Denims Barbecue
By Jason Zasky
Denims Barbecue
Homestyle meals and a family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of Spring Hill
"If you’re tired of corporate cooking, our menu is for you,” begins Todd Haylett, co-owner of Denims Barbecue, at 5028 Spedale Court in Spring Hill. Todd and his wife Shannon have owned and operated a barbecue joint at that address since 2014, inspired by their frequent visits to JJ's Barbecue of Spring Hill.
"I worked at the GM plant for years, and for lunch I would often go to JJ’s Barbecue. Then, when my three daughters were growing up, my wife and I would take them there to get the family pack, which got you a lot of wholesome food,” recalls Haylett. Long story short, the couple liked JJ’s Barbecue so much that they purchased the JJ’s location in Spring Hill and moved it to the storefront where Denims Barbecue is today.
"We originally kept the name JJ's because we didn't want to move to a new location with a new name,” offers Haylett, who eventually re-branded as Denims, the new name inspired by the feelings evoked by denim jeans.
"There is nothing better than eating barbecue in a comfortable pair of jeans. And I like to work hard and play hard—and you do both in jeans,” relates Haylett, explaining why he chose the moniker.
As for the food at Denims, Haylett says he and his staffers “make a lot of our menu items from scratch.” It’s a menu featuring pulled pork, pulled turkey, and brisket, along with sides like baked beans, white beans, potato salad, turnip greens, sweet potato fries, and macaroni & cheese. Naturally, Denims also has a daily special each weekday, with Thursday’s Catfish combo (including choice of side and drink) a representative example.
“Our most popular menu items are our Loaded Giant Potatoes—baked potatoes topped with butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and diced green onions, plus your choice of pulled pork, pulled turkey, or brisket," explains Haylett. He says Denims also serves a select few items that aren’t necessarily associated with a barbecue establishment.
"We have a great Sloppy Joe that we cook ‘low and slow,’ he says. “I recently had a customer—who was well into his seventies—tell me, ‘Your Sloppy Joe makes me feel like I’m 12 years old again.’”
All this helps explain why Denims’ lobby is frequently very crowded, especially on Sundays, when customers who bring a church program get 10% off. Haylett says he and his wife like to promote a family atmosphere, not to mention family values, which is part of the reason why Denims Barbecue is an ideal restaurant for Spring Hill and the surrounding communities.
"Spring Hill is a great place for us because this area is home to a lot of families,” notes Haylett, before directly addressing moms & dads alike: “If you’re running to football practice or cheerleading practice and you’re trying to juggle three kids and don’t have time to cook, we’re here for you,” he says.
In fact, Haylett hopes to begin selling stand-alone half-pans of meat, so parents can purchase, say, a half-pan of pulled pork or pulled turkey. He anticipates moms and dads using it to make meals for a whole week, simply by pairing the meat with different sides.
Yet that’s not the only way Todd and Shannon plan to expand the business in 2026.
"We're looking to open a second location in Murfreesboro," offers Haylett, who says he has also taken the steps needed to allow other entrepreneurs to open franchised locations.
Meanwhile, Haylett can frequently be found in the kitchen at Denims, cooking up batches of the eatery’s popular Brunswick Stew, which is available from October through April. He also encourages first-time visitors to come in and sample a variety of meats and sides.
"I give out a lot of samples," concludes Haylett, "because once people taste our barbecue, they are sold."
CONTACT:
Denims Barbecue & Catering
5028 Spedale Ct., Spring Hill, TN 37174
