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Well-worn east Nashville takeaway known for favorites such as pork shoulder and short ribs..
In Short
The time-tested exterior and out-of-date home decor provide subtle clues, but the traditional Tennessee menu reveals that this place has barely changed since it opened more than 50
years ago. No frills and no flair, Cantrell's serves pork shoulder, short ribs and chicken. All sandwiches arrive on white bread buns with pickles and sides of peppery tomato-vinegar barbecue sauce. A limited amount of side dishes feature local standards--sweet baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad.…
Excellent barbecue.
The shredded pork shoulder is absolutely fantastic, tender, tasty, with exactly the right slightly-vinegary, all-delicious flavor -- the barbecue sauce available on the side is good in small
quantities, and eye-watering in large quantities (though still good). The beef ribs are very good, smoky, slightly chewy, and lightly sauced.
We found the side dishes unexceptional--baked beans were "as-expected," the cole slaw not so good, turnip greens were OK, and potato salad was OK. We didn't try the cornbread or pinto beans.
Overall -- highly recommended for the barbecue.…
the best ever. This Bar-B-Que is the best i have ever put in my mouth. It has just the right amount of spices and it's tender that it just melts in you mouth. I never knew what really good food was until I had Cantrells. I wish they had more locations so that no matter where the Navy sent me I could always have Cantrells. To the owners thank you for making the perfect Bar-B-Que sandwich. It gives me something else to look forward to when i go home.…
