Bbq in memphis

katfsh

Redshirt
May 15, 2014
204
39
28
Going through Memphis this week and want to try a new bbq place. I have been to corkys, interstate, german town commissary, central, Memphis bbq, and of course Rendevous.

What is a place I should try?
 

bbqbully

Redshirt
Sep 14, 2008
606
0
16
Memphis BBQ Company, Horn Lake

2 time Memphis in May champions. Best 'que in Memphis.
 

PBRME

All-American
Feb 12, 2004
11,166
5,073
113
Blues City Cafe or Cozy Corner. I would recommend Tom's but I heard they have a new owner and it's not as good.
 

jethreauxdawg

Heisman
Dec 20, 2010
11,353
15,637
113
topp's

Great bbq sandwiches. I hear good things about their ribs but I always get the sandwich. I could be happy with their sauce and a straw.
 

ByersFarm

Redshirt
Oct 23, 2013
152
0
0
2 time Memphis in May champions. Best 'que in Memphis.
Horn Lake isn't memphis, but neither is germantown. Commissary still gets my vote as a resident. The BBQ shop is good as well since you haven't tried it. Jim and Nicks isn't bad for a chain.
 

xxxWalkTheDawg

Redshirt
Oct 21, 2005
4,262
0
25
Going through Memphis this week and want to try a new bbq place. I have been to corkys, interstate, german town commissary, central, Memphis bbq, and of course Rendevous.

What is a place I should try?

if you want a new place other than what u listed, I vote with the others with the BBQ shop. And you did go to Central BBQ on Cental Ave right? It's always better than the one on Butler and Summer. Well at least it is in my experience.

And if you want to venture down to Horn lake, Memphis BBQ is great too. Get the cheese fritters as an appetizer.
 

msstatelp1

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2012
2,043
1,182
113
Payne's BBQ but they only take cash. The best pulled pork sandwich in Memphis IMHO. Southern Pride BBQ in Olive Branch does a pretty good brisket sandwich.
 

msstatelp1

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2012
2,043
1,182
113
if you want a new place other than what u listed, I vote with the others with the BBQ shop. And you did go to Central BBQ on Cental Ave right? It's always better than the one on Butler and Summer. Well at least it is in my experience.

And if you want to venture down to Horn lake, Memphis BBQ is great too. Get the cheese fritters as an appetizer.

100% agree that the original Central is the best. The Butler location is close, but definitely stay away from the one on Summer.
 

Drebin

Heisman
Aug 22, 2012
22,044
26,213
113
Showboat BBQ on Ridgeway and Three Little Pigs on Quince. They are my favorites.
 

PBRME

All-American
Feb 12, 2004
11,166
5,073
113
Haven't eaten at Showboats in 20 years. They had a really good BBQ chicken.


That reminded me of Gridleys on Winchester. Hated they closed down. Really liked that place.
 

Digging dog

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
3,503
134
63
Always liked TOPS for a BBQ sandwich. Leonard's (if it is still open) & (better be packin). Was always my favorite bbq in memphis. Rendezvous for the atmosphere, bbq not so much.
 

hatfieldms

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2008
8,723
2,401
113
It doesn't suck

But is definitely hit or miss. There are quite a few I would put ahead of it
 

katfsh

Redshirt
May 15, 2014
204
39
28
Yes we went to the one in central. It's was good. Also have had Memphis bbq company several times and it's always good. Just like to try different places
 

Digging dog

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
3,503
134
63
But is definitely hit or miss. There are quite a few I would put ahead of it
Percy has been putting me in front of the line for 20+ years. Eating ribs next to Billy Gibbons (& 2 fine foxes) makes up for less than perfect BBQ ****
 

hatfieldms

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2008
8,723
2,401
113
Oh I am in the same boat. I don't remember the last time we waited for a table..

...there. We only go about once a year though. At most
 

Local Yokal

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2012
6
0
0
I have to chime in on this to share a new (to me) favorite. Ty's Smokehouse on Stage Road is fantastic!
And Memphis BBQ Company is a must if you haven't tried it yet.
 

garddog

Sophomore
Dec 10, 2008
793
100
43
Arnold's BBQ over in Hickory Hill was always great when I was living up there a few years ago. Not a fancy place, just good food.
 

aTotal360

Heisman
Nov 12, 2009
22,278
15,639
113
Memphis bbq threads are not complete without someone lobbing that into the convo. Figured I'd get that out of the way. For the record, I think Rendezvous has the best dry ribs in Memphis.
 

SwampDawg

Sophomore
Feb 24, 2008
2,193
122
63
Long time fan of Central on Central, but recently discovered Corky's. Either one will knock your socks off. Try the dry.
 

Drebin

Heisman
Aug 22, 2012
22,044
26,213
113
Haven't eaten at Showboats in 20 years. They had a really good BBQ chicken.


That reminded me of Gridleys on Winchester. Hated they closed down. Really liked that place.


Showboat is still kickin'. Ate there last week. I had the reduced-fat sandwich plate with beans and fries. (Reduced fat means I got the regular instead of the jumbo).

Yes, the chicken is the bomb.

I like Central, too, because I can get in touch with my inner-Mississippi and have a fried BBQ bologna sandwich there.
 

Drebin

Heisman
Aug 22, 2012
22,044
26,213
113
Long time fan of Central on Central, but recently discovered Corky's. Either one will knock your socks off. Try the dry.


Everything at Corky's is overrated. Except the banana pudding. That is the stuff of legend.
 

Dog316

Redshirt
Aug 21, 2012
404
2
18
But is definitely hit or miss. There are quite a few I would put ahead of it
^^^^^^
When you happen to hit the Rendezvous at the right time it is the best, imho. Like all BBQ it is best right off the pit. Pulled pork might be good for a couple of days. No so with ribs. I always head to the Rendezvous when in Memphis, just in case I hit it right!
 

Digging dog

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
3,503
134
63
The "hit or miss" at the Rendezvous is a direct result of their expansion 20-30 years ago. They diubled their capacity "upstairs" and (I don't think) they added any more ovens/ smokers. They have to rush the ribs to keep up with the demand IMO. It was always good when it was just downstairs.
Could be wrong. It's always been my theory.
 

mobowhunter27

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
36
0
0
The "hit or miss" at the Rendezvous is a direct result of their expansion 20-30 years ago. They diubled their capacity "upstairs" and (I don't think) they added any more ovens/ smokers. They have to rush the ribs to keep up with the demand IMO. It was always good when it was just downstairs.
Could be wrong. It's always been my theory.

Ate there for the first time last weekend before the Grizzlies game. Tough, chewy ribs. Getting escorted into the restaurant by the homeless man was kinda cool though.
 

sportzfan

Redshirt
Dec 12, 2013
24
0
0
Bar B Shop on Madison in Midtown.

Great bbq and ribs. slaw and beans are good too. Best overall bbq in Memphis to me.
 

aTotal360

Heisman
Nov 12, 2009
22,278
15,639
113
It gets voted #1 spot in Memphis by all the publications, but I just don't get it. I went once and wasn't blown away.
 
Nov 16, 2005
28,760
23,127
113
I've heard a lot of people say that Elwood's Shack has good ribs. Along with everything else on the menu.
 

ByersFarm

Redshirt
Oct 23, 2013
152
0
0
Everything at Corky's is overrated. Except the banana pudding. That is the stuff of legend.

Sold them hickory for a bit. Evidently their previous supplier had been delivering sweet gum and elm. They wanted to make a move to be the best BBQ in town. Evidently it was short lived.
 

Hankp22

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2012
1,060
0
0
Uncle Lou's

Going through Memphis this week and want to try a new bbq place. I have been to corkys, interstate, german town commissary, central, Memphis bbq, and of course Rendevous.

What is a place I should try?

Get fried chicken and biscuits. Uncle Lou's has awesome biscuits. Most will tell you to go to Gus fried chicken. But Lou's wins.
 

hatfieldms

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2008
8,723
2,401
113
Lou's is damn good

Can't really go wrong with Lou's or Gus'. Lou is cool as hell though and if you haven't eaten there anyone should win they come through Memphis
 

Hankp22

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2012
1,060
0
0
Can't really go wrong with Lou's or Gus'. Lou is cool as hell though and if you haven't eaten there anyone should win they come through Memphis

3pc hot
Onion rings
Corn nuggets
Game over

Lou's never gets the nod when Memphis threads come up and I always shake my head. Those biscuits with the hot chicken might be the best meal in Memphis.
 
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