Known to many as the “best in the South,” Prater’s Bar-B-Que can feed thousands at a company picnic or provide a mouth-watering half-rack of ribs for your work-day lunch. That’s not to mention the ribeye steaks, specialty sandwiches, burgers, catfish and hand-battered fried chicken. Customers keep coming back because the food is delicious and affordable … and there’s just something special about that homemade BBQ sauce.

“We make everything from scratch,” says owner and founder Gary Prater, who has a long background in not only barbecue but in the culinary arts in general.

With over a decade in the restaurant and catering business under his belt, Gary opened his original Morrison, TN restaurant in 1995. The Manchester, TN location opened in August of 2013 and the catering business is still going strong, too.

Since its inception, his business has built a sterling reputation and large customer and client list.
From small gatherings to party receptions to large corporate gatherings, Prater’s can serve up a menu of delicious Southern delights that can please just about any palate. Gary and the Prater’s gang travel across the Midsouth for catering jobs, festivals and BBQ competitions and with eight active cookers, Prater’s can serve thousands.

Most notably, Prater’s has been recognized as the longest active food vendor at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester. Gary began serving BBQ to the masses at the first Bonnaroo and has continued to set up a booth each year. Prater’s was voted #1 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s top things to do at the festival.

Gary credits his many successful years in the business to providing high quality food to his customers.
“There are no short cuts taken,” says Gary, “It takes time to establish a clientele but once you do, they become great repeat customers.”