Ridgewood Barbecue

We had the blue cheese dip with crackers, pork sandwich, beef sandwich, fries, cole slaw, beans, and catfish. Everything was so good. Service was quick and friendly. Meat is sliced not pulled then reheated on the flat top. It’s a small place in the mountains.

I think the key to going to Ridgewood is to have the right mind set and consider it an adventure. The adventure starts with finding the place — it will well out of town on a 2 lane road and around the corner you see this place that looks almost like an old house with a screened in front porch and a BBQ shack behind it.
The adventure can have an unwelcome twist if you get here at peak times as the line is extremely long so I would recommend you not go at peak meal times, the other way the adventure could go wrong is if you get there near closing time because they may have closed early if they have run out of food or they may not let you in. This a locals place first and foremost for over 60 years now so you might run into that type of feeling as an outsider as well. The servers are very seasoned and very much like family.
The adventure continues if you order the only appetizer on the menu which is the «famous» blue cheese dip and crackers — really odd I know but it fills you up some while waiting for your order and will give you a smile when you think about it later.
I agree with the other reviewers — this is not BBQ is the true sense of the word — it is Ridegwood BBQ which is mostly smoked brisket type of BBQ. The majority of the menu is all types of sandwiches made from their smoked meats and they are big and over stuffed. you will not leave hungry I promise!!! The baked beans are distinct and I really enjoyed them. Everyone at my table including a few locals got really good looking sandwiches and we all left with to go bags. Overall it was fun, interesting and decent food although not your typical BBQ but that is okay. it is unique.
The locals keep Ridgewood in business so if you are not a local just take it as an adventure and a look back in time to simple and plentiful food.

Best Bbq in area. French fries are awesome. The blue cheese dip and crackers are a must have. I come here every time I’m in Tn.

A true American icon. Ridgewood is a roadside diner where you step back in time when you traveled on windy two lane backroads. You’ll enjoy some North Carolina/​East Tennessee style sliced pork sandwiches with sweet bbq sauce that are to die for. Try their homemade from scratch blue cheese (and crackers) or a little hint, dip their hand cut fries in it. Oh and try their homemade baked beans. It has been showcased on national food shows and many famous people have eaten there over the years. In my opinion, it’s bbq that sets the standard for all others but I have been a patron for over 35 years. You won’t leave hungry. Enjoy!

Have heard rave reviews for this place for years so had to try it when I was in the area. Food’s great, BIG portions. Wasn’t expecting to pay $ 15 for bbq plate. Ideally, could/​should have split it with a friend.

I think Ridgewood is operating on their past reputation. Our recent visit included: ½ hour wait. not bad, but we were early; 40 minute wait for food; dried out barbecue; and a surly waitress.
Partners is now better than Ridgewood.
Better food, better service, and friendlier (still not real friendly) staff.

Imagine you are driving down a country highway. You’re in that area where Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia all converge. There isn’t a lot to see. You pass a fireworks stand. There’s an old bus parked beside the highway. The mountains rise up around you. You turn off onto a small road. You pass some horses, mules, trailers. You’re in no-man’s land. You come around the corner and a beam of light bursts through the clouds and the angels sing: «AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!» You have arrived at Ridgewood Barbecue. Praise God from Whom all barbecue flows.
That’s what Ridgewood feels like to me. It is a holy shrine. Whenever I return to Johnson City (where I attended Seminary), I have to make the pilgrimage to Ridgewood Barbecue. It is mandatory.
Ridgewood has weird hours (like most good BBQ places). It’s out of the way. There are no frills. It almost feels like you’re in a Waffle House. But the food, oh the food!
The baked beans are cooked with bbq. They are served in a little brown jar that is usually brought out before your sandwich or platter arrives. These are foretaste of what is to come.
The sandwiches are almost too much for one person to eat. It spills over the edges of the bun. I’ve split a sandwich on more than one occasion. The meat is hickory-​smoked ham-​style bbq. Just succulent. The sauce is a tangy, slightly spicy red sauce (which is for sale in the jars at the check out). On top of the meat is coleslaw. The first time I heard about this I thought it was weird. The first time I tried it, it was amazing.
I cannot sing enough praises about Ridgewood. I now live in South Carolina, and I love the bbq here, but nothing compares to Ridgewood. If you’re passing through this part of the country and you see this review, go to Ridgewood. It is the best thing you will find.

Love it. I have dreams of the BBQ form here. I love the cozy atmosphere. I normally do not like BBQ but this is mouth watering heaven. If you have never had it give it a try.

The barbeque is excellent and the service simply is the best. Try the blue cheese appetizer with crackers… unbelievable. I have the pork and the beef brisket plate when I go and save half for dinner, the servings are so large there. It’s a real gem of a place off the highway a ¼ mile and in the country. Can’t miss this place!

Some of the best BBQ you’ll ever have. You’ve got to get the blue cheese bowl appetizer (get the small). One sandwich and a cup of baked beans is what I go with. Happy eating.

The best bbq beef brisket in the North East Tennese ! Food and service is great. Very comfortable. Casual down home setting.
We had the beef and pork platters with beans and blue cheese with crackers. The cole slaw was awsome.

The food was decent diner food, but I find it hard to call it barbecue when there’s no pulled pork or ribs on the menu. They’re idea of barbecued pork is thinly sliced ham covered in barbecue sauce. While good, it actually had more of a deli sandwich vibe than a smoky barbecue one.
The locals obviously love this place because when we arrived 15 minutes before the doors opened, there was already a line of about 30 diners. As soon as the doors opened, everyone was sat in order. Orders were placed and food immediately started coming to the table. Oddly though, our waitress brought out our sides about 10 minutes or more before our actual entrees came out. In addition to the pork, I ordered the beans and slaw. The beans were fine, a bit watery if you ask me. The slaw had a nice balance of sweet and tang, but it was very wet and minced like a relish, which I didn’t really care for. My mom ordered the fries, which were soft and limp.
If you’re looking for some real southern bbq, I would keep looking. I certainly wouldn’t drive 25 minutes, one-​way, like we did. I would go back if I were in the area just so I could try some other items, but I have no desire to return here anytime soon. You do get a lot of food, but somehow the bill for three people was over $ 55, not including tip.

Thank-​You again Unilocal — Stopped in on way to Bristol & had some mighty fine Pork BBQ Sadwiches, waaaaay filling right amount of smoky ours were more of a fine chopped than pulled — Delish. I could only eat half & saving the rest for tomorrow.
Do NOT MISS the Baked Beans !! I usually think BBQbeans are all too often thick & sickly sweet but these were Tasty & GREAT. Slaw good too a bit different than my Granny’s but good none the less.
Service prompt and friendly & glad we hit at around 2 on a Thurs so it wasn’t crowded at all. Peak times & weekends it must be cranking. Plan ahead parties of 5 or more must all be there to be seated. Enjoy

This place is great! Traditional East Tennessee bbq the way it ought to be.
Pork sandwich is delicious and smoky and reasonably priced. Fries are good but not great. I love their beans. They come in a cute little crock with bbq sauce.
The hours are shorter on the weekend. They are closed from 2:30−4 so plan accordingly. It’s always packed. Our party of 8 only had to wait about fifteen minutes for a table.

Dinner July 23,
If ur in East TN, Western VA or Western NC — this is a MUST!
Top 3 BBQ Pork I have ever had. Unique preparation and flavor!
If u go, get there by 4:30 to get a seat on the week days, weekends I hear are nuts!
Worth a 2+ hour drive!!!

I’m visiting from out of town and was told this is some of the best BBQ in eastern Tennessee. I told the waitress I wanted to try whatever she recommended and she brought me a pork sandwich with slaw and baked beans. The sandwich was huge, messy, and just right. The beans came in a miniature crock and were excellent.
We also ordered a «blue cheese bowl,» which seemed like blue cheese and mayo. Basically a homemade dressing with saltine crackers. I enjoyed a few bites, but probably wouldn’t get that again.
Give this place a try, really great food!

Nestled into the Tennessee hillside, on a winding road, lies Ridgewood Barbecue. Super popular, with limited parking, and cars lining the road leading up to it, I knew I was going to be getting some good BBQ.
I arrived just before 2 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was packed. It’s decently-​sized, too, but every table was full and there were tons of people waiting. So I placed a to-​go order, and waited maybe about 15 minutes. I recommend speaking loudly, because I ordered a platter, but, to my dismay, only got a sandwich, which means no fries. That’s OK, though I was a bit sad. I also got the baked beans.
The sandwich has thinly shaved pork with tons of sauce. I’m accustomed to pulled pork, but this was great, and huge. I’ve heard the sauce here described as sweet, but I didn’t think so. The beans were smoky and flavorful.
Staff here is so nice and friendly. And I had a million questions, and everyone was helpful. If you have some time on your next nearby road trip, I recommend stopping by Ridgewood.

Had the barbeque beef sandwich with French fries. Delicious! The beef was smokey with crispy pieces here and there. The sandwich also had a nice, sweet coleslaw and sauce. Tried the pork from my husband’s plate and it was good too. The fries were cut and fried to order. Staff was so friendly and welcoming. Had an overall great time and got really stuffed. Definitely worth the two hour drive from west Knoxville.

I’m going to start out by saying I’ve been there twice now… My first and last time!
This food was just plain nasty. The meat was so dry that you have to put sauce on it to choke it down. Parking just plains sucks (and with what you receive to eat I don’t understand why). If this is what the locals consider good, I suggest the people of Tennessee raise their standards. If you want thin sliced meat just go to Arbys because at least it’s sliced fresh, not sliced, held and reheated on a griddle to make sure every last bit of moisture is removed from the meat.

Ridgewood is a local institution. On a regular night, this place is packed with locals, so you’re lucky if you can find a parking spot to maneuver into without boxing in another car. Although all the tables are typically filled, I have yet to actually wait long for a seat.
Service is fast, genial, and genuine. Their blue cheese dip is to die for. If you’re not a blue cheese fan, the amazing thing about this dip is that it lacks the pungent obnoxious flavor that usually comes with blue cheese. I hate blue cheese, but this is the only blue cheese dip that I would drink by the gallon if I could. Their fries are hot and fresh, and the cole slaw is sweet and crisp. Portions are huge. We love getting their BBQ pork sandwiches. The food and service are great.
The only thing that has occurred in our visits is that the locals will glance at you if it’s evident that you’re not from around there. Typically it’s not an issue, but for some reason, there was one family at a table behind us sending us horrible, nasty glares during our last visit. We had kids with us, but they weren’t being rowdy or obnoxious — in fact, one of the waitresses came by to compliment our tables (we were a large party) because our kids were so well-​behaved. It took everything in me to not walk up to the other table to inquire why we were the objects of their maligned glares.
Either way, the food was great, and we have always received great friendly service from the staff. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, this is a true family establishment that is beloved by the community.