Collins River BBQ & Cafe is located in the heart of Warren County, Tennessee - right on Main Street McMinnville - and is a local favorite for great food, cold craft beers, friendly service and live music. Serving up classic pulled pork, smoked wings, delicious salads, homemade desserts, and much more - this locally-owned restaurant offers an experience you won't soon forget!
Collins River BBQ is rated #1 on Trip Advisor and is a tourist hot spot for visitors to the community!. Collins River BBQ is known for fantastic service and huge servings of food! Visitors and regulars are constantly singing the praises of the delicious food, huge craft beer list, decadent homemade desserts and quirky, downhome decor.
Collins River BBQ is rated #1 on Trip Advisor and is a tourist hot spot for visitors to the community!. Collins River BBQ is known for fantastic service and huge servings of food! Visitors and regulars are constantly singing the praises of the delicious food, huge craft beer list, decadent homemade desserts and quirky, downhome decor.
Reviews (26)
Lisa M.
Jan 27, 2022
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This was a great find. All of the staff were so friendly & super attentive. It was a hard decision bc so many things sounded good but we decided on the pulled pork sandwich & the 1/2 rack ribs & weren't disappointed. Everything was fresh & yummy & looked nice on the plate. The sides were equally good: baked beans, loaded potato salad, gouda Mac n cheese, cornbread salad. Every table was full & as we were finishing there were people waiting for tables. Cute place.
Fran H.
Dec 18, 2021
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Was super excited to go here from all of the five star reviews and we LOVE BBQ. Staff was nice which earned them an extra star. Food was mediocre BBQ. The bun on my brisket sandwich was so stale it literally crumbled apart. Our total for lunch was $80 for two kids meals, two sandwiches, a beer and 3 teas. Eighty!
Evan Barbee
Dec 14, 2021
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This review is a bit delayed but I wanted to share the overwhelmingly positive experience I had with the staff and management of Collins River BBQ. My husband and I got married in October '21 at a summer camp in McMinnville . Collins River came very highly recommended by the property as a potential caterer for the event. My husband and I went in for dinner and were immediately impressed by the kindness and generosity of Jim who is the GM, as well as the quality of the food and the hustle of the entire staff. This is a busy restaurant and despite the volume of customers, each table was attended
Greg K.
Dec 02, 2021
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Wow! I use to have a favorite BBQ spot and it wasn’t even in this state, until I came to Collins.
Ribs fall off the bone delicious, BBQ sauce was top tier. Chicken wing were some of the best I’ve had, and I cook a mean wing. The Catfish was the bombdotcom. The sides were amazing too! Everything was cooked perfectly. I am completely blow away with how excellent everything was.
Collins River BBQ = Flavortown
Ribs fall off the bone delicious, BBQ sauce was top tier. Chicken wing were some of the best I’ve had, and I cook a mean wing. The Catfish was the bombdotcom. The sides were amazing too! Everything was cooked perfectly. I am completely blow away with how excellent everything was.
Collins River BBQ = Flavortown
Rubin Reviews
Nov 22, 2021
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4⭐️- will definitely go back
Yes we travel for bbq. It took use 3 tries to final get in the door. First 2 times was a fail because they were out fishing…but glad we tried again as it was not a wasted road trip.
We only tried the bbq cheese waffle fries and hickory smoked wings. Both appetizers were awesome. The pulled pork on the fries were good and the cheese sauce was awesome. We had the sweet chili dry rub wings and I think this is one of my favorites. Not too smoky and it was flash fried so it was done right.
We need to go back to try their brisket and homemade desserts. The service
Yes we travel for bbq. It took use 3 tries to final get in the door. First 2 times was a fail because they were out fishing…but glad we tried again as it was not a wasted road trip.
We only tried the bbq cheese waffle fries and hickory smoked wings. Both appetizers were awesome. The pulled pork on the fries were good and the cheese sauce was awesome. We had the sweet chili dry rub wings and I think this is one of my favorites. Not too smoky and it was flash fried so it was done right.
We need to go back to try their brisket and homemade desserts. The service
Greg K.
Nov 18, 2021
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Wade G.
Nov 18, 2021
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This is what a southern BBQ place is supposed to be like. It has the right atmosphere, great food, great service and a good selection of food choices.
This was our first time at Collins River BBQ for lunch. I had the pulled pork plate with fried okra and baked beans with a cornbread muffin. My wife ordered a catfish sandwich with a fried green tomato on it. The catfish sandwich listed on the menu does not have a fried green tomato on it but the waitress said they would make it happen. My wife was elated that they would accommodate her request. The chef even came out later to check on how she liked
This was our first time at Collins River BBQ for lunch. I had the pulled pork plate with fried okra and baked beans with a cornbread muffin. My wife ordered a catfish sandwich with a fried green tomato on it. The catfish sandwich listed on the menu does not have a fried green tomato on it but the waitress said they would make it happen. My wife was elated that they would accommodate her request. The chef even came out later to check on how she liked
Annie Colson
Oct 29, 2021
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Our group of six had a great time! I got a brisket wrap and it was extraordinary. It had just the right balance of savory and spicy, and wasn't at all tough, and didn't fall apart two bites in like so many wraps do. My friends visiting from out of town had to leave early the next morning and gifted us the ribs they had left over, and they were amazing. I was apprehensive to come here because I don't particularly care for most barbecue (maybe it's just west coast barbecue I don't dig) but these were incredible. They also have a great kids' section of the menu, and my oldest daughter loved the Mac
Ja McMinnville
Oct 19, 2021
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We had a retirement party tonight for my husband’s assistant manager, and everything was wonderful! Jim, the manager, was more than accommodating and helpful during my planning process and was so good about calling and checking in prior to the event. Our server for the party was Brittany and she also went above and beyond. She was so nice, attentive, accommodating, and helpful. She even offered to help us decorate! Thank you for your great service, Brittany! The food was wonderful and everyone had a great time! Not to mention, they just renovated the upstairs and it’s just the perfect venue
Bryce C.
Oct 16, 2021
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Nashville R.
Oct 09, 2021
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Just good food no matter what you order. They care about quality. Ordered online - nice and easy. Dinner ready in 20 minutes. Catfish and a chicken salad with fried green tomatoes. Perfect. I'd say best in this town from my experience. New place up the street - pass. Too bright. Too hip. Food not as good.
Morgan O.
Sep 07, 2021
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Incredible wait staff, mouthwatering food, in a cool and inviting atmosphere! Our sandwiches were delicious though we didn't order any sides as we were trying to eat light before going to hike at Cumberland Caves. As we were finishing up our sandwiches the owner (who had already checked on us earlier), brought over a slice of strawberry cake and two long dessert spoons, sharing that this was made fresh at the cafe that morning and he wanted us to try it on the house. The cake was incredible with delicious rich (but not too rich) strawberry cream cheese frosting that was beautifully piped on
Jim Bentley
Aug 12, 2021
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Collins River BBQ was awesome! Service was helpful, friendly and efficient. Ribs were fantastic and the beans were delicious. Had the brisket Cuban as well which was an awesome twist on one of our favorites. Will definitely return when in the area! Can’t forget the pecan pie and caramel pie, both amazing!
Mike A.
Jul 08, 2021
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One of my criteria I use to judge a restaurant is how they treat my son. He is 16 and has Down syndrome, and gets a bit overwhelmed at new places. We walked in for dinner and immediately he hit the brakes and headed right back out, so I had to go to the car for his headphones which help him cope. Everyone was very nice and patient with him, the owner checked in several times to see how he was doing, even bringing him an extra portion of Mac and cheese and a couple of Moon Pies.
Anyway, on to the food - really really good. I tried to get the secret of the pulled pork from the owner but only
Anyway, on to the food - really really good. I tried to get the secret of the pulled pork from the owner but only
Dana Headden
May 30, 2021
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I can’t say enough about how great our experience was. Food and the service was amazing! We had the Pulled pork nacho appetizer. Gouda Mac n cheese was to die for. Ribs, pulled pork and brisket, we tried it all. We will definitely be returning. We took desert to go, Chocolate Cobbler and Pecan, both served with ice cream. Sooo yummy. The manager wanted all of you to know that he is “a very handsome single guy who just grew a beard”. He was absolutely charming. I look forward to seeing him again. This place will not disappoint and did I say we bought T-shirt’s!
Tina P.
May 29, 2021
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Austin D.
Apr 22, 2021
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Spence Meyers
Apr 14, 2021
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The service was very fast and the employees were friendly and helpful. The pulled pork sandwich platter had good portions. The pork was a little lacking in flavor but not bad. The potato salad was a little strange. I think it had cream cheese in it. I didn't like that. The baked beans were pretty good. The hot sauce could have been a little hotter.
Matt D.
Feb 05, 2021
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Adrian P.
Jan 01, 2021
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Chelsea C.
Sep 26, 2020
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Wow! Can't get over how amazing the food and hospitality was here! My husband and I shared the platter and it was delicious. Best ribs and pulled pork I've ever had! Must try items are the spicy cheese curds and loaded potato salad. We live an hour away but I would drive to get these ribs again tomorrow!
Steve Engle
Sep 02, 2020
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Very nice little BBQ place! It has a very quaint, country-style charm to it inside with the decorations. Our server was very nice and very good. She was zipping around table to table and always seemed to show up just when you wanted her to. The food was good as well. My son loved his BLT and the loaded potato salad. He said it was one of his all time favorite sandwiches and he liked the potato salad even more than the sandwich. I enjoyed the beef brisket wrap with some of the white barbecue sauce on it. However, my side of cornbread salad was amazing! I would go back again just for it! Highly recommend
Angela C.
Aug 10, 2019
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This place is a local place which I usually love to stop at. I'm going to just let the opinion come out as raw and unfiltered as I am feeling right now. For the price, this place thinks way to highly of itself. I got the catfish plate which came with 1 piece of catfish at room temperature, coleslaw with no flavor other than cabbage- no juice, mixed greens that when I poured the liquid off I had less than half a serving as it looked. Also, there was 4 hushpuppies about the size of a large marble. The only thing warm was the greens which I'm thinking was the water that kept them warm.
Joe L.
Jul 14, 2019
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I've had my eye on this place for quite some time, just never seemed to dedicate the time to head out there. This place has been around for 10 years...sadly this was my first but not last visit. The place is quaint and we were greeted by the manager who told us to grab a seat and make ourselves comfortable. Pursuing the menu and the specials board there are a lot of options here, and I was so tempted to try the Texas Cuban sandwich and wished we were there later to try the Prime Rib. Guess I'll need to come back again...soon. We did a lot of sharing here...the plates are good sized and
Keith H.
May 30, 2019
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Small place downtown McMinnville TN. Great atmosphere, lot of cool stuff on the walls.
Ordered the brisket plate. Brisket and two sides - TN baked beans and Cole Slaw with a cornbread muffin. Washed it down with their sweet tea.
Really good smoke flavor in the brisket. I added their Smokey sauce as a dipping sauce. Nice and sweet with a hint of smoke. They had a spicy one wbut was not in the mood.
Baked beans were awesome as well as the coke slaw was tasty.
It w
Is good enough for me to go back and lead a group of bikers to eat there.
Ordered the brisket plate. Brisket and two sides - TN baked beans and Cole Slaw with a cornbread muffin. Washed it down with their sweet tea.
Really good smoke flavor in the brisket. I added their Smokey sauce as a dipping sauce. Nice and sweet with a hint of smoke. They had a spicy one wbut was not in the mood.
Baked beans were awesome as well as the coke slaw was tasty.
It w
Is good enough for me to go back and lead a group of bikers to eat there.
Dani N.
Aug 11, 2017
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After a long day of hiking and waterfall climbing at Rock Island my friends and I stopped here for a sturdy meal before the trek back home, and we hit the jackpot! The menu was full of options we all enjoyed making it extremely hard to pick one but thankfully the staff was so kind and patient!
I ended up ordering the Jalapaño Cheddar Roasted Chicken Wrap with Caribbean dressing and a side of Gouda Mac n Cheese. Should I stop there? Is your mouth already drooling? Mine is just talking about it! The wrap was a little wet for my liking as the dressing was heavier than I usually like but I ate
I ended up ordering the Jalapaño Cheddar Roasted Chicken Wrap with Caribbean dressing and a side of Gouda Mac n Cheese. Should I stop there? Is your mouth already drooling? Mine is just talking about it! The wrap was a little wet for my liking as the dressing was heavier than I usually like but I ate
