This Tiny Tennessee BBQ Spot Is A Legendary Place To Visit This Year
What does legendary BBQ look like in Tennessee? Sometimes it looks like a polished restaurant with a long wait list.
And sometimes it looks like a converted gas station in South Knoxville with a handwritten menu and an owner who personally ensures every single customer leaves happy. This tiny spot has built a reputation so outsized it barely makes sense for a space this small.
The brisket is extraordinary. The pulled pork is outstanding.
The banana pudding alone is worth the drive. People arrive as strangers.
They leave as regulars. Tennessee just handed you your most delicious reason to visit Knoxville this year.
A Former Gas Station Turned BBQ Landmark
Not every great restaurant looks the part from the outside, and that’s exactly the charm of this spot. The place operates out of a former gas station that has been transformed into one of the most talked-about BBQ destinations in East Tennessee.
The old pump canopy still stands out front, and the smokers positioned beneath it fill the surrounding air with the unmistakable scent of slow-cooked wood smoke. Visitors often describe the exterior as nostalgic and cool rather than rough around the edges, and once they enter, the character of the space only deepens.
The interior carries an authentic, lived-in feel with local personality in every corner. Seating is limited, keeping the atmosphere cozy and close-knit.
Outdoor seating could also be available depending on the weather, giving guests a relaxed option to enjoy their meal. The building’s history adds a layer of story to every visit, making the experience feel genuinely rooted in the community rather than manufactured for effect.
Over Four Decades Of Pit Master Craftsmanship
Forty years of cooking barbecue leaves a mark on both the cook and the food. Walter Love, the owner and driving force behind Love That BBQ, brings that depth of experience to every rack of ribs and every pork shoulder that goes into the smoker.
That kind of history doesn’t come from a recipe card. It comes from decades of adjusting heat, reading smoke, and understanding how time transforms meat.
Before opening the restaurant around 2011 or 2012, Walter and co-owner Bonny Love ran a catering business for approximately fifteen years. That foundation gave the restaurant a professional backbone from the very start, which may explain why customers consistently describe the food as competition-style quality rather than typical fast-casual BBQ.
Visitors have noted being able to watch the cook carry out large portions of meat to the smokers, which adds a live, hands-on energy to the dining experience. Knowing the person behind the food has spent a lifetime perfecting this craft tends to make each bite feel more intentional.
It’s the kind of BBQ that tastes like practice, patience, and genuine passion all at once.
The Pulled Pork That Keeps People Coming Back
Pulled pork is the benchmark dish at most Southern BBQ joints, and at Love That BBQ, it sets a high bar right from the first order. Guests describe the pulled pork as smoky, tender, and packed with flavor, arriving on a soft, fresh bun that holds up well against the generous portions.
The mild BBQ sauce offered alongside it adds another layer to an already well-developed flavor profile.
The pulled chicken sandwich has also earned consistent praise, described as meaty, smoky, and made with tender white meat on a fresh bun. Both options reflect the same attention to technique – slow smoking that draws out moisture and depth rather than rushing the process.
For those who enjoy customizing their order, the restaurant offers a variety of in-house BBQ sauces, ranging from mild to hot, allowing each guest to dial up or dial down the heat to their liking. Portions tend to be generous, and the pricing is considered very fair for the quality delivered.
Sandwiches have been reported starting at around five dollars, making this a genuinely accessible meal without any compromise on taste or craftsmanship. Hurry to try it out at 1901 Maryville Pike in Knoxville.
Brisket And Ribs Worth The Drive
Brisket and ribs are the true test of any serious BBQ kitchen, and Love That BBQ handles both with evident skill. The brisket has been described by multiple reviewers as fall-apart tender, the kind that yields with almost no resistance and carries a deep, slow-smoked richness throughout.
One guest noted that the owner generously offered a small taste before they ordered, and the brisket immediately became a must-order for the return visit.
The ribs may be even more celebrated. Several guests have called them the best ribs they’ve ever eaten anywhere.
That’s a meaningful detail in the BBQ world, when meat stands entirely on its own, it signals serious technique at work.
Both dishes reflect the same slow-and-low cooking philosophy that defines the restaurant’s approach. Groups visiting from out of state have specifically sought out this location for authentic local BBQ, and the brisket and ribs are frequently the items that generate the most enthusiastic responses.
Calling ahead is a reasonable step, as popular cuts could sell out before closing time.
Homemade Sides That Steal The Show
At plenty of BBQ restaurants, the sides feel like an afterthought. At Love That BBQ, they arrive with the same care and intention as the main dishes, and for many guests, the sides end up being the most memorable part of the meal.
The potato salad has drawn specific, enthusiastic praise.
Baked beans are made with ground beef and brown sugar, giving them a hearty, home-cooked depth that sets them apart from canned versions. The coleslaw is described as creamy and comforting, the kind that reminds people of family cookouts rather than a commercial kitchen.
Fresh-cut fries made from whole potatoes and oil keep things honest and straightforward.
Mac and cheese rounds out the side menu with another comfort-food staple. Hush puppies are described as crispy on the outside with a soft, flavorful center and an old-school cornbread-style taste.
The variety of sides means that every guest at the table could find something familiar and satisfying, regardless of their preferences. Ordering a mix of sides alongside a main plate tends to give the fullest picture of what the kitchen can do.
Desserts That End The Meal On A High Note
Finishing a BBQ meal with something sweet is a Southern tradition, and Love That BBQ takes that tradition seriously. The Nutter Butter Banana Pudding is one of the restaurant’s most talked-about desserts, earning enthusiastic mentions from visitors who had never encountered the combination before.
Creamy, layered, and satisfying after a full plate of smoked meat, it tends to surprise people in the best possible way.
The Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cake is another option on the dessert menu, offering a richer, more indulgent close to the meal. Brownies loaded with chocolate chips have also made an impression on guests, with one reviewer noting that they were rich enough to be dangerous in the best sense.
These aren’t elaborate pastry-shop creations – they’re the kind of desserts that feel made with genuine care rather than mass-produced convenience.
Dessert availability could vary depending on the day, so asking at the counter about what’s currently on offer is always a good move. Given that the restaurant closes at 6 PM on weekdays and 5 PM on Saturdays, arriving with enough time to enjoy both a full meal and dessert is the best approach.
Complimentary dessert has even been offered to guests on at least one occasion, which speaks to the warmth of the hospitality here.
Prices That Make Every Visit Feel Like A Win
Value is one of the most consistent themes across every review of this restaurant, and it’s not just about low prices. It’s about the relationship between what guests pay and what they receive.
Sandwiches have been reported starting at around five dollars, and two people have eaten full meals for approximately nineteen dollars total. Family deals have been noted starting around twenty-two dollars, making group visits genuinely manageable.
A large chicken sandwich plate has been priced at around twelve dollar. The overall pricing structure sits firmly in the affordable range, marked as a single-dollar sign on Google Maps.
What makes the value feel especially real is that the quality doesn’t drop to meet the price point – the food consistently earns high marks regardless of what was spent. Guests leaving full and satisfied while spending under twenty dollars per person is a recurring theme.
For families, budget-conscious travelers, or anyone who simply appreciates honest pricing for honest food, Love That BBQ makes a compelling case for skipping the chain restaurants entirely.
A Family-Owned Business With Real Southern Hospitality
There’s a noticeable difference between a restaurant that trains staff to be friendly and one where the warmth is simply part of who runs the place. Love That BBQ falls firmly in the second category.
Owned and operated as a family business, the restaurant carries a personal, welcoming energy that guests pick up on immediately upon walking through the door.
Guests have described feeling like they were visiting family rather than eating at a restaurant, and the owner has been noted for being patient, personable, and genuinely engaged with customers.
The venue is also described as family-friendly, with young children welcomed and accommodated comfortably. Kids’ menu options including nachos, quesadillas, and burgers have been mentioned by families visiting with younger guests.
Groups of thirteen have reportedly received their food within ten minutes, demonstrating that the kitchen operates with both speed and care. The combination of fast service, low prices, and genuine warmth makes repeat visits feel like a natural outcome rather than a deliberate decision.
Hours, Location, And What To Know Before Visiting
The location is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM and on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sundays are closed, so weekend visitors planning a Sunday trip will need to adjust their schedule accordingly.
The venue sits in South Knoxville, slightly off the main drag, which means GPS navigation is the most reliable way to arrive without confusion. Parking is available on site, and the lot has been described as having plenty of space.
Calling ahead at 865-748-1741 before making the drive is a practical step.
Popular items like ribs and brisket could sell out before closing time, so arriving earlier in the day tends to offer the widest selection. Lunchtime on weekdays appears to be a comfortable time to visit without overwhelming crowds, though the restaurant handles groups efficiently.
The address is straightforward to find once in the South Knoxville area, and the former gas station structure makes it visually recognizable from the road.
Why Road-Trippers And Locals Both Keep Returning
A restaurant that earns 4.7 stars across more than 445 reviews isn’t doing something accidentally right. It’s consistently delivering an experience that resonates with a wide range of people.
Love That BBQ has become a stop that road-trippers specifically seek out.
Locals return for reasons that go beyond the food. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, the service is fast without feeling rushed, and the overall experience carries a consistency that builds trust over time.
Guests who have moved away from the area have noted that the restaurant remains a priority stop whenever they return to Knoxville.
The combination of slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, fair prices, and genuine hospitality creates a dining experience that’s hard to replicate at a chain restaurant or a trendy new spot. The space itself reinforces a sense of place that feels rooted and real.
For anyone passing through or living nearby, Love That BBQ is the kind of place that earns a permanent spot on the short list.