Let me start by saying that I almost never go to BBQ restaurants. I wanted to hit at least one BBQ joint while we were in western NC, so I found Haywood Smokehouse, which was well reviewed. I see from other posts here that there are other locations, but this is the Franklin location.
Service was fast and super friendly. They had all the usual suspects, so I went with a platter: brisket and pulled pork, baked beans, red skin potato salad, Texas toast, and Southern-style green beans.
Loved:
Potato salad - fresh, light, and tasty, though a departure from potato salad I had in other places in the region
Baked beans - chunks of pork, deep flavor, lots of smokey sweetness
Green beans - traditional Southern-style, as I like it
The sauces (see below)
Pecan pie - if it wasn't homemade, they did a good job fooling me
Liked:
Pork - it was good, lots of smoky flavor, but a little dry
Brisket - a little on the dry side (my son's was moist)
Meh:
Mac and cheese - nothing to write home about
Texas toast - nothing special
Bourbon chocolate pecan pie - chocolate sauce over pecan pie...where was the bourbon? (I make bourbon pecan tart every year, this wasn't even close)
The sauces deserve their own mention, because they turned the meat from good to great. They were all good. I had wanted to try an authentic East Carolina sauce and theirs was to die for. All the sauces were thin, not thick, which I prefer.
The East Carolina and Georgia Fire (not as hot as you would expect) were my favorites.
Overall, I would give this place 4 out of 5 stars. My kids said it was good, but they prefer the meats I smoke (not sure why they were being so nice to me, haha). I would definitely eat here again, if only for the sauces and pie.
Service was fast and super friendly. They had all the usual suspects, so I went with a platter: brisket and pulled pork, baked beans, red skin potato salad, Texas toast, and Southern-style green beans.
Loved:
Potato salad - fresh, light, and tasty, though a departure from potato salad I had in other places in the region
Baked beans - chunks of pork, deep flavor, lots of smokey sweetness
Green beans - traditional Southern-style, as I like it
The sauces (see below)
Pecan pie - if it wasn't homemade, they did a good job fooling me
Liked:
Pork - it was good, lots of smoky flavor, but a little dry
Brisket - a little on the dry side (my son's was moist)
Meh:
Mac and cheese - nothing to write home about
Texas toast - nothing special
Bourbon chocolate pecan pie - chocolate sauce over pecan pie...where was the bourbon? (I make bourbon pecan tart every year, this wasn't even close)
The sauces deserve their own mention, because they turned the meat from good to great. They were all good. I had wanted to try an authentic East Carolina sauce and theirs was to die for. All the sauces were thin, not thick, which I prefer.
The East Carolina and Georgia Fire (not as hot as you would expect) were my favorites.
Overall, I would give this place 4 out of 5 stars. My kids said it was good, but they prefer the meats I smoke (not sure why they were being so nice to me, haha). I would definitely eat here again, if only for the sauces and pie.
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