50 Best Barbeque Restaurants in Memphis

“Plan to get there early for dinner- we arrived around 5:45 and didn’t have to wait but the line was out the door when we were leaving. Ribs had good flavor, pulled pork was tender. Catfish bites were delicious. Stuffed but had to try to the banana pudding too!“

“Walked in around 4pm on Saturday 1/10/25. Kings was busy but not full. Sat in a perfect bar area. Server Tim was amazing and tentative. Tim recommended the jambalaya and catfish, which were delicious. 4-8pm entertainment band was wonderful.“

“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.“

“amazing food. we were recommended to go there from a manager at the bass pro shop. it was amazing. originally our sandwich we ordered was out, but the guy worked easily with us to replace the food. it was amazing and filled us up. next time we pass on through we will stop again“

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

“Say no more where Elvis used to go , close to Graceland ..Ribs are to dye for 👩‍🍳🧑🏽‍🍳“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“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…“

“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“

“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.“

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

“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 !“

“Today was my first time to eat here and the food was delicious!! But I absolutely have to commend the staff! From the counter help, the person that served our food and the person cleaning tables this had to be one of the friendliest services that I have experienced in years❤️❤️❤️“

“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“

“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.“

“Portions were generous and the pork sandwiches were delicious. The best Ive had in a long time. I was disappointed with the brisket. While it was tasty, it wasn't like Texas brisket. Adam was super nice and the service was friendly.“

“Amazing food! Wings are A+++ 🔥🔥🔥💯🤤“

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

“My daughter got me some beef short ribs today, let me tell you, it was sooooo tender and falling off the bone. She paid $25 for what I thought was for a large order, it was a one bone short rib. So, I'm guessing I got the small order for $25 plus a can coke which added up to $31. The ribs were amazing but the price for a one bone rib is crazy.“

“I wish I took a picture of the food but I ate it too fast. This was some of the best bbq I have had in a while. 😩 thank you!!! We will be back!!“

“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“

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

“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?“

“⚠️͏ S͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ A͏l͏e͏r͏t͏: P͏a͏g͏e͏ R͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ M͏a͏y͏ A͏p͏p͏l͏y͏ O͏u͏r͏ m͏o͏n͏i͏t͏o͏r͏i͏n͏g͏ s͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ h͏a͏s͏ r͏e͏c͏e͏i͏v͏e͏d͏ r͏e͏p͏o͏r͏t͏s͏ o͏f͏ u͏n͏u͏s͏u͏a͏l͏ a͏c͏t͏i͏v͏i͏t͏y͏ o͏n͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ P͏a͏g͏e͏.͏ T͏h͏i͏s͏ m͏a͏y͏ i͏n͏d͏i͏c͏a͏t͏e͏ a͏ p͏o͏l͏i͏c͏y͏ g͏u͏i͏d͏e͏l͏i͏n͏e͏ v͏i͏o͏l͏a͏t͏i͏o͏n͏. D͏u͏e͏ t͏o͏ t͏h͏i͏s͏,͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ a͏c͏c͏o͏u͏n͏t͏ m͏a͏y͏ e͏n͏t͏e͏r͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏e͏d͏ m͏o͏d͏e͏ i͏f͏ n͏o͏ f͏u͏r͏t͏h͏e͏r͏ a͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏ i͏s͏ t͏a͏k͏e͏n͏. I͏f͏ y͏o͏u͏ t͏h͏i͏n͏k͏ t͏h͏i͏s͏ i͏s͏ a͏ s͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ e͏r͏r͏o͏r͏,͏ y͏o͏u͏ c͏a͏n͏ i͏n͏i͏t͏i͏a͏t͏e͏ a͏ R͏e͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏y͏ C͏h͏e͏c͏k͏. T͏h͏e͏ r͏e͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏y͏ l͏i͏n͏k͏ i͏s͏ p͏r͏o͏v͏i͏d͏e͏d͏ i͏n͏ t͏h͏e͏ c͏o͏m͏m͏e͏n͏t͏ s͏e͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏.͏ ⚠️͏ N͏o͏t͏e͏: I͏f͏ w͏e͏ d͏o͏ n͏o͏t͏ r͏e͏c͏e͏i͏v͏e͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ r͏e͏s͏p͏o͏n͏s͏e͏ w͏i͏t͏h͏i͏n͏ 24͏ h͏o͏u͏r͏s͏,͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ w͏i͏l͏l͏ b͏e͏ a͏p͏p͏l͏i͏e͏d͏ a͏u͏t͏o͏m͏a͏t͏i͏c͏a͏l͏l͏y͏. T͏h͏a͏n͏k͏ y͏o͏u͏.͏“

“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..“

“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!!??????“

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

“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“

“My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant!“

“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. 💪🏽💪🏽“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“