Cookeville has BBQ restaurants with reputations built on slow smoking.
What Makes Great BBQ in Cookeville
The BBQ restaurants on this list use wood and long cook times at low temperature. A smoke ring on brisket or pork shoulder is the mark of those hours. Sides on a plate include coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and cornbread.
1. Hardwoods Smokehouse
851 S Willow Ave | (931) 588-0438 | hardwoodssmokehouse.com
Hardwoods Smokehouse is at 851 S Willow Ave. This list ranks Hardwoods first for BBQ in Cookeville. The meat is slow-smoked over wood. The brisket is on the menu. The pork is tender and is not mushy. Hardwoods is on South Willow, outside downtown. The parking lot is full on a weekday lunch. The sides are on the plate.
2. Moogie's BBQ
79 E Spring St | (931) 646-4610
Moogie's BBQ is at 79 E Spring St, downtown. The hickory-smoked wings are the signature item. Pork and ribs are also on the menu, smoked. Moogie's is on East Spring Street, so it gets lunch, after-work, and weekend traffic. This list ranks Moogie's first for wings in Cookeville.
3. Stroud's Barbeque
1201 E Spring St | (931) 528-7020 | stroudsbarbeque.com
Stroud's Barbeque is at 1201 E Spring St. Stroud's has counter service, a drive-thru, and catering. The smoked pork and ribs are on the menu. The drive-thru is open for a lunch-break order. Catering covers work events, parties, and crowds. Stroud's also serves a regular meal.
4. Back Alley BBQ
25 N Washington Ave
Back Alley BBQ is at 25 N Washington Ave, just north of downtown. The ribs are the main item. The ribs are slow-smoked until the meat separates from the bone without much force.
5. Blue Smoke BBQ
Blue Smoke BBQ serves smoked meat. Blue Smoke has regulars. Check current hours and location. Smaller BBQ operations sometimes change the schedule by season.
6. Southern Smoke BBQ
Southern Smoke BBQ serves Southern-style BBQ with long, slow cooking and large portions. The sides are cooked in the same kitchen as the meat.
7. BBQ on the Move
Cookeville has BBQ food trucks at events, breweries, and markets. Truck schedules are on social media. Some of these operators do not have a fixed address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best BBQ in Cookeville, TN? Hardwoods Smokehouse at 851 S Willow Ave is the first BBQ pick on this list. The meat is slow-smoked over wood, and the menu covers the major proteins. Moogie's BBQ is the pick for hickory-smoked wings.
Where do locals eat BBQ in Cookeville? Hardwoods Smokehouse has the largest local BBQ following on this list. Moogie's is the wings pick. Stroud's has counter service, a drive-thru, and catering.
Does Cookeville have good BBQ? Cookeville has more than one BBQ restaurant that uses wood and slow cooking.
Is there BBQ delivery in Cookeville? Check current delivery at Hardwoods Smokehouse and Stroud's. Delivery availability changes. Stroud's drive-thru is the fastest pickup on this list.
What is the best BBQ for a crowd or catering in Cookeville? Stroud's Barbeque handles catering and has the scale to feed a crowd.