Recently visited Memphis for the first time. Leaving the airport, I was driving downtown via Lamar Ave. when I happened to pass an unimpressive BBQ joint. It was lunchtime, so I immediately turned in for the fun of it. The interior is dated and open with a few tables for inside dining, but I kind of expected that. I soon learned that Payne's is renowned as one of the most favorite BBQ joints in the city. I ordered their most popular jumbo pork sandwich with their unique, homemade mustard-based slaw & BBQ sauce. The sandwich was loaded with freshly cooked, chopped pork. It was sloppy and with a great taste! I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. It was fun to read the framed news articles posted on the " brag" wall. Then turn to see the owners behind the counter serving up their food. Great BBQ in a simple family environment. Stop the next time you drive by.
The sauce and sandwiches are almost always perfect. I decided to go with the ribs this time and ordered a full slab. The size and quantity were great, but parts of them were so dry that it didn't matter if they had the perfect amount of sauce on them. I wish I could've enjoyed them, better than I did.
Got full slab and sausage, and OMG the (wet) slab has the most tender meat that I have tried so far, and the sausage is delicious too!! The environment for dine in isn’t the most inviting but the food was wonderful and taking to-go might be better.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ribs, BBQ Smoked Sausage
Arianna Whitlow
Fast service and friendly however cold and disgusting food Worst 20 I ever spent!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 5
Dave Anderson
Drove two hours just to eat here. My favorite Memphis BBQ. That chopped pork sandwich with their amazing slaw is singularly incredible. My only question: why did it take 50 years for Payne’s to make the BBQ Hall of Fame? Belated but richly deserved.
My husband got two sandwiches today, my sandwich had hard bbq meat on it, and I wasn’t satisfied, food is high as giraffe neck, and I didn’t enjoy my sandwich at all.
closes every day at 2. However, they are ALWAYS closed!!! During the week at lunch time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nikki Foodie
We decided to stop into Paynes while visiting the area and we were not disappointed. We tried several dishes, the sliced pork sandwich with the mustard slaw was delicious. Coming from South Florida we are used to sweet based BBQ sauce, here it was vinegar / mustard based. Soooo good!! I have never had homemade baked beans, only those from a can.Those beans were the best I have ever had!! The service was amazing and the staff very welcoming. I will definitely return.
This is the best barbecue sandwich in Memphis. I pulled into the lot and there were people eating lunch in their vehicles. On the way in I asked a postal worker if she liked her sandwich. She replied that this was the best barbecue in Memphis. I have to agree the shoulder sandwich was on point! Nice amount of bark mixed in for flavor and the slaw is just right.
I recommend this place if you're a porker this should be #1on your list the band SONIC YOUTH gave praises to them on the credits of the "washing machines " album and they made the food network last meal on earth food critic wish to have list
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Iram Due
Definitely my favorite place to eat, the sauce is simply delicious and the meat is delicious, it has the perfect amount of meat and in general the rest of the menu is a delight too, my dad and I love eating there. I will never understand people who don't like Paynes.
Recently visited Memphis for the first time. Leaving the airport, I was driving downtown via Lamar Ave. when I happened to pass an unimpressive BBQ joint. It was lunchtime, so I immediately turned in for the fun of it. The interior is dated and open with a few tables for inside dining, but I kind of expected that. I soon learned that Payne's is renowned as one of the most favorite BBQ joints in the city. I ordered their most popular jumbo pork sandwich with their unique, homemade mustard-based slaw & BBQ sauce. The sandwich was loaded with freshly cooked, chopped pork. It was sloppy and with a great taste! I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. It was fun to read the framed news articles posted on the " brag" wall. Then turn to see the owners behind the counter serving up their food. Great BBQ in a simple family environment. Stop the next time you drive by.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Mustard Slaw, Jumbo Chopped Pork Sandwich, BBQ Sauce
Always my go to place... Love the food and history.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Smoked Sausage
Finger lick and good barbecue😋😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Rib Plate, Bologna, Ribs
Best Cole Slaw in Memphis.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Bologna, Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Mustard Slaw, Jumbo Chopped Pork Sandwich, Bologna, Slaw, Pulled Pork Sandwich
A bit sloppy but good flavor. Top 10 Memphis
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
The sauce and sandwiches are almost always perfect. I decided to go with the ribs this time and ordered a full slab. The size and quantity were great, but parts of them were so dry that it didn't matter if they had the perfect amount of sauce on them. I wish I could've enjoyed them, better than I did.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Mustard Slaw, Pulled Pork Sandwich
Got full slab and sausage, and OMG the (wet) slab has the most tender meat that I have tried so far, and the sausage is delicious too!! The environment for dine in isn’t the most inviting but the food was wonderful and taking to-go might be better.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ribs, BBQ Smoked Sausage
Fast service and friendly however cold and disgusting food Worst 20 I ever spent!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 5
Drove two hours just to eat here. My favorite Memphis BBQ. That chopped pork sandwich with their amazing slaw is singularly incredible. My only question: why did it take 50 years for Payne’s to make the BBQ Hall of Fame? Belated but richly deserved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Mustard Slaw, Ribs
My husband got two sandwiches today, my sandwich had hard bbq meat on it, and I wasn’t satisfied, food is high as giraffe neck, and I didn’t enjoy my sandwich at all.
Food: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
closes every day at 2. However, they are ALWAYS closed!!! During the week at lunch time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We decided to stop into Paynes while visiting the area and we were not disappointed. We tried several dishes, the sliced pork sandwich with the mustard slaw was delicious. Coming from South Florida we are used to sweet based BBQ sauce, here it was vinegar / mustard based. Soooo good!! I have never had homemade baked beans, only those from a can.Those beans were the best I have ever had!! The service was amazing and the staff very welcoming. I will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Rib Plate, Mustard Slaw, Slaw, Ribs
This is the best barbecue sandwich in Memphis. I pulled into the lot and there were people eating lunch in their vehicles. On the way in I asked a postal worker if she liked her sandwich. She replied that this was the best barbecue in Memphis. I have to agree the shoulder sandwich was on point! Nice amount of bark mixed in for flavor and the slaw is just right.
Recommended dishes: Chopped Pork Sandwich Regular, Slaw
I recommend this place if you're a porker this should be #1on your list the band SONIC YOUTH gave praises to them on the credits of the "washing machines " album and they made the food network last meal on earth food critic wish to have list
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Definitely my favorite place to eat, the sauce is simply delicious and the meat is delicious, it has the perfect amount of meat and in general the rest of the menu is a delight too, my dad and I love eating there. I will never understand people who don't like Paynes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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