The Official Memphis BBQ Trail: 15 Essential Spots
Love Memphis-style BBQ? The official "Memphis BBQ Trail" offers a taste of the best, from unassuming hidden gems to wildly popular local chains. See which of your local favorites made the list! Image: Facebook / Central BBQ
Memphis-style BBQ is celebrated the world over, and asking for the “best” place to get it can spark heated debate. To offer folks a comprehensive taste of the local BBQ scene — from unassuming family-run favorites to popular regional chains — Memphis Travel put together an official “Memphis BBQ Trail” that includes 15 must-try spots.
You can download the free Memphis BBQ Trail passport to check in at all 15 locations and even snag exclusive specials and freebies when you visit. (Think free drinks, desserts, and general discounts.)
1. Charlie Vergos Rendezvous
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: hogsfly.com
A legendary Memphis BBQ institution, Rendezvous is known for its dry-rub ribs, cooked over charcoal. The seasoning is their signature — a Greek-inspired chili-spice blend that leaves the ribs light on smoke but bursting with flavor. Its tucked-away, alleyway entrance only heightens the mystique. (You can purchase sauces and spice blends to take home, too!)
2. Blues City Cafe
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: bluescitycafe.com
Situated in the heart of the Beale Street entertainment district, Blues City Cafe seamlessly blends barbecue and blues. Their ribs are hickory-smoked and served in a lively environment. Alongside traditional Memphis pork BBQ, you’ll find catfish, tamales, steaks, and Southern sides. The adjacent “Band Box” hosts nightly live music, so you can make a night of it.
3. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Neighborhood: East Memphis
More Info: corkysbbq.com
A well-known Memphis BBQ chain with several locations in Tennessee and Arkansas, Corky’s offers ribs, pulled meats, and classic sides. This spot is consistently good, so it’s a safe bet for both locals and visitors in search of dependably delicious Memphis BBQ.
4. Cozy Corner
Neighborhood: Uptown
More Info: cozycornerbbq.com
A family-run staple going back generations, Cozy Corner is especially known for its smoked ribs and celebrated BBQ Cornish hen. The “aquarium-style” BBQ pits are visible through glass so diners can watch the smoke swirl while they’re waiting!
Fun Fact: The matriarch at Cozy Corner — Desiree Robinson — was inducted into The American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2020!
5. Germantown Commissary
Neighborhood: Germantown
More Info: commissarybbq.com
Originally housed in a general store, Germantown Commissary brings barbecue into a polished suburban setting. It delivers Memphis classics — ribs, pulled pork, smoked sausage — while also earning praise for desserts like banana pudding and lemon icebox pie.
6. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que
Neighborhood: South Memphis
More Info: neelysinterstatebarbecue.com
Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que is one of Memphis’s more established brands. Its menu is anchored by chopped pork sandwiches, beef links, and barbecue platters. The South 3rd Street and Winchester Road branches both see heavy local patronage and takeout traffic, but only the 3rd Street location is “officially” on the BBQ Trail.
7. Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant
Neighborhood: Southwest Memphis / Graceland area
More Info: marlowesmemphis.com
Marlowe’s blends Memphis’s BBQ tradition with a touch of flair that tourists love, appealing especially to those heading toward Graceland or exploring the southwest side of town. Alongside ribs and sandwiches, its ambiance includes nods to the city’s musical heritage, including the King of Rock n’ Roll himself.
8. Payne’s BBQ
Neighborhood: Cooper-Young
More Info: facebook.com/PaynesBBQMemphis
In its modest, no-frills building, Payne’s lets its pork do the talking. The chopped pork sandwich is piled high, sauced, and often topped with a tangy mustard-based slaw, while the ribs earn nothing but rave reviews. Locals cite the crusty “char” on the meat as a trustworthy hallmark.
9. Smoky City BBQ
Neighborhood: North Memphis
More Info: smokycitybbq.com
Smoky City aims to expand the definition of Memphis BBQ with a robust menu — in addition to ribs, pork, and brisket, they offer burgers, fish, steaks, and more. It serves as both a classic smokehouse and a full-service grill.
10. The Bar-B-Q Shop
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: thebar-b-qshop.com
The Bar-B-Q Shop is perhaps best known for its signature Barbecue Spaghetti — spaghetti topped with pulled pork and BBQ sauce. Its ribs, sandwiches, and sides round out the menu, but that’s the must-try dish. The shop mixes tradition and creativity in a casual Midtown setting, and you definitely will not leave hungry.
11. The Pig on Beale
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: pigonbeale.co
Right in the thick of bustling Beale Street, The Pig on Beale offers convenience for visitors walking the musical corridor. This spot offers staples like pulled pork, ribs, and classic sides — a solid stop to refuel if you’re making the rounds as a first-time visitor.
12. Tops Bar-B-Q
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: topsbarbq.com
As a citywide fast-casual BBQ chain, Tops makes smoked meats accessible with multiple locations around town — but you can only officially stamp your “BBQ Passport” at the Union Avenue location. Their signature pork shoulder sandwich is a beloved favorite!
13. Central BBQ – Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: eatcbq.com
Central BBQ has been a staple on the Memphis scene since the first location opened in 2002. Today, there are three locations in Memphis and two in Nashville! The downtown Memphis location offers up the chain’s signature dishes conveniently close to many of Memphis’s central attractions. Expect the same lineup of pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey, sausage plates, and inventive specials (like BBQ nachos) in a walkable location for visitors.
14. Central BBQ – Summer Ave
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: eatcbq.com
As one of Central BBQ’s neighborhood branches, the Summer Avenue location caters more to locals than tourists. It shares the same ethos — hardwood-smoked meats, balanced sauce options, and a welcoming, casual space — suited for a midday or evening BBQ break in the city’s core.
15. Central BBQ – Midtown Food Truck
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: eatcbq.com
This mobile BBQ option brings smoked meats and staples to the heart of Memphis’s Midtown neighborhood. Depending on the day and location, you might find it near bars, parks, or busy intersections — offering a more casual, grab-and-go BBQ experience.
Eat up!
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Alissa Harb
Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 13 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.