Dixson Bar-B-Q

My family and I went here while on a road trip. The place is small and dive-​y, which is fine. The food is a really good value. The pig burger and the pork bbq sandwich were both really good. They man working there was very nice. He asked me about where I’m from and about where we were headed on our trip. After leaving and saying bye, we were sitting in the parking lot for a bit while I looked at a map. He came out of the restaurant, walked up to my car, and handed me two cold water bottles (this was a very hot summer day) and said they were for the road. He went out of his way to perform a very friendly gesture and we really appreciated it.

Do yourself a favor and pass. I went with low expectations and just a bit of hope. The hope was dashed and the expectations were disappointed.

Showed up at 6pm on a friday night to try this famous bar b q. Placed was closed. Chairs on table and the number listed for it was no longer in service. Very disappointed!

I went at dinner time on a Monday night and I was the only person in the place. Now this is not a fancy place by any means. But it is a bare bones establishment.
I had the pulled pork sandwich and the pig burger. I wanted to compare and the two sandwiches. The pulled pork had a very good flavor, I had the medium sauce btw, there was a little more charred edge then I like and the pork was not as fine as I have had at other places. That said the flavor was very good. Also the bun became a soggy mess a little to quick for me.
The pig burger is what it sounds like, it is ground pork that is slow cook in deep juices. Added to thick cut white bread, again the bread gets in the way because it is too soggy. I had the medium sauce on this also and again the flavor was very good.
I will eat here again if I get to Knoxville again.

Had the brisket chicken and pulled pork excellent. It’s not the snazziest place no luxury here! But the food is amazing. Sweet pineapple tea was spectacular!

The pig burger was unique to say the least. The BBQ chicken was nothing special at all. If this is the best Knoxville has to offer, well, then, move along to the next exit off route 40.

I cannot tell you how it PAINS me to update this review. Dixson BBQ has been my favorite BBQ for a very long time. A few weeks ago, they shut down unexpectedly with a sign «to reopen soon». I waited with bated breath. and when I went back, it just wasn’t the same. From what I understand the business changed hands, which might explain why the sauce seemed a little less AWESOME and the prices a bit higher. Now, if you aren’t familiar w/​Knoxville BBQ joints, I still think you should go here. It still beats most places in town, knocks them out of the park at this point. But to longtime Knoxville foodies: That clove-​based sauce so reminescent to Brother Jack’s on Cherry St seems different… and the cake selection is all but gone. The drink machine and magazine articles about Pig Burger have been replaced with religious art. The pig burger was still EXACTLY the same, delicious. Potato salad still pretty good. But I swear the sauce is different.

Currently the place is closed till further notice

Not very impressed. The food was MICROWAVED, which is not cool. I enjoyed the ribs. the sauce on them was delicious, but the pig burger and pork sandwich were just… meh.

This place is amazing and the owner and his wife are both really really nice. It’s a must go if you are in Knoxville. The pulled pork sandwich is really delicious and the ribs were so tasty. Of course, the sauce is some of the best bbq sauce you’ll get anywhere.

I want to thank all of the Unilocalers, without all of you I would never have hit this place up and that would have been a sad sad thing.
This place is the definition of a dive BUT the staff is REMARKABLY delightful, kind, warm and talented — this food is stupid good!
Right off of the freeway, it is super convenient and amazingly delicious. I had the pulled pork and it was great, my boyfriend had that and then went back to try the pig burger… wow, this is awesome (he had 2 more)!
I got a piece of Red Velvet cake and I can honestly say bar none, that was was the best Red Velvet I have ever had… EVER.

My family and I visited Dixon’s on a recent trip to Knoxville. We got their early, before the crowds. Having never been there we didn’t know what to expect. The restaurant is TINY! There were six of us, and the guy running the restaurant was very friendly — he managed to find chairs for all six of us.
We ordered ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, beans and slaw. All of the food was delicious.
The menu is limited and dining in is not the best choice. Knowing that, you can’t go wrong if you are looking for great quality true barbecue take-​out.

This place is awesome. My cousin & I were driving from New York City and read about it here on Unilocal as we were driving, pulled over and gave it a stab. So much better than I even imagined. Dirt cheap, succulent, spicy and delicious. And the folks there were lovely and helpful. I shook all of their hands after eating and congratulated them on their culinary treasure. They were a little confused and offered to take a picture of us in front of their shop. I obliged and they playfully took pictures slapping me on the back laughing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I really don’t give 2 flying moose testicles if there are ants crawling on the table. It also matters little to me that this place looks like a run down shoe box that would fall over with one stiff breeze. It bothered me only a little when I discovered that they only took cash, however still it wasn’t enough to shade the fact that when I sunk my teeth into the pig burger here, I heard choirs of angels singing and felt like I just bit into liquid sex. Without a doubt, the best thing I ate during my whole 5 day stint in Knoxville. It was so good, I went back and bought another one and devoured the hell out of that one too. The BBQ sauce (mild) was so perfect it brought the whole thing together. The huge slices of sweet onion was like icing on the cake, and the spices in the meat made the fact that I just spent the whole day in the rain on a motorcycle, seem like a distant memory. My only regret is that I only had one stomach and not enough time to come back here again. But bet your keister, when I do come back, Dixons is my preferred sandwich spot.

We went to Dixsons after seeing it on the Travel channel; the BBQ sauce was very good and had a unique taste to it. The baked beans and potato salad were fabulous; my hushand ate 2 pig burgers and we split a ½ rack of ribs; for dessert we had a piece of the hurricane cake; all of the cakes looked really good. We sat at the one table in the place, thankfully because it was hot outside and the AC was appreciated. If you like good BBQ without fancy surroundings, this is your place.

On a rainy night, Dixson provided the perfect sustenance before a UT pub crawl. It offers a quick, cheap, and fairly unique option for a snack. I pulled up, ran in, and ordered the famous Pig Burger. There is no seating, so it seems to just be a take-​out eatery.
I like that it kept its low-​key dive vibe, even after that famous guy showed up. I refuse to use his name… the guy kind of sucks. The prices are affordable, and the no-​frills take-​out provides a sort of rugged way of eating.
At first you may think… pork burger between white bread with BBQ sauce and onions. No big deal. I assure you, this amazing Pig Burger was much more than that. It was very juicy, especially for a swine patty; in this day an age, a nice pork burger is hard to find. Get ready to get messy… sauce soaks right through the sandwich bread. I thought there was a bit too much sauce, and it was a bit too sweet, to boot. All in all this $ 3 sandwich is a definite steal; you could not get a better deal at a drive.
When coming into Knoxville, make sure that Dixson is on your list. Not because it is «famous», but because it is awesome. I assume travelers coming through this rather simple town would like to try some local grub, and a pig burger is as original as they come.

I had spent way too damn long hearing about this place from my little brother who happens to live down the road from this BBQ heaven. Then I had to watch that idiot on Man vs Food gorge himself on a Pig Burger. WTF?!
I finally got my chance at my own, and we were fortunate to go at a time when it was relatively quiet. I’m told the lines are wild at Dixon’s and that they close when they’re out of food.
I loved it. I am totally in bbq love with this place. Do not be put off by the appearance. Do not! In fact, if the glitz and shine of a place like Calhouns is your preference, then you know squat about real BBQ anyways. Get out of line so I can get my pig burger faster.
Speaking of the pigburger, it’s glorious. I love it. It’s so simple, yet so perfect.
The sauce here– speaking as one who makes my own sauce and seeks out new and unique BBQ sauce wherever i go, is outstanding. It’s got this clove-​hint, which might sound odd in BBQ, but totally, totally works for Dixon’s.
I am going to get to spend several weeks back home in Knoxville soon, and I aim to hit Dixon’s more then a few times!

No doubt the best pork BBQ sandwich I’ve ever eaten! It’s a little hole in the wall for sure and I was a little hesitant. Most people do take out because there’s only one little table inside and a couple little ones outside. We went for lunch and I wanted to go back for dinner and the next day for lunch again! I won’t go to Knoxville without getting a pork BBQ sandwich from Dixons from now on.
They were supposed to open at 11 but didn’t until 11:45. It was a pretty day so we sat outside on the little deck and waited. They were really nice and the food was totally worth the wait. I would almost drive 4 hours all the way to Knoxville just for their BBQ.

I tried to go Dixson’s the first time I visited Knoxville in March and it was closed. I tried to get here the second time I visited Knoxville in July and it was closed. Last Thursday, after I finally moved here, I drove-​by and it was open. I wasn’t really hungry, but I could not pass up this opportunity. When stars align, they align, stomach capacity notwithstanding.
It’s only open in the late afternoon and nighttime (I’ll update with the hours eventually) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This exclusivity makes it cooler because it implies that it is more of a hobby of making good food rather than some money-​directed ambition. Street cred.
I ordered the rib sandwich ($ 10), which amounted to about five or six huge ribs and two pieces of Tx toast. Very good taste. The ribs were well cooked — not sliding off of the bone, but hearty. Like Ken says, the bbq sauce is very unique. I don’t know how to characterize what sets the sauce apart — it’s much sweeter and more hearty. Less ketchup and more [something].
You can eat there, but there is only one table inside, so hope you aren’t there during a rush. It’s a little ramshackle, but in a good way.

Rolled into Knoxville at around 9:30pm and I was in the mood for some BBQ.
Dixson’s came up on my GPS so I went for it.
Cool place, super-​no frills. Basically a take out place — but they have 1 table… lucky for me empty at the moment.
Ordered a half rack of ribs with medium sauce, and a side of beans.
Just two folks working there, mother and son I believe. After I ordered my meal, I noticed a review on the wall of a sandwich called «the pigburger» which seems to be their signature. Oh well, too late to turn back now.
I was not dissapointed — generous portion of ribs slathered in this incredibly unique sauce — brown in color, with a distinct hint of cloves. Other than that, I couldn’t even guess what was in it — but it was GOOD!
The ribs themselves were big and meaty, but not falling off the bone. Not a problem, a little more work but it contributed to the carnivorous frenzy I was in. The beans were great as well, there was some crazy stuff mixed in with ‘em — I was afraid to ask.
Cool place. Oh yeah, they also sell pirated movies as well…