50 Best Barbeque Restaurants in Memphis

“This was my second visit here and it did not disappoint. Brenda took care of me with excellent service and the kitchen staff definitely did their jobs, as the food was outstanding. I think I might have enjoyed the banana pudding most of all!“

“We arrived during the band cover charge the I paid for the group and some of my party was parking the car and the hostess made them pay but luckily the young lady who took my money for our group corrected her in saying they had paid . The hostess was not wanting to give back the money until I had to be very persistent. Don't pay the band cover until everyone is there.“

“first time here and it was a blast.“

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

“We were staying couple of nights in Memphis and wanted to experience a local BBQ joint. This is about as authentic as it gets! We had beef brisket and pulled pork one night and ribs the next night. Yes, we ate there both nights, it was so good. But the best was the cole slaw! They made it with red cabbage, jalapenos, and blue cheese. The best I've ever eaten. The staff were courteous, kind, and funny. My kind of place! 5 STARS“

“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!“

“Had the pleasure of eating at Marlowe's tonight. The Mac and cheese is pretty good, but the brisket, ribs, okra and fried green tomatoes were fire. Great place to eat.“

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

“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.“

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

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

“Everything is fantastic! Best BBQ in Memphis! 🙌“

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

“This place has a great soul vibe. There are a few styles of true Memphis BBQ and this is one of the classics. There are a handful of experiential BBQ joints in Memphis that you can't compare to other joints because they have an established flavor, but it is all still Memphis. This is one of that handful.
My carnivorous family devoured the pulled pork, chicken, and ribs, while I had the grilled portobello with fresh slaw and lots of custom hot BBQ sauce. I had my pooch, and we enjoyed the fan-cooled, covered, dog-friendly patio, which was comfortable on a 100+ heat index day.
The staff are extremely accommodating and friendly. Lots to see and do in the area. Walkable from pretty much anywhere downtown.“

“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“

“Some of the best BBQ in Memphis. Really can taste the Smokey flavor.“

“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 !“

“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.“

“Finally checked it out today after work! While I will always miss the beloved Tycoon restaurant and the Hwang family who ran the place, I am very happy with Mama's Kitchen. The hard working Mr. Jacob is a very kind man and an excellent cook!

I can't wait to come back and try the catfish since the young man I walked past when I left was so excited about it. He described the catfish as "bussin!" and after everything I just ate, I am inclined to fully believe him.

I got a bunch of different things for my family today to try out Mama's Kitchen. Here's our honest review:
Buffalo wings 8.5/10
Honey gold wings 8.5/10
Seasoned fries 9/10
Beef samoskas 9.5/10
Shawarma chicken combo 10/10
Service 11/10

Great place. Great people. Great food. We will be back for sure.

Try the shawarma chicken combo!“

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

“It is a great place eat , Quality service“

“Whenever I visit home, The Grille is always my first stop! There are just somethings that you can never get anywhere else, besides home! The southern hospitality, and the warmth and kindness that the staff show is always valued. Plus, the food is always consistently good. ?“

“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.“

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

“I had the cheese burger today and I felt like I was at my mama’s house. The patty was homemade and seasoned to perfection! Not to mention the STRAWBERRY LEMON COOKIE! DELICIOUS!!!“

“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“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

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

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

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

“(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.“

“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!!??????“

“I left for Alaska in 2017 to retire my last stop was Tops BQ on Summer across from Krogers to get BQ Sandwiches . And say bye to the crew that had made my lunches and ect . for 20 years + I miss it from Willow Alaska you guys Rock“

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

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

“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?“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Whenever I have people staying with us, this is the BBQ place we go. It’s a generational thing for my family now. We’ve had 4 generations eat at Three Little Pigs. When my grandfather moved out of the area to the suburbs, he would still drive into town to get BBQ from here whenever the family would get together. We really enjoy the place and the food. The BBQ, ribs, beans, fries, Mac and cheese, BBQ bologna, Burger Que, it’s all good here.“

“Nobody told me they have a brunch here on Sundays. It wasn't what I wanted, but it was a pleasant surprise. The service was good, the food was good, the drinks were good, the place was clean and it was a nice environment. I'll definitely go back.“

“One Of The Best Rubs I Ever Tried & I Wish I Could Get Some More. Service Was Great.“

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

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