Phil's Dream Pit

07/04/2026

The restaurant is closed today but you can catch us on one of the food trucks at the Bristol Fireworks at Anderson Park in Bristol or Faith Fellowship Church in Johnson City on Pactolas Road. God Bless the USA!

07/04/2026

We did a major A/C upgrade for the kitchen last year to keep it cooler back there. We have literally thrown everything we can at it and it’s definitely helped. This is running a mini-split and a full unit dedicated to the kitchen full blast all day. Started at 67 degrees this morning, we run it all the way down at night because we know it’s going to climb when we come in and turn everything on. Much love and respect to our crew who braved the heat back there today to try to keep up with the crazy business you guys laid on us. Thank you so much for your business and thank you to our team who keeps the food rolling. Just so you know, the thermostat is at the front of the kitchen, away from all the heat that is in the back, so this reading is probably 10 degrees lower than the actual kitchen temperature. Thank you so much for a great day. Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!

07/01/2026

Closed July 4.
Happy 250th America!!

06/21/2026

Ok friends in the restaurant business I’m going to be on site in Elizabethton on Monday selling off some things we won’t use that I purchased from Big Dan’s widow at the old Big Dan’s BBQ location at 633 East Elk Avenue in Elizabethton. The table and chairs are not pictured but they are going to go too. Lots of stuff for sale, some of it is brand new. I’m being aggressive on pricing because my contractors would like it out of the way! Make a fair offer and you can probably take it to your home or restaurant! On site 10:00-3:00 on Monday 6/22. Hope to see you there!

06/16/2026

Hey everyone it’s that time of year again where we ask you to vote! We have won best BBQ and best Ribs in Kingsport for many years. We placed second in best food truck last year and were nominated for best catering as well. We have been nominated for the same categories this year and would really appreciate your votes. Like in previous years you can vote every day!
https://timesnews.net/live-content/ktnbest/ #/gallery?group=545876

06/15/2026

Don’t forget to vote Every day!

Hey everyone it’s that time of year again where we ask you to vote! We have won best BBQ and best Ribs in Kingsport for many years. We placed second in best food truck last year and were nominated for best catering as well. We have been nominated for the same categories this year and would really appreciate your votes. Like in previous years you can vote every day! https://timesnews.net/live-content/ktnbest/ #/gallery?group=545876

06/14/2026

We’ve been nominated for:

Best BBQ
Best Ribs
Best Catering
Best Food Truck

We’d appreciate your votes, you can vote every day!

06/13/2026

UPDATE- THANK YOU FOR THE HELP it will be with the family soon…….Ok guys!!!! We are working on cleaning out Big Dan’s in preparation to open later this summer in Elizabethton and I stumbled across this. This is a photo of UT quarterback and Elizabethton native Johnny Mills. It appears to have been mailed to him from UT.

From Grok:

Elizabethton High School standout (quarterback, graduated 1962).
• Played wide receiver/tight end for the Vols (1964–1966), lettering three years.
• Led the team in receiving in 1966 with 48 catches for 725 yards and 4 TDs (set school records at the time, including a 225-yard single-game mark that stood for decades).
• All-SEC honors (AP) in 1966.
• Played in bowls like the Bluebonnet and Gator.

This is a super cool piece of history and I would love to
get it into the hands of his family. Can you help me out here? Feel free to tag or share anyone who might be able to help! I wonder how Dan got this? I have so many questions!! - Brian

06/12/2026

We would appreciate your votes. You can vote every day.

Hey everyone it’s that time of year again where we ask you to vote! We have won best BBQ and best Ribs in Kingsport for many years. We placed second in best food truck last year and were nominated for best catering as well. We have been nominated for the same categories this year and would really appreciate your votes. Like in previous years you can vote every day! https://timesnews.net/live-content/ktnbest/ #/gallery?group=545876

06/11/2026

Hey everyone it’s that time of year again where we ask you to vote! We have won best BBQ and best Ribs in Kingsport for many years. We placed second in best food truck last year and were nominated for best catering as well. We have been nominated for the same categories this year and would really appreciate your votes. Like in previous years you can vote every day! https://timesnews.net/live-content/ktnbest/ #/gallery?group=545876