Puckett’s Restaurant: Only Visit If You Love Southern BBQ

Puckett’s Restaurant: Only Visit If You Love Southern BBQ

Admire the vintage truck outside Puckett’s Restaurant in Cullman, Alabama.

Puckett’s Restaurant sits at the heart of Southern culture. It started as a humble grocery store. Now, it’s a beloved chain known for Tennessee hospitality. Its story began in the 1950s in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. Over seven decades, it grew into a regional gem. Today, as of March 8, 2025, Puckett’s has locations across Tennessee and Alabama. Each spot offers slow-smoked barbecue, Southern comfort food, and live music. Locals and tourists keep coming back. Why? The food and vibe feel like home.

How It All Began

Puckett’s started as a country store in Leiper’s Fork. This rural spot lies southwest of Nashville. The Puckett family ran it as a community hub. People grabbed groceries, filled gas tanks, and chatted. Then, in 1998, Andy Marshall stepped in. He’d grown up in the grocery business. Plus, he owned Piggly Wiggly Stores across the Southeast. His dream? Turn Puckett’s into a place for food, music, and connection.

By 2002, he made it happen. The store became a restaurant and music venue. It kept its small-town charm. Meanwhile, the menu leaned into Tennessee roots. Home-cooked meals met live performances. This mix clicked. Soon, Puckett’s began to grow beyond Leiper’s Fork.

Southern Food That Hits the Spot

Puckett’s Restaurant menu shines with variety. For example, they offer meat-and-three specials. You pick a meat and three sides. Their barbecue steals the show, though. Cherry wood-smoked pulled pork, brisket, and half chickens are fan favorites. Each gets a signature dry rub. Dishes like the “Whole Farm” platter pile on all the smoked meats. Sides like collard greens and baked beans join in. Another hit? The “Mojo Burger.” It’s stacked with pulled pork, coleslaw, and BBQ chipotle ranch.

Beyond BBQ, comfort food shines too. Appetizers include pimento cheese bites. Fried green tomatoes come with remoulade sauce. Sides range from green beans to mac ‘n’ cheese. Desserts, like cobblers, wrap it up. Craving Puckett’s at home? They ship nationwide via Goldbelly.

Music and Vibe: Puckett’s Soul

Check out the stage and dining setup at Puckett’s Restaurant in Cullman, Alabama.

Live music sets Puckett’s apart. It started in Leiper’s Fork. Now, every location has a stage. Local acts play often. As a result, the vibe feels laid-back, like a porch jam. Songwriters and big names perform. The music pairs perfectly with the food. Each spot reflects its town. Franklin’s rustic charm stands out. Chattanooga offers riverfront views. Families, music fans, and foodies all fit in.

Puckett’s Restaurant Awards and Staying Power

Puckett’s has racked up praise. For instance, Southern Living named it a Top 5 Tennessee restaurant. TravelAwaits called it one of the U.S.’s 10 best BBQ spots. In 2025, it earned a Legacy Award for 70 years. These nods show more than great food. They prove Puckett’s is part of Southern life.

Inside Cullman, Alabama’s Location

Enjoy a meal in the cozy dining area at Puckett’s Restaurant in Cullman, Alabama.

The Scene

Sip and relax at the rustic bar area of Puckett’s Restaurant in Cullman, Alabama.

The Cullman spot feels Southern eclectic. Old signs and music posters line the walls. Bright decor pops. There’s a sports bar twist too. A big, stocked bar sits center stage. TVs play the day’s games.

What’s on the Puckett’s Restaurant Menu

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To-go and catering options exist too. The variety suits everyone. Meatloaf, hot chicken, and BBQ fill the plates. Sides include grits and fried okra. Cajun red beans and rice add flair. Simpler? Try sweet potato fries or baked beans.

Service That Delivers

We visited Puckett’s Restaurant after the lunch rush. A server greeted us fast—within seconds. She juggled another table but got us seated in a minute. Our order came out right. Timing was solid. For a quick lunch, 30 minutes to an hour works. Drinks stayed full. Service was spot-on.

Food Breakdown

• Portions: I got “The Whole Farm.” It’s a sampler: brisket, pulled pork, chicken, turkey, sausage. Two sides and Cajun corn cakes came too. It fed my wife and me with leftovers.
  

  Dive into the Whole Farm platter at Puckett’s, featuring brisket, turkey, and sausage.

• Taste: The chicken stayed juicy with a killer crust. Top turkey and brisket slices were dry. Underneath, they were fine. Maybe a heat lamp was to blame. The pork’s crispy bark was perfect. Sausage? Plentiful and tasty.
  

  Savor Puckett’s slow-smoked chicken with corn cakes at their Cullman location.

• Tip: Share sides. We each picked one. Mac ‘n’ cheese was creamy heaven—my top pick. Red beans and rice with sausage rocked too.

Dig into Puckett’s creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, a Southern comfort food favorite.

Enjoy Puckett’s Cajun red beans and rice with sausage, a hearty side dish.

Sauces and Extras

Two house BBQ sauces hit the table. Texas-style has a kick. Memphis-style is sweet. Both shine. Still, the meats stand alone (I added salt, though).

Add flavor with Puckett’s spicy Texas and sweet Memphis BBQ sauces.

Restroom Check

Check out the rustic restroom with vintage doors at Puckett’s Restaurant in Cullman.

Clean bathrooms matter. Cullman’s carry the rustic decor. They’re spotless. One issue? The trash can sits by the sink, not the door. I like tossing my paper towel after opening the door. Here, it’s a long shot.

Merch and More

Puckett’s Restaurant feels like a local icon. They sell shirts, hats, tumblers, sauces, and spices. To-go orders are easy online. Catering works too. They even ship via Goldbelly. Check it out.

Browse Puckett’s merchandise, including sauces, shirts, and tumblers, at their Cullman location.

Stock up on Puckett’s BBQ sauces, available for purchase at their locations.

What’s Next for Puckett’s Restaurant

Puckett’s Restaurant keeps growing. Yet, its goal stays the same. They offer great food and hospitality. With seven locations, each feels authentic. Whether you’re in Nashville, Franklin, or Cullman, you’re welcome. Visit www.puckettsrestaurant.com for more.

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