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 had reservations for Saturday, May 31. We were seated promptly; however, the location of our table was a bit awkward. We were seated to the left of the stage. As a result, we could see only some of the musicians on stage and we could only see them from the side. One member of our party was seated very close to a monitor on stage. As a result, the sound level was really loud at times. We only stayed through Flic's Pic's band's last set. We'd been at another venue with live music the previous evening and the sound was perfect. The band was great, and I'd return. I would ask for a different table. We didn't request another table on that night, because the restaurant was pretty full. Our server was great. She recommended dishes on the menu. She also suggested her favorite drinks. She was very busy, but she remained attentive throughout our visit. We shared an order of fried pickles that were served hot and crispy with a side a ranch dressing. I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich. It was great. The sauce was good, the meat was tender, and the bun was fresh. My sister tried my sandwich with the coleslaw that was on the side. She said it was good. The fries were hot and nicely crisp. My sister-in-love had a Shrimp Poboy. She enjoyed it. My sister ordered the Wings with the dry rub. The wings on top were pretty good. However, the dry rub was missing from the wings on the bottom of the plate. I visited BB King's years ago and it was fun. I will definitely visit the next time I am in the area and looking for some live music and a good bite to eat.“

“first time here and it was a blast.“

“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“

“We did a small day trip into Memphis from Little Rock and were looking for a spot for lunch and decided to try this place. We walked in and talked to the people behind the counter and basically said “what should we eat?” They recommended a few options and we went with the sausage, chopped beef, ribs (of course) and smoked turkey and mannnnn, I cannot get over how delicious everything was. And the atmosphere was so nice and the staff were great! I will definitely recommend this place and come back anytime I’m in town!“

“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.“

“The service was great and the food even better! Thank you!“

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

“Definitely a must do when in Memphis. Not just great ribs but awesome ambience.“

“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“

“Central BBQ is a busy, buzzing spot — thanks in part to its prime location near the Civil Rights Museum. Expect a bit of a wait to order in, but honestly, you’ll need that time to scout out a table, grab a drink, and settle in.

I went with the starter sampler and wow — this tray was loaded. If I had to rank the hits:
1. Pulled pork sandwich
2. BBQ Nachos
3. Smoked wings
4. Sausage
Massive portions across the board, and the sandwich sizes looked just right for most appetites.

The venue itself is big — lots of space and seating — and the vibe feels more like a Texas BBQ joint than some of the other Memphis spots I’ve visited, which gives it a broad, approachable feel.

Delicious food, unbeatable location, great service, and fair prices. Definitely worth the stop — especially if you’re coming from or heading to the museum next door.“

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

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

“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 !“

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

“It is a great place eat , Quality service“

“Everything is fantastic! Best BBQ in 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.“

“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!“

“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 have been craving your sauce for months. My husband and I separated last week and I have been struggling to eat. I hopped in the car with a girlfriend and drove from WI. I just ate my biggest meal in 11 days. Thanks!“

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

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

“My family and I decided to try this place on August 24, 2024. Luckily for me there wasn't a lot of people inside the building, so it was easy to ordered our foods. When we sat down in our seats I looked around the restaurant. The first thing I thought about was the seats we was sitting in. They looked a little outdated and probably need to be replaced. The table we have was a little wobbly and next to me was a sticking pad which had a lot of flies in them. When the food came out and when I started eating I forgot all about the issues with the seats and table. I decided to get the Loaded Philly Steak Potato and baked beans. The baked beans was pretty good probably needed something extra to make it outstanding. The Philly Steak Potato were just delicious. It simply steaks, peppers, and cheese but everything blended together well with the potato. I also have some of my grandparents fries and they were hot and delicious. When you get over how the restaurant looks inside and try the food you won't regret it.“

“The rib tips were amazing! Service was great! And Adam was the nicest!“

“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“

“Very good food! I ordered their 10 pc hot wings & it wasn’t toooo spicy. Also, it was fresh and the fries were bomb.“

“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“

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

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

“(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.“

“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?“

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

“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‼️‼️‼️“

“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“

“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!!??????“

“Excellent environment — great customer service, friendliness, delicious food and extremely clean restaurant and market. Highly recommend for all and will definitely be back.“

“My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant!“

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

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

“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.“

“Excellent food! excellent service!!
Only Problem is bathroom needed to be cleaned, painted, and the floor repaired!

Parking: Plenty of parking in lot across drive!
Ďont park at Cleaners next door!!

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy access for Handicaped and wheelcgair“

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

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