Another great meal - love the BBQ combo plate 2 meat option.
(5)
Lan N.
I've driven by this place numerous times and always told myself, "Next time, I will definitely stop and eat" Well, that next time turned out to be next next time followed by a few more. Finally, came here on a sunday evening. Yes, they are open on sunday which is thrilling because at a certain hour in the evening (especially on a sunday) its slim pickings. The wait was not bad, actually, there was none around 7:30pm. Immediately, I was seated and ready to order a beer. Their beer selection is decent as well as their wines. Their food menu is not complicated. You either want bbq or you want a sandwich or you want bbq. Two types of salads were listed, but did not have any appeal. I ordered the half rack of ribs which came with two sides. I picked the sweet potato chips and pimento mac n cheese. yum! I must say that the ribs were uber tender and falling off the bone. There was a nice dry rub on it that was not salty. The sweet potato chips were more than a handful. It tasted and looked as though they dusted some cinnamon sugar on it to add a little more sweetness and spice. I couldn't done without it. I requested for a side of their chipotle dipping sauce. It sounded good, but look thick and mayo-ish. I wished it was a lot creamier. The mac n cheese was quite delicious. The sauces: ugh, not enough heat! they offer three different types- regular, mild, and spicy. I'm always looking for that bbq sauce that has a kick to it. Apparently, Knoxville can't hang. The only other option was Tabasco. No thanks.
(4)
Michelle P.
The staff here know how to accommodate! Came here as part of a "destination date" for a friend who was moving from Florida to Ohio as a well deserved driving/lunch break. The hostesses and servers treated us like family and gave some delicious recommendations like the loaded nachos and beef tips! Their Rebel Yell BBQ Burger was nice and flavorful...and I mean it also helps the school system right? So you don't even feel bad about feeling as lively as a sun baked turtle after the hearty meal. I will say it wasn't the best BBQ I had but it also was a far cry from bad, it's PRETTY DARN GOOD. Unless you're more of a dry rub person then this is the right juice and flavor level for you. I can say I personally could have had a spicier BBQ sauce than what they offered, but I know my tolerance is high and I'm also partial to incorporating the spicy/fruity habañero flavors into high spice and flavor sauces. Still, worth the destination date :)
(4)
Quibble U.
This place was recommended by my hotel. Very good food; burnt ends, potato salad and baked beans. Burnt ends were great in flavor but a little too much fat, potato salad was very good, baked beans were ok, nothing great. Service was very good. The place looks new and is very comfortable and friendly.
(4)
Paul C.
First time here while visiting Knoxville. I git the 3 meat sampler platter. Conclusion? Very average BBQ, but the death knell is their sauces. Not very good. The good is their smoked sausage.... Very good indeed! Pulled pork was decent but their brisket was dry and flavorless. Fries were average. My buddy's sandwich of pulled pork and mac and cheese was better than my dish. Service was good and efficient. Nice atmosphere but there is better BBQ out there, even in Knoxville.
(2)
Sarah P.
Dead End is a great Knoxville barbeque staple. I have never had a bad experience here. I always order the pulled pork sandwich. Recently, I discovered their sweet potato fries, so I've found a pretty constant side dish as well. They are waffle cut and super tasty! I must say, I am disappointed by the fact that coleslaw doesn't come with the sandwiches. Adding coleslaw to my pulled pork is pretty much a necessity. They'll let you order a small dish for $1, which is obviously reasonable though, so I won't complain too much! The banana pudding is incredible. I adore banana pudding, and I wouldn't change a thing about Dead End's!
(3)
Erika S.
Our recent trip to Dead End turned up disappointment. While all of the necessary elements for a great meal were there, it really came up short. The resounding theme from all 4 of us was....dry. Wings, pulled pork, Mac and cheese....all dry. I loaded my pulled pork sandwich up with sauce that had a great flavor, but was far from 'hot', as it was labeled. That couldn't make up for the crouton that they called a bun which held my sauced up pork. With so many great barbecue places around, good isn't good enough.
(3)
Jay W.
Great atmosphere! Great service! Good BBQ!! The pork had no real flavor but was tender and good, added the Dead End regular bbq sauce and it was outstanding. The Beef brisket was slightly over done as it fell apart on me but had a great brisket flavor and was not overly soaked in broth. The beans were delicious and def get the jalapeño corn bread- has great flavor with all the heat.
(4)
Julia H.
Holy crackers with jam!!! My friend and I walked in to this place and didn't know what to expect. We sat down and the server was at the table before I could even take off my coat. Hot green tea and sweet tea at the table within 2 minutes! The portions... HOLY MOLY! I ate every last bite. I had the chicken plate with green beans and sweet potato fries, side of sweet cornbread and my friend had the beef brisket with maccaroni and pimento cheese with some kind of specialty beans and jalapino cornbread... We ate all of it. Just the two of us! AND ordered a banana pudding... guess who ate all that, too?! We are not only going back, but we cannot wait to take others with us.
(5)
Kelly B.
Great Sunday lunch at Dead End yesterday. I got the sandwich with brisket, grilled onions, and cheddar. Delicious! Great service, fun place.
(5)
Joshua S.
Wow! Finally excellent BBQ in Knoxville, the brisket burnt ends are amazing! Paired with pimento mac and cheese, and smoked sausage beens :) I will be back really soon A+ score
(5)
parker j.
If you are on a diet, a vegetabtarian, picky, or otherwise adverse to delious smoked animal meats...just stay away..if not I'm thinking you may like this place..nice job on the ribs, home made potato chip..mmm, nachos are ok, wings really good...but you must leave room for the bananna pudding, if you miss it, you will regret it. Service can be goofy, but always friendly. Always a good place to stop when in Knoxville
(4)
Jennie B.
People I know rave about this place. I find it decent. I prefer Buddy's. That's right--the el cheapo, drive through joint on Kingston Pike. They're half the price, pork & brisket are so moist and tender, and the BBQ sauce is the bomb. Dead End on the other hand is, as I said, decent. If you're in the area stop by and give it a shot. Not sure I want to return a 3rd time though. The plates are big and you can share. But the meats are not mouth wateringly delicious like I expect BBQ meats to be. In addition--the sides are OK. I'm having a hard time remembering something on the menu that was memorable...
(3)
L M.
There is some great food coming out of this place. The brisket, burnt tips, and pork was exceptional. The mac and cheese was truly delicious. I didn't care for the consistency or taste of their cooked greens. I had the sweet corn bread, and it was dry. The service was great, and I loved the loud talking and music in the background. Nice beer selection.
(3)
Ryosuke U.
One of my goto BBQ places in Knoxville. It's not too "ghetto" where you feel uncomfortable going in and its not soo fancy that it makes you feel like its not gonna serve authentic TN BBQ. I'm a sucker for their BB-Queso appetizer and usually go for their pulled pork or brisket plate. This time I tried the brisket burnt ends for the first time. It's a cubed shaped and it is nothing like the typical brisket. Tastes very good and would highly recommend it. Will definitely be going there again when I'm in the area. Good to take Family, friends, coworkers, customers, and a date.
(4)
John H.
I usually make it a point when i travel for work, especially on limited trips, to not eat at a place more than once and play the restaurant field. Yeah, well... 3 stops later, I think I've broken my rule of thumb... or was that my belt buckle? I've been hard pressed to find great BBQ since leaving, Ripley, Believe it or Not... California! Who knew. Between the Cats in Los Gatos and Bounty Hunter in Napa, its been few and far between. Now, there are some in the NC that I need to catch up on some reviews, but I digress. I'll chat about DEB in my new TN neighbor to the west (Abbreviations, it's a thing). From the hostess to the bar where you'll find me eating, the staff is pleasant and fun. Nothing overly fancy, just a nice clean restaurant with just enough flair to make it interesting. Oh yeah, the food. BBQ is really good. I'm a sausage tramp (swine people.... please) and love my ribs. The sausage is very favorable for sure and the meat falls off the ribs nicely when you eat. If you're one of those that eat ribs with a fork and knife this will work for you. But why are you eating ribs with a knife and fork? Anywho, the side dishes of collard greens, beans, beans and rice, and green beans are good. They have cornbread muffins with every meal that I can't say I'm a fan of on principle. But if they're your thing, you can mix it with the BBQ sauce or bean juice and dig in. I did, and it was fine. Again... no mark against the muffin... I just like cornbread... with corn in it... from a baking pan. There is the average number of brews on tap and always something from a can or bottle. Overall, great place to stop for good BBQ off the beaten path. And while you're there you may want to grab a T-Shirt or two as their logo and design are pretty cool and the shirts are $10 or so a piece. Till next post...
(4)
Nikolas R.
Clean, well kept bbq joint across from The UT sports complex. I had the Burnt ends brisket plate with the beans/sausage and jalapeño cornbread. I was a little bit disappointed in the fact that there was barley a smoked flavor to the brisket or if there was actually any smoked treatment to the burnt ends. Usually when you think of burnt ends that's the BEST part of a smoked brisket..but anyways it was still good. The meat was flavorful and tender. Dead end was also very clean and has a sports bar feel which must be great for game day. Next time I come back il opt for a brisket sandwich, wings or one of those of the hamburgers. I keep it 4/5 because it is a nice environment with excellent service and fairly priced food it's just not the best bbq I had in K-Town
(4)
Chuck C.
Tried it again because people like it, but I can't grasp it. It would still have to increase to get one star!
(1)
Wenston R.
Beef tips are amazing. Many side options to choose from as well. Pulled pork is great.
(4)
Cedric W.
Very disappointed based on the reviews I've heard and seen. Ordered the sampler plate. Chicken and brisket were dry. Sausage was OK. Grabbed take out, when I got home, 2 of 3 sides were missing. Overall just a bad experience. Some would say "eating in would result in better food", but good BBQ should be able to stand up in any container. Very disappointing. I'll give it one more try then I will have to move on.
(2)
Jessica S.
Decent BBQ - Nothing crazy delicious or amazing. Service wasn't that great. Doubt I'll venture to this place again.
(2)
Tyler D.
I came here with my church to celebrate our set-up and Tear Down crew. We had a reserved group room so there was no wait. Our waitress was very pleasant and attentive without being annoying. We did not have long wait for the food at all clocking in at 10-15 minutes (if that) . The food was either very good or average at worst. The macaroni and cheese was bland and unimpressive. The potatoe salad, although looks good, was not that great. The high points foodwise was of course the BBQ. The ribs in particular were perfectly cooked. Desert was a slice of peanut butter pie, which blew me away. Not my favorite, but I see myself coming back here every so often.
(3)
Joshua W.
It was just okay. I got recommended this place, but it didn't seem to live up to the hype. Everything was par, but not spectacular.
(3)
Steve E.
This is a review on their Tailgating Delivery: delivery was on time, food was hot and extremely fresh. We had pulled pork, Mac n cheese and beans and sausage. The package came with tea, ice, cups, silverware, utensils needed and the food was a hit, all for about $11 a head. Best deal I have found. An absolute tailgating home run!
(4)
Colleen D.
Ok.... so I was so disappointed, I am posting my review as I'm sitting at the table. Here it goes, first off, I am from California and have had WAY better BBQ there. The brisket sucked, worst I've ever had. Pork was over cooked and extremely dry. Sausage was decent Wings were actually pretty good, which is why I gave 2 stars The beer was slightly cold - and very watered down for a red ale. Macaroni and cheese was decent Texas toast was horrible Basically - don't eat here.... read the great reviews on the banana pudding but couldn't fathom giving them any more of my money! Complete disappointment seems how I was looking for some good "Tennessee BBQ"
(2)
Rufus V.
This place takes "resting on your laurels" to a whole new level. It started out with great potential. We were thrilled to have something new kicking life into Sutherland Ave. The food was good. The service was good. That's no longer the case. Short history: this place basically was the dreamchild of a group of West Knoxville dudes who started cooking in barbeque competitions. I assume none of them had restaurant experience but decided they would open one (the classic tale). So they hired this dude who is basically a professional restaurant start-up advisor. He was hands on when the joint started. Good food, good service, etc. He left for other ventures and the place went downhill FAST!!!!!!! The service became a total joke. The food quality became a total gamble. It's now way overpriced Buddy's with crappy service. Essentially, when the real restaurant guy left, the place took a major tank. A bunch of young servers and managers take "lunatics running the asylum" to a whole new level. It's a shame that a place with such great potential has turned into a rat's ass excuse for Tennessee barbeque. It's really embarrassing when people come in from out of town and think this place is real Tennessee barbeque. Be warned! If you want real Tennessee barbeque this is NOT the place.
(1)
Ben H.
Disappointing at best. My wife and I were in Knox on business and were told to stop here. I'll be honest, this was some of the most pedestrian bbq that I've ever had. I expected more from dead end bbq and Knoxville. Let's get into specifics. The meat- we both had pulled pork. It was dry, and kindof tasteless. I've made much better q in my crock pot. -sides - the fries were great! The slaw had blue cheese in it- a neat trick, but not bbq. Service- the service was actually great. All in all- I wouldn't come back. Surely the great home of rocky top can serve up a southern standard with some authority.
(2)
Bailey A.
Great food, burgers and meat kind of place, small and cozy very clean building service is usually pretty good location isn't the best but really worth the drive check out their beer specials great for lunch, awesome for college kids
(5)
Keith C.
Great food. Save room for banana pudding! The meat is grilled to perfection. The servers are great as well. Definitely will come back here!
(5)
Curt B.
Food was absolutely delicious! staff was very attentive and quick. Our party was 15 people with a complicated break up of the bill; staff was still able to decipher it correctly on the first try! Prices were decent as were the serving size.
(4)
Cristie F.
Un*fucking*believable. Dead End BBQ gets 'er done when it comes to some amazing 'Q in Tennessee. I felt like a total fat kid at Dead End. I mean, when you're in the south, you can't order just pulled pork, right?!? Hells no. The whole vegetarian diet went far out the window for this meal. It was long forgotten about during that hour - and I'm perfectly okay with that. The options for Q were ended. There was every idea you could have using BBQ imaginable. I went with a 3 meat sampler in an effort to try the most ((DUH)). The brisket was tender and juicy, the ribs fell right off the bone and were the BEST ribs I've encountered in my lifetime, and the pulled pork was to die for. Our table ordered a bunch of sides - southern style green beans, beans & smoked sausage, macaroni & pimento cheese, and mixed greens. The greens were my favorite. There is NOTHING like good ol' southern greens. ((And for those of you wondering, no I couldn't eat it all, and yes I had a serious gut bomb for 2 days after.)) The BBQ sauces came in regular, mild, and spicy. I enjoyed the very popular regular flavor the best, but the spicy BBQ had the perfect little kick to it. The service was the best I've had in all of my dining experiences. Our waitress was an absolute doll. ((Maybe she was just flirting with my two male dining buddies, but nevertheless...)) She had countless recommendations, was so helpful, and made sure we were all taken care of, with her southern hospitality and charm. Dammit. I wish I lived in Tennessee. I'd never think of my vegetarian diet again. Dead End BBQ - You do it right.
(5)
Andrea R.
So disappointed in the food lately. The service is always amazing and they are always willing to fix my good but something has changed there and the quality isn't what it used to be. :(
(1)
Shelby F.
The Dead End Mac Attack was really good and very very filling!!!! However, the best part of our meal was the appetizer. We had the Barbequeso with pork and it was absolutely delicious. I even got some BBQ so I could make it at home!
(4)
A E.
We had the family feast. The pulled pork was delicious. Loved the beans and okra. This was a great deal and we had plenty of leftovers.
(4)
Cody F.
As a downtown resident, Dead End BBQ is one of the few places that I will gladly leave downtown to visit. With the glaring absence of BBQ in downtown, I would love to see a Dead End open up in center-city but that is a subject for another discussion. From a flavor, size, and quality standpoint, Dead End has the best wings in the city. My only criticism is that their "Dead Hot" sauce is not very hot, but that is coming from someone who favors spicier dishes. Also, I rarely get dessert anywhere I go but we always order Dead End's banana pudding whenever we are there, it's incredible.
(4)
William S.
Great BBQ joint....first visit was outstanding and my server was so helpful. whstonemandining.blogspo…
(4)
Larry A.
Our dinner included a sampler platter and some sides. All the meat was just fair (dry, smokeless) except for the sausage. Sides were ok but nothing really special. I go to a bbq place for the meat and it's either good or it's not and I would rate Dead End a "not" in my book. The place looks like it was designed to franchise. That's not a knock. Overall the restaurant looks very slick and well packaged. I just didn't think it was good bbq.
(2)
Joan H.
Having lunch on the patio. Delicious pulled pork with a side of killer pimento Mac n Cheese and a side of the Blue Slaw.
(5)
Greg R.
This was my first visit, and I plan to return to sample more of the menu. The service was friendly and quick. The pemiento macaroni and cheese, southern cornbread, and bread-and-butter pickles were standouts. I also enjoyed sampling the three BBQ success on the table, all redolent of molasses, tomato, and mustard. To my palate, the one labeled "hot" was not especially so. I will not repeat my unfortunate selection of the sausage--seemingly mass-marketed grocery store caliber--which was greasy and very mild in flavor, with a hint of pork. Fortunately it was markedly improved by the application of house hot BBQ sauce. I was disappointed with the iced tea, which was very mildly flavored, and came in a glass filled with ice, so that I had drained off the tea within a moment and was left with a faceful of ice. My server cheerfully provided a refill with much less ice as soon as I requested it. The fried okra was pleasant, but not particularly flavorful, and its coating was not crunchy. We wrapped up with the peanut butter pie, which was tasty, but seemed likely a thawed mass-produced product, as the peanuts and graham cracker crumb crust were not very crunchy.
(2)
Sandra B.
This place is not a top of the line kind of place but rather a fun college atmosphere with tasty barbecue,cold beer, and super friendly and helpful staff. We tried several different items on the appetizer and BBQ menu and enjoyed everything we ordered.
(4)
Adam H.
Great bbq. Staff was friendly & food came out fast. The brisket, smoked sausage, & fries were amazing. The traditional sauce had a nice vinegar taste.
(5)
Courtney J.
More like 3.5 for me; the extra half being for the banana pudding. Really good brisket. My kids liked their stuff, too. The "hot" BBQ sauce was only sort of spicy, but interesting rich tomato flavor. I liked the slaw, too, but didn't love the pimento Mac. Very sorry my loud kids disrupted the sweet end-of-date smooch one couple was enjoying in the parking lot, just in case they read this.
(3)
Tennessee J.
Best in town, hands down! I don't know if sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon have any value anymore when it is obviously so easy to anonymously troll in the service of a competitor. Perhaps it is time to have reviews linked to a verified name from now on.
(4)
Becky A.
Some of the best BBQ I have ever had. Awesome date with my husband and we loved sitting on the patio out back. Great pimento mac and cheese!
(5)
lin h.
Had the BBQ combo plate ($15) which gives you a choice of 3 meats, 2 sides, and choice of bread. I got the brisket and pulled pork. For the sides I got Mac and pimento cheese and the beans and sausage. For the bread, I got the jalapeño corn bread. The rub on the brisket was outstanding. However the brisket itself was a bit dry. Same goes for the pulled pork. Amazing flavor, but was dry. I've read that both are usually juicy so I guess I caught them on a bad day. But that's what separates mediocre restaurants from great ones - great food but done with CONSISTENCY. in any case, of they were juicy, it would be 5 star meats. Service was a little slow for a non busy time but was friendly (and my server was really friggin hot for a 40-something year old chick). Beans and sausage barely had sausage in it and it tasted like the beans you find in a burrito - blah. The Mac and cheese is average. Tastes like any other Mac and cheese. Cornbread is a JOKE. Dry (like so many yelpers have stated) and not much taste. As for the 3 sauces (mild, regular, hot), I preferred the regular. Tangy, original flavor but not the best I've had. Do yourself a favor and don't use the sauce on the meats. It'll only mask the meats' flavors (you COULD use it on the parts of the meat that got no rub or marinade).
(3)
Ben P.
I heard a lot of good things about Dead End, which may have added to my eventual disappointment. While the food was fast and service prompt, the ribs were overlooked and tasted like jerky. They were pre-dressed with sauce so I couldn't try all three of their BBQ flavors. While the sauces were tasty on their own, I wish I could have tried them on my ribs.
(2)
Jon V.
Just not that great. Here's a BBQ joint with waiters dressed in black, Cee-Lo and The Black Keys on the radio. Ok, not my idea of a classic BBQ place. What about the food though? Average. Really nothing great. I ordered the combo plate with brisket and sausage. Mac-n-cheese, Texas toast, and slaw as sides. Brisket was really pretty poor. It was fatty and grey. Not good. Sausage was ok. I could have grilled up a Johnsonville and had the same experience. "Toast" was soft and Mac and slaw were ok. On top of this...the prices are a bit high for BBQ especially when considering the average portion size. In sum, this is simply an average place located on inexpensive but high traffic real estate...selling inexpensive average quality food at high prices. Not in my plans for a return visit.
(2)
Susan D.
I have nothing but good things to say about Dead End BBQ. I have been dining at the restaurant for years. I've tried a number of items on the menu and everything is excellent. I used their catering for my wedding and they went above and beyond my expectations. They were the most affordable option also. Our guest were all served and satisfied. I would highly recommend their service. Thanks catering crew for making my reception a hit!
(5)
Sam C.
"A noisy, good place to hang out and drink beer with friends and pretend you're eating bar-b-q." If you tend to think brisket is bar-b-q, and you don't care if it has smoke rings, then you'll be happy with offerings here. The brisket is better than the pork, and both are better than the chicken. The sauces are nothing to write home about, either. Frankly, my wife produces better flavor using liquid smoke and slow roasting a pork butt overnight and applying a "doctored up" commercial sauce. Still, the food's not bad (a little pricey; however the portions are big) and, after swapping lies and throwing back a few with friends, you will have had a good time.
(2)
Jeff C.
The family meal is outstanding! It allows you to sample a variety of options and at a realizable price. The BBQ is some of the best I've had and their sauces are tasty. Worth a visit for sure!
(5)
Mike C.
Overall a disappointment. Had heard great things but nothing separates Dead End from other Knoxville BBQ joints. Was hoping the ribs would compare to 12 Bones in Asheville but they did not. They were tender but flavor was lacking and they were barely warm. The pulled pork was nothing special either. My search for a great BBQ spot in Knoxville will continue.
(3)
Scott D.
Warning this IS a collage style restaurant. What I mean (please young people don't take offence) collage kids will eat anything. Saying that the wings were it, as far as good. We got the spicy bbq ones. So if wings and beer are your stop then I would have given a 4 star. The service was also descent that's 4 star for me. However if the meat they severed me was brisket they must have thought I eat from trash cans. The pork, well I think the hotel bath you is going to hate me. I liitle about me I'm from San Jose California and I have had better bbq from the side of the road at truck stops. We are visiting Virginia for a possible relocation and I said to the wife hey since we are close lets drive the 3.5 hr to Knoxville. I bet the bbq there must be off the charts. Holy crap was I wrong about that (at least about Dead road kill BBQ). So in closing if you are looking for good bbq PLEASE PLEASE look else where. But hey if your young looking for cute collage girls drinking at the bar and want wings here it is. Good luck eat well
(2)
Jenny T.
Get their burgers! Their burgers are thick and awesome. But that's not enough to make this a good BBQ place. Their brisket serving sizes are really small, and can come out cold and hard. Also, they used to have the thickest most delicious bacon on their burgers, but they have since replaced it with way inferior bacon. Their ribs are only okay. Their sweet potato fries are great...if you get them fresh. Beware the off hours when the fries are tepid and slightly soggy. Their corn on the cob can also be old.
(2)
Brad H.
Unexpected surprise. My buddy took me here for dinner on a Friday before a game. A little bit of a wait but nothing bad. Awesome food. Had from the appetizers to the main course. Just really good food. Can't wait to go again.
(4)
Tara S.
This is fine but not exceptional. If you just want decent food, it's OK. if you are actually craving delicious BBQ, there are better places. It's clean and the quality of food is pretty good, but as a BBQ restaurant it doesn't hit many high marks for me. I'd almost say it's more like pseudo-soul food, if that makes any kind of sense. The atmosphere is fun and they have a good beer selection, so I imagine appetizers and beer and watching a football game or something would be the way to go there.
(2)
Mike A.
Stopped in a DE BBQ while in Knoxville for work. It was a cold, snowy day and I was one of maybe two customers. They treated me like a king. Ordered an entree and then they brought out samples of their other meats at no cost. Granted it was probably going to be tossed since the weather was bad and they had no customers. But that kind of customer service is what sets a place a part. My early dinner turned into a Man vs. Food episode and I loved it. They decor is really fun...lots of UT and SEC stuff. Best of all, food was fantastic! 5 Stars easily.
(5)
Jennifer D.
We have been dying to try Dead End BBQ and finally got the chance tonight. The kids had smoked wings, which they loved. My husband and I both ordered the sampler platter with pork and brisket. Both were delicious, though I wish there was more meat and smaller amounts of the sides. Loved the atmosphere. Great place for groups and families.
(4)
Kenny C.
Had the opportunity to have lunch at Dead End BBQ with Amanda and believe me it would've been the last place on a dead end street that I would've stopped at. The decor is cool but their food didn't represent Tennessee BBQ at all. We were served beef brisket, which was sliced London broil, the smoked sausage was Eckrich beef sausage. WTH?? Only three sauces: mild, medium, & hot were basically seasoned ketchup, vinegar ketchup, and spicy ketchup. Terrible choices. The green beans and the potato salad were flavorless and the "southern style" cornbread I'm sure its not known to be hard and dry. The slogan on the business card reads, "The Search is Over", how wrong they are.
(1)
Rose L.
Excellent bbq! Had the brisket which was fork tender. Tried the various sauces - all tasty. Also tried the grilled sausage which looked grea. For sides, had the beans and corn on the cob. Corn bread was just right - moist, not too sweet - just right. For dessert, we had the banana pudding which was awesome. So tasty. Not at all what I expected. Service was excellent. She anticipated the refills and gave us one for the road as well. Enjoy!
(4)
Angie M.
Let me start off by saying I thought the service here was a little lacking. So why 5 stars? Because of the brisket. I forgive your sloppy service if you give me super good food. I'm a simple girl in the end. I ordered one of the combo plates, as I usually do when going to new bbq joint. The ribs were excellent, but for me, it was the best brisket ever. And I live in Texas, so I'm coming from brisket-land. The sauces were good, but guess what? You don't need them. The meat is not dry and is packed with flavor already. Oh, my brother and I also had an order of banana pudding to go. That was quite fabulous as well.
(5)
Teresa R.
Great BBQ! Best in Knoxville.
(5)
Mark K.
Had to try some 'cue in Tennessee, and this was recommended. It was not very busy on a Sunday afternoon, service was very good, and the place is nice- not fancy, but perhaps a bit too fancy for a barbecue place if that makes sense. And a wine list at a barbecue place perplexes me, but whatever. There were 3 sauces: Peacefully, which was fair. Regular Dead End, which was okay. Gratefully Dead hot sauce, which amused me and tasted best but was not hot. We figured ribs were the typical meat for the area, so tried them. Very good- smoky flavor, toothsome, not overly sauced (and would have been good without them.) Also tried the pulled pork nachos, which were very good. Assorted sides, including greens (good,) pimento mac and cheese (excellent.) Overall a very good meal. Hope to get to western Tennessee and Kentucky for more smoked meats before too long.
(3)
Justin L.
Great ribs and brisket...
(4)
BT M.
Passing through Knoxville on a work assignment so I searched for food on Yelp and this place popped up. It's on Southerland Ave, and easy to find. I picked the TN Grilled Beef and Cheddar, which was really good. The bread was toasted perfectly and the sauce had just enough sweetness, with a little kick of a bite to it. I'd give it a 4 but the service was just eh. admittedly, they were in a down time, so I was it on customers. Regardless, I've added it to my places to visit on game day or any day.
(3)
Mark J.
What a place! Glad we found it, and worth it. Highly recommend the bologna sandwich and the banana pudding.
(5)
Pamela C.
Spicy BBQ Wings are AMAZING! The rest was good too, but didn't compare to the wings. My friend and I both agree they were the best we've ever had.
(4)
Matthew A.
Superb BBQ. Need I say more? Okay then, the BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders and the Brisket Sandwhich were amazing along with the Pimento Macaroni and Cheese on the side.
(4)
Ariana A.
Stopped here on my way to Bonnaroo this year and was guided in the right direction by other reviews. The place is pretty standard, but I was hoping for it to be a bit less of a commercial atmosphere. I was looking for a more down and dirty type place to be honest. The food was pretty good though. I had the pulled pork platter with corn on the cob, corn bread, and fries. The pulled pork was REALLY juicy and with the assortment of BBQ sauces I was in heaven!
(3)
Al G.
This is some of the best BBQ I've ever had! My fiance and I go once a week. Not only is the food good and true southern, but the portions are big so you are always leaving there with a full, happy stomach. Try the BBQ Nachos or Pork Plate and don't forget about the sweet potato "chips"!
(4)
Richard F.
Listen to Beth. Seriously, this women knows BBQ. I let the wait staff order my meal and was thrilled with the results. Don't skip the peanut butter pie or the banana cream.
(5)
Tanner Tanning R.
First time at Dead End so we got a platter and half rack of ribs so we could try a variety of meats and sides. Pulled chicken was ok, brisket a little better, and the ribs had a great dry rub. I'll come back for the ribs and some of the sandwiches that sounded enticing. Three choices for sauces mild, regular and hot. They've all got a kick but honestly the hot wasn't that hot. The regular was my favorite. And the mild needs to go away. It was too vinegary and I found myself wishing there was a sweet sauce instead. I wasn't impressed with slaw or potato salad at all, but I'm sure I'll find better sides in future visits. Fries were the best side we had today. I read several poor reviews on service and can happily say we had excellent service. The hostess was bussing a table when we walked in but still cheerfully greeted us and sat us as soon as she finished her task. Our server Isaac was very sweet and promptly took our beverage and appetizer order. Timing was impeccable, drinks arrived quickly, our appetizer very shortly after and as soon as we cleared the appetizer plate our food was there. I also really liked the decor. Its not quaint kitchen kitsch like so many BBQ places. This is more modern and edgy. We'll call it family friendly bad-ass. If you could turn a motorcycle into a restaurant booth that's how I'd describe our table. Black quartz tabletops with copper accents, leather and metal. And the dog tags on the sauce bottles were adorably macho.
Nice clean BBQ place. Has a good and wide selection on the menu. Portions are large and tasty. The staff is very friendly and the service was great.
(4)
Salmaan T.
The brisket here is pretty good. Got the mac n cheese and fries as well. All pretty tasty. A little more expensive than other BBQ joints in the area but pretty good.
(3)
Randan S.
This place is terrible. Truly awful food, service, and overall just a bad restaurant. They boast authentic BBQ but it's actually pre-cooked meat that sits under a heat lamp while they wait for someone to order it... While we were initially impressed at how quickly the food came out, it was clear that the food had just been sitting out. I ordered the brisket which was not actually brisket. It was a load of greasy fat. Hardly edible, it came in second only behind the dry lump of "corn bread" that was tasteless and gross. The finale came when I actually found a HAIR in my food. And trust me, it wasn't mine!! This restaurant does not deserve to claim the best BBQ in Knoxville - it is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!!!
(1)
Adam R.
My first trip to this BBQ joint was pretty good. This is a very classy BBQ place but lacked a little character with the staff. They were friendly but not welcoming. The food on the other hand was very tasty! I ordered the 2 meat combo with brisket, pulled pork, potato salad and macaroni & cheese. The brisket was ok but way too much fat for me. Looked like a smoked piece of bacon. The pulled pork on the other hand was terrific! Potato salad was bland but macaroni very cheesy and tasty. They had 3 different sauces on the table that were labeled regular, mild and hot. Regular and mild very tasty and similar, while the hot tasted like BBQ sauce with texas pete. Dead End wasn't as good as I've heard from other people but it might have been because it was a Sunday evening. Definitely worth checking out if you need a quick BBQ fix.
(3)
Channa P.
I'm from Memphis, so I take BBQ very seriously. That being said, I'm a big fan of Dead End BBQ. I'm especially in love with the beef brisket. It really does not get any better in Knoxville. That along with corn on a cob and sweet potato fries are a must. I'm also a very big fan of their banana pudding, which I am pretty sure is from a Paula Deen recipe. If you like BBQ give Dead End a try. Here's a tip. Just skip the pulled pork.
(4)
Jeff Z.
BBQ sauce was excellent - Ribs were good (not awesome) - Sides were average - Over priced - Overrated
(3)
John D.
Best BBQ in Knoxville!! Try the smoked bologna sandwich; it's awesome. Pork, brisket, and ribs are world class. Good selection of beers on tap and a full bar. Also, I hear they have a new location coming in Maryville.
(4)
Rhapsody A.
The food here is very good and the service was excellent! Isaac was our waiter and he was very helpful in offering suggestions. The mixed greens and the beans and smoked sausage was awesome. The mac and cheese was good too. The only thing that I did not care for was the corn bread. If you have room, make sure you try the banana pudding. It is made with chessman cookies! WOW...
(4)
Mary T.
"Cheap food ain't good, and good food ain't cheap." That is the quote that borders the kitchen in this new restaurant. This place was absolutely packed with people when we dined here. It is one of Knoxville's new restaurants, and Knoxvillians flock to try the new restaurants. This restaurant in particular focuses on the cooking technique we call barbeque. When we arrived we were put on a waitlist. We only waited around 5 minutes, which was nice. Every table in this place was full including the bar, and every server stood around the kitchen waiting for their tables' food to come out. Our server was nice and kept my water full which is always a good thing and they had the pellet ice which I LOVE. As we looked over the menu many items looked good. A man at a neighboring table was chowing down on wings. We asked him what he thought, to which he responded, "I will not order these again." Okay, we thought what should we order? We ordered tbe BBQ Sampler Plate (Pork, Brisket, and Chicken), and the Pulled Pork Plate. The sampler came with two side dishes and our choice of bread. We tried the Mayor Beans; Macaroni and Pimento Cheese; Red, White, and Bleu Slaw; Rocky Top Potato Salad; and the Jalapeno Corn Bread. The reason why we tried so many items is because they brought the wrong side dishes out at first. Our server said the Macaroni and Pimento Cheese was amazing, I would have to disagree. It tasted like the Macaroni and Cheese you could find at S & S. The potato salad was not anything special either. The cornbread was so dry if an old man had been eating it, he could have choked to death. Now, with that said I understand that it is their 1st week and they are still working out their kinks. Out of everything we tried I really enjoyed the pulled pork, the regular sauce mixed with the hot sauce, the slaw, and the mayors beans. The beans had a Southwestern taste to them which I would order again. On every table in the restaurant there is a rack of sauces. On these sauces they have something similar to a dog tag connected to them telling you the differences (mild, regular, and hot). I thought that was unique (I posted a picture). Even though it took a while for our food out, and when it did come out she brought one item and the next item did not come out for another 5 minutes, I will still give this place another shot at a better rating. Knoxville needs a really great BBQ place and I am hoping this could be one of them. They have an outdoor fire pit which I will check out next time. It looks really cool. Like Tim said, this place is in their first few weeks so for better results wait and let them get settled in. I would have waited myself but had the opportunity to go earlier and decided to jump on the opportunity. Cheers and Enjoy!
(3)
LM P.
I had a bad impression of Dead End BBQ when our group was ignored at the hostess stand, but all was made well after we had a taste of the delicious food. We ordered the Pulled Pork and the Beef Brisket plate accompanied with the highly recommended Rocky Top Potato Salad and the Macaroni and Pimento Cheese. Delicious! The various sauces they offer at the table were good, but I didn't feel the need to add any to the pulled pork - another plus for me. When I go back, I'm definitely going to try the specialty Dead End Mac Attack. It is pulled pork with caramelized onions, and their house-made mac and cheese on grilled sourdough bread. It sounds terrible for you, but probably delicious. Overall, I think Dead End BBQ offers great barbeque and a great atmosphere at a reasonable price. I would recommend Dead End over any other barbeque joint in the Knoxville area. FYI: They also offer Barbeque Classes that teach you things like how to cook ribs, the art of smoked barbeque and grilling for women, which is pretty cool.
(4)
Joseph C.
I'm a BBQ snob and a Knoxville native. Both of my parents are from the deep south. Growing up here, when we wanted real BBQ we went "off the beaten path". I tried this place when they opened, and again this week. I won't be back. I don't know what they do, but it's terrible pulled pork. BBQ only needs smoke. I went in to buy a butt, and they wouldn't sell it. I got a lb. of pulled pork and they had put something on it. Some sauce. BBQ doesn't need sauce; the meat should speak for itself. Knoxville was a yankee town, and it shows. Someone had money to open a joint. Place is crowded at times, but it just speaks to the lack of taste for REAL BBQ. Have to give props to bar and service, but food isn't great. Quit putting all that mess on the meat. If you smoke it right, you don't need to smother it with crap. Serve it, and offer sauce to the customer. Real BBQ joints have three sauces. Ketchup based, vinegar mild and vinegar hot. That's it. It isn't rocket science.
(2)
Kyle F.
Really good food with a ton of choices and good beer prices. The only problem we ran into was a full parking lot on a busy night...
(4)
Evan E.
This restaurant has the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. It doesn't even need sauce. It's that good. Their plates are relatively inexpensive as well. They offer some great sides too, including pintos, jalapeno cornbread, sweet potato and fresh cut fries, collared greens, etc. Their beef brisket is also very very good. This is down home BBQ, Tennesee style. I look forward to any trip to Knoxville so that I can get down on some more of this good stuff. I've been to Knoxville four times since I discovered the place and have made at least one trip during each of my visits. That should speak volumes for this restaurant.
(5)
Brittany R.
I liked almost everything about this place. Good location, good atmosphere, good food, good service. I ordered the combo 2 meat platter with brisket and chicken - my sides were mac and cheese, sweet potato chips (waffle fries) and southern cornbread. Everything for the most part was very tasty. The brisket was a little dry, but it fell apart the way it should. The cornbread was also dry. Very dry. That is usually my favorite part! I would go back though if i am ever in the area again. The service was great and the prices weren't bad at all.
(4)
Gina M.
Good food and I am hard to please when it comes to a BBQ chicken sandwich. We even bought some of the sauce to go. We were able to sit outside with our small poodle and we will return. We live about 3 hours away, in Nashville, but go through here a couple times a year and look forward to returning. Oh and make sure you get the mac and cheese. Delicious.
(5)
Ryan B.
After reading a lot of positive reviews we decided to give this place a try. We were extremely disappointed. BBQ was tasteless. BBQ sauces were not good. Took our server 8 minutes to come to our table. Overall one of the worse BBQ experiences.
(1)
Jennifer N.
Best wings ever. You should also definitely try the smoke sausage and cheese appetizer, or what I like to call the adult gourmet lunchable
(4)
Jeremy G.
My fiancee and I went for dinner on Sunday night. We both ordered the beef brisket, along with a couple of sides. Both of our briskets were quite tasty, but unfortunately extremely fatty. We didn't use any bbq sauce on the meat, as it certainly did not need any help with flavor. The sides could have used some help. I enjoyed the mac'n'pimento cheese well enough, but my beans'n'sausage needed renaming, and came out luke warm. I'm sure I'll return one more time to this place, as it has lots of good reviews, but my initial impression was "meh." Oh, and our service was lackluster. Had to wait 15 minutes after finishing our meal just to tell our server that indeed we were through eating. Though perhaps I should've heeded the warning on the restaurant's marquee: "HOT BEER, COLD SERVERS, CLOSE ENOUGH!"
(2)
Anna Y.
Stopped in on my way back to Texas and the experience was mediocre. We had the mix platter with the pulled pork & chicken, brisket and a side of ribs. The pork and chicken were dry. The ribs and brisket were decent but I've had better in Texas. Service was okay but not exactly helpful. Since we came in near closing time the waiter was more interested in cleaning up and going home than helping us.
(2)
Bryant B.
Our Dead End BBQ experience began on an ominous note: it took our server 15 minutes to greet us once we were seated on the patio. Two other servers also working outside glanced suspiciously at us several times, but they never approached us to ask if we'd been helped yet. The patio was only half full, but most of the empty tables contained used plates and glasses. Eventually Our Server With A Biblical Name (OSWABN) appeared and took our drink order. Things were looking up! We had beverages on the way! So we finally got some drinks and placed our order. OSWABN was doing a so-so job, but we had to ask OSWABN for refills, which is a cardinal sin in the restaurant business. Food arrived fairly quickly, but I was disappointed to find portions of my pork, sausage, and cornbread were cold. I have to say that the beans were very tasty, though. My wife didn't care for her chicken at all, and she said that the fries weren't very good either. I had to ask OSWABN for BBQ sauce, which is surprising- you'd think that bringing sauce with the meal would be automatic. At this point I noticed another couple who had been sitting on the patio for some time who had also not been approached yet. Kudos to the random server who went to their table and asked them if their server had been by their table yet. The couple replied in the negative and the server took their drink order. I was thinking about asking OSWABN if he could heat my food up when the power went out. OSWABN returned to say that if we didn't have cash then the meal was free. I had a $20 in my wallet so I would have felt guilty paying nothing for the food and drinks. I gave the money to OSWABN and asked if the twenty would be going to pay for our food, but he said something like he didn't know because the electricity was out. I hope that he didn't keep it as a tip because he simply didn't deserve it. I doubt that we'll go back. Mediocre food and apathetic service aren't a good combination.
(2)
Russ B.
Visited at the end of a lunch time in the early afternoon. It was busy, but we were seated with no delay. Atmosphere casual, but neat. Music upbeat, classic rock but not overpowering. Spacing of the tables was such that though it was quite busy, we did not feel cramped or rushed. Service was prompt, pleasant, and attentive (but not bothersome). Server provided drink refills promptly and without us having to ask for them. Sampled the Bar-B-queso with pulled pork. Very tasty and we both would get it again. For lunch, we had pulled pork sandwich and a beer can smoked chicken sandwich We added sides of The Mayor's Beans and Beans and Smoked Sausage. The meat was juicy and very flavorful. As identified in another review, there was very little smoke taste. Nearly none, in fact. Still, the overall flavor was excellent. We both enjoyed our sandwiches without adding any sauces to them at all. The beans were excellent (both types). Among the best I have had. Overall, it is someplace we will frequent again. A purist looking for a pulled pork sandwich would be disappointed and would be better served at a number of other local BBQ joints. The more casual BBQ diner will enjoy what Dead End has to offer. I feel it important to note, we did not sample the ribs ... often the true measure of any BBQ place. Another visit is CLEARLY needed. ;)
(4)
Kristi W.
Brisket and pulled pork great, mayors beans okay more like a bake bean chili combo, potato salad VERY dry! Didn't care for potato salad. And how about some AC in the building, VERY HOT inside!
(3)
Charlie I.
Based on this place's name, this place is a lot nicer than I thought it would be. They have a full bar and plenty of seating. The barbecue is excellent even though I wasn't crazy about the sauce. This isn't a slight against Dead End BBQ though, I can be a barbecue sauce snob. I thought the real high-point was the sides. The french fries and corn on the bob were great. Dead End also has a nice outdoor eating area that I would like to try out in the spring once it warms back up.
(4)
Chris O.
I ordered the brisket plate with potato salad and corn on the cob. The brisket and BBQ sauce was good, the potato salad was okay, and the corn was mushy and awful. Also, the waitress was cold and distant. Sigh. Not a good experience.
(2)
Robert J.
Before moving to Knoxville, I had watched an ESPN human interest piece about Dead End BBQ and their love of UT sports and vice versa. I was very excited when my friends and I decided to finally go to Dead End after at UT basketball victory. My friends already had a table by the time we arrived and it looks like we beat the after-game rush. The interior is very nice, but I can imagine that it could be really annoying to wait for a table while people eat delicious BBQ in front of you. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted because everything sounded so tasty. I decided to go with the St. Louis style ribs. I found them to be tasty, but a little dry. This required me to dip them in extra BBQ, which is good, but can also over power the taste of the meat...basically like eating sauce. At our table came great reports from the brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. Next time I will go with a pulled pork sandwich. I'm eager to go back.
(4)
Meredith C.
I have to admit, after eating at "The Joint" in New Orleans I'm a bit jaded. Nothing else I've tried even comes close. Dead End is no exception. The pulled pork BBQ was good. The "competition" chicken was alright, although they certainly aren't going to win any competitions with it. The brisket was the worst I've ever had - tough and chewy - smothering it in the mediocre BBQ sauces didn't help. The pimento Mac & cheese was kind of a let-down - the cheese was clumpy and I think I got 4 pimentos in the whole thing. Someone should also let them know that Texas toast is supposed to be thick and crispy. I'm more of a fan of hole-in-the-wall BBQ places. Dead End is trying too hard with their more upscale decor. If the food is good, it won't matter how you decorate.
(2)
Paul T.
Some of the best BBQ ever! I love this place! I just wish it was in CO, that's the only complaint i have about this place. So Dead in BBQ, if you ever just want to pick up and move to Denver please let me know, if not I guess Ill just have to salivate over your amazing BBQ until i come see my mother in Knoxville.
(5)
aiden w.
Best BBQ I've ever had. I was in town for work and look forward to future trips to Knoxville more because of this place. I got the pulled pork plate and the pork is amazing. There is no better word to describe it. It's so good that you don't even need barbeque sauces to accompany it. It's that good. The sides are all delicious too, especially the fries. And of course they have corn bread too. Mmmmmm! I live in Florida and that's probably a good thing because I would pig out at this place far too often.
(5)
Elizabeth T.
Not the best BBQ I've had. The sauces were pretty good and the service was fast, but our waitress wasn't very knowledgeable of the menu. My mother in law and I wanted to share a side salad, and she brought a full size salad and charged us more than what she said! The ribs were good as well as the pork, but the smoked sausage my husband had wasn't smoked at all. In fact, it tasted like they opened a package of sausage you'd find at a grocery store and cut it up.
(3)
Island N.
This place was highly recommend by a local couple. Service was friendly and quick. The only problem I had was with the food. The taste and texture was just not there. I had the bbq rubs with side of slaw and mixed greens. The Jalapeno corn bread was dryer than the AZ desert.
(1)
Richard L.
I give my favorite place in knoxville for the genre the 5. So this gets it. Entrees have always been great
(5)
Liam P.
BBQ was good, price was good, waitress was great. I would go again.
(4)
Tim M.
Definitely moving in the right direction. We tried Dead End again last night and things are looking up. They've done away with the little IHOP syrup pitchers full of different BBQ sauces (probably a pain to clean) and went to a more traditional squeeze-bottle system. The ribs are much better and the pulled pork was so good we got an extra pound to go ($9.99). Pork BBQ nachos are a great starter / entree in itself. This last trip moved Dead End from my "probably not" column squarely into the "Yes" column.
Very good dining establishment with a staff that seems to really care about the food being served. Everything I've tasted has been very good, even if I didn't care for the beef brisket (very fatty). The best thing on the menu, though, is the banana pudding! Best I've ever had in my life!
(4)
Robert M.
I love there different bbq and the tender pork meat. The waitress was sweet.
(5)
Amanda M.
Very good food!
(4)
Shauna H.
What a great find! The BBQ nachos here were amazing (pulled pork was a knockout!), and the portion was huge. My pulled pork sandwich was delicious, the sweet potato fries were dang near perfect, and the BBQ sauce was just terrific! The hubby tried the 'Mac Attack' (pulled pork, mac and cheese, caramelized onions), which he really liked but couldn't finish because it was so rich and he had enjoyed quite a few of the nachos. I don't know when I'll be back in the area, but I'm glad that I grabbed a bottle of the sauce before I left. This place is off the beaten path and in a slightly rundown neighborhood, but it's absolutely worth the effort to find. I can definitely see why these guys have won so many awards!
(4)
Mike N.
This was our our second visit to this great little BBQ joint. We actually had the same server both visits and she was terrific. Everything we have tried has been great. the pulled pork is as good as it gets and the wings were cooked perfectly, the smokiness was a great touch. The pigskins are a must try appetizer and the fries are well seasoned and cooked right. This is our new favorite restruarant in Knoxville. Come hungry and giive it a try.
(5)
Amelia J.
Good service, great BBQ, nice atmosphere. I'm used to quick BBQ with paper cups and serving myself, so this was a pretty out of the ordinary atmosphere for me. We were seated right away, the servers were friendly and quick, and the food came out within about 6 or 8 minutes. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides (the Mayor's beans and potato salad). The Mayor's beans weren't anything to write home about in my book, but they did have a distinct, almost smoky flavor. The potato salad had the appearance of a higher end restaurant side, edged with chives and bacon bits and in a mound like it had been served from an ice cream scoop. It was a very fluffy, lightly flavored side which I enjoyed, but it's hard for something with such a delicate flavor to compete with the rest of the meal. The sandwich was served on an awesome toasted bun with great butter pickles and incredibly tender meat. Very impressive. The accompanying sauces (at each table) include a sweet mild sauce, a "Gratefully Dead" medium sauce with a bit of a kick, and my personal favorite, the more Tabasco-y sauce (I think it's called the "Dead End Red") which was really great on the pork. Prices were decent (check out their website for the exact menu w/ prices) and of course you have to tip which makes it a little more expensive than the average BBQ lunch, but not bad at all!
(4)
Karla Marie B.
Love the sweet potato waffle fries and pimento cheese macaroni. Matter of fact all of the sides were pretty great. We had the cheese dip with bbq as an appetizer and it was good. Wish it had more bbq in it.They might do that if you request it. The 3 bbq sauces were each unique and flavorful. All of them were vinegar based and none of them were very hott. All in all it was a different as far as bbq goes and a good meal. The atmosphere seems to lend itself nicely to a casual lunch setting. There is a bar and the patio might be nice for dinner.
(4)
Frank B.
Just came in for lunch. I had the pulled brisket sandwich, wifey had the pulled pork. Food was good, service was good, i'll have to come back for dinner.
(4)
Liza M.
i rarely give out five stars, but this place is great. the food is ridiculously good and the service is amazing. can't really go wrong with anything you order. highly recommended.
(5)
wright k.
The sauce is good, but the chicken and brisket were both dry. I had the sliders, and the buns were stale and inedible. The service was the worst I have had in Knoxville -- waited 10 min for someone to take our drink order. Prices are high, for the quality and portion size. Not worth the time or money
(1)
Molly C.
Dead End has awesome barbeque! The pimiento macaroni and cheese is great. The atmosphere and location are fun. I would highly recommend Dead End. It can be difficult to take a large group because it is usually really busy on weekend nights. But, they do have a bar which can help with the wait.
(5)
Stephanie G.
I wa blown away today by the BBQ pork nachos!! We got carryout for lunch so I didn't actually eat there, but I will go back for sure!!
(5)
Ben S.
not the best bbq ever but the atmosphere is friendly and the wings were good. a bit pricey for the avg bbq i had
(3)
Bill S.
I'm from SC and wife is from TX. We enjoy all kinds of BBQ from traditional TX, memphis, eastern nc, and low country SC (mustard based pulled pork) so we were hoping this one hit on atleast one of these well. It did not. I've read the other reviews and maybe we hit it on a bad day but I was not impressed. Greasy, bland, and over sauced. I may try again but probably not unless I happen to find myself in the area around lunch for some odd reason.
(2)
Chris S.
Unlike the Nashville and Memphis area, Tennessee's 3rd largest city (Knoxville) does't have many killer BBQ restaurants. Calhoun's is famous, locally, but average, at best, when graded on a larger scale. Sweet P's downtown location (the other location is just average) does make the grade, but that's one of the few. We came to Dead End BBQ with high hopes after seeing the sign out front stating it was ranked by someone in the top 10 in the country and while it's better than average BBQ it doesn't belong nationally ranked (and yes I've been to several hundred BBQ restaurants to compare it to). Dead End is a quality BBQ restaurant, that's clean, modern and provides good service in a fun, upbeat atmosphere and it's close to campus. It's a great place to bring friends and family when in town for a Vol's game (if you can get a table). The food is priced fair and portions are large. You do get what you pay for. We aren't big on vinegar based sauce, which rules out most of the sauces here. The tomato based one is ok, but none of the sauces compared to our favorites at competitor locations. Brisket is suppose to be a staple here so we both ordered it. When the brisket arrived it came with as much fat as there was meat. They didn't trim it at all. The brisket itself was good, but not world class. Most will be thrilled with the flavor. The pulled pork rivaled the brisket. Meanwhile, the star was the pulled chicken. It's a challenge to keep chicken juicy when grilling and they do a great job of it here. It one item got Dead End on national rankings, it must have been this one. As for the sides we were eager to try sweet potato chips, note the word "chips" on the menu. These aren't chips, rather waffle fries, but nonetheless tasted great. We also tried the fried okra, which wasn't greasy and was fine. We were impressed with the green beans, which had hand cut pieces of bacon and tasted fresh. In closing, when in Knoxville, you'll be stretched to find better BBQ than here (except for Sweet P's downtown location). If you're a fan of BBQ there's a seat at the table ready for you here.
(4)
Shon W.
I came in on a busy Saturday for lunch. Service was fast and I got my food in no time. I had half a rack of ribs and it was very high quality. It couldn't have been better. The fries and corn on the cob was good though I felt the corn bread muffin was too dry. The banana pudding was so good it almost out shines the ribs.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Paul A.
Another great meal - love the BBQ combo plate 2 meat option.
(5)Lan N.
I've driven by this place numerous times and always told myself, "Next time, I will definitely stop and eat" Well, that next time turned out to be next next time followed by a few more. Finally, came here on a sunday evening. Yes, they are open on sunday which is thrilling because at a certain hour in the evening (especially on a sunday) its slim pickings. The wait was not bad, actually, there was none around 7:30pm. Immediately, I was seated and ready to order a beer. Their beer selection is decent as well as their wines. Their food menu is not complicated. You either want bbq or you want a sandwich or you want bbq. Two types of salads were listed, but did not have any appeal. I ordered the half rack of ribs which came with two sides. I picked the sweet potato chips and pimento mac n cheese. yum! I must say that the ribs were uber tender and falling off the bone. There was a nice dry rub on it that was not salty. The sweet potato chips were more than a handful. It tasted and looked as though they dusted some cinnamon sugar on it to add a little more sweetness and spice. I couldn't done without it. I requested for a side of their chipotle dipping sauce. It sounded good, but look thick and mayo-ish. I wished it was a lot creamier. The mac n cheese was quite delicious. The sauces: ugh, not enough heat! they offer three different types- regular, mild, and spicy. I'm always looking for that bbq sauce that has a kick to it. Apparently, Knoxville can't hang. The only other option was Tabasco. No thanks.
(4)Michelle P.
The staff here know how to accommodate! Came here as part of a "destination date" for a friend who was moving from Florida to Ohio as a well deserved driving/lunch break. The hostesses and servers treated us like family and gave some delicious recommendations like the loaded nachos and beef tips! Their Rebel Yell BBQ Burger was nice and flavorful...and I mean it also helps the school system right? So you don't even feel bad about feeling as lively as a sun baked turtle after the hearty meal. I will say it wasn't the best BBQ I had but it also was a far cry from bad, it's PRETTY DARN GOOD. Unless you're more of a dry rub person then this is the right juice and flavor level for you. I can say I personally could have had a spicier BBQ sauce than what they offered, but I know my tolerance is high and I'm also partial to incorporating the spicy/fruity habañero flavors into high spice and flavor sauces. Still, worth the destination date :)
(4)Quibble U.
This place was recommended by my hotel. Very good food; burnt ends, potato salad and baked beans. Burnt ends were great in flavor but a little too much fat, potato salad was very good, baked beans were ok, nothing great. Service was very good. The place looks new and is very comfortable and friendly.
(4)Paul C.
First time here while visiting Knoxville. I git the 3 meat sampler platter. Conclusion? Very average BBQ, but the death knell is their sauces. Not very good. The good is their smoked sausage.... Very good indeed! Pulled pork was decent but their brisket was dry and flavorless. Fries were average. My buddy's sandwich of pulled pork and mac and cheese was better than my dish. Service was good and efficient. Nice atmosphere but there is better BBQ out there, even in Knoxville.
(2)Sarah P.
Dead End is a great Knoxville barbeque staple. I have never had a bad experience here. I always order the pulled pork sandwich. Recently, I discovered their sweet potato fries, so I've found a pretty constant side dish as well. They are waffle cut and super tasty! I must say, I am disappointed by the fact that coleslaw doesn't come with the sandwiches. Adding coleslaw to my pulled pork is pretty much a necessity. They'll let you order a small dish for $1, which is obviously reasonable though, so I won't complain too much! The banana pudding is incredible. I adore banana pudding, and I wouldn't change a thing about Dead End's!
(3)Erika S.
Our recent trip to Dead End turned up disappointment. While all of the necessary elements for a great meal were there, it really came up short. The resounding theme from all 4 of us was....dry. Wings, pulled pork, Mac and cheese....all dry. I loaded my pulled pork sandwich up with sauce that had a great flavor, but was far from 'hot', as it was labeled. That couldn't make up for the crouton that they called a bun which held my sauced up pork. With so many great barbecue places around, good isn't good enough.
(3)Jay W.
Great atmosphere! Great service! Good BBQ!! The pork had no real flavor but was tender and good, added the Dead End regular bbq sauce and it was outstanding. The Beef brisket was slightly over done as it fell apart on me but had a great brisket flavor and was not overly soaked in broth. The beans were delicious and def get the jalapeño corn bread- has great flavor with all the heat.
(4)Julia H.
Holy crackers with jam!!! My friend and I walked in to this place and didn't know what to expect. We sat down and the server was at the table before I could even take off my coat. Hot green tea and sweet tea at the table within 2 minutes! The portions... HOLY MOLY! I ate every last bite. I had the chicken plate with green beans and sweet potato fries, side of sweet cornbread and my friend had the beef brisket with maccaroni and pimento cheese with some kind of specialty beans and jalapino cornbread... We ate all of it. Just the two of us! AND ordered a banana pudding... guess who ate all that, too?! We are not only going back, but we cannot wait to take others with us.
(5)Kelly B.
Great Sunday lunch at Dead End yesterday. I got the sandwich with brisket, grilled onions, and cheddar. Delicious! Great service, fun place.
(5)Joshua S.
Wow! Finally excellent BBQ in Knoxville, the brisket burnt ends are amazing! Paired with pimento mac and cheese, and smoked sausage beens :) I will be back really soon A+ score
(5)parker j.
If you are on a diet, a vegetabtarian, picky, or otherwise adverse to delious smoked animal meats...just stay away..if not I'm thinking you may like this place..nice job on the ribs, home made potato chip..mmm, nachos are ok, wings really good...but you must leave room for the bananna pudding, if you miss it, you will regret it. Service can be goofy, but always friendly. Always a good place to stop when in Knoxville
(4)Jennie B.
People I know rave about this place. I find it decent. I prefer Buddy's. That's right--the el cheapo, drive through joint on Kingston Pike. They're half the price, pork & brisket are so moist and tender, and the BBQ sauce is the bomb. Dead End on the other hand is, as I said, decent. If you're in the area stop by and give it a shot. Not sure I want to return a 3rd time though. The plates are big and you can share. But the meats are not mouth wateringly delicious like I expect BBQ meats to be. In addition--the sides are OK. I'm having a hard time remembering something on the menu that was memorable...
(3)L M.
There is some great food coming out of this place. The brisket, burnt tips, and pork was exceptional. The mac and cheese was truly delicious. I didn't care for the consistency or taste of their cooked greens. I had the sweet corn bread, and it was dry. The service was great, and I loved the loud talking and music in the background. Nice beer selection.
(3)Ryosuke U.
One of my goto BBQ places in Knoxville. It's not too "ghetto" where you feel uncomfortable going in and its not soo fancy that it makes you feel like its not gonna serve authentic TN BBQ. I'm a sucker for their BB-Queso appetizer and usually go for their pulled pork or brisket plate. This time I tried the brisket burnt ends for the first time. It's a cubed shaped and it is nothing like the typical brisket. Tastes very good and would highly recommend it. Will definitely be going there again when I'm in the area. Good to take Family, friends, coworkers, customers, and a date.
(4)John H.
I usually make it a point when i travel for work, especially on limited trips, to not eat at a place more than once and play the restaurant field. Yeah, well... 3 stops later, I think I've broken my rule of thumb... or was that my belt buckle? I've been hard pressed to find great BBQ since leaving, Ripley, Believe it or Not... California! Who knew. Between the Cats in Los Gatos and Bounty Hunter in Napa, its been few and far between. Now, there are some in the NC that I need to catch up on some reviews, but I digress. I'll chat about DEB in my new TN neighbor to the west (Abbreviations, it's a thing). From the hostess to the bar where you'll find me eating, the staff is pleasant and fun. Nothing overly fancy, just a nice clean restaurant with just enough flair to make it interesting. Oh yeah, the food. BBQ is really good. I'm a sausage tramp (swine people.... please) and love my ribs. The sausage is very favorable for sure and the meat falls off the ribs nicely when you eat. If you're one of those that eat ribs with a fork and knife this will work for you. But why are you eating ribs with a knife and fork? Anywho, the side dishes of collard greens, beans, beans and rice, and green beans are good. They have cornbread muffins with every meal that I can't say I'm a fan of on principle. But if they're your thing, you can mix it with the BBQ sauce or bean juice and dig in. I did, and it was fine. Again... no mark against the muffin... I just like cornbread... with corn in it... from a baking pan. There is the average number of brews on tap and always something from a can or bottle. Overall, great place to stop for good BBQ off the beaten path. And while you're there you may want to grab a T-Shirt or two as their logo and design are pretty cool and the shirts are $10 or so a piece. Till next post...
(4)Nikolas R.
Clean, well kept bbq joint across from The UT sports complex. I had the Burnt ends brisket plate with the beans/sausage and jalapeño cornbread. I was a little bit disappointed in the fact that there was barley a smoked flavor to the brisket or if there was actually any smoked treatment to the burnt ends. Usually when you think of burnt ends that's the BEST part of a smoked brisket..but anyways it was still good. The meat was flavorful and tender. Dead end was also very clean and has a sports bar feel which must be great for game day. Next time I come back il opt for a brisket sandwich, wings or one of those of the hamburgers. I keep it 4/5 because it is a nice environment with excellent service and fairly priced food it's just not the best bbq I had in K-Town
(4)Chuck C.
Tried it again because people like it, but I can't grasp it. It would still have to increase to get one star!
(1)Wenston R.
Beef tips are amazing. Many side options to choose from as well. Pulled pork is great.
(4)Cedric W.
Very disappointed based on the reviews I've heard and seen. Ordered the sampler plate. Chicken and brisket were dry. Sausage was OK. Grabbed take out, when I got home, 2 of 3 sides were missing. Overall just a bad experience. Some would say "eating in would result in better food", but good BBQ should be able to stand up in any container. Very disappointing. I'll give it one more try then I will have to move on.
(2)Jessica S.
Decent BBQ - Nothing crazy delicious or amazing. Service wasn't that great. Doubt I'll venture to this place again.
(2)Tyler D.
I came here with my church to celebrate our set-up and Tear Down crew. We had a reserved group room so there was no wait. Our waitress was very pleasant and attentive without being annoying. We did not have long wait for the food at all clocking in at 10-15 minutes (if that) . The food was either very good or average at worst. The macaroni and cheese was bland and unimpressive. The potatoe salad, although looks good, was not that great. The high points foodwise was of course the BBQ. The ribs in particular were perfectly cooked. Desert was a slice of peanut butter pie, which blew me away. Not my favorite, but I see myself coming back here every so often.
(3)Joshua W.
It was just okay. I got recommended this place, but it didn't seem to live up to the hype. Everything was par, but not spectacular.
(3)Steve E.
This is a review on their Tailgating Delivery: delivery was on time, food was hot and extremely fresh. We had pulled pork, Mac n cheese and beans and sausage. The package came with tea, ice, cups, silverware, utensils needed and the food was a hit, all for about $11 a head. Best deal I have found. An absolute tailgating home run!
(4)Colleen D.
Ok.... so I was so disappointed, I am posting my review as I'm sitting at the table. Here it goes, first off, I am from California and have had WAY better BBQ there. The brisket sucked, worst I've ever had. Pork was over cooked and extremely dry. Sausage was decent Wings were actually pretty good, which is why I gave 2 stars The beer was slightly cold - and very watered down for a red ale. Macaroni and cheese was decent Texas toast was horrible Basically - don't eat here.... read the great reviews on the banana pudding but couldn't fathom giving them any more of my money! Complete disappointment seems how I was looking for some good "Tennessee BBQ"
(2)Rufus V.
This place takes "resting on your laurels" to a whole new level. It started out with great potential. We were thrilled to have something new kicking life into Sutherland Ave. The food was good. The service was good. That's no longer the case. Short history: this place basically was the dreamchild of a group of West Knoxville dudes who started cooking in barbeque competitions. I assume none of them had restaurant experience but decided they would open one (the classic tale). So they hired this dude who is basically a professional restaurant start-up advisor. He was hands on when the joint started. Good food, good service, etc. He left for other ventures and the place went downhill FAST!!!!!!! The service became a total joke. The food quality became a total gamble. It's now way overpriced Buddy's with crappy service. Essentially, when the real restaurant guy left, the place took a major tank. A bunch of young servers and managers take "lunatics running the asylum" to a whole new level. It's a shame that a place with such great potential has turned into a rat's ass excuse for Tennessee barbeque. It's really embarrassing when people come in from out of town and think this place is real Tennessee barbeque. Be warned! If you want real Tennessee barbeque this is NOT the place.
(1)Ben H.
Disappointing at best. My wife and I were in Knox on business and were told to stop here. I'll be honest, this was some of the most pedestrian bbq that I've ever had. I expected more from dead end bbq and Knoxville. Let's get into specifics. The meat- we both had pulled pork. It was dry, and kindof tasteless. I've made much better q in my crock pot. -sides - the fries were great! The slaw had blue cheese in it- a neat trick, but not bbq. Service- the service was actually great. All in all- I wouldn't come back. Surely the great home of rocky top can serve up a southern standard with some authority.
(2)Bailey A.
Great food, burgers and meat kind of place, small and cozy very clean building service is usually pretty good location isn't the best but really worth the drive check out their beer specials great for lunch, awesome for college kids
(5)Keith C.
Great food. Save room for banana pudding! The meat is grilled to perfection. The servers are great as well. Definitely will come back here!
(5)Curt B.
Food was absolutely delicious! staff was very attentive and quick. Our party was 15 people with a complicated break up of the bill; staff was still able to decipher it correctly on the first try! Prices were decent as were the serving size.
(4)Cristie F.
Un*fucking*believable. Dead End BBQ gets 'er done when it comes to some amazing 'Q in Tennessee. I felt like a total fat kid at Dead End. I mean, when you're in the south, you can't order just pulled pork, right?!? Hells no. The whole vegetarian diet went far out the window for this meal. It was long forgotten about during that hour - and I'm perfectly okay with that. The options for Q were ended. There was every idea you could have using BBQ imaginable. I went with a 3 meat sampler in an effort to try the most ((DUH)). The brisket was tender and juicy, the ribs fell right off the bone and were the BEST ribs I've encountered in my lifetime, and the pulled pork was to die for. Our table ordered a bunch of sides - southern style green beans, beans & smoked sausage, macaroni & pimento cheese, and mixed greens. The greens were my favorite. There is NOTHING like good ol' southern greens. ((And for those of you wondering, no I couldn't eat it all, and yes I had a serious gut bomb for 2 days after.)) The BBQ sauces came in regular, mild, and spicy. I enjoyed the very popular regular flavor the best, but the spicy BBQ had the perfect little kick to it. The service was the best I've had in all of my dining experiences. Our waitress was an absolute doll. ((Maybe she was just flirting with my two male dining buddies, but nevertheless...)) She had countless recommendations, was so helpful, and made sure we were all taken care of, with her southern hospitality and charm. Dammit. I wish I lived in Tennessee. I'd never think of my vegetarian diet again. Dead End BBQ - You do it right.
(5)Andrea R.
So disappointed in the food lately. The service is always amazing and they are always willing to fix my good but something has changed there and the quality isn't what it used to be. :(
(1)Shelby F.
The Dead End Mac Attack was really good and very very filling!!!! However, the best part of our meal was the appetizer. We had the Barbequeso with pork and it was absolutely delicious. I even got some BBQ so I could make it at home!
(4)A E.
We had the family feast. The pulled pork was delicious. Loved the beans and okra. This was a great deal and we had plenty of leftovers.
(4)Cody F.
As a downtown resident, Dead End BBQ is one of the few places that I will gladly leave downtown to visit. With the glaring absence of BBQ in downtown, I would love to see a Dead End open up in center-city but that is a subject for another discussion. From a flavor, size, and quality standpoint, Dead End has the best wings in the city. My only criticism is that their "Dead Hot" sauce is not very hot, but that is coming from someone who favors spicier dishes. Also, I rarely get dessert anywhere I go but we always order Dead End's banana pudding whenever we are there, it's incredible.
(4)William S.
Great BBQ joint....first visit was outstanding and my server was so helpful. whstonemandining.blogspo…
(4)Larry A.
Our dinner included a sampler platter and some sides. All the meat was just fair (dry, smokeless) except for the sausage. Sides were ok but nothing really special. I go to a bbq place for the meat and it's either good or it's not and I would rate Dead End a "not" in my book. The place looks like it was designed to franchise. That's not a knock. Overall the restaurant looks very slick and well packaged. I just didn't think it was good bbq.
(2)Joan H.
Having lunch on the patio. Delicious pulled pork with a side of killer pimento Mac n Cheese and a side of the Blue Slaw.
(5)Greg R.
This was my first visit, and I plan to return to sample more of the menu. The service was friendly and quick. The pemiento macaroni and cheese, southern cornbread, and bread-and-butter pickles were standouts. I also enjoyed sampling the three BBQ success on the table, all redolent of molasses, tomato, and mustard. To my palate, the one labeled "hot" was not especially so. I will not repeat my unfortunate selection of the sausage--seemingly mass-marketed grocery store caliber--which was greasy and very mild in flavor, with a hint of pork. Fortunately it was markedly improved by the application of house hot BBQ sauce. I was disappointed with the iced tea, which was very mildly flavored, and came in a glass filled with ice, so that I had drained off the tea within a moment and was left with a faceful of ice. My server cheerfully provided a refill with much less ice as soon as I requested it. The fried okra was pleasant, but not particularly flavorful, and its coating was not crunchy. We wrapped up with the peanut butter pie, which was tasty, but seemed likely a thawed mass-produced product, as the peanuts and graham cracker crumb crust were not very crunchy.
(2)Sandra B.
This place is not a top of the line kind of place but rather a fun college atmosphere with tasty barbecue,cold beer, and super friendly and helpful staff. We tried several different items on the appetizer and BBQ menu and enjoyed everything we ordered.
(4)Adam H.
Great bbq. Staff was friendly & food came out fast. The brisket, smoked sausage, & fries were amazing. The traditional sauce had a nice vinegar taste.
(5)Courtney J.
More like 3.5 for me; the extra half being for the banana pudding. Really good brisket. My kids liked their stuff, too. The "hot" BBQ sauce was only sort of spicy, but interesting rich tomato flavor. I liked the slaw, too, but didn't love the pimento Mac. Very sorry my loud kids disrupted the sweet end-of-date smooch one couple was enjoying in the parking lot, just in case they read this.
(3)Tennessee J.
Best in town, hands down! I don't know if sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon have any value anymore when it is obviously so easy to anonymously troll in the service of a competitor. Perhaps it is time to have reviews linked to a verified name from now on.
(4)Becky A.
Some of the best BBQ I have ever had. Awesome date with my husband and we loved sitting on the patio out back. Great pimento mac and cheese!
(5)lin h.
Had the BBQ combo plate ($15) which gives you a choice of 3 meats, 2 sides, and choice of bread. I got the brisket and pulled pork. For the sides I got Mac and pimento cheese and the beans and sausage. For the bread, I got the jalapeño corn bread. The rub on the brisket was outstanding. However the brisket itself was a bit dry. Same goes for the pulled pork. Amazing flavor, but was dry. I've read that both are usually juicy so I guess I caught them on a bad day. But that's what separates mediocre restaurants from great ones - great food but done with CONSISTENCY. in any case, of they were juicy, it would be 5 star meats. Service was a little slow for a non busy time but was friendly (and my server was really friggin hot for a 40-something year old chick). Beans and sausage barely had sausage in it and it tasted like the beans you find in a burrito - blah. The Mac and cheese is average. Tastes like any other Mac and cheese. Cornbread is a JOKE. Dry (like so many yelpers have stated) and not much taste. As for the 3 sauces (mild, regular, hot), I preferred the regular. Tangy, original flavor but not the best I've had. Do yourself a favor and don't use the sauce on the meats. It'll only mask the meats' flavors (you COULD use it on the parts of the meat that got no rub or marinade).
(3)Ben P.
I heard a lot of good things about Dead End, which may have added to my eventual disappointment. While the food was fast and service prompt, the ribs were overlooked and tasted like jerky. They were pre-dressed with sauce so I couldn't try all three of their BBQ flavors. While the sauces were tasty on their own, I wish I could have tried them on my ribs.
(2)Jon V.
Just not that great. Here's a BBQ joint with waiters dressed in black, Cee-Lo and The Black Keys on the radio. Ok, not my idea of a classic BBQ place. What about the food though? Average. Really nothing great. I ordered the combo plate with brisket and sausage. Mac-n-cheese, Texas toast, and slaw as sides. Brisket was really pretty poor. It was fatty and grey. Not good. Sausage was ok. I could have grilled up a Johnsonville and had the same experience. "Toast" was soft and Mac and slaw were ok. On top of this...the prices are a bit high for BBQ especially when considering the average portion size. In sum, this is simply an average place located on inexpensive but high traffic real estate...selling inexpensive average quality food at high prices. Not in my plans for a return visit.
(2)Susan D.
I have nothing but good things to say about Dead End BBQ. I have been dining at the restaurant for years. I've tried a number of items on the menu and everything is excellent. I used their catering for my wedding and they went above and beyond my expectations. They were the most affordable option also. Our guest were all served and satisfied. I would highly recommend their service. Thanks catering crew for making my reception a hit!
(5)Sam C.
"A noisy, good place to hang out and drink beer with friends and pretend you're eating bar-b-q." If you tend to think brisket is bar-b-q, and you don't care if it has smoke rings, then you'll be happy with offerings here. The brisket is better than the pork, and both are better than the chicken. The sauces are nothing to write home about, either. Frankly, my wife produces better flavor using liquid smoke and slow roasting a pork butt overnight and applying a "doctored up" commercial sauce. Still, the food's not bad (a little pricey; however the portions are big) and, after swapping lies and throwing back a few with friends, you will have had a good time.
(2)Jeff C.
The family meal is outstanding! It allows you to sample a variety of options and at a realizable price. The BBQ is some of the best I've had and their sauces are tasty. Worth a visit for sure!
(5)Mike C.
Overall a disappointment. Had heard great things but nothing separates Dead End from other Knoxville BBQ joints. Was hoping the ribs would compare to 12 Bones in Asheville but they did not. They were tender but flavor was lacking and they were barely warm. The pulled pork was nothing special either. My search for a great BBQ spot in Knoxville will continue.
(3)Scott D.
Warning this IS a collage style restaurant. What I mean (please young people don't take offence) collage kids will eat anything. Saying that the wings were it, as far as good. We got the spicy bbq ones. So if wings and beer are your stop then I would have given a 4 star. The service was also descent that's 4 star for me. However if the meat they severed me was brisket they must have thought I eat from trash cans. The pork, well I think the hotel bath you is going to hate me. I liitle about me I'm from San Jose California and I have had better bbq from the side of the road at truck stops. We are visiting Virginia for a possible relocation and I said to the wife hey since we are close lets drive the 3.5 hr to Knoxville. I bet the bbq there must be off the charts. Holy crap was I wrong about that (at least about Dead road kill BBQ). So in closing if you are looking for good bbq PLEASE PLEASE look else where. But hey if your young looking for cute collage girls drinking at the bar and want wings here it is. Good luck eat well
(2)Jenny T.
Get their burgers! Their burgers are thick and awesome. But that's not enough to make this a good BBQ place. Their brisket serving sizes are really small, and can come out cold and hard. Also, they used to have the thickest most delicious bacon on their burgers, but they have since replaced it with way inferior bacon. Their ribs are only okay. Their sweet potato fries are great...if you get them fresh. Beware the off hours when the fries are tepid and slightly soggy. Their corn on the cob can also be old.
(2)Brad H.
Unexpected surprise. My buddy took me here for dinner on a Friday before a game. A little bit of a wait but nothing bad. Awesome food. Had from the appetizers to the main course. Just really good food. Can't wait to go again.
(4)Tara S.
This is fine but not exceptional. If you just want decent food, it's OK. if you are actually craving delicious BBQ, there are better places. It's clean and the quality of food is pretty good, but as a BBQ restaurant it doesn't hit many high marks for me. I'd almost say it's more like pseudo-soul food, if that makes any kind of sense. The atmosphere is fun and they have a good beer selection, so I imagine appetizers and beer and watching a football game or something would be the way to go there.
(2)Mike A.
Stopped in a DE BBQ while in Knoxville for work. It was a cold, snowy day and I was one of maybe two customers. They treated me like a king. Ordered an entree and then they brought out samples of their other meats at no cost. Granted it was probably going to be tossed since the weather was bad and they had no customers. But that kind of customer service is what sets a place a part. My early dinner turned into a Man vs. Food episode and I loved it. They decor is really fun...lots of UT and SEC stuff. Best of all, food was fantastic! 5 Stars easily.
(5)Jennifer D.
We have been dying to try Dead End BBQ and finally got the chance tonight. The kids had smoked wings, which they loved. My husband and I both ordered the sampler platter with pork and brisket. Both were delicious, though I wish there was more meat and smaller amounts of the sides. Loved the atmosphere. Great place for groups and families.
(4)Kenny C.
Had the opportunity to have lunch at Dead End BBQ with Amanda and believe me it would've been the last place on a dead end street that I would've stopped at. The decor is cool but their food didn't represent Tennessee BBQ at all. We were served beef brisket, which was sliced London broil, the smoked sausage was Eckrich beef sausage. WTH?? Only three sauces: mild, medium, & hot were basically seasoned ketchup, vinegar ketchup, and spicy ketchup. Terrible choices. The green beans and the potato salad were flavorless and the "southern style" cornbread I'm sure its not known to be hard and dry. The slogan on the business card reads, "The Search is Over", how wrong they are.
(1)Rose L.
Excellent bbq! Had the brisket which was fork tender. Tried the various sauces - all tasty. Also tried the grilled sausage which looked grea. For sides, had the beans and corn on the cob. Corn bread was just right - moist, not too sweet - just right. For dessert, we had the banana pudding which was awesome. So tasty. Not at all what I expected. Service was excellent. She anticipated the refills and gave us one for the road as well. Enjoy!
(4)Angie M.
Let me start off by saying I thought the service here was a little lacking. So why 5 stars? Because of the brisket. I forgive your sloppy service if you give me super good food. I'm a simple girl in the end. I ordered one of the combo plates, as I usually do when going to new bbq joint. The ribs were excellent, but for me, it was the best brisket ever. And I live in Texas, so I'm coming from brisket-land. The sauces were good, but guess what? You don't need them. The meat is not dry and is packed with flavor already. Oh, my brother and I also had an order of banana pudding to go. That was quite fabulous as well.
(5)Teresa R.
Great BBQ! Best in Knoxville.
(5)Mark K.
Had to try some 'cue in Tennessee, and this was recommended. It was not very busy on a Sunday afternoon, service was very good, and the place is nice- not fancy, but perhaps a bit too fancy for a barbecue place if that makes sense. And a wine list at a barbecue place perplexes me, but whatever. There were 3 sauces: Peacefully, which was fair. Regular Dead End, which was okay. Gratefully Dead hot sauce, which amused me and tasted best but was not hot. We figured ribs were the typical meat for the area, so tried them. Very good- smoky flavor, toothsome, not overly sauced (and would have been good without them.) Also tried the pulled pork nachos, which were very good. Assorted sides, including greens (good,) pimento mac and cheese (excellent.) Overall a very good meal. Hope to get to western Tennessee and Kentucky for more smoked meats before too long.
(3)Justin L.
Great ribs and brisket...
(4)BT M.
Passing through Knoxville on a work assignment so I searched for food on Yelp and this place popped up. It's on Southerland Ave, and easy to find. I picked the TN Grilled Beef and Cheddar, which was really good. The bread was toasted perfectly and the sauce had just enough sweetness, with a little kick of a bite to it. I'd give it a 4 but the service was just eh. admittedly, they were in a down time, so I was it on customers. Regardless, I've added it to my places to visit on game day or any day.
(3)Mark J.
What a place! Glad we found it, and worth it. Highly recommend the bologna sandwich and the banana pudding.
(5)Pamela C.
Spicy BBQ Wings are AMAZING! The rest was good too, but didn't compare to the wings. My friend and I both agree they were the best we've ever had.
(4)Matthew A.
Superb BBQ. Need I say more? Okay then, the BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders and the Brisket Sandwhich were amazing along with the Pimento Macaroni and Cheese on the side.
(4)Ariana A.
Stopped here on my way to Bonnaroo this year and was guided in the right direction by other reviews. The place is pretty standard, but I was hoping for it to be a bit less of a commercial atmosphere. I was looking for a more down and dirty type place to be honest. The food was pretty good though. I had the pulled pork platter with corn on the cob, corn bread, and fries. The pulled pork was REALLY juicy and with the assortment of BBQ sauces I was in heaven!
(3)Al G.
This is some of the best BBQ I've ever had! My fiance and I go once a week. Not only is the food good and true southern, but the portions are big so you are always leaving there with a full, happy stomach. Try the BBQ Nachos or Pork Plate and don't forget about the sweet potato "chips"!
(4)Richard F.
Listen to Beth. Seriously, this women knows BBQ. I let the wait staff order my meal and was thrilled with the results. Don't skip the peanut butter pie or the banana cream.
(5)Tanner Tanning R.
First time at Dead End so we got a platter and half rack of ribs so we could try a variety of meats and sides. Pulled chicken was ok, brisket a little better, and the ribs had a great dry rub. I'll come back for the ribs and some of the sandwiches that sounded enticing. Three choices for sauces mild, regular and hot. They've all got a kick but honestly the hot wasn't that hot. The regular was my favorite. And the mild needs to go away. It was too vinegary and I found myself wishing there was a sweet sauce instead. I wasn't impressed with slaw or potato salad at all, but I'm sure I'll find better sides in future visits. Fries were the best side we had today. I read several poor reviews on service and can happily say we had excellent service. The hostess was bussing a table when we walked in but still cheerfully greeted us and sat us as soon as she finished her task. Our server Isaac was very sweet and promptly took our beverage and appetizer order. Timing was impeccable, drinks arrived quickly, our appetizer very shortly after and as soon as we cleared the appetizer plate our food was there. I also really liked the decor. Its not quaint kitchen kitsch like so many BBQ places. This is more modern and edgy. We'll call it family friendly bad-ass. If you could turn a motorcycle into a restaurant booth that's how I'd describe our table. Black quartz tabletops with copper accents, leather and metal. And the dog tags on the sauce bottles were adorably macho.
(4)Stephanie K.
I would give this place four and a half stars. We ended up getting take out and we highly recommend it since our food was ready in 10 minutes. We started off with the BBQ beef nachos. They were really different with the BBQ sauce on top of the nachos but tasted great. I then chose the platter with one meat (I got beef) and two sides (french fries and green beans). The beef seemed highly recommended on yelp, so I got it, and boy was it worth it! It has a nice seasoned crust and it fell apart easily. The fries were a bit soggy (probably because we got them to go) but the seasoning was really good. Lastly, the green beans were good, generic BBQ joint green beans, nothing too special. got the BBQ combo plates that came with two meats, and two sides. He got the sausage and pulled chicken for his meats, and the Mac and Cheese and baked beans for his sides. We both agreed that the pulled chicken was pretty good. He said the sausage was awesome as well. But the Mac and Cheese dish was just okay even though it was another item that was highly recommended. The baked beans were very standard as well. Lastly, we got the banana pudding, and it was absolutely HEAVENLY. I'm contemplating going back again solely for this amazing dessert. Two soft white cookies on bottom and top, and a rich banana and vanilla flavored cream in between. It was fantastic and highly recommended. I think that my fiancé and I both agree that we would definitely come back to this place, especially if we were in the mood for BBQ beef and banana puddin'
(4)Gary J.
Nice clean BBQ place. Has a good and wide selection on the menu. Portions are large and tasty. The staff is very friendly and the service was great.
(4)Salmaan T.
The brisket here is pretty good. Got the mac n cheese and fries as well. All pretty tasty. A little more expensive than other BBQ joints in the area but pretty good.
(3)Randan S.
This place is terrible. Truly awful food, service, and overall just a bad restaurant. They boast authentic BBQ but it's actually pre-cooked meat that sits under a heat lamp while they wait for someone to order it... While we were initially impressed at how quickly the food came out, it was clear that the food had just been sitting out. I ordered the brisket which was not actually brisket. It was a load of greasy fat. Hardly edible, it came in second only behind the dry lump of "corn bread" that was tasteless and gross. The finale came when I actually found a HAIR in my food. And trust me, it wasn't mine!! This restaurant does not deserve to claim the best BBQ in Knoxville - it is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!!!
(1)Adam R.
My first trip to this BBQ joint was pretty good. This is a very classy BBQ place but lacked a little character with the staff. They were friendly but not welcoming. The food on the other hand was very tasty! I ordered the 2 meat combo with brisket, pulled pork, potato salad and macaroni & cheese. The brisket was ok but way too much fat for me. Looked like a smoked piece of bacon. The pulled pork on the other hand was terrific! Potato salad was bland but macaroni very cheesy and tasty. They had 3 different sauces on the table that were labeled regular, mild and hot. Regular and mild very tasty and similar, while the hot tasted like BBQ sauce with texas pete. Dead End wasn't as good as I've heard from other people but it might have been because it was a Sunday evening. Definitely worth checking out if you need a quick BBQ fix.
(3)Channa P.
I'm from Memphis, so I take BBQ very seriously. That being said, I'm a big fan of Dead End BBQ. I'm especially in love with the beef brisket. It really does not get any better in Knoxville. That along with corn on a cob and sweet potato fries are a must. I'm also a very big fan of their banana pudding, which I am pretty sure is from a Paula Deen recipe. If you like BBQ give Dead End a try. Here's a tip. Just skip the pulled pork.
(4)Jeff Z.
BBQ sauce was excellent - Ribs were good (not awesome) - Sides were average - Over priced - Overrated
(3)John D.
Best BBQ in Knoxville!! Try the smoked bologna sandwich; it's awesome. Pork, brisket, and ribs are world class. Good selection of beers on tap and a full bar. Also, I hear they have a new location coming in Maryville.
(4)Rhapsody A.
The food here is very good and the service was excellent! Isaac was our waiter and he was very helpful in offering suggestions. The mixed greens and the beans and smoked sausage was awesome. The mac and cheese was good too. The only thing that I did not care for was the corn bread. If you have room, make sure you try the banana pudding. It is made with chessman cookies! WOW...
(4)Mary T.
"Cheap food ain't good, and good food ain't cheap." That is the quote that borders the kitchen in this new restaurant. This place was absolutely packed with people when we dined here. It is one of Knoxville's new restaurants, and Knoxvillians flock to try the new restaurants. This restaurant in particular focuses on the cooking technique we call barbeque. When we arrived we were put on a waitlist. We only waited around 5 minutes, which was nice. Every table in this place was full including the bar, and every server stood around the kitchen waiting for their tables' food to come out. Our server was nice and kept my water full which is always a good thing and they had the pellet ice which I LOVE. As we looked over the menu many items looked good. A man at a neighboring table was chowing down on wings. We asked him what he thought, to which he responded, "I will not order these again." Okay, we thought what should we order? We ordered tbe BBQ Sampler Plate (Pork, Brisket, and Chicken), and the Pulled Pork Plate. The sampler came with two side dishes and our choice of bread. We tried the Mayor Beans; Macaroni and Pimento Cheese; Red, White, and Bleu Slaw; Rocky Top Potato Salad; and the Jalapeno Corn Bread. The reason why we tried so many items is because they brought the wrong side dishes out at first. Our server said the Macaroni and Pimento Cheese was amazing, I would have to disagree. It tasted like the Macaroni and Cheese you could find at S & S. The potato salad was not anything special either. The cornbread was so dry if an old man had been eating it, he could have choked to death. Now, with that said I understand that it is their 1st week and they are still working out their kinks. Out of everything we tried I really enjoyed the pulled pork, the regular sauce mixed with the hot sauce, the slaw, and the mayors beans. The beans had a Southwestern taste to them which I would order again. On every table in the restaurant there is a rack of sauces. On these sauces they have something similar to a dog tag connected to them telling you the differences (mild, regular, and hot). I thought that was unique (I posted a picture). Even though it took a while for our food out, and when it did come out she brought one item and the next item did not come out for another 5 minutes, I will still give this place another shot at a better rating. Knoxville needs a really great BBQ place and I am hoping this could be one of them. They have an outdoor fire pit which I will check out next time. It looks really cool. Like Tim said, this place is in their first few weeks so for better results wait and let them get settled in. I would have waited myself but had the opportunity to go earlier and decided to jump on the opportunity. Cheers and Enjoy!
(3)LM P.
I had a bad impression of Dead End BBQ when our group was ignored at the hostess stand, but all was made well after we had a taste of the delicious food. We ordered the Pulled Pork and the Beef Brisket plate accompanied with the highly recommended Rocky Top Potato Salad and the Macaroni and Pimento Cheese. Delicious! The various sauces they offer at the table were good, but I didn't feel the need to add any to the pulled pork - another plus for me. When I go back, I'm definitely going to try the specialty Dead End Mac Attack. It is pulled pork with caramelized onions, and their house-made mac and cheese on grilled sourdough bread. It sounds terrible for you, but probably delicious. Overall, I think Dead End BBQ offers great barbeque and a great atmosphere at a reasonable price. I would recommend Dead End over any other barbeque joint in the Knoxville area. FYI: They also offer Barbeque Classes that teach you things like how to cook ribs, the art of smoked barbeque and grilling for women, which is pretty cool.
(4)Joseph C.
I'm a BBQ snob and a Knoxville native. Both of my parents are from the deep south. Growing up here, when we wanted real BBQ we went "off the beaten path". I tried this place when they opened, and again this week. I won't be back. I don't know what they do, but it's terrible pulled pork. BBQ only needs smoke. I went in to buy a butt, and they wouldn't sell it. I got a lb. of pulled pork and they had put something on it. Some sauce. BBQ doesn't need sauce; the meat should speak for itself. Knoxville was a yankee town, and it shows. Someone had money to open a joint. Place is crowded at times, but it just speaks to the lack of taste for REAL BBQ. Have to give props to bar and service, but food isn't great. Quit putting all that mess on the meat. If you smoke it right, you don't need to smother it with crap. Serve it, and offer sauce to the customer. Real BBQ joints have three sauces. Ketchup based, vinegar mild and vinegar hot. That's it. It isn't rocket science.
(2)Kyle F.
Really good food with a ton of choices and good beer prices. The only problem we ran into was a full parking lot on a busy night...
(4)Evan E.
This restaurant has the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. It doesn't even need sauce. It's that good. Their plates are relatively inexpensive as well. They offer some great sides too, including pintos, jalapeno cornbread, sweet potato and fresh cut fries, collared greens, etc. Their beef brisket is also very very good. This is down home BBQ, Tennesee style. I look forward to any trip to Knoxville so that I can get down on some more of this good stuff. I've been to Knoxville four times since I discovered the place and have made at least one trip during each of my visits. That should speak volumes for this restaurant.
(5)Brittany R.
I liked almost everything about this place. Good location, good atmosphere, good food, good service. I ordered the combo 2 meat platter with brisket and chicken - my sides were mac and cheese, sweet potato chips (waffle fries) and southern cornbread. Everything for the most part was very tasty. The brisket was a little dry, but it fell apart the way it should. The cornbread was also dry. Very dry. That is usually my favorite part! I would go back though if i am ever in the area again. The service was great and the prices weren't bad at all.
(4)Gina M.
Good food and I am hard to please when it comes to a BBQ chicken sandwich. We even bought some of the sauce to go. We were able to sit outside with our small poodle and we will return. We live about 3 hours away, in Nashville, but go through here a couple times a year and look forward to returning. Oh and make sure you get the mac and cheese. Delicious.
(5)Ryan B.
After reading a lot of positive reviews we decided to give this place a try. We were extremely disappointed. BBQ was tasteless. BBQ sauces were not good. Took our server 8 minutes to come to our table. Overall one of the worse BBQ experiences.
(1)Jennifer N.
Best wings ever. You should also definitely try the smoke sausage and cheese appetizer, or what I like to call the adult gourmet lunchable
(4)Jeremy G.
My fiancee and I went for dinner on Sunday night. We both ordered the beef brisket, along with a couple of sides. Both of our briskets were quite tasty, but unfortunately extremely fatty. We didn't use any bbq sauce on the meat, as it certainly did not need any help with flavor. The sides could have used some help. I enjoyed the mac'n'pimento cheese well enough, but my beans'n'sausage needed renaming, and came out luke warm. I'm sure I'll return one more time to this place, as it has lots of good reviews, but my initial impression was "meh." Oh, and our service was lackluster. Had to wait 15 minutes after finishing our meal just to tell our server that indeed we were through eating. Though perhaps I should've heeded the warning on the restaurant's marquee: "HOT BEER, COLD SERVERS, CLOSE ENOUGH!"
(2)Anna Y.
Stopped in on my way back to Texas and the experience was mediocre. We had the mix platter with the pulled pork & chicken, brisket and a side of ribs. The pork and chicken were dry. The ribs and brisket were decent but I've had better in Texas. Service was okay but not exactly helpful. Since we came in near closing time the waiter was more interested in cleaning up and going home than helping us.
(2)Bryant B.
Our Dead End BBQ experience began on an ominous note: it took our server 15 minutes to greet us once we were seated on the patio. Two other servers also working outside glanced suspiciously at us several times, but they never approached us to ask if we'd been helped yet. The patio was only half full, but most of the empty tables contained used plates and glasses. Eventually Our Server With A Biblical Name (OSWABN) appeared and took our drink order. Things were looking up! We had beverages on the way! So we finally got some drinks and placed our order. OSWABN was doing a so-so job, but we had to ask OSWABN for refills, which is a cardinal sin in the restaurant business. Food arrived fairly quickly, but I was disappointed to find portions of my pork, sausage, and cornbread were cold. I have to say that the beans were very tasty, though. My wife didn't care for her chicken at all, and she said that the fries weren't very good either. I had to ask OSWABN for BBQ sauce, which is surprising- you'd think that bringing sauce with the meal would be automatic. At this point I noticed another couple who had been sitting on the patio for some time who had also not been approached yet. Kudos to the random server who went to their table and asked them if their server had been by their table yet. The couple replied in the negative and the server took their drink order. I was thinking about asking OSWABN if he could heat my food up when the power went out. OSWABN returned to say that if we didn't have cash then the meal was free. I had a $20 in my wallet so I would have felt guilty paying nothing for the food and drinks. I gave the money to OSWABN and asked if the twenty would be going to pay for our food, but he said something like he didn't know because the electricity was out. I hope that he didn't keep it as a tip because he simply didn't deserve it. I doubt that we'll go back. Mediocre food and apathetic service aren't a good combination.
(2)Russ B.
Visited at the end of a lunch time in the early afternoon. It was busy, but we were seated with no delay. Atmosphere casual, but neat. Music upbeat, classic rock but not overpowering. Spacing of the tables was such that though it was quite busy, we did not feel cramped or rushed. Service was prompt, pleasant, and attentive (but not bothersome). Server provided drink refills promptly and without us having to ask for them. Sampled the Bar-B-queso with pulled pork. Very tasty and we both would get it again. For lunch, we had pulled pork sandwich and a beer can smoked chicken sandwich We added sides of The Mayor's Beans and Beans and Smoked Sausage. The meat was juicy and very flavorful. As identified in another review, there was very little smoke taste. Nearly none, in fact. Still, the overall flavor was excellent. We both enjoyed our sandwiches without adding any sauces to them at all. The beans were excellent (both types). Among the best I have had. Overall, it is someplace we will frequent again. A purist looking for a pulled pork sandwich would be disappointed and would be better served at a number of other local BBQ joints. The more casual BBQ diner will enjoy what Dead End has to offer. I feel it important to note, we did not sample the ribs ... often the true measure of any BBQ place. Another visit is CLEARLY needed. ;)
(4)Kristi W.
Brisket and pulled pork great, mayors beans okay more like a bake bean chili combo, potato salad VERY dry! Didn't care for potato salad. And how about some AC in the building, VERY HOT inside!
(3)Charlie I.
Based on this place's name, this place is a lot nicer than I thought it would be. They have a full bar and plenty of seating. The barbecue is excellent even though I wasn't crazy about the sauce. This isn't a slight against Dead End BBQ though, I can be a barbecue sauce snob. I thought the real high-point was the sides. The french fries and corn on the bob were great. Dead End also has a nice outdoor eating area that I would like to try out in the spring once it warms back up.
(4)Chris O.
I ordered the brisket plate with potato salad and corn on the cob. The brisket and BBQ sauce was good, the potato salad was okay, and the corn was mushy and awful. Also, the waitress was cold and distant. Sigh. Not a good experience.
(2)Robert J.
Before moving to Knoxville, I had watched an ESPN human interest piece about Dead End BBQ and their love of UT sports and vice versa. I was very excited when my friends and I decided to finally go to Dead End after at UT basketball victory. My friends already had a table by the time we arrived and it looks like we beat the after-game rush. The interior is very nice, but I can imagine that it could be really annoying to wait for a table while people eat delicious BBQ in front of you. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted because everything sounded so tasty. I decided to go with the St. Louis style ribs. I found them to be tasty, but a little dry. This required me to dip them in extra BBQ, which is good, but can also over power the taste of the meat...basically like eating sauce. At our table came great reports from the brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. Next time I will go with a pulled pork sandwich. I'm eager to go back.
(4)Meredith C.
I have to admit, after eating at "The Joint" in New Orleans I'm a bit jaded. Nothing else I've tried even comes close. Dead End is no exception. The pulled pork BBQ was good. The "competition" chicken was alright, although they certainly aren't going to win any competitions with it. The brisket was the worst I've ever had - tough and chewy - smothering it in the mediocre BBQ sauces didn't help. The pimento Mac & cheese was kind of a let-down - the cheese was clumpy and I think I got 4 pimentos in the whole thing. Someone should also let them know that Texas toast is supposed to be thick and crispy. I'm more of a fan of hole-in-the-wall BBQ places. Dead End is trying too hard with their more upscale decor. If the food is good, it won't matter how you decorate.
(2)Paul T.
Some of the best BBQ ever! I love this place! I just wish it was in CO, that's the only complaint i have about this place. So Dead in BBQ, if you ever just want to pick up and move to Denver please let me know, if not I guess Ill just have to salivate over your amazing BBQ until i come see my mother in Knoxville.
(5)aiden w.
Best BBQ I've ever had. I was in town for work and look forward to future trips to Knoxville more because of this place. I got the pulled pork plate and the pork is amazing. There is no better word to describe it. It's so good that you don't even need barbeque sauces to accompany it. It's that good. The sides are all delicious too, especially the fries. And of course they have corn bread too. Mmmmmm! I live in Florida and that's probably a good thing because I would pig out at this place far too often.
(5)Elizabeth T.
Not the best BBQ I've had. The sauces were pretty good and the service was fast, but our waitress wasn't very knowledgeable of the menu. My mother in law and I wanted to share a side salad, and she brought a full size salad and charged us more than what she said! The ribs were good as well as the pork, but the smoked sausage my husband had wasn't smoked at all. In fact, it tasted like they opened a package of sausage you'd find at a grocery store and cut it up.
(3)Island N.
This place was highly recommend by a local couple. Service was friendly and quick. The only problem I had was with the food. The taste and texture was just not there. I had the bbq rubs with side of slaw and mixed greens. The Jalapeno corn bread was dryer than the AZ desert.
(1)Richard L.
I give my favorite place in knoxville for the genre the 5. So this gets it. Entrees have always been great
(5)Liam P.
BBQ was good, price was good, waitress was great. I would go again.
(4)Tim M.
Definitely moving in the right direction. We tried Dead End again last night and things are looking up. They've done away with the little IHOP syrup pitchers full of different BBQ sauces (probably a pain to clean) and went to a more traditional squeeze-bottle system. The ribs are much better and the pulled pork was so good we got an extra pound to go ($9.99). Pork BBQ nachos are a great starter / entree in itself. This last trip moved Dead End from my "probably not" column squarely into the "Yes" column.
(4)Charlie J.
Link below to my blog for more info on my review series. charlietunablog.blogspot… THE DÉCOR AND VIBE: It's hard to miss Dead End BBQ when you drive by. It's an unusual building on Sutherland Ave as you approach Bearden in West Knoxville. It looks like an old concrete slab that's been converted into a cool modern restaurant. It certainly stands out against the neighboring buildings. The colors are primarily orange and black set against a lot of stainless steel. The interior is very "polished" - like a chain restaurant. Though this is the only Dead End BBQ location, it's quite evident someone has created a concept with franchising in mind. The music was forgettable (not really hearable over the lunch crowd chatter), but there were cool lighting fixtures around the restaurant to add some vibe. The décor was primarily photos of BBQ competitions. (I assume the recipes came from a competition BBQer.) THE MEAL: *BBQ Sampler Plate with Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, House Smoked Sausage plus The Mayors Beans, Southern Style Green Beans, and Jalapeno Cornbread *Unsweet Tea The two of us split this sampler plate. The pulled pork was tender and juicy, but was a little too sauced for my liking. (I know many people in this neck of the woods prefer it that way.) The beef brisket was not as juicy as I would have hoped for, but was quite flavorful. The house-smoked sausage was incredibly juicy, but lacked in the smoke department. The Mayors Beans (baked beans) were solid, but the Southern style green beans were just OK. Jalapeno cornbread was excellent. The spicy "Gratefully Dead" sauce was the best of the three sauces offered at the table. The sampler plate was $17.99 plus tax, which was quite reasonable in my opinion. Though I did not order any, I noticed they had a solid red wine list; a couple of their bottles would pair well with their BBQ flavors. THE SERVICE: Our server was quite good. We were seated quickly and received our drinks almost immediately. She was on top of re-filling our drinks and making sure we got what we needed (extra plates, etc.). The food came out very quickly after we ordered. No complaints in the service department, especially considering it was a peak lunch time. It's exactly what I would want from a restaurant such as this. MY OVERALL OPINION: Dead End BBQ was overall a good experience. I was hoping it was have a little more unique character (i.e. little less "chain" feel), but, again, it seems like the intention is to franchise the restaurant. I can't say I was blown away by any of the food, but then again I don't typically seek out BBQ. I do plan to return to try the ribs. I would recommend that any Knoxvillian try it at least once. If you're a BBQ connoisseur (which I am not), perhaps you'd have a different perspective...
(3)Todd B.
Very good dining establishment with a staff that seems to really care about the food being served. Everything I've tasted has been very good, even if I didn't care for the beef brisket (very fatty). The best thing on the menu, though, is the banana pudding! Best I've ever had in my life!
(4)Robert M.
I love there different bbq and the tender pork meat. The waitress was sweet.
(5)Amanda M.
Very good food!
(4)Shauna H.
What a great find! The BBQ nachos here were amazing (pulled pork was a knockout!), and the portion was huge. My pulled pork sandwich was delicious, the sweet potato fries were dang near perfect, and the BBQ sauce was just terrific! The hubby tried the 'Mac Attack' (pulled pork, mac and cheese, caramelized onions), which he really liked but couldn't finish because it was so rich and he had enjoyed quite a few of the nachos. I don't know when I'll be back in the area, but I'm glad that I grabbed a bottle of the sauce before I left. This place is off the beaten path and in a slightly rundown neighborhood, but it's absolutely worth the effort to find. I can definitely see why these guys have won so many awards!
(4)Mike N.
This was our our second visit to this great little BBQ joint. We actually had the same server both visits and she was terrific. Everything we have tried has been great. the pulled pork is as good as it gets and the wings were cooked perfectly, the smokiness was a great touch. The pigskins are a must try appetizer and the fries are well seasoned and cooked right. This is our new favorite restruarant in Knoxville. Come hungry and giive it a try.
(5)Amelia J.
Good service, great BBQ, nice atmosphere. I'm used to quick BBQ with paper cups and serving myself, so this was a pretty out of the ordinary atmosphere for me. We were seated right away, the servers were friendly and quick, and the food came out within about 6 or 8 minutes. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides (the Mayor's beans and potato salad). The Mayor's beans weren't anything to write home about in my book, but they did have a distinct, almost smoky flavor. The potato salad had the appearance of a higher end restaurant side, edged with chives and bacon bits and in a mound like it had been served from an ice cream scoop. It was a very fluffy, lightly flavored side which I enjoyed, but it's hard for something with such a delicate flavor to compete with the rest of the meal. The sandwich was served on an awesome toasted bun with great butter pickles and incredibly tender meat. Very impressive. The accompanying sauces (at each table) include a sweet mild sauce, a "Gratefully Dead" medium sauce with a bit of a kick, and my personal favorite, the more Tabasco-y sauce (I think it's called the "Dead End Red") which was really great on the pork. Prices were decent (check out their website for the exact menu w/ prices) and of course you have to tip which makes it a little more expensive than the average BBQ lunch, but not bad at all!
(4)Karla Marie B.
Love the sweet potato waffle fries and pimento cheese macaroni. Matter of fact all of the sides were pretty great. We had the cheese dip with bbq as an appetizer and it was good. Wish it had more bbq in it.They might do that if you request it. The 3 bbq sauces were each unique and flavorful. All of them were vinegar based and none of them were very hott. All in all it was a different as far as bbq goes and a good meal. The atmosphere seems to lend itself nicely to a casual lunch setting. There is a bar and the patio might be nice for dinner.
(4)Frank B.
Just came in for lunch. I had the pulled brisket sandwich, wifey had the pulled pork. Food was good, service was good, i'll have to come back for dinner.
(4)Liza M.
i rarely give out five stars, but this place is great. the food is ridiculously good and the service is amazing. can't really go wrong with anything you order. highly recommended.
(5)wright k.
The sauce is good, but the chicken and brisket were both dry. I had the sliders, and the buns were stale and inedible. The service was the worst I have had in Knoxville -- waited 10 min for someone to take our drink order. Prices are high, for the quality and portion size. Not worth the time or money
(1)Molly C.
Dead End has awesome barbeque! The pimiento macaroni and cheese is great. The atmosphere and location are fun. I would highly recommend Dead End. It can be difficult to take a large group because it is usually really busy on weekend nights. But, they do have a bar which can help with the wait.
(5)Stephanie G.
I wa blown away today by the BBQ pork nachos!! We got carryout for lunch so I didn't actually eat there, but I will go back for sure!!
(5)Ben S.
not the best bbq ever but the atmosphere is friendly and the wings were good. a bit pricey for the avg bbq i had
(3)Bill S.
I'm from SC and wife is from TX. We enjoy all kinds of BBQ from traditional TX, memphis, eastern nc, and low country SC (mustard based pulled pork) so we were hoping this one hit on atleast one of these well. It did not. I've read the other reviews and maybe we hit it on a bad day but I was not impressed. Greasy, bland, and over sauced. I may try again but probably not unless I happen to find myself in the area around lunch for some odd reason.
(2)Chris S.
Unlike the Nashville and Memphis area, Tennessee's 3rd largest city (Knoxville) does't have many killer BBQ restaurants. Calhoun's is famous, locally, but average, at best, when graded on a larger scale. Sweet P's downtown location (the other location is just average) does make the grade, but that's one of the few. We came to Dead End BBQ with high hopes after seeing the sign out front stating it was ranked by someone in the top 10 in the country and while it's better than average BBQ it doesn't belong nationally ranked (and yes I've been to several hundred BBQ restaurants to compare it to). Dead End is a quality BBQ restaurant, that's clean, modern and provides good service in a fun, upbeat atmosphere and it's close to campus. It's a great place to bring friends and family when in town for a Vol's game (if you can get a table). The food is priced fair and portions are large. You do get what you pay for. We aren't big on vinegar based sauce, which rules out most of the sauces here. The tomato based one is ok, but none of the sauces compared to our favorites at competitor locations. Brisket is suppose to be a staple here so we both ordered it. When the brisket arrived it came with as much fat as there was meat. They didn't trim it at all. The brisket itself was good, but not world class. Most will be thrilled with the flavor. The pulled pork rivaled the brisket. Meanwhile, the star was the pulled chicken. It's a challenge to keep chicken juicy when grilling and they do a great job of it here. It one item got Dead End on national rankings, it must have been this one. As for the sides we were eager to try sweet potato chips, note the word "chips" on the menu. These aren't chips, rather waffle fries, but nonetheless tasted great. We also tried the fried okra, which wasn't greasy and was fine. We were impressed with the green beans, which had hand cut pieces of bacon and tasted fresh. In closing, when in Knoxville, you'll be stretched to find better BBQ than here (except for Sweet P's downtown location). If you're a fan of BBQ there's a seat at the table ready for you here.
(4)Shon W.
I came in on a busy Saturday for lunch. Service was fast and I got my food in no time. I had half a rack of ribs and it was very high quality. It couldn't have been better. The fries and corn on the cob was good though I felt the corn bread muffin was too dry. The banana pudding was so good it almost out shines the ribs.
(5)