Best BBQ in Memphis

Danielle Reid's Avatar
I'm a food loving girl and I want to know your opinion on the best BBQ in town. I want the best food experience. These curves don't come from salads lol. Staying for a few days this week
cp9406's Avatar
You've just found the best way to start a fight in West Tennessee.

My vote is for the BBQ Shop on Madison.
Sonoman's Avatar
Hell it's all good, we ain't gonna fight about it. Honestly it all has its perks. Corkys can be bought at krogers and QVC so move on. Here are a couple I like not in any particular order. Leonard's BBQ is good along with catfish and spaghetti sides. Germantown commissary is a favorite of many, Topps, I like the ribs. Agree with CP on BBQ shop. Central BBQ on Summer Ave may be my favorite due to thier Brisket. It's to fight for in my book. Oh and the BBQ chicken is pretty damn good. I can assure you want go hungry for BBQ. BTW, Don't toss out the Rendovous as its a good meal and has lots history with a good dining experience.
DallasRain's Avatar
germantown commisery...worth the drive!

http://www.commissarybbq.com/
mike1701's Avatar
Hell it's all good, we ain't gonna fight about it. Honestly it all has its perks. Corkys can be bought at krogers and QVC so move on. Here are a couple I like not in any particular order. Leonard's BBQ is good along with catfish and spaghetti sides. Germantown commissary is a favorite of many, Topps, I like the ribs. Agree with CP on BBQ shop. Central BBQ on Summer Ave may be my favorite due to thier Brisket. It's to fight for in my book. Oh and the BBQ chicken is pretty damn good. I can assure you want go hungry for BBQ. BTW, Don't toss out the Rendovous as its a good meal and has lots history with a good dining experience. Originally Posted by Sonoman
Where ever you go, just make sure you get a pitcher of beer.......
The style of BBQ I like changes over time, But the BBQ place I like currently is One and Only BBQ(567 Perkins Extd., Memphis, TN).

Good luck on finding your Best Place.
Danielle Reid's Avatar
germantown commisery...worth the drive!

http://www.commissarybbq.com/ Originally Posted by DallasRain
I think that's what Ginger Doll said. And since I'm in her car I have no choice lol
DallasRain's Avatar
MMmmmmmmmm their BBQ nachos!!!!! Eat some for me plzzz!!!
Danielle Reid's Avatar
MMmmmmmmmm their BBQ nachos!!!!! Eat some for me plzzz!!! Originally Posted by DallasRain
Those sound tasty
I think that's what Ginger Doll said. And since I'm in her car I have no choice lol Originally Posted by Danielle Reid
Germantown Commisary is by far my absolute fave, but I would be open to sampling the others mentioned. I just don't care for Rendezvous... Cole slaw was meant to be made with mayo. Jmo.

I have never tried the nachos, Dallas... I always go for the classic pulled pork sandwich, done up Memphis style with slaw on top. Need to save room for some of that banana pudding I see everyone else eating every time I'm there, too.
bluffcityguy's Avatar
germantown commisery...worth the drive!

http://www.commissarybbq.com/ Originally Posted by DallasRain
The Commissary is very, very good, however, I don't think it's any better than The Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison or Central BBQ (any location). Since I live downtown, it makes no sense for me to drive all the way out to Germantown unless the Commissary is two heads and four shoulders above the pack, and IMHO, it ain't.

Germantown Commisary is by far my absolute fave, but I would be open to sampling the others mentioned. I just don't care for Rendezvous... Cole slaw was meant to be made with mayo. Jmo. Originally Posted by Ginger Doll
Well, for starters the Rendezvous doesn't slow smoke their ribs, they charcoal grill them (seasoned with Greek spices, which is a bit different from what you usually get anywhere else). They're ok, but most true barbecue aficionados don't accept anything as "barbecue" unless it's slow smoked. (Whenever I got asked about best barbecue here I used to name the Rendezvous as one of the places to try, and the people who went there reported back to me that they didn't like it; I've given up recommending it anymore. I'm sure that could get me deported from Memphis, but I got tired of the criticism for recommending it in the first place.)

Craig David Meek wrote the book on Memphis barbecue (literally, see: Memphis Barbecue: A Succulent History of Smoke, Sauce & Soul). He also (used to?) blog on Memphis barbecue at "Memphis Que". Here's his post comparing The Rendezvous to one of his favorite places, Latham's in Jackson. And here's his post on the Germantown Commissary, and whether it deserves its crown in the Memphis Most poll as "Best Ribs in Memphis" (TL;DR: It doesn't (sorry DR)).

One thing to do is read those posts for the information on some of the other BBQ places in Memphis, and they may give you some ideas for places to visit either during the remainder of your visit (I'm one of those folks who believes that too much barbecue is never enough), or on a future visit.

Personally, since I live downtown I find it too easy to just go to either The Bar-B-Q Shop or Central's downtown location. One thing The Bar-B-Q Shop has that no other Memphis barbecue joint has (that I know of) is an endorsement from Bob Fucking Dylan himself. So there.

Cheers,

bcg
Danielle Reid's Avatar
So many different choices. I need to try them all lol
bluffcityguy's Avatar
So many different choices. I need to try them all lol Originally Posted by Danielle Reid
Go for it! Like I said: too much barbecue is never enough.

Cheers,

bcg
bluffcityguy's Avatar
The Commissary is very, very good, however, I don't think it's any better than The Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison or Central BBQ (any location). Since I live downtown, it makes no sense for me to drive all the way out to Germantown unless the Commissary is two heads and four shoulders above the pack, and IMHO, it ain't. Originally Posted by bluffcityguy
Rereading this makes me realize I missed a couple obvious comments:

1) Which it's true that I think it's nonsensical for me to drive from home all the way out to Germantown to get 'cue that's not that much better (if it's better, at all, and I'm not sure about that) than what I can get much closer to me, and,

2) I just remembered that My Great And Good Friend, were she a member of this forum (and I'm glad she isn't--I don't want her to know about my hobby ) would tell us all at this point that one has no right to name a BBQ joint as "Best in Memphis" until and unless one has sampled the fine products of both Jim Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Q and Cozy Corner (and I confess I have yet to sample both of those yet, myself).

Cheers,

bcg
Danielle Reid's Avatar
Go for it! Like I said: too much barbecue is never enough.

Cheers,

bcg Originally Posted by bluffcityguy
Tell that to my waistline lol