Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

Reviews

• Bruce S.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  The best BBQ in Nashville...period!
  
  Highly recommended by local friends, this was our first stop after landing in Music City.  Yeah, be warned, there's usually a line out the door, but it's worth the wait.  We actually timed it right, as it was a Tuesday night and we walked in around 9pm...no wait.  Again, the portions are big, so we split the Big Mama Sampler to try a little of most everything.  Everything was moist, tender and had the right amount of rub to make the ribs, pork and brisket melt in your mouth.  Our sides of baked beans, hush puppies and broccoli salad were a perfect compliment to the meat.  Though you could power through it, we had to take some back with us and enjoyed it a 2nd time.  This is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner, located right by a number of major hotels.  Regardless, make this a stop on your gastronomic Music City adventures!

• Brian F.

  star star star star star_border 29 May 2026

  This BBQ joint is close enough to downtown that it's walking distance but far enough so you don't need to deal with the large crowds on Broadway. Regardless the place will draw crowds because it has pretty good BBQ.
  
  They have full service at the bar area if you don't want to wait in line. There's seating on the first floor and also two other spaces upstairs as well as an outdoor patio.
  
  I ordered the third slab of babies ($13.99) with mac and cheese and hush puppies as my two sides. The ribs were good and fall off the bone and I loved the dry rub on it which added a lot of flavor. I really liked the mac and cheese and the hush puppies were decent.
  
  I wish they had an option like other BBQ places so I could sample all their different kinds of meat. Either way I enjoyed my meal and would come back!

• Dave S.

  star star star star star 28 May 2026

  Wait in quick line to order, they bring food.
  
  Excellent dry rub smoked chicken wings, excellent "farmhouse"? Salad with pickled veggies,house cornbread croutons, excellent service, plenty of seating: pay to park sucked $10 out of us for 2hr parking. $4 for first hour though but we were with a crowd.
  
  So glad we came.  Staff trained very well about gluten free when ordering- impressed.  Thank you..

• Candace L.

  star star star star star_border 28 May 2026

  Martin's was our very first stop in Nashville, right from the airport we'd been in flight all day and experienced delays getting in so we were so ready to eat and grateful this place stays open until 10p.
  
  We arrived around 915/930p to a fairly lengthy line and my friend poked in to ask if the two of us could skip this line and sit at the bar which worked out perfect. I never really mind sitting at a bar if it means I'm going to not be waiting in a long line. We probably had our food before some of the people in line even ordered. If you don't need a table for a large party this is the route to go.
  
  We snagged two seats at the bar and ordered a couple of beers. We shared the Whole Hog BBQ tray and the sliced beef brisket BBQ tray with green beans, baked beans, mac & cheese, cornbread hoecake and a side of hush puppies.
  
  I didn't love any of the sides so much but the baked beans and mac&cheese were probably my favorite if I had to choose. The cornbread hoecake leaves something to be desired. I'm certain I can make these a lot better and I've had MUCH better hush puppies elsewhere. The brisket and pulled pork were both very good. Their staple bbq sauce is a bit runny in my opinion and their spicy version is very spicy but not good.
  
  All in all this meal totally hit the spot after a long travel day and it's Martin's, we had to try it! I did just see they made it onto Southern Livings top 50 bbq joints in the US at around no. 20 so I was all about getting here and trying them for myself.
  
  I'd definitely return but I'm not ever going to wait for a table and I definitely want to try other bbq joints in the city to compare them to but not a bad choice by any means but... also NOT the best BBQ I've ever had.
  
  Great service, mainly tourist first-timers crowd from what I could gather.

• James B.

  star star star star star 17 May 2026

  Place was packed but service was very friendly and lighting fast. We really appreciated that since we were just grabbing a bite before heading to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  
  Sauce is a great vinegar based sauce that compliments the pork perfectly. The loaded nachos come with pulled pork, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream and a nice slaw. Indoor and an upstairs patio/garden area make for a great atmosphere. Fun, fun place to grab some great Bar-B-Que!
  Highly recommend them!