50 Best Barbeque Restaurants in Memphis

“This place was amazing!! Went there for a week, ended up going there twice. The dry rub was to die for, and everyone there was super friendly. I bought t-shirts, and when I got home, the shirts still smelled like smoked meat...it was good they may never get washed! Lol“

“Alea is a great person. She also is a very attentive, personable, competent bartender as well and an asset to your company. The food, which is priced at a great value, music & atmosphere are awesome as well. The bacon in baked beans are so good, I got an order to go. I came here 2 days in a row and I was here for less than a week. The location is great. And there was no wait time. Keep up the great work.“

“My wife and I spent two nights in Memphis recently. we ate at Blues City Cafe two nights in a row. The first night we had the BBQ ribs, and they were the best I've ever had. The restaurant was so good we went back the second night and had the best ribeye steak I've ever had in my entire life. If you're in the Memphis area, make sure you go to Blues City Cafe. It is totally awesome.“

“Support your local BBQ joints“

“Good bbq and good staff. If you cant eat good here then theres just something wrong with you!!“

“Went to marlowe’s on Thursday night we were staying at the guesthouse so was able to have there pink limousine come and collect us and take us back when we had finished the restaurant was absolutely lovely nothing was to much trouble and the gentleman that served us he was very polite and professional“

“Traveling through Memphis 3 yrs ago with our grandson J’Alan. He was 8 at the time he gave it 20 stars and has talked about it since. He picked Memphis for his vacation this year just so he could go to Arnold’s BBQ! He was not disappointed! 💙💙💙 Great food and service!“

“This is THE place to visit for great food and an atmosphere that makes you feel like family! Eric is one of the greatest guys to talk to and his team and food can’t be beat!“

“Absolutely best time ever! Harper was absolutely awesome!“

“Visiting Memphis from Denver. Was recommended to come to Ballhoggerz for some great bbq. They didn’t disappoint The ribs tips were fantastic. The smoked turkey leg was so good. They are doing their thing there. My cousin who lives here, plans to come back for more.“

“Hands down best BBQ in Town service was super fast loved the environment.“

“The Ribs, Brisket and signature Rendezvous’ coleslaw are definitely delicious! I enjoyed the friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and charming staff! Stan the man…“

“best bbq ribs iv ever eaten. They were so good that the next morning I woke up at soon as they opened and got more. highly recommend this place fast friendly service and they do not short you. you get more than your money's worth! I will be back everytime I come to Memphis“

“I just love the atmosphere and the fact that it is so family orient. Shout out to Mrs. Payne and her lovely staff and family !“

“I'm a former memphian living in north central Arkansas. I haven't had good Memphis barbecue in a while. I had a friend travel to Memphis a few days ago and I told him to make sure and go get two slabs of ribs at cozy corner. he brought me one back. my goodness. it's amazing how good Memphis barbecue really is. from pros like y'all. we will be getting more every time he has to come to town. God bless.“

“in my opinion beats the rendezvous hands down“

“Totally awesome BBQ, fast friendly, clean! A MUST STOP!! 🙌🏻❤️😁“

“Go there often and had the best bbq beef ribs. They were large and very meaty and were better than ever!! I also had the bbq wings and they were delicious. Staff very friendly also.“

“Great bbq place in Memphis! Casual vibe and friendly service. Order at counter and then food is brought out to you. We had ribs, chicken, pork, potato salad and banana pudding all excellent. Banana pudding is a must!! Ribs had great char. My favorite is bbq sauce is available in 3 flavors and warmed. Definitely recommend giving it a try.“

“food was good. lemonade was really good. we had a good time“

“great food and service! Looking forward to the live comedy show May 27th“

“I ordered the Catfish plate very delicious and the customer service was great!! Check them out“

“Amazing food! Wings are A+++ 🔥🔥🔥💯🤤“

“man, this food is so good. I ordered the Alfredo Stuffed Turkey Leg 🍗 🦵 after taking the first bite, I wanted to go back to the food truck and buy another!!! I definitely recommend Barbeque Off Da Chainz“

“Tried the boom boom fire wings with fries at the Spa City Food Truck Festival. Not as spicy as I like them but the were delicious regardless!! Best wings I've have in a long time & I love the seasoning on the fries.“

“the brisket and the turnips greens where so good! will definitely be back!!!“

“I had a Brisket BBQ sandwich and these guys knocked it out of park. Initially I thought man these guys are expensive but, sandwich was amazing, the meat was piled on and delicious. The two sides were very generous. I had the potato salad and baked beans. The service was excellent and the folks were polite and friendly. I’ll definitely be back for more.“

“Big Myrts Wings & Things offer delicious meals while providing superb service.“

“I contacted King of Kings BBQ to place a catering order. Both he and his wife personally delivered the food. Mr. James, after tasting the ribs that he had previously cooked and realizing they weren't up to standard, drove 1.5 hours to Oxford, MS, to bring me a whole new pan of ribs for my special occasion.“

“(Real Costumer Review)Bossman & BossLady are so nice they are kind genuine people and they work as an team. and the food is greattttttttttt... I've been going to Boss man pit stop since Getwell rd! Thinking about ordering today the food is so delicious please give them a try you want be sorry.“

“Amazing! Just passing through from Dallas to Ohio and had to stop by! First time and it was so good!“

“Reese's is a good place to go to eat because the food is always cooked to order. The pulled pork sandwich is the best in the city hands down. When I worked in the east Memphis area I frequently ate here and they never missed 🎯 and they are reasonable priced“

“It’s was great! Good service and food!“

“The Lunch Special has changed to the Rayford's Special. The price of the Special has increased and it does not come with dressing. If you would like ranch or blue cheese with your wings expect to pay extra. However, the chicken is still good. The service is mediocre. The fish is good. Be prepared to have your own hotsauce. They didn't have hotsauce packets for the fish. The cashier let me know I would have to pay extra if I wanted hotsauce in a cup even though they didn't have any. I paid extra because --how can you eat fish without hotsauce?“

“Tops has some really good food. Especially in Memphis“

“Soon as you walk in you feel the love the owner and the staff there is amazing best in the city of Memphis‼️‼️‼️“

“Today I can for the first time since the 90s . I loved it then as a kid and I love it even more as an adult My type of place. Great southern breakfast and BBQ. The friendliest staff you could ever wish for. Old school diner feel. And the BIG breakfast is only $10 and some change. 10/10 I couldn't of had a better breakfast experience.“

“My Sister, Tommie and I visited this place today. The food was great. I had the pulled chopped salmon sandwich it had coleslaw and barbecue sauce on it. The buns were toasted.. it was very good. I would go back just for that. Tommie had the rib tips and slaw. She bragged about the barbecue sauce. It added zest to the tips.. the place was nice and clean, service was fast and friendly..“

“Tops has some really good food. Especially in Memphis“

“What great food you all have with great Customer Service every time I come to get food for the job! We appreciate you and special thanks to Leann and Jonathan!!!! My Turkey burger with extra cheese was the bomb!! Kudos!!??????“

“TLDR: Cozy, country-style spot with friendly service and traditional food. The automatic 20% tip might be a dealbreaker for some.

Review for Old Whitten Tavern

Food: The menu sticks to traditional country flavors. The hashbrowns were good, though I prefer a layer of crunch, and these were soft throughout. The eggs were cooked perfectly and came with cheese as I ordered. The biscuits were thin, flat, and basic in flavor, but the country gravy had a good texture with a simple, satisfying taste. The pancake was generously sized (about 10 inches across and 1/2 inch thick) with a soft and chewy texture, though it lacked much flavor on its own. Thankfully, the syrup complemented it well. Overall, the food gives off a "like grandma used to make" vibe, focusing on simplicity over bold flavors.

Service: The service was excellent. All the staff pitched in to check on me, ensuring I was taken care of. The friendliness added to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. However, the establishment automatically adds a 20% tip to each dine-in order, regardless of the service quality. While you can add more, it feels a bit rigid—good service should earn a good tip, not have it guaranteed.

Atmosphere: The country vibe is undeniable. The interior features dark ceilings, tables, and floors, with moderate lighting during the day that feels slightly dim but cozy. With one booth and about 17 tables inside, the spacing is comfortable without feeling crowded. The outside seating allows dogs, making it a good option for pet owners. The full bar and all-day breakfast menu add to its versatility, whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, with only one private bathroom per gender, the morning coffee rush could be challenging.

Summary: Old Whitten Tavern offers a solid country breakfast experience with traditional flavors and a welcoming atmosphere. While the food and service were good, the automatic 20% tip policy might not sit well with those who feel tipping should reflect service quality. Still, it’s a cozy spot worth visiting, especially if you’re seeking classic, no-frills breakfast options.

Parking: The parking lot is shared with multiple other businesses, so during heavy traffic times it could be tough to find a spot near the restaurant.

Kid-friendliness: Though it has a full bar, it is very kid friendly. The bar area is smaller, opening up more to the dine in experience.“

“O-M- GEE! I ordered the ox tails with jollof rice and when it was delivered, it was still hot like it had just been placed in the container! well seasoned, meat so tender it melts in your mouth, and the rice was delicious as well! I had to call a friend and send her a pic! LOL! 10/10“

“I’m in Memphis on business and staying in an Airbnb. While looking at the area on Google Maps, I saw Hugstables was nearby and after reading the reviews (and the owners responses), I knew I needed to try.

The double cheeseburger was the biggest I’ve ever seen. It was perfectly cooked and served with a load of steak fries. I also ordered some hot wings and fried okra. Again, perfection.

I love Hugstables and you will too. 💪🏽💪🏽“

“My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant!“

“Always a good time with friends…new and old.“

“Great food, great customer service and unbelievable prices.“

“Tops has some really good food. Especially in Memphis“

“Tops has some really good food. Especially in Memphis“

“I placed a catering order for 145 people to celebrate my promotion ceremony in August 2025. Brittany was the Catering Specialist I worked with and she was awesome throughout the entire planning process. On the day of my promotion, the catering crew arrived early to set up at the event venue and were ready to serve the food on time to my guests. I ordered the Basic Pork & Chicken Package with Pulled Pork & Chicken, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Sauce, Buns, Plates, Forks, Napkins, Serving Utensils. I also later added Turnip Greens, Tea, and Ice to my order. Everything turned out great and I had guests from all over the country in town. I received a lot of compliments on the quality and taste of the food. After the event, the catering crew promptly cleaned up, took out the trash, and left the event venue in great condition. Based on my experience, I would definitely recommend Central BBQ for your catering needs. I will be using Central BBQ for my future catering needs.“