Sweet P's vs. Man vs. Food vs. Me: The Great BBQ Debate That I Don't Belong In

I'm going to have to start this entry with an apology. It's not to Sweet P's, or Travel Channel, or even my increasingly cool in-laws for paying for my meal, but to the real BBQ junkies, flunkies and enthusiasts out there. I'm sorry I have no discerning tongue for this stuff. I can't tell you if the brisket has been smoked with applewood chips, maple planks, or cherry-wood chunks, and based on the flavor of the char, if the smoker was older than 1955. I do, however recognize that people who can do that are out there; and reading this may make them mad as hell. So for that, in addition to being a Yankee reviewing a BBQ place, (with a bullet) I'm sorry. Also, i'm not going to touch on the burrito challenge featured on the Travel Channel, because this picture of Sweet P's owner is way sweeter. PBR for life!

The more I talk about this place to other Knoxvilians, the more I get the same story: "I didn't even know it was there until I saw it on the Man vs. Food: Knoxville". And I, always answer with the same reply, "Me too, but i'm sure glad I found it." That's because Sweet P's had it all; the meat, the sides, the Southern Hospitality, and the water-side locale that lets hungry boaters go dockside for a meat-fest only beer, sunshine and coca-cola can conjure up. 

Naturally, after being south of the Mason-Dixon Line for the better part of 5 years, I have had my fair share of BBQ. I'm talking ribs, chicken, smoked wings, brisket, pulled everything, and sauces to be categorized as thick, thin, Carolina-style, Texas-style and my #1 favorite (in black marker on the side of the bottle: 'GOOD'. (It was!) Sweet P's had all the major players, including thick and thin sauces, and the better part of 10 sides to pick from. I went for the ribs (seriously, i'm NOT here to try your chicken,) and the mixed beans. A huge slab of ribs and 2 sections of my paper plate was now covered with steaming hot BBQ goodness, and grabbing my unsweet tea was all there was left to do before the carnage could ensue. The ribs were cooked PERFECTLY. Did you hear that? PERFECTLY! (Like, WOW!...These ribs actually couldn't be cooked ANY better). They were juicy and tender and had so much meat on them that my father in-law gave me 'the look' when I said "These ribs are really meaty!". Good for him, it was a stupid thing to say out loud. Now, as for the beans, they were just kinda there. They were hot, they were beany, but as for flavor... I took my husband's advice on beans at a BBQ place: "They're never over the top, just put some salt & pepper and sauce on them and they get GREAT!" So I did, and of course, they were. Yes, Sweet P's...this means I like your sauce. Alot.
I'm now taking a moment to interrupt this review with a quick side note. I am NOT 'Southern', therefore NOT qualified to make remarks about secret seasoning rubs, sauces, and injecting methods of cooking BBQ, and I know that. I will, however say that the flavor of the ribs was smokey, and meaty, but I'll have to leave it at that. The rub did not blow my mind out of the back of my head, but the quality of the ribs and the attention to how well they were cooked did. The flavor was most definitely there, but it left me begging for more. And, this is where the great BBQ debate begins, and I gracefully have to bow out. I have no business fighting in this ring, and my two cents hold no water. Thankfully, I have become acclimated enough to know that, and it makes me giggle every time I say it. With that, I will say that Sweet P's was a great meal, and probably does the best BBQ I have had since moving to Knoxville. There are some other key players in town, but as Dolly Parton says in 'Steel Magnolias, "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit next to me", so those places will be discussed at a later date. This review now holds a very special place in my heart, as I have laid all my true Yankee cards on the table. Sweet P's is a flavor debate that I could not win. Actually, I had no business trying in the first place. 

I'll be back to Sweet P's though! Hopefully, it'll be on a boat, and hopefully with some people who want to let me know that I know absolutely nothing about BBQ.
Check out their menus/site here.

Colleen yummy food rating= 4.5/5.