1) Helen's BBQ in Brownsville, TN ... Helen has been on TV and in Southern Living. It's just killer. The building looks like it's ready to collapse. When you leave, you will smell like BBQ for the rest of the day. Easily my favorite.
2) BBQ Joint in Fulton, KY ... The hot sauce will bring tears to anyone's eyes and it's delicious.
3) Rick's BBQ in Loretto, TN ... Great sauce, no trash, and the best potatoe salad I've eaten since Mama died. Yum! There are other Rick's locations including Muscle Shoals and Florence.
4)Smokin' Hot BBQ in Milan, TN ... Really good pulled pork, chicken, potatoes. It's routinely voted the best restaurant in Milan for good reason.