Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

Pat Martin’s downtown outpost of his growing barbecue empire is definitely his crown jewel. The massive building boasts a full-service restaurant on the ground floor, plus a huge beer garden upstairs with picnic tables, a stage for live music, two bars, games, and private dining space for up to 150 guests. Four whole hog pits contribute a hickory smoked incense that draws tourists and locals alike into the pitmaster playground. Order any of Martin’s meats on a corn cake (known as a Redneck taco) for a unique experience.
How to book: No reservations, but you can order online for delivery, carryout or curbside pickup.

In case you simply can’t decide between a burger and a BBQ sandwich, Martin’s brisket burger marries both American traditions, resulting in one meal that packs a ridiculous amount of flavor. The brisket burger starts out like a traditional burger: beef patty topped with grilled onion and American cheese that’s then topped with slow-smoked beef brisket and a delicious BBQ sauce.

Martin’s has nine locations around the region, but the two-story smoked meat emporium just south of Broadway is the jewel in the crown. Thanks to Nashville’s weird topography, the upstairs level is actually where the outdoor space is, featuring a huge adult playground of a beer garden with multiple bars, long picnic tables, darts, and other games, a small stage for local music acts and four massive smokers where whole hogs lie in smoky repose overnight to be ready for the next day’s sandwiches. The aroma of smoldering hickory will stick with you long after you leave, and that’s a good thing.