Tennessee has plenty of great food in the big cities of Nashville and Memphis, but if you really want to try true Tennessee food, you’ve got to venture out into the smaller towns. One spot that’s a must-visit from anywhere in the state is Uncle Sonny’s Bar-B-Que in Shelbyville, about an hour south of Nashville. From classic barbecue plates to decadent nachos and baked potatoes, Uncle Sonny’s does it all, and it’s certainly a spot you don’t want to miss out on. We hope you’re hungry!

Meg Austin - GoogleMaps Uncle Sonny’s may not look like much if you’re driving by on Main Street in Shelbyville, but this is one of the best barbecue joints in the state, if not in the entire South.

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook They’re famous for their decadent ribs, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill small-town barbecue joint. They serve up creative and decadent takes on barbecue like these beautiful, savory barbecue nachos.

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook Their sides are a little different than what you’d expect from a barbecue joint as well. Just look at this loaded baked potato!

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook If you don’t take our word for it, just know that Uncle Sonny’s has cooked and sold over a million pounds of barbecue since they opened their business 15 years ago. Not too shabby!

Nick Snow - GoogleMaps You won’t find any super fancy frills at Uncle Sonny’s. They prefer to let the cooking speak for itself. It’s exactly what you want in a small-town barbecue joint.

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook Uncle Sonny’s is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. You can call ahead for to-go orders, or you can stick around and eat in the restaurant while you take in the beautiful barbecue aromas. We’ll see you there!

For more information about Uncle Sonny’s, including up-to-date hours and contact information, check out the Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que Facebook page.

Meg Austin - GoogleMaps

Uncle Sonny’s may not look like much if you’re driving by on Main Street in Shelbyville, but this is one of the best barbecue joints in the state, if not in the entire South.

Uncle Sonny’s Bar B Que - Facebook

They’re famous for their decadent ribs, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill small-town barbecue joint. They serve up creative and decadent takes on barbecue like these beautiful, savory barbecue nachos.

Their sides are a little different than what you’d expect from a barbecue joint as well. Just look at this loaded baked potato!

If you don’t take our word for it, just know that Uncle Sonny’s has cooked and sold over a million pounds of barbecue since they opened their business 15 years ago. Not too shabby!

Nick Snow - GoogleMaps

You won’t find any super fancy frills at Uncle Sonny’s. They prefer to let the cooking speak for itself. It’s exactly what you want in a small-town barbecue joint.

Uncle Sonny’s is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. You can call ahead for to-go orders, or you can stick around and eat in the restaurant while you take in the beautiful barbecue aromas. We’ll see you there!

If small-town, family-owned joints like this one are what you’re looking for, then you’ll love the Great Harvest Bread Co. in Cookeville, Tennessee.

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Address: 1505 N Main St, Shelbyville, TN 37160, USA