Carey Bringle
Born into BBQ. Forged in fire. Even on one leg, he moves mountains.
Born Into BBQ.
Built On Grit.
When it comes to BBQ, few names carry the weight of Carey Bringle — award-winning pitmaster, entrepreneur, and Nashville native, raised on West Tennessee–style smoke and the traditions that define great barbecue.
The Bringle family has called Tennessee home since 1827. His grandfather, Dr. Carey Bringle Sr., was known for cooking whole hogs and treating patients who included legendary local barbecue families. From places like Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q and Leonard’s Pit Barbecue, Carey developed a deep appreciation for smoke, spice, and tradition.
At just 17, life took a turn — diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. After months of chemotherapy, he lost his right leg. Instead of letting tragedy define him, he found a new perspective rooted in resilience, joy, and a commitment to live each day to its fullest. That mindset became the spirit behind Peg Leg Porker.
Mentored by his uncle Bruce Bringle, a competitor in the first Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Carey has now competed for over 27 years — three 2nd-place titles and a 3rd in the prestigious “Whole Hog” category among them.
In 2013 he opened his flagship restaurant, Peg Leg Porker, in Nashville’s Gulch. It quickly became a must-visit and the launchpad for a growing family of brands — Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, Pig Star, Peg Leg Porker Spirits, the Culinary Loft, and a full line of sauces, rubs, and custom smokers.
One Pitmaster.
A Family of Brands.
Peg Leg Porker
The legacy restaurant in Nashville’s Gulch — true West Tennessee dry ribs, a pork & chicken menu (no beef in sight), and the anchor of every brand that followed. “We’re building a legacy, not a chain.”
Bourbon · Tasting RoomPeg Leg Porker Spirits
The world’s only bourbon brand created by a pitmaster. Hickory-charcoal filtered straight Tennessee whiskey. Crowned World’s Best Bourbon at the 2023 Tasting Alliance World Championship.
Restaurant · PatioBringle’s Smoking Oasis
The smoke of the Southwest meets Nashville. Smoked brisket, pastrami, beef ribs, Mexican street corn, and Texas-style baked beans on a sprawling open-air patio. Nashville’s “Best of” winner.
Airport · BNAPig Star
Authentic Memphis-style BBQ at Nashville International — pulled pork nachos, smoked turkey, and PLP’s full bourbon line, gate-side.
Deli · BakeryFatbelly Pretzel & Deli
East Nashville pretzel-and-pastrami magic — built with chef Levon Wallace.
Food ProductsReal Tennessee BBQ
Ready-to-heat ribs, pulled pork, Boston butt, and a full line of sauces, rubs, and seasonings shipped nationwide.
PartnershipPeg Leg Porker × McCormick
A nationwide line of sauces & seasonings — Original BBQ, Original Hot, White, Classic Chicken, Brisket — now stocked in over 2,000 stores: HEB, Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Acme & more.
ApparelPLP Clothing
Hats, tees, hoodies — even dog accessories. Rep your Nashville BBQ stop coast to coast.
AuthorBBQ For Dummies
The authoritative guide. Over 100 of Carey’s cherished recipes plus the temperatures, techniques, and pit-side wisdom that turn backyard cooks into pitmasters. Wiley Brothers, available everywhere.
What They’re
Saying.
“I left 2,000 calories later, believing in a higher power. The source of the divine inspiration was Peg Leg Porker’s barbecue sauce, in which founder Carey Bringle has discovered the perfect ratio of tangy to sweet.
GQLauren Larson
“The World’s Best Bourbon — according to the 2023 Tasting Alliance World Championship.
ForbesBrad Japhe
“The best Memphis-style dry rub ribs in the country are in Nashville — at Carey Bringle’s masterworks at Music City’s Peg Leg Porker.
Eater NationalDaniel Vaughn · Texas Monthly BBQ Editor
“In the rib category, Peg Leg Porker’s dry-rubbed ribs — I hate to say it, are probably the hammiest, yummiest, most delicious. I love Carey Bringle’s ribs.
Tasting TableAndrew Zimmern
“Bringle, of pitmaster Carey Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker BBQ — knows smoke.
Wall Street JournalMatthew Kronsberg
“This is the happiest guy you’re ever going to meet — the owner of Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker, who despite losing a leg to bone cancer cooks up some of the best barbecue in the country.
Food NetworkMichael Symon · Burgers, Brew & ‘Que
“Proud to announce a truly flavor-inspired partnership with Carey Bringle — owner of a top BBQ destination and uniquely also one of the best bourbons in the world.
McCormick & CompanyAndrew Foust · President, Americas
BBQ means Memphis.
Bourbon means Kentucky.
Until Carey changed the game.
In 2024, Southern Living named Peg Leg Porker the Best BBQ in Tennessee for the 7th time — dethroning some of Memphis’s most storied institutions.
Then came bourbon. In 2023, Peg Leg Porker Spirits stunned the industry by winning World’s Best Bourbon — beating out legacy Kentucky brands and shaking up the spirits world.
“With one leg and zero interest in playing by the rules, Carey isn’t just a pitmaster — he’s a force.”
The Hall
of Honors.
World’s Best Bourbon
Tasting Alliance World Championship — first pitmaster to ever win.
Best BBQ in Tennessee
Southern Living’s “South’s Best BBQ in Every State” — seven-time winner.
USA Today & Men’s Journal
Top 20 Entrepreneurs Building an Empire & Redefining Success.
NBBQA Top Honors
1st place finishes across BBQ Snack, BBQ Apparel, BBQ Drink Mixer, BBQ Focused Article & more.
Best BBQ in America
Thrillist — & “The 15 Most Essential Nashville Food Experiences.”
Whole Hog Champion
3rd Place Whole Hog at Memphis in May World Championship — twice.
35 Best Ribs in America
The Daily Meal.
“Top Destination in the USA”
TripAdvisor — alongside multiple Travelers’ Choice Wins.
100+ Spirits Awards
SF World, NY World, Singapore World, ASCOT, SIP Awards, Tasting Alliance — Platinums & Double Golds.
From the Pit
to Prime Time.
Food Network
- BBQ Brawl
- BBQ Pitmasters
- BBQ USA
- BBQ Beatdown
- Food Paradise
- Guilty Pleasures
- Iron Chef Eats
- Chopped: Grill Masters
Travel Channel
- BBQ Crawl
- Bizarre Foods
- Booze Traveler
Discovery+
- Moonshiners: Smoke Ring
- Big Bad BBQ Brawl
Netflix
- Ugly Delicious
A&E · TLC · BBC
- Legends of the Fork
- Best in Chow
- Hungry Brothers (TLC)
- The Fabulous Baker Brothers (BBC)
PBS · Cooking · HGTV
- A Clean Slate
- Tennessee Crossroads
- Bite This with Nadia G
- Simple Southern
- Curb Appeal Extreme
Documentaries
- The United States of BBQ
- Pimento Cheese, Please!