15 Best BBQ Restaurants In Memphis

Famous for their hot links, A&R Bar-B-Q is a local favorite. From their pork ribs, pulled pork sammiches and my favorite; their hot links. The meat at A&R BBQ is cooked to perfection and it’s so tender and juicy that the meat falls off the bone.

If you want to experience the flavors of the meat without the sauce masking all of its delicious flavors; order the dry-rub ribs so that you will taste the smokiness of the meat, and you can understand why I have been devouring A&R Barbecue since I was in high school. My old high school is located right next door to A&R Barbecue, and the memories of me sneaking out during lunch and running over to A&R are some of my fondest memories from high school.

Cozy Corner is the ultimate hole in wall BBQ spot and it is located in the hood, but do not let the area deter you from missing your blessing. The brisket will melt in your mouth, and the BBQ Gawds speak to your soul as the flavors dance around in your mouth like a slow love ballad.

I am not just saying Cozy Corner has some of Best Barbecue in Memphis, but based on the long lines I am not the only person who feels that way. The line moves fairly quickly so don’t be discouraged.

Cozy Corner has made a name for itself by perfecting classics like ribs, rib tips, wings, and brisket. Most people stand in the long lines to try their famous smoked Cornish hen. You heard me right! Cozy Corner prepares daily the most succulent Cornish hen! Its meat succulent and tender, the skin is crispy and paired with a glazed tangy sauce; it’s a match made in heaven.

Charlie Vergos is one Memphis’ most iconic BBQ Spots and they have been serving barbecue since 1948. I will admit I am not a fan of Charlie Vergos BBQ, but I am in the minority on my view of Rendevous BBQ.

Rendezvous is legendary in Memphis, and where at any given time you might see celebrities with barbecue sauce running down their chin and enjoying the goodness of Rendezvous. Rendezvous has also been featured on both the Travel Channel and Food Network because of their famous dry-rub ribs.

Located directly across from the world renown Peabody Hotel; you can follow your nose down the alleyway to the big red-and-green striped awnings.

Payne’s BBQ is my mom’s favorite barbecue spot and the restaurant is located in a former auto mechanic station. Payne’s may not be luxury dining and doesn’t offer up much in the way of atmosphere, but it’s a foodies dream come true.

Payne’s Original Bar-B-Q dishes is one of Memphis’ best-chopped pork sandwiches and has been serving Barbecue to local residents since 1972. The menu is not elaborate like some of the other BBQ places I have mentioned, but if you love pulled pork then you are in the right place.

Fall-off-the-Bone Meat
You might have heard us say, “Smoke is Our Sauce.” That’s because we live in the hardwood capital of the world and use hickory and pecan woods, along with our intricate dry rub and a whole lot of patience, to craft the most tender, delicious piece of meat you’ve ever eaten— with or without the sauce.

WORLD FAMOUS,
MEMPHIS STYLE BBQ: For more than 25 years, The Commissary has been a staple of culture and cuisine in Germantown, Tennessee. Memphis-style BBQ is one-of-a-kind, and we’ve crafted main courses and desserts so delicious, it will make you want to slap your mama. Our food is homemade and our Memphis BBQ slow cooked, just the way it should be. We strive to serve food fast, not fast food!

Corky’s BBQ is Memphis BBQ. We helped put this city on the map as a culinary capital and BBQ haven. Locals don’t lie, and we’ve been voted the #1 BBQ joint in Memphis 22 times since Don Pelts fired up Corky’s first hickory and charcoal BBQ pit (more than 30 years ago) with one goal in mind: serve the absolute best BBQ possible.

Leonard’s Pit Barbeque has been serving up BBQ in Memphis since1922. The Deep South Salad at Leonard’s has to be the most popular item on the menu and is said to be the original barbecue salad. Leonard’s barbecue dinner is a classic as well and comes with the pork shoulder sandwich piled high, beans, slaw, and wedge fries. I also love, love, love their fried catfish!

While they are known for their Memphis-style hotdogs where are topped with a quarter pound of pulled pork, mild barbecue sauce, coleslaw, barbecue baked beans, hot giardiniera, and French fries; I am in love with their fall off the bone ribs.

Don’t forget to try their delicious Brunswick Stew during the winter months and warm up with a steaming bowl of smoked pulled pork, shredded chicken, and fresh vegetables in a richly seasoned, barbecue chicken stock.

In the early 90’s, Blues City Cafe developed a menu and consistent items that would work for the Memphis and Beale Street locals, tourists, etc. Ribs became the focal point, as they are today, and other items were added over the years, such as our steaks, catfish and tamales. In October of 1993, investors bought Doe’s and changed the name to Blues City Cafe. Many of the same faces that were with Doe’s in the early 90’s remain at Blues City Cafe today. Ty Agee and Bud Chitton for example, their consistency and constant drive to better our food quality and speed of service have made Blues City Cafe what it is today, The #1 business at the #1 tourist attraction in Tennessee.

The Bar-B-Q Shop, voted #1 ribs in America by the Food Network’s “Top Five Restaurants”, located @ 1782 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, in the heart of Midtown, less than a mile from the Overton Square Entertainment District, is a local Memphis barbecue eatery that opened in November of 1987. It is a place known for real-pit barbecue with old fashioned barbecue sauces and cole slaw that are made from scratch.

Interstate was rated as the second-best barbecue in the nation by People magazine in 1989. Vogue magazine pronounced it the best commercial barbecue in Memphis. After a two-month search of numerous restaurants in Memphis, The Commercial Appeal named Interstate Bar-B-Que as the home of the best all-around pork barbecue sandwich in the city in 1989.

They have all the regular barbeque things—the aforementioned tips, ribs, sandwiches, meat by the pound—as well as catfish, hamburgers, and daily specials. Not to mention, country style breakfast on Saturdays until 2 p.m.

Coletta’s debuted pizza with a Southern flair by topping it with BBQ, a classic Memphis staple, to encourage hesitant customers to give this dish a try. It quickly became a best-seller and one of Elvis Presley’s favorite foods. To this day, the BBQ pizza is one of our signature items.

TOPS Bar-B-Q is proudly celebrating its 67th anniversary. All because of you, our loyal customers, who recognize the quality taste of slow-cooked, real pit bar-b-q. Now serving our third generation of Mid-Southerners, we still cook our pork shoulders just the way we did 60 years ago – with hardwood, charcoal, and green hickory wood.

Whether it is the perfect pork sandwich, scrumptious ribs, or the best burger or brisket, TOPS has you covered. And of course, no meal from TOPS would be complete without the sides, whether you have a taste for beans, slaw, potato salad, fries or chips.