Old Plantation Barbecue

Driving into Chattanooga we knew we needed to find some good bbq. Already rated with five stars we drove straight here and our expectations were blown out of the water. The small order at the counter and talk with the owner atmosphere was great. So very friendly and inviting to us and best of all we watched him pull our meat out of the oven/​pit. We ate outside at picnic tables because there’s no where to sit inside, but talked with the owners out here and it felt like family. We will definitely be back here. A very special place indeed. Cash only.

Need to go to Old Plantation Barbecue at least once just to experience it.
There’s not enough room to turn around inside the building youre going to make some friends if you’re trying to or not you’re going to bump into someone literally. You can watch the Pitmaster pull the meat right off the pit and chop it right in front of your eyes to order that’s what I love about this place… the ribs are really good with great flavor profile, but not the best quality meat I’ve ever had. The pulled pork and their barbecue sauce are very very good, bring cash no credit.

This is the best barbecue in Chattanooga!
Great portions, great flavor, great people running the place.
If you want real southern barbecue, this is the place for you!

Absolutely great example of southern hospitality and great local BBQ!
Best BBQ I have found in the Chattanooga area!

Being from central Texas I probably have a rigid opinion or two about barbeque, I was certainly skeptical about this place. When I was passing through Tennessee on a road trip, every place I went to made a version if this, all were mediocre; I had all but given up on chopped pork. Also, they’re open pretty late and by Texas standards that isn’t a good sign about the quality of the meat. All that skepticism was totally unfounded, this place was excellent and the staff running that joint were more than helpful. I got a mixed plate of chopped beef and pork, and the pork stole the show. I like a place that focuses on the meat and doesn’t go overboard with the sides, they cover the basics pretty well. I feel like people regard this place as an institution and I get why.

Knew I’d found THE PLACE when there were firemen getting lunch and the line was to the door! No tables, cash only. Great sandwich and beans (with bbq in them). Very friendly staff. Sketchy looking neighborhood about 15 blocks behind the hospital. Little place on the corner. Worth driving to Chattanooga for. Thanks, Unilocalers, for the on-​target reviews.

This place is a staple. This is a household name and yep, the food back it up. This place has been around since I was a kid, and that was 30 something years ago… I absolutely love their chili dogs. You need to get one for lunch. It is my favorite. It is good and juicy and plump and made just the way you ask for it. A+

In town briefly and wanted to try TN bbq. This place had great Unilocal reviews so I thought I would give it a try. Very disappointed. The staff was very friendly, however; the food was awful and not in the most desirable area.

OH. MY. GOSH. Don’t be discouraged by the shabby exterior … this place is worth it! Unbelievably tender, smokey & delicious BBQ. The sides are equally delicious (all homemade!) So glad we went!

Oh MAN, is this food good. We’re passing through Chattanooga and stopped in Old Plantation Barbeque on other Unilocaler’s recommendations.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Old Plantation is small — takeout only (cash only, too) — but their flavors and friendliness are out of this world. We had the Pork Shoulder Plate, the Rib Plate and a hot dog on the side, with the slaw and beans as sides. Their BBQ sauce is different than any place else we’ve tried but it WORKS, especially when mixed with their meat and slaw. Huge portions and affordable prices make for happy travelers looking to eat where the locals go.
Be warned, the ride home will probably be the longest trip you’ll ever take (this stuff smells sooo good!). The food, service, and friendliness of the locals is definitely a great reason to come back!

Found this spot online while traveling thru Chattanooga. Amazing. Pork shoulder sandwich. Might be the best pork sandwich I’ve ever had. They put slaw on it, which I was skeptical of, after the first bite I was in heaven. Will be back for sure.

Damn! «Welcome to our family» is the first thing these folks have to say when you walk in. And yes, this is the type of spot where anyone can feel at home. There’s a ton of great food in Chattanooga, but if you are looking for some seriously good ribs on the go, get the hell out of downtown and pay these folks a visit.

Delicious! The food was really good. Not a fancy place and definitely take-​out only.

Went there today thanks to reviews on here. Just to try the place out, got a pork sandwich with slaw. I normally don’t get slaw, but my wife does. As my sandwich was being expertly prepared, Ms. Tommy pulled a slab of ribs out of the smoker. I couldn’t help but say, «Oh, my God.» After I got my sandwich, Ms. Tommy approached with one rib with their sauce on a paper hot dog tray. On the house. Everybody could not have been nicer. After I paid, Ms. Tommy said, «Welcome to the family.»
I went out to the car where my wife was waiting. We first dealt with that rib. Perfect. Probably the best rib I’ve ever had. We knew we’d have to wait to get home to eat that sandwich. It was substantial. I watched him make it. First put some slaw on the top of the bun. Then got some pork and started chopping it. Put a big mound on the other half of the bun. And then with a big ladle, poured a good amount of their great sauce on.
The pork was full of flavor, great char, tender, sauce was awesome, slaw was awesome. I told them about Unilocal.They said they haven’t seen the website but that they have had people from as far away as Germany come in due to the Unilocal reviews.

I’m here from El Paso. This cue looks so delicious. I might have to come in and say «Hi». You’re not far from Jackson St.

The owner, Ms. Tommy, is why I give it 5 stars rather than 4.5. I ordered a large amount for a party that I was hosting and she went above and beyond to make sure that it was perfect. The pulled pork shoulder, beans, and potato salad are the best that I have found in town. Old Plantation is the only BBQ place I need. Cash and take out only

Drove All The Way From ATLANTA, GEORGIA just for a shoulder sandwich & a hot dog like no other!!!

This place is a Chattanooga legend for BBQ! Granted the neighborhood isn’t the best but it’s worth it for the food. This place was a family business for years. I heard it changed owners in the last year but hasn’t affected the quality one bit. Best known for chopped weenie plates and chopped slaw but true everything is worth a taste. Plan on taking the food to go or sitting at a small picnic table with strangers in east Chattanooga.

I have been craving bar b q lately. Also, I’m still craving bar b q so, look for some more bar b q reviews soon. I came here because of Unilocal.This restaurant shows 5 stars across the board. So, I had to try it. The bar b q sandwich was as good as watching a fireworks show except its in every bite I take of this delicious sandwich.
The food quality is great for the value you receive. As soon as I walked in I ordered, paid and received my bar b q all within 1 minute of driving up. How quick and cool is that.
menu item ordered: Bar B Sandwich with slaw on it. They were not greedy in giving you plenty of pork on your sandwich either. Now, they put their bar b q sauce on it but when I got home I added some of my own because I like lots of bar b q sauce period.
Location: looks like you might want to come with a friend. I’m just saying. Also, they don’t take ordered over the phone, must pay cash only, and this is take out only. However, like I said they were very fast in customer service of which is almost unbelievable.

Considering that all prior reviews of this place were five stars, I decided to try Old Plantation.
I ordered a rib plate, which comes with two sides and a bun.
The ribs were good and I liked the sauce. I also liked the cole slaw and baked beans. The cole slaw tasted like chicken salad.
The grilled wings were great! Seasoned well, tender and too charred.
This is no space inside to dine, so everything is to-​go. The same door in and out… most times places like this are the best!
Cash only, cards not accepted.