Tom’s Elite Carryout

Oh barbecue joints… How I love to visit the best of the worst of you. Nashville, or major cities in TN in general, need to get ready for my barbeque road trip across the country, because Tom’s is going to top the list of places I stop when I do that.
The service here is super slow. I could probably go open my own barbeque restaurant and cook my own food in the time it took to get the food from these guys. But then I would have had to do a lot of work, and with this choice I just get to stand around and watch whatever dumb movie is on the tv up on the wall opposite the counter.
Literally when we walked in, they told us we had to wait to order because they forgot the key to the cash drawer and could not process the order. The guy operating the register was pushing one hundred and ten, and though he was behind the register, you could have convinced me easily that he had never even seen a cash register before in his life. The other guy who was doing the cooking also seemed new, but who knows. Finally a guy who seemed to have everything together came in, I can only assume that one of these men was Tom. Which one I will never know.
The food though was not only the largest portions in the history of the world, but it was also quite good. I got pork, baked beans and fried okra. The pork was awesome. It was moist and fell apart in a wonderful manner as I poured the barbeque sauce over it and pulled it apart with my fork. The baked beans were perfectly blended. Just enough sweetness mixed with whatever other spices they put in the beans. I could probably just go back and order sides. Or just the beans. Seriously.
As for the fried okra, I mean, when you fry a vegetable it is always delicious so really no surprise there, but the portion that they gave was quite good, definitely more than I expected.
And then there was something totally unexpected. A corn cake. It is basically a pancake that is made with corn meal and fried fresh when you order. It is the most perfect addition to barbeque that I have ever experienced. I don’t know whose idea this was, or if anyone else does this, but I really liked it. All Nashvillans should try it. Really all people, but I am trying to be realistic here.
Without the sides and the corn cake this would just be another good place to stop for meat, and not really even then because the service is so bad. But all tallied up, 4 stars.

Sadly, things have changed A LOT here. The portions have been reduced, the meat is swimming in grease now and the staff just isn’t the same. We’ve taken this off our go-​to list for quick meals when we dont’ feel like cooking.

Me likey for East Nashville. My favorite part about Tom’s is their BBQ. I am more a thicker sauce style guy when it comes to the Q. And, Tom’s hits that just right.
The service is a bit slow, so be sure to have your patience on. The menu varies depending on demand and what time you get there. Typically, anytime around lunch you can expect to get the variety of smoked meats. They tend to run out of things as the day progresses. You add your own BBQ after. They have meat plates and sandwiches. A BBQ brisket sandwich (bun and meat) will run you about $ 5. They do have plate specials too. No alcohol is served here.
Tom’s also has your assortment of vegetables and sides to go with any plate. No different than any other meat and three in the south.
Tom’s is the best for wanting to grab some grub to take to a party. They sell their meat by the pound to go.
Overall, Tom’s is good for East Nash. Don’t forget the napkins.

I have tried their brisket and hot sauce and love it. I really appreciate their baked beans and potato salad too. Add some texas toast and you have yourself a real nice bbq plate.
**walks out the door to go to Tom’s**
Edit: I didn’t know it when I wrote this review, but these guys have the best ribs in town. I can’t stop myself…

Best ribs. Best smoked chicken. Best prices. Best BBQ this side of Memphis, hands-​down.
As the name implies, it’s more of a take-​out joint than a place you would dine-​in, but I would drive all the way across town for Tom’s Elite. I’m lucky enough to be able to walk. Yea, I know. You’re jealous.

I always past this place on my way to my house and I finally decided to stop in, the smell of the smoked meat was overwhelming and I had to try some. I normally never eat red meat but the smell of the beef brisket sandwich was tearing up my nose. I ordered it and a side of mac and cheese, the mac and cheese I would pass on in the future, but I will be breaking my non-​red meat eating habits every time I come to Tom’s, the beef brisket was out of this world, and the portion was more the generous, the smoke flavor was present throughout the brisket but was not overwhelming, and the hot bbq sauce was a perfect combination (its not hot at all but with a little kick at the end). I would 100% back a decision to purchase a beef brisket sandwich, you will not be disappointed, I would just say stay away from the sides.

Scooted over to Tom’s today to give it a try. I have to say that the ribs with the «Hot» BBQ Sauce were very good. The sides were mediocre (had turnip greens and mac & cheese).
The staff isn’t what I would call rude but they were a bit unpolished and abrupt at times. They also had to ask me the same questions multiple times which I personally get a bit annoyed with.(What kind of sauce 3 times and what sides 2 times).
All in all, the food made up for the shortcomings of the staff and I will definitely be back for the ribs.

Solid 3. Good reuse of the building. BBQ pork is juicy and hits the spot. sides were ok. I agree sauce and also the beans a little on the sweet side. The chicken looked outstanding and I will try that next time.

A worthy addition to the East Nashville dining scene. The food is not knock your sock off good, but the barbecue is good and the prices are right. They are are not shy with the portions, so you will most likely have some leftovers to enjoy at a later date. The sauce was a little on the sweet side for my tastes (I prefer Carolina styly), but if you favor that type of BBQ then you will not be disappointed. The staff is friendly and you can really get the takeout in a short time. It is definitely worth a try if you like standard southern cooking and barbecue.