The current location, Downtown Dive, opened to fulfill barbecue cravings in downtown Knoxville in 2015. Located at 410 W. Jackson Ave., Downtown Dive was borne from a love of classic American dive bars and barbecue joints and carries on the tradition of Sweet P’s Southern heritage.
In the spring of 2021, the first full-service Sweet P’s concept, Uptown Corner, will open in Fountain City. Featuring table service and a bar, we look forward to serving our customers at 3029 Tazewell Pike and joining the Fountain City community.
Sweet heavenly ribs I am not joking these ribs are heaven sent. I have had good BBQ and have had... read moreSweet heavenly ribs I am not joking these ribs are heaven sent. I have had good BBQ and have had great bit the ribs here are unworldly good. Had some of the chopped pork as well and it was pretty great as well but the ribs!!! Coleslaw excellent beans just ok, ribs ribs ribs!!!!! read less
When you walk in you get in line, it's cafeteria style. When they are out of something you can't preorder for the next batch you have to wait for more and get back in line. I had the pork, cole slaw, greens, and Mac and cheese. The pork had tons of flavor, I tried the non-spicy sauce they had and added the slaw to my pork and it was so good. The Mac and cheese is not on my diet (keto) but it looked too good not to try... definitely worth it, super cheesy. The greens I was interested in trying because it had so much in it... carrots, celery and black eyed peas... definitely good enough to be its own meal . I finished up with the ches pie... super chocolatey and almost has a grit to it from all the sugar, I loved it.
I plan on being my family soon. read less
Let's start with the meats. The chicken was nice and smoky and not dried out. It did need some sauce (I combined the thick and spicy sauces at an employee''s recommendation) to put it over the top. The brisket was done very nicely with that signature smoke ring and bark that you look for in a brisket. The real winner was the ribs. Wow, they were perfect. The wings were great, with the dry being my favorite. The sides were really good. My favorite was the mac and cheese with the tater salad in a really close 2nd place. I got to try the coleslaw off a friend's plate and it was great too. The banana pudding was outstanding. I took the cookie to go and ate it as we walked to the stadium.
This place is exactly what we were expecting out of a Tennessee BBQ place. My only disappointment was that I didn't get to try the pimento cheese dip. Here's hoping that there will be a return trip to Knoxville. If there is, I know where I'm eating. read less
To sweet P's anyways and was elated that I did. Maybe I am a bit biased since this was immediately after Central BBQ but boy oh boy, this was one of the best BBQ I've had.
I was hesitant to get the dry rub since my last experience, it was so dry. I had to do it though, I refuse to believe all dry rub ribs in Tennessee tasted like tree barks. I was very happy with my choice. My half rack dry rub was amazing. The dry seasoning sprinkled on top had a crunchy sweetness to it, like crushed candy for meat! The ribs themselves were so juicy and moist. The meat simply fell off the bone, the crust was not hard at all and packed a lot of smoked flavor.
I also had a brisket plate that came with a side of mac and cheese and tater salad. The mac and cheese was good, nothing extravagant but a great pair for the BBQ. The tater salad had eggs and onion that added a fresh break for the heavy BBQ. Their brisket was fatty and moist and seasoned just right, although I wish it was a bit softer, some bites were still chewy.
The atmosphere was also great, you could dine inside or out in the patio, iced cold water was free. Sitting by the window you can overlook an industrial train track that was distinctly Tennessee. Overall, I'd give the place a 4.5 but since I had to compare it to places like Central BBQ, I'd give it a solid 5 stars. read less
Fall off the bone meat....drool city!!!! read less
Must go spot if you are in Knoxville read less
Come here for a soul food pit stop while in Knoxville! read less
Everything was so so good! Customer service was perfect. I think we need to come back on the way back to Nashville. read less