently quite decent root beer. I certainly plan on going back whenever possible, and I advise others here in the Salem/Danvers/Peabody area to venture in as well. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Lisa C.
Ok what the hell. I've seen these places all over. A friend had a little birthday get-together here this past Monday and I was not only excited to celebrate a birthday, but I love food and I wanted to give this place a chance. WOW. WOW. WOW. First of all, they have beer - and cornbread, and wings, pulled pork, and beer. I couldn't even handle looking at the menu, it's too much! I had a friend split 12 wings with me - her half were BBQ and mine were spicy. I appreciate the spice factor here. Last time I was at Hooters I ordered 911 wings and they weren't even close to being hot. I also order a corn on the cob, cornbread and my friend and I share a side of baked macaroni & cheese and coleslaw. Every single bite was heaven. I must say...I was craving some mayonaisse laden cole slaw, I mean I wanted Beachmont Roast Beef (Revere) quality, and I didn't get it. Instead I go the healthy version (which ended up being delicious) The cabbage was dressed in a vinegar type liquid. It was just an awesome family type place with nice people and GREAT food. I can't wait to go back and try something else!
(5)matt k.
Pros: - Draft beer - Mercury Soda Pop bottles from Ipswich, MA - Real City Soda in the Fountain from JP - Ribs, Cucumber Salad, Beans, Corn Bread, slaw - Custom sauces - Catering and bulk takeout is affordable Cons: - Draft beer is regular Ipswich Ale even though it's supposedly brewed especially for the restaurant. - Chopped BBQ brisket was disappointing
(3)Naitasia H.
This has to be the best BBQ in MA. I lived in FL for 7 years through college and a few years afterwards and this is as close to good ol' southern BBQ as I can tell. The meat is tender, the sides are savory and the service is fast and friendly. I really can't complain. Also, the establishment is very clean, which is a huge plus!! I always have food left over to take home and the leftovers reheat well.
(5)Christie G.
I never expected to find barbecue this good so far from home, but it's the best I've had outside of the South, and amongst the best I've had period. The brisket is particularly good, and the cornbread is luscious.
(4)Catherine G.
The best authentic Southern style BBQ for the buck, despite the owner being Canadian. ;-) The Memphis ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, juicy and the flavor is fabulous. The generous sides are numerous (you get 2 or 3 depending on the entree), from -- to name just a sampling -- baked sweet potato to refreshing watermelon in season, baked beans, collards (always overcooked, alas), a vinegary cucumber salad that is perfect for cutting through the rich, heavy BBQ, and of course cornbread. Tennessee's version of cornbread is more like a sweet, moist cake -- almost a dessert! Real Southern cornbread is never sweet, more salty, but hey, I'm a Northerner and prefer sweet cornbread -- as it is made in New England -- so Tennessee's is perfect. There are other things besides pork ribs. Beef ribs, pulled chicken and pork, brisket in platter or sandwich versions. Soft drinks and big wedges of pecan- and sweet potatoe pies. Beer is available, including the house "Tennessee's" on tap, which I strongly suspect is really "Ipswich's" from the nearby brewer of Ipswich Ale. I am a big believer in patronizing local brewers and farmers for their produce, so if is Ipswich's, then this is a plus. Tennessee's has thought of everything the BBQ-lover needs to tuck into a tasty meal: Near the counter are self-service buckets of utensils, huge dispenser tanks of sweet and spicy BBQ sauces and cuplets for them, rolls of paper towels, butter, brown sugar, moist towlettes, and various condiments. You order at the counter, pick up your tray when called, and after that, you're on your own to enjoy a sometimes-messy but always scumptious repast of BBQ. Sometimes we even see the owner sitting in one of the booths, crunching the numbers in his paperwork while we crunch on meaty bones. He has several other BBQ restaurants, but this is the only one on the North Shore. The rest are south and west of Boston. I'm glad he opened one here. If you like BBQ, or think you would, this is the place to try. We have a dearth of authentic BBQ joints on the North Shore; Tennessee's serves all of Essex County. They cater, too. Eat BBQ here!
(4)Edwin Y.
This place usually fixes my BBQ crazing while I am at work in the Area. I usually get the 4 bones Texas Beef Ribs place with Dirty rice and beans. The ribs are drenched with BBQ sauce but was able to taste the smokey and burnt taste of a BBQ. The Caribbean Chicken is good and spicy. Be careful is you ask for extra hot on this one because it will be made extra hot.
(4)michael r.
Great bbq for a chain. I've had just about everything on the menu here and never been disappointed. For a nice twist on what to do with smoked meats, try a burrito, they're great!
(4)Andrew S.
Decent BBQ for the north east. All meats smoked to perfection but depending on when you go depends on how fresh tasting your meal is, go early dureing lunch or right before the dinner rush and it is great go during a slow time and u can tell the food has just been sitting on the hot table all day. Dont get me wrong for a party you can order a big package of stuff for 1 price and feed alot of people and if u r reheating it yourself it is fine. All in all the food is good when it is fresh and mediocre to bad when not.
(3)Jim B.
Yesterday was the first time I've ever been to Tennessee Real BBQ and I have to say I'm a fan. Food was good, price was good and you got alot of food. The corn bread was excellent! Staff wasn't that friendly though that was the only downer.
(3)Niko X.
We shit you not...yes! real, actual, southern, slow cooked, wood fired, BBQ on the North Shore of Massachusetts. About eight years ago I used to work a few blocks down the street from this gem. Me and my wireless phone selling cronies would come here at least once per week. And perhaps once a year now, I return during one of my thrice a year trips to the Boston area. The format is order at the counter. Choose from open faced sandwich or dinner choices. I've never actually had bone in ribs here, but given the taste of the pulled pork, I'm assuming they're the balls. The sandwich platters include open faced sandwich loaded with shredded tender meat, and two sides. The corn bread is delectable, the potatoes mouthwatering, and the barbecued beans tangy and delicious. Tennessee's even makes their own unique barbecue sauce in mild, tangy and hot. The real icing on the cake is the owner/manager, who may be bald and look real tough, but he's as nice of a guy as they come.
(5)Tony D.
Decent BBQ. Cold beer. Fast service. Generous portions. Not cheap. Side dishes are good. Cucumber salad, slaw, beans. They have added jambalaya recently. May be the best corn bread I've had north of the Mason-Dixon line.Three kinds of sauces, I prefer the hot. Pulled pork is good but if you're not a Yankee you may have higher expectations. Where are the hush puppies? (3.5 stars).
(3)David H.
horrable food corn bread is good thats about it.
(1)Cici C.
I have been going here for over a year now. The food is oh so yummy!!! If you love BBQ then this is a great place for lunch and dinner. Prices are not too bad for the amount of food you get. I don't know how many people I have recommended and they loved it. I always get the pulled chicken burrito with a side of mac n cheese and corn bread. You can also buy their signature sauces by the bottle. I haven't tasted one thing that wasn't yummy.
(5)Brad H.
One of the better places for lunch along 114. The BBQ is pretty flavorful and there are a lot of great choices for sides.
(5)Lia M.
This place is great for BBQ on the North Shore. I had the Carribbean chicken, which was nice & spicy, but I did try my bf's ribs, and they were excellent. I had sides of cornbread (delicious), maple glazed carrots (delicious) and dirty rice (I don't really like dirty rice, but didn't like any other sides). I was really upset that they were out of sweet potatoes, because that's what I really wanted. To me, it's kind of like Mickey D's being out of French fries. However, maybe it got busier than planned (this was Saturday night). The chocolate pecan pie was good as well. The small portion is more than enough for one person. Can't wait to go back & try some more BBQ! Love that they serve beer & wine as well, and the music is great. This is the type of food I wish was available at 2:30, after the bars get out.
(4)Maggie H.
This place is great if you're in the mood for BBQ. Really fast but really good - nothing like traditional "fast food." I would recommend the cucumber salad as a side - a good contrast to the heavy food you'll be eating.
(5)Kat H.
It was the bright neon orange flames in the window that scared off us for months, and then ironically brought us in "Let's go to that place with those random flames!!" It's such a fun place inside--almost like the waiting area for a "Southern Ride" at Disney World or something. The decor really brings the goods without seeming overdone or gaudy. Anyways, my husband and I shared the Blue's Rib Combo with two each of Memphis, Baby Back and Texas Ribs with Cornbread, Corn on the Cob and Smashed Potatoes. Everything was great; I'm not a huge fan of Southern Cooking and will normally turn down ribs and cornbread at a barbeque, but I could barely get enough here. The sauces were flavorful and full of smoke, and the sides were pretty well proportioned and very tasty. You'll spend more than if going to a fast-food or mall joint, but the experience is worth it.
(4)Dave B.
Tennessee's is kinda a hidden jewel. It doesn't look like much in or out, but the food is real good! I'm not a BBQ expert, however they seem to know what their doing here. They even sell beer! Very fair prices, $2.00 sides, fresh & authentic tasting. Good for lunch. I've been here many times, call in the take out order for lunch & 20 minutes later they have the multiple orders ready & its all there. The Caribbean burrito (no longer on the menu but you can still order it) is the best. Two hands & lots of napkins please.
(4)Domenico B.
Tennessee's is the place on the North Shore for good BBQ. While their specialty is, naturally, Tennessee-style pork, they don't do too bad with their Texas beef. The brisket has a very definite smoke ring and comes with a nice crunch to the exterior (but not too much!) The beef ribs are great too, with just enough meat. The four-rib meal should be enough for most folks, but the 6-7 is good for sharing or leftovers or one hungry man (or woman). Even the sodas are special, giving you a bottomless cup of one of the smaller soft drink companies (Jones? Iron City? I can't remember now.) The sides are almost as good as the meat. They must have recently changed their recipe for BBQ beans because they taste great and are now like the best beans you find in Texas. I love the collard greens and cornbread (my Texas-born wife says it's the style she's always had, which is to say it's sweeter than Southern style). Seasonally they also offer watermelon and if you aren't full of meat at the end of your meal you can even get a slice of pecan pie. The decor is fun, reminiscent of a roadside BBQ joint somewhere down south and the music is excellent. Every time we go in, I hear at least one Stevie Ray Vaughn song, which is a must when eating Texas brisket. The sauces are especially good for drenching the meat as you wish, available in sweet, tangy, and hot variations. It's so good I think I'll forgo making my own the next time I make barbecue myself and just get one of their to-go bottles. Tennessee's not the least expensive meal, but if you like red meat, you'll leave satisfied and then some.
(4)Grym R.
Best barbecue I have had in Massachusetts by far. Very few things to knock. Food is delicious, the owner is super nice, servings are large, and the burrito is a super value. My kids love the corn bread because it is basically cake. The mac and cheese can also be a tad rich. I find the pecan pie lacking in veracity and jelly-like. The blues music can wear on you if you stay a long time, but that's just me. All meats are delicious. I have had them cater for me and the portions were HUGE! Guests raved about the food. The memphis Ale is definitely passable and with a burrito is under $12! Guys, if you have to go to Baby's R Us, make sure you stop here too!
(4)Stepvan V.
I love the food here. I've had many/most of the items on the menu here over the years and all are very well done. My favorite is probably the brisket. The different types of ribs are all excellent. Excellent pulled pork. I'm not a big fan of the BBQ beef though. Most of the (long list of) sides are really great as well. I especially love the cucumber salad. The BBQ beans, however, are just ok. The corn bread is fantastic. 3 good sauces to choose from. I've usually stuck to the standard BBQ items on the menu. I have not tried some of the other items like Burritos. Service is always friendly. But it's really not a sit-down and be served restaurant. It's a take-out place with tables if you want to eat in. This place is reliable, really good food. By far my favorite BBQ in the north suburbs.
(4)Mark B.
overcooked, dry ribs. Not a fan of this place. It is overpriced and the quality has gone downhill since new ownership.
(1)Ralph D.
Good BBQ in the area. You would have to travel far to find an equivalent. Atmosphere is relaxed. Most eat in, but take out happens. No wait staff. Great for lunch. seems the quality and attention to detail had decreased, but still hard to find food this good in this category
(3)Lyndsay B.
I agree wholeheartedly with Leif. The barbeque is very tasty - the sauces are great. They have a large smoker in the kitchen and the meats are smoked to perfection. I had the pulled pork burrito for the first time recently and I loved it! It was delicious. A great combination of meat, rice, guacamole and sour cream. Yummy! The prices are in the normal price range for barbeque - about $10 for the full dinners. Their barbeque wings are wonderful, too. I would not recommend the chicken breast (although you can smother the dryness out with sauce). It is our favorite barbeque on the North Shore.
(4)Edward B.
Great texture flavor lacking. The "dry rub" ribs are just naked and smoked no rub at all. Sides are satisfactory. If you are looking for BBQ that's fast and reasonably priced then this is your place. If you are looking for great ribs then this may disappoint.
(3)Caroline D.
good BBQ!! pulled pork a little bit on the dry side. their sides are delicious and their ribs and chicken wings are also great. the best part about this place was the fact that they had watermelon soda. it was my first time drinking it and i fell in love. the price was reasonable for the quality of food they put out. i would come back here again for sure.
(4)J B.
Surprisingly excellent BBQ! You won't go wrong!
(5)We D.
This is not, I repeat NOT, anything even close to real southern BBQ. A good southern BBQ chef would not slather his ribs in this kind of sauce. He wouldn't think of serving pretty much flavorless and fatty pulled pork. He would serve red cole slaw and not what is passed off as cole slaw here. If you're on the North Shore and want far better REAL barbecue, give The American Barbecue in Rowley a shot. Their food is real wood smoked meat and the food tastes like real southern barbecue. The only plus I can say about Tennessee BBQ is that they serve soda from the Mercury Brewing Company up in Ipswich (brewers of Ipswich Ale). Too bad they didn't have better food to go with great soda.
(2)Digital H.
Another great Tennessee's BBQ. Pulled Pork with corn bread and mac and cheese. My fav. Different sauces that you can put in your sandwhich and fairly quick service.
(4)Rich B.
Drove by for years and finally stopped in. It was amazing
(5)Vicki S.
I have driven past this place many times, but never went in (not really a fan of BBQ or eating with my hands.) But my dad had a gift certificate, so we had dinner and were both impressed. The food was good especially for being done so quickly. The ribs were delicious as well as the sides. I even liked the mashed potatoes and I don't eat anyone's mashed potatoes, but my own. I can't believe I did not know about this place for so long.
(4)Leif H.
Bring a friend, a spouse, a significant other or just a stranger off the street. One dinner plate here with two options of meat is enough to feed you both. The meat is cooked perfectly and the portions are generous. The staff takes care not to over sauce the meats and provides three different sauces to dip, slather or drench your meat how you like it. I often enjoy their brisket and pulled pork dinner, with refreshing cold cucumber salad and moist side of cornbread. Plan to have dinner or lunch the next day if you're tackling a meal by yourself. A very nice alternative to your typical steak house when you're craving meat, dine in or take out.
(4)Anna G.
The coleslaw was very fresh and delicious as was the cucumber salad. The sweet potato, greens and mac and cheese sides were all good. BBQ and sauce was pretty good too. I'd recommend this place if you're in the mood for some reasonably priced, decent BBQ.
(4)Missus F.
i don't care what anyone else says about "real barbecue" and blah blah blah. this place is unreal. i always overeat here and cry about it on the way home because the food is so good, and the portions are so large, that i can't stop eating. the pie is so good and they have lone star beer. i love the sauces here. the meat is always melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. i die a little on the inside if too much time goes by without me stopping into tennessee's. actually, i'm overdue. cue the dying insides!
(5)Steve N.
always decent to outstanding BBQ. i usually get the Memphis ribs with sides of cucumber salad and beans. the ribs i've had have always been moist meaty and with a good smoke ring. they have beer and plenty of napkins.
(4)Jared B.
This is an awesome BBQ restaurant that isn't trying to hard. So many attempt to creatively enhance their food, but Tennessee BBQ just puts it out there simple, the way BBQ is supposed to be. I'm grew up almost my whole life in the South, so when I was told about this place I was thrilled (to say the least) that there was actually decent BBQ up here. As previously stated, their meats are cooked very well. The portions are very large. It is a great place to go and get a burrito for lunch. Their list of sides are great, ranging from sweet potatoes to tidewater slaw, and their prices are decent. I am going to be calling them soon to cater a party, so I'll be able to critic their catering service then (I'm sure it will be great). All in all I have to say this one of my favorite restaurants around the area. The only downside for me is their ribs (which are the moist and falling off the bone type), I prefer dryer smoked ribs, which I go to Red Bones in Somerville for. Then again this is a preference, and I believe more people like Tennessee BBQ's style better anyway..
(4)