The Ultimate Memphis BBQ Roundup
Memphis is known for many things: home of the blues, Elvis, the Pyramid. But for many, there’s nothing like Memphis BBQ. And when visitors visit, probably one of the most asked questions is, “Where’s the best place to get BBQ?” Heck, every May we have a whole week dedicated to it (psst: in case you live under a rock, it’s called “World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest”). We even have whole Instagram accounts like this one dedicated to Memphis BBQ and its deliciousness.
If you live in Memphis, and someone says to you, “let’s eat BBQ,” you know exactly what they’re referring to (again, if you don’t know this, it’s typically pulled pork sandwiches, NOT RIBS). But this questions also varies from city to city. People in Texas say, “Let’s eat BBQ,” they mean brisket, while those in Kansas City think something else. Tangy, sour, or sweet, there’s so much controversy in the sauce too. But let’s all agree right now, “Memphis” style sauce is the BEST.
In alphabetical order, here’s a roundup of BBQ places all over the city:
A & R Bar-B-Que
3721 Hickory Hill Road
Memphis, TN 38115
901-365-9777
1802 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis, TN 38106
901-774-7444
Arnold’s BBQ & Grill
317 Madison Ave #2
Memphis, TN 38103
901-730-0290
Bain Barbecue
* disclaimer — this is “TEXAS Style BBQ” but holy cow, this place is yummy AND locally owned, so we’ll accept it. And they offer Memphis style sauce from a large dispenser.
993 Cooper St
Memphis, TN 38104
901-310-4141
BallHoggerz BBQ
1404 Airways Blvd
Memphis, TN 38114
901-279-1758
The Bar-B-Q Shop
* Try the BBQ spaghetti, which proves Memphians will truly eat barbeque on anything. This is co-owner Crady’s favorite spot!
1782 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-1277
Blues City Cafe
*Memphians will say this is the best BBQ on Beale and we couldn’t agree more. The BBQ plate is where it’s at!
138 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901-526-3637
Big Bill’s Bar-B-Que
2857 Kirby Rd Suite 119
Memphis, TN 38119
901-529-7798
The Real Brad’s BBQ
2845 Bartlett Road
Bartlett, TN 38134
901-373-6326
Central BBQ
* We’d argue Central BBQ is equally known for their BBQ nachos and their Summer Ave location’s kids eat free deal! (seriously check it out and take a night off from cooking!)
2249 Central Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-9377
147 E Butler Ave
Memphis, TN 38103
901-672-7760
4375 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
901-767-4672
6201 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
901-417-7962
6547 Getwell Rd
Southaven, MS 38672
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
* A Memphis institution, Corky’s is best known amongst the Memphis mamas because THEY HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH. All the praise hands.
1740 N Germantown Pkwy
Cordova, TN 38018
901-737-1988
5259 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
901-685-9744
743 W Poplar
Collierville, TN 38017
901-405-4999
6434 Goodman Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
662-893-3663
Cozy Corner
* try the fried bologna sandwiches here. If you’re not from the south this might sound weird, but trust us, just get it!
735 N Parkway
Memphis, TN 38105
901-527-9158
Elwood’s Shack
4523 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
901-761-9898
Fat Larry’s BBQ
7537 US Highway 70
Bartlett, TN 38133
901-386-1900
Germantown Commissary BBQ
2290 South Germantown Rd
Germantown, TN 38138
901-754-5540
3573 Houston Levee Road
Collierville, TN 38017
901-979-5540
Hog Wild BBQ
1291 Tully Street
Memphis, TN 38107
901-522-9463
Leonard’s Pit Barbecue
* Leonard’s is a little known gem despite being around since 1922. They sell their own line of dry rub, wet sauce, and hot sauce to continue the BBQ eating at home.
1100 N Germantown Pkwy
Cordova, TN 38016
901-360-1963
Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant
* Marlowe’s has been named by Trip Advisor as Memphis’ 14th TOP RESTAURANT in the entire city in 2022. Incredible! As they say on their website : It’s BBQ, Mane.
4381 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis, TN 38116
901-332-4159
Memphis BBQ Company
* Their name says Memphis, but this restaurant is actually across the border in Mississippi. We’ll let it slide because they seriously have some of the best ribs in the Mid-South.
709 Desoto Cove
Horn Lake, MS 38637
662-536-3763
Neely’s Interstate BBQ
* Featured on The Food Network, Interstate BBQ has so much more than just the meat. Be sure to try the BBQ baked potato or their Smoked Mac N Cheese. Oh My.
7209 Winchester Road
Memphis, TN 38125
901-624-6415
One & Only BBQ
* One & Only also has a food truck, so if you’re ever out and about (say at Overton Park Shell), definitely get some! This is co owner Lori’s favorite BBQ in Memphis.
1719 Kirby Parkway Suite 1A
Memphis, TN 38138
901-751-3615
153 Timber Creek Dr
Memphis, TN 38018
901-275-8450
6575 Airways Blvd
Southaven, MS 38671
662-349-9981
Paynes BBQ
* Featured on The Food Network, Paynes BBQ is known for their secret sauce slathered on some slow roasted pork shoulder. Can we say YUM?
1762 Lamar Ave
Memphis, TN 38114
901-272-1523
The Pig on Beale
167 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901-529-1544
Charlie Vergos Rendezvous
* The Rendezvous is arguably the most “famous” of Memphis BBQ restaurants, founded in 1948 and currently run by 3rd generation Vergos family members.
52 S 2nd St
Memphis, TN 38103
901-523-2746
Smoke City BBQ
1023 Jackson Ave
Memphis, TN 38107
901-423-3115
Three Little Pigs Bar B Q
5145 Quince Road
Memphis, TN 38117
901-685-7094
Tom’s Barbecue
4087 New Getwell Road
Memphis, TN 38118
901-365-6690
Top’s Bar-B-Q
*With FIFTEEN locations in Memphis and around the MidSouth, you’re never far from a Tops Bar-B-Q.
6745 Stage Road
Bartlett, TN 38134
901-590-4068
1286 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
901-725-7527
3353 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN38112
901-452-5616
6130 Macon Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
901-371-0580
5144 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38117
901-682-7146
3203 Thomas St
Memphis, TN 38127
901-353-0337
4185 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
901-324-4325
5391 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38115
901-794-7936
2748 Lamar Ave
Memphis, TN 38114
901-743-3480
2288 Frayser Blvd
Memphis, TN38127
901-353-4925
8490 Wilkinsville Rd
Millington, TN 38053
901-872-8280
1383 Jackson Ave
Memphis, TN 38107
901-274-8600
313 Stateline Rd W
Southaven, MS 38671
662-393-7488
4824 Bethel Rd
Olive Branch, MS 38654
662-895-9808
3320 Interstate 55
Marion, AR 72364
870-439-4085
