Lexington-style BBQ in Nashville, TN

Help! I'm from Lexington, NC (well, the town just north of it) and have not been able to find any BBQ place in Nashville that serves anything close to what I'm used to. Everyone raved about Whitt's but the bun had mayo, white coleslaw and pickles on it! I'm looking for as close to Lexington-style (Western NC) BBQ that I can find in this part of TN. Any ideas?

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Originally posted by psyche0920

Help! I'm from Lexington, NC (well, the town just north of it) and have not been able to find any BBQ place in Nashville that serves anything close to what I'm used to. Everyone raved about Whitt's but the bun had mayo, white coleslaw and pickles on it! I'm looking for as close to Lexington-style (Western NC) BBQ that I can find in this part of TN. Any ideas?

You won't find any Q like Wayne "Honey" Monk's at Lexington # 1 anywhere outside of western North Carolina. I still have to go back for a fix anytime I'm in NC. You will just have to learn to appreciate the differences, and know that there is always a good reason to get back to Lexington for a visit.

If you are looking for whole-hog barbecue, you will not find it in Nashville. There are several places that are better than Whitt's, but the style will probably be different from what you're used to.

There is nothing remotely similar to Lexington-style Q near Nashville.
Then again, there is nothing remotely close to Tennessee Q in Lexington. Go figure.

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Originally posted by pogophiles

If you are looking for whole-hog barbecue, you will not find it in Nashville.

Lexington style is not whole hog--it is strictly pork shoulder meat. North Carolina "eastern style" (which is rarely served west of Raleigh) is whole hog.

Well, then I stand corrected. Shoulder or ribs is pretty much all that gets done here in pork. Perhaps a quick description of what is unique about Lexington-style would be helpful...

We're spoiled here in NC. Nothing like Lex style in Nashville. Whitt's is acceptable but you must specify no mayo or slaw. (What the hell is up with mayo on barbecue???) The meat is pulled and the sauce is a thin vinegar based concoction that is a little like what is found down east. Hog Heaven is cooked in a commercial "smoker" and is inferior. Mary's was good last time I was there 5 or 6 years ago. Like Hillbilly said, just appreciate the differences.

Pogo,

Lexington style is strictly shoulders cooked over coals burned down from oak and hickory logs. It is served chopped, coarse chopped or sliced. It is rarely pulled. The sauce, or dip, is vinegar-based with enough tomato product to turn it red. Black pepper, red pepper and sugar are added. The sauce complements the barbecue. It does not stand on its own. On sandwiches, the meat is topped with barbecue slaw. The slaw is served as a side on plates and trays and is made with barbecue dip which has been sweetened. Hushpuppies or rolls are the norm. Unfortunately, no cornbread as in central TN. The pups are usually "onion-y" and not very sweet. A tray is barbecue, slaw and hushpuppies. A plate adds fries. Sweet tea or Cheerwine seems to be the drink of choice.

Salivating,
Jim

Thanks Jim in NC. Given that description, it doesn't sound that much different from what is available at Smokin' Ed's in Smyrna with the exception of the sides. Ed's shoulder is chopped (not finely), but the meat is well smoked and not via gas-fired anything. Ed's sides are nothing to write home about but nothing is served on the sandwich unless you ask for it. Ed's mopping sauce is mostly vinegar and pepper. His serving sauce may have a bit more tomato and sweetness than what you have described, but just ask for it on the side (the meat doesn't need it). You'll find Smokin' Ed's in a small shack on the right side of Murfreesboro Road as you head south out of Smyrna (just pass Nissan).

Whitt's may have some similarities to what you're looking for in that their sauce is mostly vinegar (not sure it has any tomato at all) and their meat is chopped finely, but I've never detected any hint of smoke flavor in their meat.

Nearly forgot -- Ed's is take-out only.

I'll put Smokin' Ed's on my visit list next time I'm in the area. Sounds like my kinda place.

I stopped at a Whitt's in Clarksville last week and was surprised with the barbecue. (Turned down the mayo on my sandwich.)The meat was tender and moist without being greasy. Wood burning pit was on the back of the building. The smoke flavor in the meat was light to moderate but the barbecue flavor was pretty good. Wood cooked pork needn't be overpowered with smoke. (That can be done with wood chips in a gas or electric oven.) From my limited exposure to barbecue joints in the area, it seems that Whitt's cooking methods may vary among stores or franchise owners.

Jim, right you are. Quality seems to vary greatly at Whitt's, from store to store. The one I like best is in Tullahoma.
As for Smokin' Ed's, I have a gallon of his HOT sauce in the break room at work. We pour it on everything. It separates the men from the boys.
As a long time imbiber of both Ed's and Lexington #1, I don't find a lot in common. Love 'em both, but they're not that similar.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try Smokin' Eds. And Jim in NC - that was a perfect description. It was my own fault with the mayo on the sandwich - I didn't read the descriptions on the board and it honestly never entered my thinking that they might even consider putting a condiment - any condiment - on the sandwich! It's totally unrelated, but I'm actually moving back to NC next week. My personal favorites are either Lexington #1 (naturally) or Tarheel Q (mostly just for the conveniece being so near my hometown and all!) My favorite part is the BBQ slaw and I think Tarheel Q does a great job.

Can't wait!

Welcome back to NC. Tar Heel Q is also one of my favorites. Their coarse chopped trays are extraordinary!

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Originally posted by Jim in NC

Welcome back to NC. Tar Heel Q is also one of my favorites. Their coarse chopped trays are extraordinary!

I just moved back to NC last year after being away for about 10 years, and I never ran across "Tar Heel Q". Where is it located?

Tar Heel is on US Hwy 64 W about 2 miles past NC Hwy 150. Left side of the road before the bridge if you're coming from Lexington.

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Originally posted by Jim in NC

Tar Heel is on US Hwy 64 W about 2 miles past NC Hwy 150. Left side of the road before the bridge if you're coming from Lexington.

Thanks, Jim.

I guess I just don't notice any other restaurants when I'm that close to getting a large tray of "Honey" Monk's lean brown, hushpuppies and a bottle of Cheerwine in front of me at Lexington # 1. I'll have to give Tarheel a try sometime.