8 Best BBQ Joints In Memphis, by Robert Moss

[Huskee]

Nice read by our friend Robert Moss:

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/tennessee/best-bbq-in-memphis

Do you agree? It's difficult to label something as "the best".

[BFlynn]

I've been to 3 of those places

The BBQ shop and Germantown Commissary are both top notch.

I think Rendezvous is good, but over hyped.

We did some field work in a few not great neighborhoods, where most of the businesses were: nail and hair saloon, wheels and rims shop, wings and ribs shop. Some of the best ribs I'd ever had were those little no name, neighborhood places. But my job was swinging a sledge hammer for hours at a time and I was pretty hungry

Gus's fried chicken is the best fried chicken I've ever had! Don't tell my grandma.

[Huskee]

I've heard that a lot with Rendezvous. I wonder if it's more nostalgia than pure awesomeness.

[SheilaAnn]

BFlynn you are 1000 times correct on Gus’s. I had my first Gus’s at the OG location several years ago. I’ve never met its equal. I’m #blessed they have two locations in Southern CA. The C-word killed off the Long Beach location. But I can walk to one from work.

[au4stree]

Gus’ opened a location in Bham a few years back. WOW! Some of the best. I I won’t tell your g-maw if you won’t tell mine.

[mrteddyprincess]

I could eat Cozy Corner every day if I lived in Memphis.

[Purc]

Years ago when my son was in law school in Memphis, we would go to The Bar B Q Shop, Interstate and Gus's. All were great at the time. You had to be careful where you went, Memphis can be rough.

[au4stree]

I’m glad to see Payne’s on there. It’s one of my favorites when I visit. I’m with others, Rendezvous is just meh….

[SheilaAnn]

Agree on the rendezvous. It’s just one of those places ya gotta try once, though.

[Clint Cantwell]

Yeah, when people come to visit us in Memphis I tell them that Rendezvous is great to check out for the ambiance and its history, but I am personally not a fan of their food. Though if I do have to go, the lamb riblets are a nice treat.

Otherwise, here are a few of my personal favorite dishes/local BBQ specialties. I'll add more as I think of them:

Cozy Corner -- Cornish game hen and BBQ bologna sandwich

Bar-B-Q Shop -- BBQ spaghetti (the originators)

Paynes -- Chopped pork sandwich with slaw (arguably the best pork BBQ sandwich I've ever had)

Tops BAr-B-Q (multiple locations) -- Hamburger (one of the best in the city) or BBQ bologna sandwich

Central BBQ (downtown or the original on Central Ave) -- Smoked wings

Leonards (the oldest surviving BBQ restaurant in the city) -- Pulled pork sandwich (the originators of slaw of a pulled pork sandwich)

Bain BBQ or Elwood Shack -- Newish relatively unknown by out-of-towners. Great for ribs, preferably Memphis-style dry rubbed (i.e. no sauce) or half dry and half sauced. Bain also has great fatty brisket, though that's not really "Memphis BBQ".

Colettas -- BBQ pizza (an Elvis favorite)

Germantown Commissary -- BBQ nachos (they are reportedly the originators of this dish that is now commonplace at most BBQ joints, at Redbirds and Grizzlies games, etc.). Also the tamales are a great starter.

Chicken (Since a couple people mentioned it) -- Gus's is always a must. Their new fried chicken sandwich is a great option for those who don't like heat as it is a little less spicy. And if it happens to be a special, the fried catfish is insane. Also try Uncle Lou's which is spicy but completely different than Gus's.

[Bumby]

Funny enough, I'm planning a trip to Memphis in the next couple weeks. This is a great list - thank you. How might you prioritize your list if you had three meals for Memphis BBQ if your goal was to understand Memphis BBQ and eat well?

[Clint Cantwell]

Bumby, if I was prioritizing, I would start at Paynes then I would prioritize Cozy Corner and then maybe Leonards. Or if you just want a solid meal and are doing some sightseeing, Central BBQ behind the National Civil Rights Museum downtown is a good bet.

[Bumby]

Thank you for the recommendations. Managed to hit Paynes, Cozy Corner and Central (as well as Gus's). Enjoyed all three for different reasons. Never had BBQ bologna or Cornish game hen before - those were standouts. I'll need to return to Memphis to try others on the list!