Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

"You’re roving around downtown with a hungry group, and the consensus is clear: barbecue, and only barbecue. In that case, head to the multi-story Martin’s. There are several around Nashville, but the downtown location is the best. That means the chances of you standing in line are high, but it moves fast. After placing your order for some sliced brisket (cross your fingers it hasn’t sold out), pulled pork, mac and cheese, and hoecakes, find your way to a table and wait for the avalanche of dishes. There’ll be a bunch of different sauces in bottles on your table, but you don’t really need those—the barbecue stands on its own. And if you happen to catch Martin’s on a day when there’s live music on the schedule, it feels like quintessential Nashville." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak

"There are a few Martin’s scattered around town, but the downtown location is the best. And that’s a very good thing when you’re doing the obligatory downtown visit with the fam and need an alternative to hot chicken. Order at the counter and make sure you include the sliced brisket (cross your fingers it hasn’t sold out), pulled pork, mac and cheese, and hoecakes. There’ll be a bunch of different sauce bottles on your table, but you don’t really need those—the barbecue stands on its own. And if you happen to catch Martin’s on a day when there’s live music on the schedule, it feels like quintessential Nashville." - jackie gutierrez jones 2

"There are a few Martin’s scattered around town, but the downtown location is the best. And that’s a very good thing when you’re doing the obligatory downtown visit with the fam and need an alternative to hot chicken. Order at the counter and make sure you include the sliced brisket (cross your fingers it hasn’t sold out), pulled pork, mac and cheese, and hoecakes. There’ll be a bunch of different sauce bottles on your table, but you don’t really need those—the barbecue stands on its own. And if you happen to catch Martin’s on a day when there’s live music on the schedule, it feels like quintessential Nashville." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

"Pitmaster Pat Martin is keeping the West Tennessee tradition of whole-hog barbecue alive and well, growing his Nolensville-based restaurant into a chain spread across several states, including Nashville locations in Belmont, Midtown, Nissan Stadium, and downtown. Don’t miss Martin’s quintessential pulled pork barbecue sandwich; other hits include wings, wet or dry ribs, brisket sandwiches, barbecue bologna sandwiches, and Redneck Tacos on cornbread hoecakes." - Eater Staff, Delia Jo Ramsey

"Martin’s is an easy place to recommend to folks with a hankering for Southern barbecue. Pitmaster Pat Martin is keeping the West Tennessee tradition of whole-hog barbecue alive and well, growing his Nolensville-based restaurant into a chain spread across several states. The downtown Nashville location has a mammoth beer garden in the back, providing tons of seating, games, and a stage for live music. Don’t miss Martin’s quintessential pulled-pork barbecue sandwich; other hits include wings, wet or dry ribs, brisket sandwiches, barbecue bologna sandwiches, and Redneck Tacos on cornbread hoecakes." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff