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.
I absolutely love this place! The barbecue buttito is to die for! All the side dishes are wonderful, and the... read moreI absolutely love this place! The barbecue buttito is to die for! All the side dishes are wonderful, and the thick barbecue sauce is probably the best barbecue sauce I have ever tried. I always get several to take home and savor, but I end up eating it all with a spoon out of the container! It is seriously that good! I know we have a lot of barbecue places, but you really must give this one a try! read less
This is the best barbecue in Knoxville. Me and my wife got the sample platter, so I got to try... read moreThis is the best barbecue in Knoxville. Me and my wife got the sample platter, so I got to try everything, and nothing disappointed. The drawback to Sweet Ps is that (especially if you go on a weekend) it will be crowded. read less
Some great, authentic barbecue! I was really hungry and wanted to stop in and try this place. I was not... read moreSome great, authentic barbecue! I was really hungry and wanted to stop in and try this place. I was not disappointed. Ordered a humongous meal and tried several different dishes. It did not disappoint. read less
Ate here while passing through to Florida from Michigan. Great easy parking. Not a dive at all, but rather a... read moreAte here while passing through to Florida from Michigan. Great easy parking. Not a dive at all, but rather a nice clean place.
I asked what to get, the pit master asked if I was local or not. I informed him that I was not. He said that if that was the case then I should not miss the ribs. I followed his advice.
The long and short of it is that they were hands down the best ribs that I have ever had. Dry rubbed, fall of the bone good. They honestly didn't need sauce, but the sauce was good too. Great random pick. read less
Glorious. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken, slaw, mac n cheese......we had it all. Finished with banana pudding. Why not?!!?... read moreGlorious. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken, slaw, mac n cheese......we had it all. Finished with banana pudding. Why not?!!? It was exactly what we were looking for and it did not disappoint. Kid meals included a large sandwich, side, and a drink. Perfect. Beers on draft including from a local brewery we passed on the way here. 2 kinds of sauce on the tables. I wanted to steal the bottle of thick sauce but controlled myself. Highly recommended. 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
Delicious BBQ. Three different house BBQ sauces; one of which I bought and brought back to Houston. I was there... read moreDelicious BBQ. Three different house BBQ sauces; one of which I bought and brought back to Houston. I was there for lunch the day before Thanksgiving, an hour before they closed, and as busy as they were they still took time to treat me like well and answer my questions about the menu and different sauces. read less
We stopped here in the middle of a road trip from SC to Ohio, and it worth the detour. I... read moreWe stopped here in the middle of a road trip from SC to Ohio, and it worth the detour. I had the smoked meatloaf with mac & cheese, and was blown away. Also had raw fries and pimento cheese, the salt rub they put on the chips was better than any chips I've had in a long time. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Knoxville! read less
Amazing. Every single time. I really can't say anything bad. The fried pickle spears are incredible, the nachos and burrito... read moreAmazing. Every single time. I really can't say anything bad. The fried pickle spears are incredible, the nachos and burrito are amazing... everything makes you hungry from just looking at it, let alone taste it. Definitely a must for southern BBQ and comfort food! read less
Wow this was delicious barbecue! I got the platter with a pulled pork sandwich, Mac and cheese, and potato salad,... read moreWow this was delicious barbecue! I got the platter with a pulled pork sandwich, Mac and cheese, and potato salad, and I loved it all. The staff behind the line were super friendly and helpful for this first-time customer. The pulled pork was tender and tasty. 3 sauces to choose from: thick, thin, and hot. I mixed the thick and the hot and it was a great combo. The potato salad had a home cooked flavor that reminded me of a summer picnic. The Mac and cheese, however, had to be my favorite! Super, super cheesy! It's strange to say this, but even the Mac and cheese had a bit of a smokey flavor, which was really interesting. I also tried the banana pudding for dessert, which was tremendous! Yes, I ate way too much--but I'm happy I did it here! read less
To me BBQ is pulled pork. I live in Franklin and get to Knoxville to see kids at UT. This... read moreTo me BBQ is pulled pork. I live in Franklin and get to Knoxville to see kids at UT. This is by far my favorite BBQ, always moist and on target. My daughter gets the chicken and the same. The Mac and cheese is is different than most others but great. Hard not to rack up the calorie count and avoid the banana pudding. Definitely my favorite of all BBQ. read less
Fantastic BBQ! Wanted to give some Tennessee style BBQ a try passing through Knoxville and this place does not disappoint.... read moreFantastic BBQ! Wanted to give some Tennessee style BBQ a try passing through Knoxville and this place does not disappoint. Tried the sampler platter and fried pickles. For cafeteria style on a less than busy, freezing cold night, everything was hot and fresh. The ribs were the highlight. Pulled pork was also fantastic. Brisket was good but not as great as the rest. All the sides were delicious as well, especially the Mac and cheese! If I find myself in Knoxville again this will be a stop for sure! 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
This was without a doubt... SOOO GOOD! I'm getting hungry just thinking about this meal again. Was recommended to get... read moreThis was without a doubt... SOOO GOOD! I'm getting hungry just thinking about this meal again. Was recommended to get the sampler, one order was enough for two. Got the pork sandwich, ribs, and brisket along with the collared greens, Mac n cheese, and potato salad.
Pork sandwich - cooked to perfection and very well seasoned. Didn't even need to add any bbq sauce! Although their bbq sauce is also pretty dang good (comes in thin, thick, and hot!)
Dry rubbed ribs - not something I would ever think to order but oh gosh, everything just fell off the bone. From the meat to the cartilage, all that ended up in my stomach.
Brisket - melted in my mouth. Seasoning was a little different from what I'm used to. There wasn't that much flavor in my opinion but with a touch of that bbq sauce, YUM!
Sides - my brother isn't a fan of collared greens but boy did that change his mind. It wasn't mushy and had good texture. The Mac n cheese was my favorite!!! It had a different flavor to it. I think it had jalapeño added in but their cheese stayed runny and thick. It didn't solidify or anything. Good stuff. Potato salad was also seasoned very well. We needed something a little more on the refreshing side and this added just that.
Service was on point. From the ordering, to the paying, to the waiting... the Sweet P team is absolutely stellar! And to top it all off, they have $3 mimosas. Absolute WIN. read less
Great Wings! Really good macaroni. Definitely worth the stop!! We were able to have our dog with us on the... read moreGreat Wings! Really good macaroni. Definitely worth the stop!! We were able to have our dog with us on the outside area. The staff was really friendly. read less
1 word: Brisket! You can thank me later. It willMelt in your mouth and fill you up. The sauces are... read more1 word: Brisket! You can thank me later. It willMelt in your mouth and fill you up. The sauces are to die for but the barbecue is the best I've had. Steer clear from the the standards and try some of their daily specials too! read less
Best BBQ in Knoxville! we have tried the others but this is my favorite. Great pulled pork plate! The pork... read moreBest BBQ in Knoxville! we have tried the others but this is my favorite. Great pulled pork plate! The pork was good and smoky. I like the "thin sauce" that is vinegar based. And it is nice that the sauce comes on the side so you may choose which kind you like. We also got the mac n cheese which was smoky and delicious . We got the "greens n things" which was a mix of greens carrots and pinto beans cooked with pork, very tasty. Can't wait to try more! read less
We were in town from Boston for work. We stopped by for lunch and it was fantastic! It was smoked... read moreWe were in town from Boston for work. We stopped by for lunch and it was fantastic! It was smoked meatloaf for the daily special which was great, but I have to say that the ribs and sautéed greens were the best we have had years! read less
Okay so are you wanting some good BBQ and soul food? This is the place. The wings are the best... read moreOkay so are you wanting some good BBQ and soul food? This is the place. The wings are the best in town! Order some Mac n cheese along with your meat and you will be in BBQ heaven. I ordered my wings wet and the spice was just enough with a side of ranch. The banana pudding was a simmering to the spice. read less
Oh my so yummy - the amazing things about this spot totally outweigh the few cons, there is only one... read moreOh my so yummy - the amazing things about this spot totally outweigh the few cons, there is only one in my mind. I wish the Mac and Cheese wasn't so dry. Every time I've gone it is, but hey they have other way yummy sides. Kind people too! SO thankful for this gem. read less
Dry rub wings are so good they could make a nun cuss. Fried pickles are what dreams are made of.... read moreDry rub wings are so good they could make a nun cuss. Fried pickles are what dreams are made of. Ribs are what they are most famous for but if you want them you have to go early because they have run out several times. Pulled pork and brisket are absolute perfection. Super reasonably priced menu. Fun crowd. Waiters are all kind of granola but super cool and friendly. read less