I am moving my family across the country for work, and we were passing through the area. We read that the food at this establishment was to die for, so my wife and I came in on Monday 3/2/26 at ~8:00 PM. Unfortunately, the first thing the lady at the register did was look our little 2-year-old son up and down and say quote, “Wow. Blonde hair and blues eyes. That’s scary. Let’s hope you grow out of that soon.”
We were both stunned into silence at what we had just heard but still ate there because it was late and were tired from having been on the road for over 12 hours that day. Making a fuss over such incredibly inappropriate words didn’t seem worth it at the time, but that was unbelievable, unacceptable, and beyond racist as hell.
To make matters worse, my family immigrated here in the 60s and have absolutely nothing to do with America’s past legacy or even Germany’s infamous one. In fact, my grandfather had to survive Nazi occupation as a boy in Poland and nearly starved to death because he and my family weren’t allowed regular food as second class citizens of the occupied territory, and to say that my son, who hasn’t done a thing to anybody in addition to our family’s history, is “scary” simply because of his looks that are entirely outside of his control is beyond unacceptable, spits directly on our family’s history, and is the definition of racism. Shame on that woman (who had black rimmed glasses and two twin hair poofs), and I hope justice is done in that she’s fired.
Even worse, considering this establishment is located directly across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum (the Lorraine Motel) where the honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated is the definition of irony. Again, shame on that woman.
I don’t know if my family will ever be passing through Memphis again, but I can assure that we will never be coming back to this establishment.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Allison Hatfield
I’m a local resident and have been to this CB location several times. The most recent visit was 2/28. Each time I have gone the service has been great, from the person that takes my order to the person that buses the table. This even includes when they are busy and all tables are full.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Gary Connor
We came as a tour-planned lunch buffet for a group of 40. Menu was Baked Beans, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, coleslaw slaw and drinks. The food in the buffet was hot and kept full. The BBQ was classic Memphis dry rub with sauce on the side. Sauce was a hot and a mild. Both were savory, not sweet. The mild had a little zip. As a buffet, it was all-you-care-to-eat. After the meal I had a chance to talk with Dutch, the chef. I do a lot of smoking and BBQ and we got down in the weeds talking spices, binders and such. I hope to see him when we come back in Jan. The joint is very near the Lorraine and we were told there is a great bakery nearby. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maxene Jessop
Super fast service and the food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keith Lasher
Just got delivery dry small ribs. Cold tasteless brisket
John Brock
Great BBQ. Pulled pork is great and the jerked chicken wings are out of this world. Sauces are also really good. I like some heat, so I mix the original sauce with the hotter sauce. Perfect amount of spice for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
james northey
Place is located right across the street from the Lorraine hotel and civil rights museum. The brisket was great. Had the brisket and rib platter. The dry rub on the ribs were a little spicy but they were good. Quick service, friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
William Walsh
Really underwhelming. As someone else described, I’d agree the pulled pork had a “steamed meat” quality and not very smoky. Mac and cheese was pretty generic. Ran out of banana pudding. Service was really really slow. Almost 2 hours from arriving to finishing. I wouldn’t go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Elijah
The floors were extremely sticky. But aside from that the food was amazing!
Great BBQ spot in walking distance from the Central Station Hotel, as well as the Civil Right Museum. I've eaten here several times over the years, & I always enjoy their smoked beef brisket and chicken too! The staff conducts a well-oiled machine when it comes to ordering food, cooking it, being served & cleaning tables. I personally make sure to tip the guys cleaning the table because they are always hard working & non stop! Depending on the time of day & what day it is with crowds, the wait in line to order could take 15 minutes, & parking your car could take some driving to another street if you want to park for free. If you are hungry for a big meal, definitely come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RA THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT
Memphis has the best BBQ !What more can you say
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alesia Kinney
Great food, good for entire family!
shanae clark
The meat without sause was not so great but not bad just basic. I went last night and ordered 1 pulled pork sandwich, 1 brisket sandwich, and 1 bologna sandwich they gave it to me fast (great) but when I got home there was no sauce. I called they replaced it without issues it came fast (great) I haven't eaten the new food yet but thata my opinion so far. I will say that it's always packed so don't be discouraged by me try it for yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Steve Angeli
Food was just okay. Ribs were burnt/dry/overcooked. Brisket and wings were cold. Nothing to write home about.
The food was excellent, but the staff are racist.
I am moving my family across the country for work, and we were passing through the area. We read that the food at this establishment was to die for, so my wife and I came in on Monday 3/2/26 at ~8:00 PM. Unfortunately, the first thing the lady at the register did was look our little 2-year-old son up and down and say quote, “Wow. Blonde hair and blues eyes. That’s scary. Let’s hope you grow out of that soon.”
We were both stunned into silence at what we had just heard but still ate there because it was late and were tired from having been on the road for over 12 hours that day. Making a fuss over such incredibly inappropriate words didn’t seem worth it at the time, but that was unbelievable, unacceptable, and beyond racist as hell.
To make matters worse, my family immigrated here in the 60s and have absolutely nothing to do with America’s past legacy or even Germany’s infamous one. In fact, my grandfather had to survive Nazi occupation as a boy in Poland and nearly starved to death because he and my family weren’t allowed regular food as second class citizens of the occupied territory, and to say that my son, who hasn’t done a thing to anybody in addition to our family’s history, is “scary” simply because of his looks that are entirely outside of his control is beyond unacceptable, spits directly on our family’s history, and is the definition of racism. Shame on that woman (who had black rimmed glasses and two twin hair poofs), and I hope justice is done in that she’s fired.
Even worse, considering this establishment is located directly across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum (the Lorraine Motel) where the honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated is the definition of irony. Again, shame on that woman.
I don’t know if my family will ever be passing through Memphis again, but I can assure that we will never be coming back to this establishment.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
I’m a local resident and have been to this CB location several times. The most recent visit was 2/28. Each time I have gone the service has been great, from the person that takes my order to the person that buses the table. This even includes when they are busy and all tables are full.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We came as a tour-planned lunch buffet for a group of 40. Menu was Baked Beans, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, coleslaw slaw and drinks. The food in the buffet was hot and kept full. The BBQ was classic Memphis dry rub with sauce on the side. Sauce was a hot and a mild. Both were savory, not sweet. The mild had a little zip.
As a buffet, it was all-you-care-to-eat.
After the meal I had a chance to talk with Dutch, the chef. I do a lot of smoking and BBQ and we got down in the weeds talking spices, binders and such. I hope to see him when we come back in Jan.
The joint is very near the Lorraine and we were told there is a great bakery nearby.
Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super fast service and the food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just got delivery dry small ribs. Cold tasteless brisket
Great BBQ. Pulled pork is great and the jerked chicken wings are out of this world. Sauces are also really good. I like some heat, so I mix the original sauce with the hotter sauce. Perfect amount of spice for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Place is located right across the street from the Lorraine hotel and civil rights museum. The brisket was great. Had the brisket and rib platter. The dry rub on the ribs were a little spicy but they were good. Quick service, friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Really underwhelming. As someone else described, I’d agree the pulled pork had a “steamed meat” quality and not very smoky. Mac and cheese was pretty generic. Ran out of banana pudding. Service was really really slow. Almost 2 hours from arriving to finishing. I wouldn’t go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
The floors were extremely sticky. But aside from that the food was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Great BBQ spot in walking distance from the Central Station Hotel, as well as the Civil Right Museum. I've eaten here several times over the years, & I always enjoy their smoked beef brisket and chicken too! The staff conducts a well-oiled machine when it comes to ordering food, cooking it, being served & cleaning tables. I personally make sure to tip the guys cleaning the table because they are always hard working & non stop! Depending on the time of day & what day it is with crowds, the wait in line to order could take 15 minutes, & parking your car could take some driving to another street if you want to park for free. If you are hungry for a big meal, definitely come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Memphis has the best BBQ !What more can you say
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, good for entire family!
The meat without sause was not so great but not bad just basic. I went last night and ordered 1 pulled pork sandwich, 1 brisket sandwich, and 1 bologna sandwich they gave it to me fast (great) but when I got home there was no sauce. I called they replaced it without issues it came fast (great) I haven't eaten the new food yet but thata my opinion so far. I will say that it's always packed so don't be discouraged by me try it for yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Food was just okay. Ribs were burnt/dry/overcooked. Brisket and wings were cold. Nothing to write home about.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
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