We Ranked The 10 Best Barbecue Restaurants In Memphis, Tennessee (Crème De La Crème)
Memphis does barbecue with a confidence that is hard to fake.
Across the city, smoke curls out of kitchens where ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and smoked chicken have been drawing hungry crowds for years.
Tennessee barbecue has many regional personalities, but Memphis has built a style and reputation that travelers recognize almost instantly.
The real fun starts once you sit down. One restaurant may be known for dry rubbed ribs, while another wins people over with messy sandwiches, rich sauces, or meat that barely needs a fork.
Old favorites still matter, but newer spots have also found their place in the conversation.
This list brings together the Memphis barbecue restaurants that stand out for flavor, consistency, atmosphere, and staying power. If smoky meat and no nonsense comfort food sound like your kind of meal, there is plenty here worth planning around.
1. The Bar-B-Q Shop
Ribs crowned number one in America sound like a tall tale. Yet Food Network’s Top Five Restaurants gave that honor to the racks smoked at 1782 Madison Ave.
Known around town as the home of the dancing pig, The Bar-B-Q Shop opened in November 1987. The mood stays casual and friendly, the kind of room where nobody minds sauce on their fingers.
Sauces and coleslaw are made from scratch, which explains the loyal crowds. Real-pit cooking remains the whole point here, and the pitmasters have not drifted from it.
Barbecue spaghetti deserves a mention of its own. Noodles, smoky sauce, and chopped pork make a combination that only Memphis could invent.
First-timers often order it out of curiosity, then finish the plate.
Sandwiches arrive stacked with pulled pork, smoked turkey, or beef brisket. Barbecue bologna and Polish sausage come served on buttered Texas toast, a small detail that wins hearts.
The address sits less than a mile from the Overton Square Entertainment District. That makes it an easy stop before a show or after an afternoon of wandering Midtown shops.
Parking fills quickly during lunch, so arriving a bit early helps. Bring napkins, patience, and an appetite that has been building all morning.
Few spots in Tennessee capture the city’s barbecue spirit so completely in a single order.
2. Cozy Corner Restaurant
Cornish hens on a barbecue menu sound unusual. In this North Parkway room, they are exactly why people line up.
Serving since 1977, Cozy Corner Restaurant sits at 735 North Pkwy, just east of St. Jude Hospital. Old-school charm fills every corner.
Renovations brought vividly painted walls and natural wood accents. Flat-screen monitors display the menu, a modern touch inside a very classic setting.
The hens get a dry rub, then slow smoke until the skin crisps. Meat slips off the bone with almost no effort at all.
The smoked bologna sandwich holds nearly equal fame. A thick slab comes straight from the same pit, and one bite explains the loyalty.
Wet ribs rest in a house tomato sauce that leans tangy and rich. Barbecue spaghetti rounds out the lineup for anyone still undecided.
The surrounding neighborhood is older and quiet, far from tourist bustle. That setting makes the meal feel like a local treasure shared generously. Seating is limited, so patience pays off during busy hours. Order the hen at least once in your life.
Memphis has plenty of famous pits, yet few carry this much personality. Consider it required reading in the city’s barbecue history.
3. Payne’s Bar-B-Que
Some kitchens chase trends. The family-run pit at 1762 Lamar Ave simply repeats what has worked for decades.
The building is plain cinderblock, and the menu stays short. Smoke often hangs in the air, which tells you everything about the priorities.
Chopped pork sandwiches are the headline. Finely chopped smoked pork gets piled high, then crowned with mustard-based coleslaw and barbecue sauce.
That slaw is the twist. Bright mustard tang cuts through the sweet smoke, and the balance is why regulars keep coming back.
Decades of practice show in small things. The chop is fine, the smoke is steady, and the sauce never overwhelms the pork.
Rib plates and pulled pork sandwiches also earn steady praise. Barbecue bologna has its own following among people who know.
South Midtown surrounds the place, with Glenview Park close by. The neighborhood setting keeps everything unfussy and honest.
First-timers sometimes expect a polished dining room and find something better. Character cannot be built by a designer.
Seating is simple, and the service moves at its own pace. Nobody comes here for chandeliers.
Tennessee barbecue lists rarely leave this address off, and the reason becomes obvious after one plate. Come hungry, order the sandwich, and skip the debate.
4. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
Down a storied alley and beneath a downtown parking garage waits a dining room unlike any other.
Ribs have been served for more than 75 years at 52 S 2nd St. Memorabilia covers the walls, and red and white checkered tablecloths set the mood.
Charcoal grilling replaces slow smoking here, which surprises purists. The result is a crusty, charred exterior with plenty of bite.
A vinegar wash goes on first. Then comes a Greek-inspired spice blend heavy on oregano and paprika, the signature dry rub of the city.
Charcoal sausage makes a fine opener. Barbecue nachos also appear, because Memphis puts barbecue on nearly everything it can reach.
Aromas of charcoal and spice greet guests before the food arrives. The basement setting traps that scent in the best possible way.
The Peabody Memphis stands just steps away. Beale Street and the riverfront sit within an easy stroll after dinner.
Expect a lively crowd and quick-moving servers. Reservations are worth considering during festival weekends and big events downtown. Few restaurants double as landmarks, yet Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous earns the title honestly.
Bring friends, because the room rewards a group with plenty of stories. Order the dry ribs, eat with your hands, and enjoy the happy noise.
5. Central BBQ – Downtown
Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Orpheum Theatre all sit within a short walk of this Butler Avenue smokehouse.
The address is 147 E Butler Ave, and the energy inside matches downtown itself. Tables fill fast, and conversation runs loud and happy.
Pulled pork arrives moist and generous. Brisket comes tender, and the ribs slide off the bone with very little argument.
Large, meaty wings pull their own crowd. Barbecue nachos have become something close to a local requirement.
Homemade potato chips deserve special attention. Crisp, salty, and dangerous, they disappear before the main plate even lands.
Slow smoking is the rule, never rushed. Bold, soulful seasoning does the rest of the work.
Sightseeing and barbecue pair better than people expect. A full stomach makes a museum afternoon far more pleasant.
Museum visitors often wander over afterward, which keeps the room mixed with travelers and neighbors.
Patio seating gives a nice view of downtown foot traffic on mild afternoons. Cotton Row and the river sit a few blocks west, making a post-meal stroll simple.
Plan to arrive slightly off peak if your schedule allows. Otherwise, enjoy the wait and the smell. Napkins arrive in bulk for a reason, and you will use every single one.
6. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Pork shoulders that cook for 22 hours require serious patience. East Memphis holds this sprawling favorite at 5259 Poplar Ave. The space is big, busy, and clearly built for crowds.
Meats rest in pits over hickory chips and charcoal, low and slow. Ribs take more than seven hours before they leave the pit.
The sweet, thick house sauce is a best seller across the South. Glossy wet ribs show exactly why that happened.
Dry-rub racks offer the other path, letting smoke lead the way. Sauce comes on the side for anyone who wants both.
Pulled pork sandwiches are chopped to order, a detail that matters more than it sounds. Barbecue nachos keep appearing on tables nearby, usually shared and rarely finished politely.
Mail order made the name national. Ribs ship across the country to homesick fans every week. Families fill the tables on weekends, and the staff handles the rush with practiced ease.
Souvenir sauce bottles sit near the door, which solves gift shopping in one quick stop. Poplar Avenue traffic can be heavy, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Tennessee road trips often start or end right at Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, and nobody leaves hungry. Big portions, steady quality, and a cheerful room make a classic afternoon.
7. Elwood’s Shack
A barrel smoker working behind a small building does not look like much. The food arriving from it says otherwise.
Summer Avenue is the setting, specifically 4523 Summer Ave in East Memphis. The name says shack, and the menu says feast.
Deli and smokehouse ideas meet here in unusual harmony. Sandwiches, smoked meats, and a few surprises share the same page.
Texas beef brisket ranks among the most requested items. Slices come rich, smoky, and fully worth the drive across town.
Fish tacos earn serious praise too, which feels odd next to a smoker. The kitchen makes it work anyway.
Barbecue pizza shows the playful streak. Smoky pork on a crust sounds strange until the first slice vanishes.
Mornings bring breakfast with scratch-made biscuits. Early risers get a completely different menu experience.
A Reuben sandwich and a Texas gold burger round out the creative side. Indecisive eaters may need extra time.
Strip mall surroundings hide the ambition inside, and regulars seem to prefer it that way. Seating stays casual, and the crowd moves quickly through the line. Parking sits right out front, which makes a quick stop simple.
Come with an open mind. Order something unexpected alongside the brisket, then thank yourself later.
8. A&R Bar-B-Que LLC
Family recipes carried since 1983 give South Memphis one of its warmest tables. The address is 1802 Elvis Presley Blvd, and the mood inside stays relaxed and unhurried. Guests settle in and take their time.
What began as a small take-out operation grew into a beloved dining room. Growth never changed the recipes.
Slow-cooked ribs anchor the menu. Pulled pork arrives tender, and the sauces run rich without hiding the smoke.
Barbecue spaghetti shows up again, because the city simply cannot resist it. Smoked turkey legs bring real drama to the table.
Catfish plates give a nod to Southern classics beyond the pit. Fried, seasoned, and completely satisfying.
Elvis Presley Boulevard buzzes with traffic and neighborhood life. The location feels lived-in rather than staged for visitors.
Hospitality is the second signature here. Greetings come easily, and nobody rushes a plate. Weekend crowds arrive steadily, so a mid-afternoon visit can feel calmer.
Graceland sits farther down the same boulevard for anyone building a full day of sightseeing. Take-out remains popular, and the packaging travels well for picnic plans.
Ask for extra sauce; you will want it. Southern cooking with decades of practice behind it rarely disappoints, and this kitchen proves the point.
9. Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant
Elvis memorabilia and smoked ribs make an unlikely but delightful pair at Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant.
Graceland sits about a mile from 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd, which explains the theme. Collectibles fill the dining rooms from wall to wall.
Smoking happens onsite, and the practice dates back to 1985. Food Network has featured the results.
Award-winning ribs come wet or dry rub, so the eternal debate can finally be settled at your own table.
Pulled pork, smoked barbecue chicken, and beef brisket fill out the main lineup. Portions lean generous.
Barbecue shrimp adds a coastal twist. Barbecue spaghetti reflects the Italian roots woven into several recipes.
Appetizers matter here too. Barbecue nachos and fried green tomatoes start the meal on a proper Southern note.
Photo opportunities appear on nearly every wall, which keeps any wait entertaining. The room stays lively, colorful, and fun without trying too hard.
Airport travelers and Graceland visitors both find the address convenient. Large groups fit comfortably, making it a solid choice for celebrations.
Dry rub fans and sauce lovers can order both and compare bites. Tennessee hospitality shows up in the details. Music history and barbecue history share this neighborhood, and dinner here honors both.
10. One & Only BBQ
Comfort and quality do not always share a table. At One & Only BBQ, they manage it nicely.
The address is 1779 Kirby Pkwy, and the atmosphere leans cozy. Families settle in without any fuss.
Memphis-style barbecue drives the menu, prepared with obvious care. Nothing tastes rushed or careless.
The jumbo pulled pork shoulder sandwich is the crowd favorite. It arrives tall enough to require a strategy.
Smoked chicken wings deserve attention as well. Dry-rub ribs bring the classic city flavor straight to the plate.
Sides earn real praise here. Baked beans run sweet and smoky, and the twice-baked potato salad surprises newcomers.
Parking is easy and Wi-Fi is available, which helps travelers and remote workers alike.
The neighborhood feels quiet and suburban, a welcome change of pace from downtown crowds. Groups with mixed appetites do well here, since the menu covers plenty of ground.
Takeout orders move quickly, which suits a busy evening schedule. Ribs and sandwiches both travel well for a hotel picnic. Order sides generously; they compete with the meat for attention.
Kirby Parkway makes an easy final stop before heading out of town. End the tour at this table, and the city’s barbecue reputation will make perfect sense.