Edley's Bar-B-Que — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

If you want a barbecue experience in Nashville that feels both familiar and playful, Edley’s Bar-B-Que delivers. From smoke-rich meats to unexpected menu twists and a lively, social atmosphere, it’s a place where you can feel both comfortable and adventurous.

Ambiance & First Impressions: Edley’s has a fun, casual, upbeat vibe. You walk in, see the menu board, and place your order at the counter. The decor leans toward rustic-industrial meets Southern charm—wood tones, exposed brick, and a relaxed energy. Locations like 12 South even have patio seating, which is perfect for sunny afternoons. It can get crowded and a bit noisy, especially during peak hours, but that busy buzz feels part of the experience.

Service: Service is counter-style: you order up front, get a table number or flag, and your food is brought out when it’s ready. Staff are generally friendly and efficient, although service can slow down when the place gets packed. Occasionally, you might find yourself ordering food at one counter and drinks at another, which can be a little confusing. Still, the staff keeps things moving and seem to genuinely care about the customer experience.

The Food: What to Try and What to Know

Ribs & Meats – The ribs are a definite highlight: smoky, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone tender. The brisket is another standout—juicy, with great bark and a solid smoke ring. Pulled pork is flavorful, though some diners have reported it can be dry during busy times.

Signature Dishes – The Tuck Special is a must-try: brisket, pimento cheese, a fried egg, pickles, and house sauce all stacked into a sandwich—it’s a flavor bomb. The BBQ nachos and BBQ fries are great shareable appetizers loaded with meat, cheese, and sauce. Smoked wings are also a strong pick, especially when paired with their white BBQ sauce.

Sides & Extras

Mac and cheese – Creamy, cheesy, and comforting. A favorite.

Grits casserole – Southern and satisfying.

Baked beans and greens – Smoky, savory, and packed with flavor.

Cornbread – Moist with a little kick (sometimes includes jalapeño or red pepper).

Desserts – The banana pudding and pecan pie are both excellent finishes to the meal.

Drinks – Try the Bushwacker, an adult milkshake that's become a local legend.

Things to Know:

Quality can vary slightly between visits or locations. Occasionally, brisket or ribs may come out a bit dry or overly charred, depending on the rush.

Menu descriptions can be vague, so ask questions if you’re unsure what comes with a dish.

It gets busy—expect a line during lunch or dinner hours. If possible, visit during off-peak times to enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Because it’s counter service, there’s not a lot of follow-up once the food hits your table. Don’t expect full table service.

What Makes Edley’s Great:

A menu that blends traditional barbecue with creative, Southern-inspired twists.

Friendly staff and fast service despite the high volume.

A fun, social vibe with plenty of shareable options and drinks.

Excellent variety—there’s truly something for everyone here.

Final Verdict: Edley’s Bar-B-Que is a strong choice for both BBQ purists and casual diners looking for something fun and flavorful. The ribs, brisket, and signature sandwiches are consistently excellent, and the sides and desserts show just as much care and attention. It’s not without occasional inconsistencies, but the highs far...

My first time visiting Edley’s and it happened to be the location in Donelson. Although it is not on the menu, the cashier said they offer a Three Star Platter consisting of a portion of brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken with a red and Alabama-style white BBQ sauce. You also get two sides and a huge slab of corn bread for $20.75…for the amount of food this is a solid deal. You place your order when you walk in, take the number and go sit at a table and they will bring the food out to you. Did not see anyone to take a drink order so I went to the bar and they have quite a selection of craft draft beers. I ordered a Lil Darlin by Mill Creek Brewing served in a pint mason jar…but I felt $8 for this was a bit much.

Overall the food was good with the chicken taking the “Best in Platter” honors for tenderness and flavor, PLUS the red & white BBQ sauce was incredible. The brisket…very tender, nice light smoke, and good bark texture. The pulled pork was good, but lacked the flavor you look for with pulled pork unless you drown it in BBQ sauce. For sides I did the Cole Slaw and Mac & Cheese. I’m not a huge fan of vinegar based slaws but this one is an exception with a delicious sweet vinegar marinade and red onions…seriously good slaw. The Mac & Cheese was good and the bread crumb topping was a nice touch. The cornbread was a little dry, but I’m sure it would have been much better had it not been dry. Overall good BBQ with great flavors but it seems this place is mostly “Do it Yourself” because other than the person who delivered the food to my table, no one checks on you and I basically had to...

This is easily the top 3 brisket I've ever had in my entire life. Potentially the best brisket! If you are interested, you will see that i have visited many BBQ places in my many years of life. I have many reviews for just BBQ joints here via Google, so my previous statement hopefully holds serious weight. I've eaten here twice during my week long visit to Nashville! I'm furious at life that I live six hours twenty minutes away from Edley's! Let me say this, too, for impartiality. On my first visit, my order was full rack of ribs, grits casserole, and bread pudding along with whatever draft wheat beer they had. The ribs were great, not as good as Martin's BBQ ribs. The grits casserole was legit good, but the bread pudding is missing something! A rum/bourbon sauce or perhaps a dash of cinnamon. As it is, it's fine or average. My sister and her husband both ordered the brisket and offered to share it with me, and this is how I was first introduced to the brisket here. On my second visit, I had the brisket platter as well as trying the cornbread, which is also very good. I will eat at Edley's again, and if in my travels, I have a chance to stop in a city that does have an Edley's bank on me being there. The only photos I have of pictures with my sister and her family are none of the food, or I would have included them in this review. My only regret is that I didn't get any merch, because I wouldn't mind having a shirt from this place! I wonder if I can...