A Nashville Tradition since 1976. Best Bar-B-Que in Nasville, TN. Description A man of taste and multi-talents, Jack Cawthon first began in the food service business as Cawthon's Caterer, Inc. in 1976. While catering to Nashville's social functions over the years, Cawthon found there was a void in "good Nashville barbecue," and so began his homework. Jack's Bar-B-Que was the first casual restaurant on Broadway to open after many years of decline on lower Broadway. Some people say that Jack's Bar-B-Que started the first revitalization of lower Broadway. This free standing building poured out a steady stream of hickory-flavored smoke, drawing people from all over the world on their visit to Nashville. Jack's Bar-B-Que was written up in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Southern Living, and USA Today as “The Best Bar-B-Que in Nashville, Tennessee”. As demand increased for Jack's Bar-B-Que he added a second location on West Trinity Lane and a third on Charlotte Avenue.