Helen's Bar BQ

I am so happy I was able to incorporate Helen's into my road trip because the food was delicious. Got the Barbecue Plate. The pulled pork was one if not the best I've ever had. Highly recommend visiting this place to try the food. Just a walk up and order situation but there are a couple tables in front to eat. You also can call your order in ahead of time. Good stuff!

Please, please, please don't sleep on this little gem located in Brownsville, TN! As you can see from some of the pictures I posted, the food is mouth-watering wonderful! Every bite of everything was like savoring heaven. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the polish sausage sandwich as we devoured it first right after getting our order. As the place is small, we sat in our car and munched on a few of our goodies before pulling off the lot.

Ms. Helen and the other lady who waited on us were very pleasant and patient as we didn't know what to order. We ordered from the outside window. As soon as you stepped out of your car, the intoxicating smell of BBQ just takes you back to a simpler place in time. So if you live within an hours drive or if you're passing through... then you should stop by and get you some great eats😉

Note: I saw this place while watching a 2023 Memphis in May BBQ tv special with Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson when they went to visit Ms. Helen, while they were in Memphis.

I bought a house in town and was working on it . Tired and looking for something close. I went to Helen's. It was hot outside and several people in line but worth the wait. It is very good . 👍 So I came back several times while in town. Raised in south Texas and ate bbq all the way to South Carolina and back . This is really good. Thanks to all those working hard in a hot box. 🔥

This barbq is real.This little place about 60 miles outside of Memphis can not be called Memphis barbq.I haven't tasted barbq nowhere in Memphis this good.I call this barbq,Helens barbq because no one can match it.The pull pork is naturally smoked with no season.So you taste smoked pork.When you top with her sauce and slaw,you will buy one for the road.The ribs are equally good.This was clearly worth the trip.If you headed to Nashville from Memphis,you must take a detour and make this stop.

Ordered the rib platter . Came with a side of potato salad, coleslaw, beans and a roll.
Absolutely delicious 😋. Visited on a suggestion of a local person. She was not wrong! Best ribs around

I've been meaning to try this place because of the rave reviews. Helen's did not disappoint! I got the barbecue plate that comes with slaw, potato salad, and bun. DELICIOUS!!! Wow! Smoked pit barbecue at its best!

This is a CASH ONLY business and there is limited seating outside. In the summer months, it might be an issue for you if you don't like the heat and humidity. I ate in my car and I was just fine. Altogether, a wonderful experience and every barbecue lover should definitely stop off at Helen's!

This is a beautiful sandwich. It is more glorious that than a double rainbow. Eating it will make you aware of a higher plain of existence. If you are within 2 hours of here, go. If you are within 7 hours of here, go. Miss Helen is a angel sent from somewhere to give your mouth the most glorious feeling you'll ever experience. And they have free parking!

One of the best BBQ places we passed through in Tennessee. Had the BBQ sandwich, tasted great, with a nice slaw. Staff were very friendly and we sat on some seats out front and talked to other customers. Very good price, perfect for a good lunch

Amazing food! Female BBQ pit master. The Helen's Special with pulled pork and bologna was so good. Like nothing you've ever had before that was affiliated with baloney! Add the slaw and prepare to get good and messy!

So freakin good!!! I spent about an hour researching the best places for BBQ around Memphis / I-40, using both Google and Yelp and this was the winner. And boy are we glad we picked it!! We called 20 minutes ahead and ordered 2 plates - 1 with ribs and the other with pulled pork. Plates come with 3 sides - slaw (vinegar based), potato salad, and beans PLUS a bun. Everything was amazing. Plus the way they wrapped up the order kept the buns dry, the slaw and potato salad cold, and the meat and beans hot. We would definitely come back if we’re in the area again.

Some of the best bbq, slaw and potato salad I’ve ever eaten!

Found Helen’s when traveling across I40 and didn’t want fast food. Take the extra few minutes to get away from the interstate and eat some amazing food! Totally worth it!!

Service was great. There are a couple picnic tables outside to eat at. Met a lot of nice folks both locals and travelers like us.

My oh my! Where do I start. Worth the drive for starters. Helen and her staff are really nice! And she is a such a nice lady! But the prices for her bbq…if she was located in a major city you’d be paying more. Top notch bbq! U can taste the wood flavor! Will definitely go back if I’m around the area again! Make the drive to this destination bbq place!

This place is a hidden little gem! The food is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The staff was so kind and helpful and perfect examples of southern hospitality! Be sure to bring cash though- no cards. You can bet It is well worth the drive to Brownsville!

Miss Helen is serving up some of the most pure Bar BQ I've had! I drove more than an hour off my route to get some of her cooking and recommend everyone else do the same!

Holy smokes!!! This was amazing!! We got a family pack with pulled pork and a slab of ribs and I’m still trying to decide what my favorite part was!! Everything was delicious. I really wish we lived closer. The sauce…the best hot sauce I’ve ever had! My favorite part….Ms. Helen herself! Such a kind soul. I’m grateful to have met her. Thank you Ms. Helen for providing people all over with your kind, southern hospitality and some of the most amazing food!!! My belly is full lol!

If your going between the two cities stop here for lunch. Helen makes a great Pulled pork sandwich. And the price is seriously amazing. Very friendly lady, she is one of my favorites. If I'm ever in the area again, count on me coming by! She cooks everything she serves each morning. Doing BBQ takes some serious dedication. And I appreciate those who do it.

What an amazing place. Helen and her husband are so sweet. The BBQ is fantastic. Rated as 25 top BBQ dish in America. Definitely worth the side trip.

The bbq plate was great! The potato salad is creamy goodness. The best I have ever had at any bbq place.The pulled pork was perfect and the bbq sauce was a delightful addition. The coleslaw was good too. I highly recommend this stop on your way through Tennessee.

We had a great time talking to Mrs. Helen of Helen's BBQ. It was a joy to meet and to talk with her and her husband, we ordered the chop pork sandwich and potato salad and I then had to try the smoked bologna sandwich awesome. We will definitely be going back, to visit and partake of her BBQ again.

The food was great! Miss Helen was kind and so pleasant to speak with. She really cares about her customers and everyone loves her! That's what makes her famous!