What are the best ribs in Nashville? Here are 5 places to go

I know, I know, the best ribs are the ones that come out of your smoker or off your grill. As we launch into summer, though, maybe you’ll be craving barbecue but you’re too tired from splashing around in the pool to make ‘em yourself.

So, here are your five best bets for ribs in Nashville.

A shout out to Tennessean Team Ribs — celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, Nashville banker Vanessa Meacham, community activist Joy Styles and newsroom colleagues Kyleah Dunn, Tom Kreager, David Plazas and George Walker — for joining me in this saucy adventure.

5. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint 

Six Middle Tennessee locations, martinsbbqjoint.com

For my money, Martin’s is the best overall barbecue joint in Middle Tennessee. Pulled pork, brisket, smoked bologna, even the pecan pie — it’s all amazing.

The ribs are no exception.

Wet or dry, they’re tender, tasty and meaty. I like the dry much better; it’s really compelling without overpowering the meat.

$10.99 for 1.5 pounds of ribs (about four bones), served with two sides

4. Jack’s Bar-B-Que 

Three Nashville locations, jacksbarbque.com

Longtime Nashvillians might remember the first Jack’s at First and Broadway, overlooking Riverfront Park, which opened in 1989 just as Lower Broadway started to turn from a seedy strip into the tourist mecca it is today.

The ribs might look kind of plain, but they are tender and delicious.

Also awesome is the fact that Jack’s, with three locations now, offers a variety of warm sauces for fans of Carolina-, Texas- or Memphis-style barbecue.

But the ribs might be best with no sauce at all.

$13.25 for a plate of ribs, served with two sides and bread

3. Carl’s Perfect Pig

4991 U.S. 70 in White Bluff, carlsperfectpig.com

Ask longtime Tennesseans about the best barbecue, and most will tell you it comes from small joints out in the country.

That’s certainly the case with Carl’s Perfect Pig, which actually is only about 35 minutes from downtown Nashville and certainly worth the drive.

After putting a rub on the ribs and throwing them in a smoker, the pit master uses a mix of hot and mild local barbecue sauces to coat the meat when he finishes them on the grill.

The ribs are really tender and smoky with layers of flavors.

$16.50 for a half slab, served with fries and bread

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2. Rippy’s Bar & Grill

429 Broadway, rippysbarandgrill.com

OK, I’ve got to admit that Rippy’s was kind of an afterthought. After all, it’s just that party place for tourists across from Bridgestone Arena. Rippy’s is ground zero for pedal taverns and drunk bachelorettes, so the food won’t be any good, right?

Wrong.

Smoky as a campfire, the ribs were tender and delicious, with the meat pulling off the bones almost as easily as Butchertown Hall’s ribs.

The rub was nice and salty with a hint of citrusy tang and sweetness, just enough to make it really interesting.

Yummy.

$15.75 for a half slab, served with two sides

1. Butchertown Hall

1416 Fourth Ave. N., butchertownhall.com

No contest here, rib lovers: Butchertown Hall, the upscale meat dispensary in Germantown, serves the most incredibly flavorful and tender ribs in Middle Tennessee.

The smoky aroma will have your mouth watering even before you easily pull the meaty bones apart. The meat is so tender that a light breeze would probably break apart these babies.

There’s not really a rub on here per se, but a wonderful blend of spices that goes on the meat before the ribs spend the day in the smoker. When they come out, spices have clumped into little savory flavor bombs.

Even after eating leftovers 20 minutes later in Donelson, the ribs still were the most delicious and tender I’ve ever had.

$17 for a half rack, served with pickle slices, available Wednesday through Saturday evenings

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Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com or 615-259-8384 or on Twitter @bradschmitt.