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“

“Visited October 2024 in the evening. Was Very Loud, Very Crowded. Otherwise good. We had our first date as boyfriend and girlfriend here and now we’re coming up on our one year anniversary!! So this place is definitely special to us, and we always love some good BBQ!!“

“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“

“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“

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

“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!“

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

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“in my opinion beats the rendezvous hands down“

“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.“

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

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

“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 !“

“Amazing food! Wings are A+++ 🔥🔥🔥💯🤤“

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

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

“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“

“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.“

“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 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.“

“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.“

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

“(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.“

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

“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..“

“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“

“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 went there today to attend a seminar. After the seminar they served a lunch buffet that was wonderful. I've always been a big fan of Corey's BBQ and wasn't disappointed this time. The food was excellent and I left completely full and satisfied.“

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

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

“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.“

“My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant!“

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

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

“Vernon’s BBQ in Memphis? Honey, yes please! Those ribs were fall-off-the-bone fabulous—smoky, juicy, and dripping in that finger-lickin’ good sauce. I was out there living my best BBQ life. And don’t even get me started on the banana pudding… creamy, dreamy, and sweet enough to make you wanna slap your mama (but, like, respectfully). The vibe is casual, the staff are cool, and the food hits just right. If you’re near Graceland and not stopping by Vernon’s, what are you even doing?“

“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“