The current location, Downtown Dive, opened to fulfill barbecue cravings in downtown Knoxville in 2015. Located at 410 W. Jackson Ave., Downtown Dive was borne from a love of classic American dive bars and barbecue joints and carries on the tradition of Sweet P’s Southern heritage.
In the spring of 2021, the first full-service Sweet P’s concept, Uptown Corner, will open in Fountain City. Featuring table service and a bar, we look forward to serving our customers at 3029 Tazewell Pike and joining the Fountain City community.
On our way back from Atlanta to Cincinnati, we wanted BBQ for lunch. I looked up top BBQ In Knoxville... read moreOn our way back from Atlanta to Cincinnati, we wanted BBQ for lunch. I looked up top BBQ In Knoxville and Sweet P's had brisket!! My son and I shared chicken and brisket. Great with the thick tomato based sauce. The Mac and cheese was also very very good.
Definitely not on the beaten path...but be adventurous and make your way here! read less
YUGE serving sizes, YUGE flavor, YUGE fan. Fair prices and some seriously fresh food. Beer selection is top notch so... read moreYUGE serving sizes, YUGE flavor, YUGE fan. Fair prices and some seriously fresh food. Beer selection is top notch so if you like your heady brews then make this a lunch spot.
The pork plate with collards (they add fresh black eyed peas and carrots) and okra were excellent, however the clear winners of the lunch were the smoked chicken and Mac and cheese. Seriously. That Mac is something to write home about.
Bug fan of the sauce lineup: "thick" mild and hot. The latter two were very thin, very reminiscent of Carolina style vinegar sauce. The thick sauce was still on the thinner side and was more traditional. All extremely good. read less
We were visiting Knoxville for the marathon and wanted a big meal after the race and we were not disappointed!... read moreWe were visiting Knoxville for the marathon and wanted a big meal after the race and we were not disappointed! We got the sampler and were offered sides (banana pudding!) that weren't even on the menu. We have 2 young boys that were running around and the atmosphere was perfect for them to go wild without feeling like we were a disturbance to other guests.
This is the best brisket I have ever had and the homemade bbq sauces were dynamite.
The staff was so attentive and friendly and even it is obvious that everything was made fresh that day(which the staff confirmed).
We were there on a chillier night so the outside bar was closed but it was a really nice space.
I wish I lived closer because this would be a regular spot for me no doubt read less
I've never had a bad meal here! My favorite is the beef brisket with double mac and cheese. Yum! Delicious... read moreI've never had a bad meal here! My favorite is the beef brisket with double mac and cheese. Yum! Delicious sweet tea, a must for me. In cooler weather I like sitting on their patio. Part of the patio has a cool view. I've never tried any of their desserts, but I'm sure they're fantastic as well. read less
Wow!!! Another hidden gem! My husband has lived here most of his life and he didn't know this place existed.... read moreWow!!! Another hidden gem! My husband has lived here most of his life and he didn't know this place existed. Thank goodness for yelp we are searching Knoxville over for new places to eat. I'm not a barbecue person at all but I am now!!! The ribs were the best I've had. The pulled pork excellent! The thin and thick sauces both wonderful!!! Pimento cheese dip awesome! Split a sampler, plenty for 2 people and you get 3 sides. Mac and cheese I loved. Potato salad was good. Banana pudding good. We killed the main good before I thought to get pics. Great ambiance, industrial look. Staff quick and polite. read less
Top Notch BBQ... great brisket with side of mac n cheese and green beans. Pricing is fair and staff is... read moreTop Notch BBQ... great brisket with side of mac n cheese and green beans. Pricing is fair and staff is friendly and entertaining. If you're in Knoxville it's well worth a stop. Mixes outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. read less
I had family from out of the country come for a visit and one of their requests was some barbeque.... read moreI had family from out of the country come for a visit and one of their requests was some barbeque. There was no question as to where we would go and you absolutely did not let me down. The brisket and the mac & cheese were phenomenal as usual. A++! read less
My vote for best ribs in America. Meaty, tender, fall off the bone, none of that hard crunchy stuff. Served... read moreMy vote for best ribs in America. Meaty, tender, fall off the bone, none of that hard crunchy stuff. Served with dry rub so you can add your own sauce. Also brisket is excellent, chicken & pork not bad either. The sides are awesome! Mac and cheese, and Greens n things - once again, best in America. For a change, try their pimento cheese dip with house made potato chips. It's listed as an appetizer, but you won't get it until you've already started on the rest of your meal. Food is served cafeteria style, with the guys behind the counter loading your plate up as you go through. My only complaint about Sweet P's is that they will run out of stuff, especially on UT game nights. Everything's good, so if they're out of ribs, get the brisket. But if they're out of mac & cheese, go home! read less
Beware: This food is delicious. As soon as you're done eating absolutely anything from their menu, you need to keep... read moreBeware: This food is delicious. As soon as you're done eating absolutely anything from their menu, you need to keep moving. It's very easy to wanna just curl up in a ball and go to sleep after you patron this place. 🙂 In all seriousness, this is THE bbq joint downtown- the staff are always friendly, give generous portions and make you feel at home. I would say, it would be a little easier on my wallet if buying lunch with a drink wasn't 12-14$.. however, this is a small business that serves quality food- so the dude abides! read less
It was all excellent! We had the sampler platter which is a lot of food. The mac and cheese side... read moreIt was all excellent! We had the sampler platter which is a lot of food. The mac and cheese side was absolutely delicious. The slaw is slightly dressed and not overly mayonaised. The collard greens were perfectly seasoned as well. The ribs were dry rubbed to perfection as was the brisket. My husband loved the banana pudding side. He can't stop raving about it. This place is in a beautiful part of Knoxville. The area has an arty vibe, is in a clean, and safe area . Take a stroll on the Main Street after lunch to help you digest. We parked about 500 ft away on the parking bridge. But there is a cheap paid parking lot right across from the restaurant too. Worth the detour off of I-40 for lunch. Only 1.8 miles off the highway. read less
Delicious. One of the best barbecue joints in Knoxville. Watch for the specials they have each day so you can... read moreDelicious. One of the best barbecue joints in Knoxville. Watch for the specials they have each day so you can try something a little different if you'd like. The smoked sausage they have on Friday is amazing. read less
Lots of "verys" for this place.
Very trendy,
Very friendly,
Very good smoked turkey,
Very expensive for a bbq lunch spot,
Very, very... read moreLots of "verys" for this place.
Very trendy,
Very friendly,
Very good smoked turkey,
Very expensive for a bbq lunch spot,
Very, very good brisket!
Very disappointed they don't sell their homemade rub for home consumption. I'd have bought pounds of it. read less
As a vegetarian, it's not always easy to find something to eat that's not covered in animal fat at a... read moreAs a vegetarian, it's not always easy to find something to eat that's not covered in animal fat at a BBQ spot. Sweet P's on the other hand is very veg friendly! They list anything that isn't vegetarian on the sides list when you walk in. Staff are also very helpful and friendly. The overall restaurant is a local favorite as well. I go here and always leave very happy and full! read less
This place has great Q and their sides are just as good as well. It has a casual atmosphere and... read moreThis place has great Q and their sides are just as good as well. It has a casual atmosphere and the food is always on point. Highly recommend going there. I can't wait to check out their new Trailer Park Bar!!! read less
Stopped in on a business trip because the reviews were so good. Guess what, the reviews were 1000% correct. The... read moreStopped in on a business trip because the reviews were so good. Guess what, the reviews were 1000% correct. The food was fantastic. I got a 1/2 rack of ribs and they were excellent, the sides were awesome and a decent beer selection too! I would highly recommend! read less
After the total disaster that was Central BBQ in downtown Memphis, I was completely skeptical to trying another BBQ. I... read moreAfter the total disaster that was Central BBQ in downtown Memphis, I was completely skeptical to trying another BBQ. I took a leap of faith and came
To sweet P's anyways and was elated that I did. Maybe I am a bit biased since this was immediately after Central BBQ but boy oh boy, this was one of the best BBQ I've had.
I was hesitant to get the dry rub since my last experience, it was so dry. I had to do it though, I refuse to believe all dry rub ribs in Tennessee tasted like tree barks. I was very happy with my choice. My half rack dry rub was amazing. The dry seasoning sprinkled on top had a crunchy sweetness to it, like crushed candy for meat! The ribs themselves were so juicy and moist. The meat simply fell off the bone, the crust was not hard at all and packed a lot of smoked flavor.
I also had a brisket plate that came with a side of mac and cheese and tater salad. The mac and cheese was good, nothing extravagant but a great pair for the BBQ. The tater salad had eggs and onion that added a fresh break for the heavy BBQ. Their brisket was fatty and moist and seasoned just right, although I wish it was a bit softer, some bites were still chewy.
The atmosphere was also great, you could dine inside or out in the patio, iced cold water was free. Sitting by the window you can overlook an industrial train track that was distinctly Tennessee. Overall, I'd give the place a 4.5 but since I had to compare it to places like Central BBQ, I'd give it a solid 5 stars. read less
Very good BBQ, wings are awesome and the people here are very nice and friendly. I recommend this place for... read moreVery good BBQ, wings are awesome and the people here are very nice and friendly. I recommend this place for a very good meal. read less
Our very favorite BBQ in Knoxville! They've got it going on.
Delish trio plater w/ potatoe salad & slaw.
Long wait lines... read moreOur very favorite BBQ in Knoxville! They've got it going on.
Delish trio plater w/ potatoe salad & slaw.
Long wait lines tell it all... read less
Highly recommend! We went on a Friday evening and split the sampler (pulled pork, briscut, ribs, and three sides) and... read moreHighly recommend! We went on a Friday evening and split the sampler (pulled pork, briscut, ribs, and three sides) and it was PLENTY of DELICIOUS food. We also ventured upstairs to the beer garden. Beautiful little area! I would say Sweet Ps is a must see if you're visiting Kno read less