Memphis, TN, is like a barbecue lover’s dream come true! I’ve tasted so many amazing BBQ dishes here, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. This city is famous for its smoky flavors and tender meats, and I’m here to help you find the best spots to enjoy them. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!
So, what’s the best BBQ in Memphis, TN? Well, the best BBQ in Memphis includes places like Central BBQ, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, and Corky’s Ribs & BBQ. Each of these spots has its own special flavors and styles that really show off what Memphis BBQ is all about. You’ll find everything from juicy, slow-smoked meats to tangy, delicious sauces that will make your taste buds dance!
Get ready to dive into the world of Memphis BBQ with me! I’ll take you through some of the top places to eat, what makes each one special, and why you absolutely need to check them out. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this delicious adventure!
Top 10 BBQ in Memphis, TN
- Central BBQ – Downtown
- Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
- Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
- The Bar-B-Q Shop
- Elwood’s Shack
- Tom’s Barbecue Memphis
- Cozy Corner Restaurant
- ARNOLD’S BBQ & GRILL
- Central BBQ – Midtown
- Central BBQ – Summer
1. Central BBQ – Downtown
Phone: (901) 672-7760
Menu: eatcbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Central BBQ – Downtown is one of my favorite places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meat hit me right away. It’s super cozy and friendly, which makes it a great spot to hang out with friends or family. I just love the vibe here!
What makes Central BBQ really special is their fun menu. You have to try the BBQ nachos—they’re so tasty and perfect for sharing! And don’t forget about the pulled pork sandwich; it’s so juicy and full of flavor. You can really tell they know how to smoke their meats just right!
Whether you want to eat inside or grab some food to go, Central BBQ – Downtown is a place you don’t want to miss. Trust me, it’s a BBQ adventure you’ll love!
2. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
Phone: (901) 523-2746
Menu: www.hogsfly.com
Directions: Open on Map
Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is one of the coolest BBQ spots in Memphis! When I first went there, I was so excited to walk down into the basement. The smell of smoky ribs was just amazing! The place feels cozy and special, like you’re in a hidden treasure of BBQ goodness.
What really makes Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous stand out is their super tasty charcoal-cooked ribs. They are so tender and juicy, and I could eat them every day! I also tried the sausage, and wow, it had just the right kick to it. You can really taste how much care goes into the cooking.
If you visit, you have to get the ribs for sure! And maybe add some sausage on the side. Trust me, this place is a must-try for anyone who loves BBQ!
3. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Phone: (901) 685-9744
Menu: www.corkysbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat in Memphis! When I walked in, I felt so cozy with the vintage decorations all around. The yummy smell of hickory-smoked ribs made my mouth water right away! It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a meal with family or friends, and I just love the friendly vibe.
What really makes Corky’s special is their hickory-smoked ribs. They are super tender and full of flavor! I also tried their mac and cheese, and oh my goodness, it was so creamy and delicious! You can really tell they care about making great food.
If you visit, you have to get the ribs for sure! And don’t forget to try the mac and cheese on the side. You’ll leave feeling happy and full, I promise!
4. The Bar-B-Q Shop
Phone: (901) 272-1277
Menu: thebar-b-qshop.com
Directions: Open on Map
The Bar-B-Q Shop is one of my favorite BBQ places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoky meats and tasty sauces made my mouth water right away. The place feels so lively and friendly, and it’s a great spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family. I just love how welcoming everyone is!
What really makes The Bar-B-Q Shop special is their awesome sauces and dry seasonings. I tried the ribs, and oh wow, they were so flavorful! The dry rub was just perfect, and I couldn’t stop eating them. I also had the pork sandwich, and it was super juicy and piled high with meat!
If you visit, you have to get the ribs for sure! And don’t forget to try the spaghetti on the side. It’s a fun twist that you won’t want to miss! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, I promise!
5. Elwood’s Shack
Phone: (901) 761-9898
Menu: elwoodsshack.com
Directions: Open on Map
Elwood’s Shack is one of my favorite BBQ places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meats and comfort food made me so excited. The vibe is super casual, which is perfect for just hanging out with friends or family. I really love how relaxed and friendly it feels!
What makes Elwood’s Shack special is the yummy variety of food they offer. I tried the smoked brisket, and oh my goodness, it was so juicy and full of flavor! I also had a burger, and it was cooked just right. You can really tell they know how to make delicious food without all the fuss.
If you visit, you have to get the smoked brisket for sure! And maybe try a taco too! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more!
6. Tom’s Barbecue Memphis
Phone: (901) 365-6690
Menu: tomsbarbeque.com
Directions: Open on Map
Tom’s Barbecue Memphis is one of my favorite places to grab BBQ! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meats and delicious sides made me so happy. The place feels cozy and welcoming, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with family or friends. I just love how friendly everyone is!
What really makes Tom’s Barbecue special is their super tasty barbecued meats. I tried the pulled pork, and oh wow, it was so tender and full of flavor! I also had a deli sandwich, and it was piled high with juicy meat. You can really tell they know how to make great BBQ without costing too much.
If you visit, you have to get the pulled pork for sure! And don’t forget to try some classic sides like coleslaw. You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, I promise!
7. Cozy Corner Restaurant
Phone: (901) 527-9158
Menu: www.cozycornerbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Cozy Corner Restaurant is one of my favorite BBQ places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoky ribs and sausages made me so excited. The vibe is super casual and no-nonsense, which makes it feel really welcoming. I just love how friendly everyone is!
What really makes Cozy Corner special is their amazing barbecued ribs. They are so tender and juicy, and you can really taste that smoky flavor! I also tried their sausages, and wow, they were packed with flavor. You can tell they really know how to cook BBQ just right.
If you visit, you have to get the ribs for sure! And don’t forget to try the sausages too! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more!
8. ARNOLD’S BBQ & GRILL
Phone: (901) 730-0290
Menu: memphisarnoldsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
ARNOLD’S BBQ & GRILL is one of my favorite places to eat BBQ in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of BBQ and comfort food made me feel right at home. The vibe is super relaxed and family-friendly, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with my loved ones. I just love how cozy and welcoming it is!
What really makes ARNOLD’S special is their focus on classic BBQ dishes. I tried the smoked chicken, and oh wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! I also had their mac and cheese, and it was creamy and delicious. You can really tell they put a lot of love into their cooking, and it makes everything taste even better.
If you visit, you have to get the smoked chicken for sure! And don’t forget to try the mac and cheese too! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more!
9. Central BBQ – Midtown
Phone: (901) 754-2216
Menu: eatcbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Central BBQ – Midtown is one of my favorite BBQ places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meats made my tummy rumble right away. The vibe is super fun, and it’s a great spot to hang out with friends or family. I just love how friendly everyone is!
What really makes Central BBQ – Midtown special is their awesome Memphis-style food. I tried the dry-rub ribs, and oh my goodness, they were so tender and full of flavor! I also had the hot chicken wings, and they were just the right amount of spicy. You can really tell they know how to smoke their meats perfectly!
If you visit, you have to get the dry-rub ribs for sure! And don’t forget to try the hot wings too! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more!
10. Central BBQ – Summer
Central BBQ – Summer is one of my favorite BBQ places in Memphis! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meats made me so excited. The vibe is super casual, and it’s a great place to chill with friends or family. I just love how friendly everyone is!
What really makes Central BBQ – Summer special is their awesome Memphis-style food. I tried the dry-rub ribs, and oh wow, they were so tender and full of flavor! I also had the hot chicken wings, and they were just the right amount of spicy. You can really tell they know how to smoke their meats just right!
If you visit, you have to get the dry-rub ribs for sure! And don’t forget to try the hot wings too! You’ll leave feeling super happy and full, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more!
Map of BBQ in Memphis, TN
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central BBQ – Downtown | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Corky’s Ribs & BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| The Bar-B-Q Shop | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
| Elwood’s Shack | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Tom’s Barbecue Memphis | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Cozy Corner Restaurant | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| ARNOLD’S BBQ & GRILL | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Central BBQ – Midtown | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | – | Inaccessible | No |
| Central BBQ – Summer | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best BBQ in Memphis?
The best BBQ in Memphis has to be places like Central BBQ, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, and Corky’s Ribs & BBQ. Each of these spots has its own yummy flavors and styles that really show off what Memphis BBQ is all about!
2. What are the must-try dishes in Memphis BBQ?
You really have to try the dry-rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and BBQ nachos. These dishes are super tasty and show off the smoky flavors and tender meats that Memphis BBQ is famous for!
3. Are there vegetarian options at BBQ restaurants in Memphis?
Yes, lots of BBQ places in Memphis have vegetarian options! You can find things like smoked veggies, salads, and yummy sides like mac and cheese or coleslaw. It’s always good to check the menu or ask the staff for what they recommend.
4. Can I get BBQ delivered in Memphis?
For sure! Many BBQ spots in Memphis offer delivery, so you can enjoy tasty BBQ right at home. Just check the restaurant’s website or delivery apps to see what’s available.
5. Is BBQ in Memphis expensive?
BBQ in Memphis can be pretty affordable! Many places have delicious meals at moderate or inexpensive prices, so you can enjoy great BBQ without spending too much money!
