Memphis is all talk. Texas bbq kicks its butt every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

We stop every year on our way to knoxville. Central was this years stop. I had the best pork rinds I have ever had! It tasted like buttered popcorn.

Do not get beef over there. Ribs and Pulled Pork should really be all you purchase unless you want sub par bbq.

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The Commissary in Germantown is awesome!

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Pulled pork is solid here. Ribs okay

Not Texas BBQ at all, but is great for what it is. Pulled pork and ribs are good. Family always hits Neely's up for the smoked bologna sandwiches, and if you are a fried chicken once a year type person you have to go to Gus'. There are several locations, but the original is fun and feels right. I am not a huge fried chicken guy, but we went every time until they built one in Little Rock. They claim fried pickles started in Memphis, and are fried spears not chips. Rendezvous is way overrated. As stated be careful, there at too many episodes of "The First 48" filmed there.

Corky's. Good stuff.

I live in Germantown.

Not only is The Commisary in Germantown my favorite, it's in one of the safest parts of greater Memphis. We especially like the pulled pork. The cole slaw is awesome too.

Uncle Lou's fried chicken near the airport is awesome but don't go there after dark. We like it better than Gus's.

Central BBQ is good and I too like the dry Rendezvous BBQ. It's a tourist trap but if you're downtown it's one of the best places to eat.

Corky's and Interstate are good, too, and have several locations.

Bon appetit!

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Memphis BBQ does not have sauce. And, they are somehow proud of this fact.

Don't get your hopes up. It is just as bad as it sounds.

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Meat that is cooked well doesn't need sauce, HTH.

If you are looking to go a little out of the way, different, cheaper, and you are looking for something in the middle of the day, you could also try this place called the Cozy Corner. Good BBQ in a run down place, but they have an outstanding Cornish Game Hen. So good.

The Commissary in Germantown is legit. Everything they serve is fantastic. Ribs, pulled pork, sides, dessert...it's all awesome!

I lived in Memphis for 26 years so I guess I'll throw my opinions out there.

Rendezvous is great. As stated earlier, the price far outweighs the quality but it's an experience and atmosphere that can be beat by any place in Memphis. That being said, it's not my favorite.

The commissary in Germantown has great food. Everything is top notch. It's also in one of the best and safest neighborhoods in Memphis. Not much else to do "touristy" in the area though so if you aren't staying in the area it might be a wasted trip.

Corky's (in my opinion) is severely overrated. Some people love it, some people hate it.

My favorite bbq in Memphis is Central. The ribs are great. The pulled pork is excellent. There's multiple locations as well (including downtown) so no matter where you are staying there should be one close by.

As far as the dry rub goes, every bbq place serves their ribs as dry rub. Regardless of where you choose, I suggest trying it without sauce first. If it's not your taste then every place has bbq sauce at the tables.

Hope that helps

Corky's ribs (dry rub) was really good!!

Spent some time in Memphis...my top joints are as follows:
1) Central BBQ - I highly recommend this place, but only the downtown location. It is the best overall with respect to meats, sides, etc. Nachos, wings, pork rinds it's all good.
2) Germantown Commissary - Excellent meat, bad sides. Best pulled pork in town.
3) Rendezvous - I'll say it...I don't get people raving about it. The only good thing is the ribs and those are just ok.
4) Corkys - The Dickeys of Memphis BBQ...nuff said.

There is some awesome food in Memphis, I can post a few more recs if people are interested in nicer places.

Stayed in Memphis last yr for Ole Miss game and got to try both Central and Corky's.........and I say Corky's by a country mile. Totally disapponted in Central. Good sides but that was about it. Corky's dry ribs were fantastic, wife got ribs w sauce and some bbq chicken and both of those were excellent as well. As were the sides. Just don't go in expecting Texas BBQ. If you're only gonna hit one place.......Corky's

Although both were eons better than Dreamland in Tuscaloosa. Probably the worst BBQ I've ever had. ANYWHERE. EVER.

If you've never had dry rub ribs, you will likely be disappointed the first time, because they're not what you are accustomed to. Kind of like eating somebody else's turkey dressing other than your Mom's. After the initial fail wears off, if you're open-minded, you'll eventually come to appreciate and understand the greatness of dry rub ribs. In the interim, there is always sauce at the table to wet them down. To me, Rendezvous is the gold standard. I think the sides there (slaw and beans) are what offend most newbies, because they are so completely unlike Texas sides.

1) Rendezvous is cool, but overrated.

2) You HAVE TO go to Uncle Lou's fried chicken. Really. It's fried chicken with a sticky, flavorful sauce. Amazing. Seriously. You gotta go. It's not in the best section of town, but Memphis is a dump.

3) If you're driving, I suggest carrying if you have a permit. If you're flying, it's worth checking a bag to have a piece. When I lived in TN, you could carry in a place that sold alcohol if you weren't drinking.

We stopped at Corky's two years ago.. It sucked. I don't think we liked anything we got. I would agree it is more like Dickey's. Average at best.

We will have to stop at the Commisary next year. Germantown is one of the places we like to spend the night. Made the mistake of staying up north one year.

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The Commissary in Germantown is awesome!

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This!

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The BBQ shop, Cozy Corner. Rendezvous is meh.

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Place out in Southaven called Memphis BBQ Company. Looks like a Texas Roadhouse. Don't let the franchise feel fool you. Their ribs are tasty and all of their sides are good, especially the pork rinds and texas toast they bring you for free.

I go there for work a bunch and here is my list of restaurants I would recommend in no particular order:

Commissary - so solid. As mentioned earlier they have the best pulled pork. Best thing I've had there: pulled pork nachos. The sweet smoky sauce + Dry Rub + Nacho Cheese on top of that amazing pulled pork is crack.

Central, downtown location - solid; very very good. Nothing jumps out though.

Gus' fried chicken - Fried Crack. Go here if you get a chance.

Dyer's Hamburgers - really good old fashioned burger; fair warning, they cook the burgers by submerging them in this ancient vat of grease.

BB Kings - probably anything is good after a three hour session with Yuengling, but the "Chili" Nachos here were awesome. Too drunk to know if they had beans in them.

The Little Tea Shop - dont let the name fool you. This place throws down some serious home cooking,. Many execs at downtown firms frequent this place for lunch, which makes for an ironic scene.

That's my two cents!

I'll add some local non-bbq places:
1) Hog and Hominy (East Memphis) - Don't know how to describe this place. It's like Italian and Southern food combined. They have a great late night and brunch menu. Check out the menu and if you like what you see you'll love this place. The cheese hot dog on pretzel is INCREDIBLE
2) Restaurant Iris (Midtown) - Widely regarded as one of the best places to eat in Memphis. This place has a big waiting list usually so reserve early. Try the stuffed steak with fried oysters and bread pudding.
3) Gus's (East Memphis) - Agree with this suggestion. I only go to the one in east memphis. The ones in other parts of town like Collierville just aren't as good imo.
4) Bar Dog (Downtown) - Great hole in the wall bar off Beall with AWESOME bar food.

Places I Would Skip:
1) Flight - Kind'a a meh place unless you really like the idea of different wines/food pairing.
2) Folks Folly - This is the local steak place. Steak was ok, but the rest of the place is terrible. Like a nursing home in this place. Also, missing things I think are critical for any place worth a damn like a good bread before the meal.

Casinos - If you are heading south to Tunica the only places worth going are the MGM Goldstrike - Caesars Horseshoe - Caesars Roadhouse complex. DO NOT go to West Memphis dog track. It's terrible.

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The Commissary in Germantown is awesome!

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Went here and it was great. As some have said, the style is different than Texas style, but it is still really good.

I go to Memphis a lot for work, so I've tried most of the BBQ places on everyone's lists, most several times. I would say the 2 most consistent are Central and Interstate. Both do great pulled pork. Interstate has the best smoked wings I've ever had. Treat yourself. No booze there, though. Central has a good selection of craft beers.

Rendesvouz is hit or miss, but has to be tried for a Memphis "bucket list" meal. Same with Gus's Fried Chicken.

Some other non-BBQ places downtown are:

Local Gastropub
The Majestic
Flying Fish
Huey's burgers

OUt of downtown:
Hog and Hominy is great for eclectic pizza
Blue Plate Cafe on Poplar for homestyle breakfast

Butcher Block and a 32 oz Porter house. Enough said.

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3) Gus's (East Memphis) - Agree with this suggestion. I only go to the one in east memphis. The ones in other parts of town like Collierville just aren't as good imo.

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FYI - A Gus's opened up in Austin. It is delicious.


Just to prove I'm not crazy (since no one else but me has suggested this place - 4.4/5 stars . Cozy corner 4.5/5 stars)

Google Reviews of Memphis BBQ Co.

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Payne's or THree Little Pigs.

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We went to Payne's once. Very interesting hole-in-the-walls (literally) place. Probably the only joint we went to where we were a little concerned about the area. May be off base, but not worth going back.

Will have to hit up the Commissary next trip.

BB King's ribs are amazing!

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Memphis BBQ does not have sauce. And, they are somehow proud of this fact.

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Because the best BBQ doesn't need sauce - some with Texas brisket. Pappy's in St. Louis adheres to a Memphis-style for their ribs and are phenomenal on their own. There is sauce on the table if you want to make them even sweeter (for the KC style folks), but they don't need it.

Just a heads up.. If you do go to rendezvous and get ribs and they are too dry or tough, tell your waiter and he will get you another slab. This has happened to me a few times and they are always more than happy to get you another. Rendezvous can be really hit or miss for what you're paying so speak up and get your money's worth.