Sacred Ground Barbecue — Restaurant in Clinton

Let me preface this review by saying that Sacred Ground isn’t just a BBQ joint—it’s a transcendent pilgrimage site for anyone with functioning taste buds and a loose grasp on cholesterol management. It’s tucked 20 minutes outside of Jackson, Mississippi, in a small hamlet called Pocahontas, which boasts a whopping 30 residents, three goats, a dollar general, and 2 churches that probably smell like brisket on Sundays thanks to its smoky neighbor. We rolled up to Sacred Ground one fine evening, ready to feast and armed with two $9 bottles of Prosecco like the thrifty sommelier imposters we are—only to be gently informed the corkage fee was $20. TWENTY. That’s two dollars more than the hubby itself. I paid it, of course, because I’m not about to ruin smoked meat nirvana over principle. But I did stare longingly at my bubbly bottle like it was a trust fund I just got taxed on. To your right: pinball machines. Glorious, glowing, vintage relics blinking at you like, “Hey cowboy, let’s play while your meat sweats settle” And next to them? A rubber ducky claw machine - apparently designed for Jeep owners who are legally required to leave tiny bath toys on other Jeeps like some kind of gas-guzzling mating ritual. I’m convinced this machine is the source of all those ducks. It’s the mothership. And don’t sleep on the outdoor seating. It’s not just a couple of sad picnic tables and a mosquito—it’s an expansive, open-air haven of family chaos. There's cornhole. There’s ping-pong. There are enough open spaces for your kids to run around, scream, and reenact "Lord of the Flies" while you inhale burnt ends and pretend you don’t know them. Let me tell you, though: the food? Oh, the food. The beef ribs were so tender they collapsed under the weight of a polite glance. The brisket? A marvel of meat engineering—gloriously marbled, deeply smoked, and shimmering with the kind of bark that could make a grown man cry into his $20-glassed sparkling beverage. Now, let’s talk about the prophet of pulled pork himself, Mr. Derek Emmerson—a man whose addiction to opening restaurants has reached such a fever pitch, we’re not sure if he’s trying to build a culinary empire or just avoid going home. If you’ve eaten anywhere in the Jackson area and thought, “Wow, this is good,” chances are Derek opened it, forgot he did, and is currently opening two more places while you read this. In summary: If you’re in or near Jackson, and your stomach is grumbling like it’s possessed by a smoked meat demon, make the trip to Pocahontas. Sacred Ground is worth the drive, the corkage fee, and the chaos of children pumping dollars into a rubber ducky...

Everything we tried was delicious—brisket, pulled pork, ribs, fries, and mac and cheese. The barbecue sauce is different than other places we have around here, but it has great flavor and compliments the food well. I’m normally not a big fan of pulled pork, but theirs was delicious. Brisket is done right, and the sides are really good. Next time I’m hoping to try the nachos—they looked amazing!

The atmosphere is really fun and much nicer and more fun than most places we have in the Jackson area. So many of our good barbecue restaurants are holes in the wall type. Sacred Ground is not like that; it’s the perfect place for a gathering with friends, to watch a game, or eat while kids play. I loved the seating arrangements of both indoor and outdoor dining areas. We went right at opening, so people hadn’t gotten seated yet. I anticipate this place will have a wait once word really gets out. We...

I’ve been to a few of the best bbq spots in Texas, and, if Sacred Ground is this good on their second full week, it won’t be long before they could hold their own with the best of the best. The meat was flavorful, and the sides were diverse and memorable. The atmosphere is incredible! Inside and outside seating with lots of TVs for watching games, and actual games (ping pong, cornhole, etc.) to play with family and friends. As with any new spot, there are kinks to workout, but the staff (including the chef) was curious about our experience and went above and beyond to respond to some small issues we had. This place needs all the support it can get because we need a place like this in our area. I will be back many, many, many times! Top recommendations are the Kung Pao pork belly burnt ends, the brisket, turkey, and...