Unearth The Voyage
Memphis didn’t invent barbecue, but it sure perfected it. For more than a century, pitmasters here have been slow-smoking pork over hickory and charcoal, layering on tangy sauces or bold dry rubs, and turning simple sandwiches into legends. Whether you crave fall-off-the-bone ribs, a chopped-pork sandwich piled high with mustard slaw, or even barbecue spaghetti (yes, really), this city delivers flavor you won’t forget.
1. Central BBQ (Midtown, Downtown & more)
When locals argue about the best ribs in town, Central BBQ always lands near the top. This award-winning chain started small but now runs multiple locations across Memphis, each one packed with fans of slow-smoked pork, tender ribs, and those wildly popular BBQ nachos.
The secret? Patience. Meat here spends hours over hickory wood until it picks up that smoky sweetness. Order the pulled-pork sandwich if you want classic Memphis flavor, or grab a rack of ribs glazed with their tangy house sauce.
Don’t skip the nachos—they’re piled with smoked meat, cheese, jalapeños, and a drizzle of sauce that ties everything together in one messy, delicious bite.
2. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous (Downtown)
Hidden down a narrow alley since 1948, Rendezvous doesn’t look like much from the outside—but step inside and you’ll find Memphis barbecue royalty. This is the home of the city’s most famous dry-rub ribs, seasoned with a Greek-inspired spice blend that sets them apart from saucy competitors.
Owner Charlie Vergos cooked his ribs hot and fast over charcoal instead of the traditional low-and-slow method, creating a crust that’s peppery, tangy, and impossible to replicate. Tourists and presidents alike have made the pilgrimage here.
Grab a slab, some beans, and a cold drink. The basement dining room hums with energy, and every bite reminds you why this place became a legend.
3. Payne’s Bar-B-Que (Lamar Ave)
Payne’s doesn’t bother with fancy decor or long menus. This tiny spot on Lamar Avenue does one thing brilliantly: chopped pork sandwiches topped with tangy mustard slaw. Barbecue purists consider a visit here a pilgrimage, not just a meal.
The pork gets hand-chopped (never pulled), so every bite has texture and smoky char. That yellow slaw adds a sharp, creamy kick that balances the meat perfectly. Locals also rave about the BBQ bologna—thick slices smoked until the edges crisp up.
Expect a line, especially at lunch. The wait is worth it. Grab your sandwich, find a spot at the picnic tables, and taste why this humble shack has earned national attention.
4. Cozy Corner BBQ (North Parkway)
Most Memphis joints smoke pork and ribs, but Cozy Corner BBQ took a different path. This family-run spot became famous for its smoked Cornish hens—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and seasoned to perfection. Pitmaster Desiree Robinson earned a spot in the Barbecue Hall of Fame for her skills.
Rib tips here are another standout, meaty and fall-apart tender, with a sauce that’s sweet but not cloying. The atmosphere feels like eating at a neighbor’s backyard cookout, warm and welcoming.
Portions are generous, so bring your appetite. Cozy Corner proves that Memphis barbecue isn’t just about tradition—it’s also about family, creativity, and doing things your own way.
5. The Bar-B-Q Shop (Madison Ave)
Barbecue spaghetti sounds strange until you taste it at The Bar-B-Q Shop. This Memphis original layers spaghetti noodles with tangy barbecue sauce, pulled pork, and a sprinkle of cheese—comfort food meets smokehouse in the best way possible.
The ribs here earned the number-one spot on Food Network’s Top Five Restaurants list, and one bite explains why. They’re meaty, smoky, and glazed with a sauce that balances sweet and heat. Regulars swear by the dry rub version, too.
The dining room feels casual and friendly, perfect for families or solo travelers chasing great barbecue. Order both the spaghetti and ribs if you can’t decide—your taste buds will thank you.
6. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ (Poplar Ave & area)
Corky’s started as a single Memphis restaurant and grew into a brand that ships ribs to barbecue lovers nationwide. But locals know the Poplar Avenue location is where the magic happens—fresh off the smoker, not out of a box.
The ribs are tender and saucy, with a flavor that’s rich but not overpowering. Pulled-pork shoulder sandwiches come piled high, and the old-school sides (coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad) taste like they came straight from a family picnic.
Corky’s strikes a balance between hometown favorite and tourist destination. The vibe is relaxed, the service is quick, and the food reminds you why Memphis barbecue became famous in the first place.
7. Tops Bar-B-Q (multiple locations)
Since 1952, Tops Bar-B-Q has been a Memphis staple with more than 17 locations scattered across the city. This is fast-casual barbecue done right—quick service, consistent quality, and a menu that goes beyond the usual suspects to include burgers and updated sides.
The brick-pit shoulder sandwiches are the star, with meat that’s smoky and tender, topped with a vinegar-forward sauce that cuts through the richness. Ribs are solid, too, and the portions won’t leave you hungry.
Tops feels like the barbecue joint your grandparents took you to as a kid—unpretentious, reliable, and always satisfying. Whether you hit the drive-through or dine in, you’re getting a taste of Memphis history.
8. Germantown Commissary (Germantown & Collierville)
Out in the suburbs, Germantown Commissary has been feeding families for decades. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming, with picnic tables and a menu that hits all the Memphis classics—ribs, smoked shoulder, and those famous BBQ nachos that inspired ballpark versions citywide.
Ribs here are fall-off-the-bone tender, with a sauce that’s tangy and slightly sweet. The pulled pork is smoky and juicy, perfect piled on a bun or eaten straight off the plate. Don’t leave without trying the banana pudding—it’s creamy, cool, and the ideal finish to a smoky meal.
Germantown Commissary proves great barbecue doesn’t have to be downtown. Sometimes the best bites are hiding in the ‘burbs.
9. Interstate Barbecue / Neely’s Interstate BBQ (I-55 & Winchester)
Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue helped put Memphis barbecue spaghetti on the map, and the tradition continues at this landmark spot near I-55 and Winchester. The spaghetti here is tangy, smoky, and topped with tender pulled pork—a dish you won’t find anywhere outside Memphis.
Shoulder sandwiches are another highlight, piled high with hand-pulled pork and a sauce that’s bold without being too sweet. The smoked sausage links add a savory, spicy kick to any plate.
Interstate feels like a neighborhood gathering place, where regulars know the menu by heart and newcomers are welcomed like old friends. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you barbecue is about more than just food—it’s about community.
10. A&R Bar-B-Q (Elvis Presley Blvd & Hickory Hill)
Since 1983, A&R Bar-B-Q has been serving textbook Memphis barbecue—chopped pork sandwiches topped with tangy slaw, meaty rib tips, and even rib sandwiches on soft white bread. Southern Living recently named them to its Top 50 barbecue list, and locals weren’t surprised.
The pork here is smoky and tender, with a sauce that’s vinegar-forward and not too thick. Rib tips are juicy and packed with flavor, perfect for folks who want all the taste without wrestling a full rack. The rib sandwich is a Memphis quirk—messy, delicious, and totally worth the napkins.
A&R keeps things simple and does it well. No frills, just great barbecue that’s been perfected over decades.
11. One & Only BBQ (East Memphis)
One & Only BBQ runs two convenient East Memphis locations, both open seven days a week—perfect when you need a barbecue fix and don’t want to hunt down a hidden joint. The baby back ribs here are meaty and tender, with a glaze that’s sweet but balanced.
Sandwiches are generous, piled high with pulled pork or smoked chicken, and the sides (mac and cheese, baked beans, slaw) hit all the right notes. Service is fast and friendly, making this a solid choice for lunch or a quick dinner.
One & Only might not have the decades-long history of some Memphis spots, but it delivers consistent, satisfying barbecue every single time. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
12. Leonard’s Pit Barbecue (since 1922)
Leonard’s Pit Barbecue has been smoking meat since 1922, making it one of the oldest barbecue houses in Memphis. The restaurant is known for its buffet and catering services, where you can pile your plate high with pit-cooked pork, ribs, and all the classic sides.
The pork here is tender and smoky, cooked low and slow over hickory wood the old-fashioned way. Ribs are meaty and saucy, and the buffet setup lets you sample a little bit of everything without committing to a single plate.
Leonard’s feels like a piece of Memphis history you can taste. The recipes haven’t changed much in a century, and that’s a good thing—sometimes tradition tastes best.
13. Bain Barbecue (Cooper-Young)
Bain Barbecue is the new kid on the block, and it’s shaking things up by bringing Texas-style barbecue to Memphis. That means brisket—thick, smoky slices with a peppery bark—and massive beef ribs that sell out fast. The brick-and-mortar spot on South Cooper has quickly become the talk of the town.
Brisket here is tender and juicy, with a smoke ring that proves the pitmaster knows their craft. Beef ribs are caveman-sized, meaty, and rich with flavor. It’s a bold move to fly the Texas flag in pork-loving Memphis, but Bain is making it work.
If you’re tired of the same old pulled pork, Bain offers something fresh and exciting. Just get there early—once the meat’s gone, it’s gone.
14. Blues City Cafe (Beale Street)
Sure, Blues City Cafe sits right on touristy Beale Street, and yes, it’s packed with visitors. But those late-night BBQ ribs keep locals coming back, too. After a night of live music and neon lights, a rack of ribs hits differently—smoky, saucy, and satisfying.
The ribs here aren’t the fanciest in Memphis, but they’re cooked well and served fast, perfect when you’re hungry at midnight. The atmosphere is loud and lively, with blues music spilling out onto the street and a crowd that’s ready to have a good time.
Blues City Cafe is a Beale Street ritual. You might not make it your first barbecue stop, but when the music’s loud and the ribs are hot, it’s exactly where you want to be.
15. Memphis Barbecue Company (Horn Lake, MS)
Just over the state line in Horn Lake, Mississippi, Memphis Barbecue Company serves up ribs and platters from world-champion pitmaster Melissa Cookston. Her competition pedigree shows in every bite—ribs are perfectly tender, with a glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and smoky all at once.
Pulled pork here is juicy and flavorful, and the sides (mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans) are made from scratch. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with a menu that reflects years of competition experience and a passion for great barbecue.
Memphis Barbecue Company proves you don’t have to stay inside city limits to find world-class ‘cue. It’s worth the short drive to taste what a champion can do.
