8 Spots to Bite Into the Best BBQ in Memphis, Tennessee 🥩

While barbecue may be your go-to food for a night in the backyard, you’ll find it’s just as delicious when you go out to eat. Memphis, Tennessee in particular has quite a few great restaurants that serve up delicious barbecue food.

While barbecue may be your go-to food for a night in the backyard, you’ll find it’s just as delicious when you go out to eat. Memphis, Tennessee in particular has quite a few great restaurants that serve up delicious barbecue food.

And hey, won’t it be more refreshing to eat food that comes right off the grill in an air-conditioned space rather than a backyard full of bugs, especially in the summer? Memphis is hot, and the places on this list will make sure that you’re not just fed, but comfortable. Not to mention the fact that Memphis is famous for its barbecue food.

While you’re considering treating yourself to a barbecue in Memphis, you should also consider treating someone you know to a GiftYa! 

With this virtual gift card company’s app, you can send a friend or family member a gift card for a participating location that they can attach to their credit or debit card so that they don’t have to remember to bring anything extra in their wallet!

All of the barbecue restaurants on this list happen to have that option for you!

1 - Central BBQ

The most popular place for barbecue in Memphis— for good reason!

📍 147 E Butler Ave | Memphis | eatcbq.com

Central BBQ has been open in Memphis since 2002, and now it has four locations in the city— three supported by GiftYa, the downtown, midtown, and Summer Avenue locations. At Central, they pride themselves on their delicious meat that falls right off the bone, their southern hospitality, and all around good vibes.

They serve shareable plates, entrees, sandwiches, and salads, as well as sides and desserts. The star of the show at Central is the ribs, but they have something for everyone— a kid’s menu, as well as a host of gluten-free options.

“The BBQ nachos were delicious - we added brisket onto ours and got a full size (there's also a half size). They have my partner's favorite wings in town! A chill lunch spot. Plus, their sweet iced tea is delicious” - Yelp Review 

2 - Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant

A family-owned restaurant that’ll make you feel at home...right by Elvis’ home!

📍 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd | Memphis | marlowesmemphis.com 

Marlowe’s has been a family restaurant in Memphis since 1974, and they treat both locals and visitors to Memphis alike with the utmost hospitality. 

It’s a great place to stop if you want to visit Graceland, since this restaurant is located only a mile from the home of Elvis Presley. For a city renowned for its musical history, this is the perfect place to grab a bite!

Marlowe’s has an incredibly extensive menu, but their BBQ pork ribs, beef brisket, and BBQ shrimp have won awards. They have a section devoted to exclusively BBQ options, but they also serve sandwiches, salads, sides, desserts, entrees, appetizers, and beverages. Anything that you could ask for!

“Food was very tasty, good portion size. Lisa our waitress was welcoming, greeted us with a smile, and was friendly.The ambiance was eclectic with Elvis memorabilia throughout. A small store inside also. We were picked up in a pink Cadillac at our hotel, and returned in the same. Driver was great!” - Yelp Review 

3 - Cozy Corner Restaurant

A Memphis Classic Where You Can FInd Some Great BBQ!

📍 735 N Pkwy | Memphis | cozycornerbbq.com

Cozy Corner Restaurant is another great place to find some amazing BBQ when you are in Memphis. 

“Food is good. Service is good. Prices are good. No complaints. I love the Cornish hen. They run out of food fast so if there's an event or holiday coming up you better place your order ahead of time. And if you come looking for ribs 1 hour before closing on a weekend day you probably won't find any.” - Yelp Review 

4 - Payne's Bar-B-Que

A Great Place in Memphis to Get BBQ for Lunch!!!

📍 1762 Lamar Ave | Memphis | www.facebook.com/PaynesBBQMemphis

Payne's Bar-B-Que is another great BBQ place in Memphis that you can enjoy during the week, but they are really just a place to grab lunch. 

“I love Payne's! If you're thinking of some Memphis BBQ, please do yourself a favor and come grab a bite here! Their pulled pork sandwich is mouthwatering. The baked beans are just as savory. This is just a quintessential spot; family owned, very friendly, down-to-earth folks. As a tourist, I was impressed. Plus, they've been featured on the Food Network, how can you go wrong? Keep their hours in mind as they are only open for lunch time Tues-Sat. Would definitely come back!” - Yelp Review 

5 - Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

A great barbecue spot with both a drive-thru and places to dine-in!

📍 5259 Poplar Ave | Memphis | corkysbbq.com 

Corky’s Ribs & BBQ has been voted the #1 spot to get barbecue in Memphis 22 times since it opened more than thirty years ago, both impressive records! They’re not just popular in Memphis, however— Corky’s has locations all over Tennessee, and even a few in other states!

Corky’s is open for both takeout — delivery, pickup, and drive-through — as well as sit-down dining with an extensive menu. They serve lunch specials, barbecue sandwiches and dinners, ribs both on their own and in combo dishes, starters, burgers, salads, beverages, and desserts.

“The food was hot and the flavor was delicious. Our food had ample portions and the meat was flavorful and tender.Our server Brenda did an excellent job. She served us like we were the only two in the place. She even put a bib on me so I wouldn't spoil my clothes. Thanks Corky for making our day. Pulled pork jumbo sandwich with baked beans and seasoned fries and Catfish nuggets with baked beans and hush puppies” - Yelp Review 

6 - Elwood’s Shack

Great comfort food in Memphis— not just BBQ!

📍 4523 Summer Ave | Memphis | elwoodsshack.com

Elwood’s Shack serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner for either takeout, and sit-down dining— indoor and outdoor seating areas are both open! Their barbecue is a big part of what’s made this restaurant so special, but it’s far from the only thing on the menu.

With salads, subs, hot dogs, pizzas, tacos, burgers, and sides in addition to their smokehouse options, Elwood’s truly has a lot of choices for comfort food. And if you aren’t coming for dinner, check out the breakfast and brunch menus.

“I was only in Memphis for the afternoon but wanted to try some "Memphis BBQ" like everyone talks about. This spot was great and the sandwich is something I'll be craving again. Customer service was super informative and friendly. If I'm ever in the area again I'll be back!” - Yelp Review 

7 - Tom’s Barbeque & Deli

The food here is so good that even the Food Network says so!

📍 4087 New Getwell Rd | Memphis | tomsbarbeque.com 

Tom’s is an incredibly popular BBQ place in Memphis, largely because of the repeated features it has had on Food Network— both on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives as well as The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The restaurant was also featured in the former’s book.

The staff are committed to ensuring you have a great dining, takeout, or catering experience, and the current owner Adam has been running this restaurant for over 25 years. With an impressive selection of sandwiches, ribs, salads, and sides, there’s plenty of food worth a try!

“Halal bbq at its finest I come from Alabama just to get this. Amazing food, amazing service, great people. Make sure to support them. I'm a big fan of the beef ribs and beef volcano fries but they don't miss on anything” - Yelp Review 

8 - Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que

Delivery and pick-up takeout just off of I-55!

📍 2265 S 3rd St | Memphis | interstatebarbecue.com

Jim Neely’s Interstate Barb-B-Q has also been featured on Diners, Dive-Ins, and Drives on the Food Network. The restaurant is just off of I-55, which makes it a convenient location whether you’re planning to stop in Memphis for a while or if you’re just passing through on your way to somewhere else!

The extensive menu offers up dinners, sandwiches, salads, and much more for takeout at great prices! The food has also won quite a few awards in People’s Magazine, Vogue, The Commercial Appeal, and USA Today.

“I grew up on this world famous bbq. It's the best and I love every item on the menu. People ask me what to order from this restaurant well my reply is order everything it's all good. The pull pork is the best hands down. I travel from all over the world just to get back here and eat.” - Yelp Review 

And There You Have A List of the 8  Best BBQ Points You Can FInd In Memphis Tennessee!

Whether you want to just make a quick stop for food in Memphis before you carry on driving or sightseeing or you want your dining experience to be an event to look forward to in and of itself, there’s something for you on this list!

And whether you live in Memphis, are traveling there, or just simply passing by, these are great places to go if you happen to get that barbecue craving. There’s plenty more to do in Memphis than just eat, though!

It’s the second most populated city in Tennessee, just after Nashville, and it’s known primarily for its rich musical history. Rock and roll, R&B, rap, jazz, soul— plenty of styles of music got their start or made a huge impact on this city.

So, maybe you should give Memphis a chance to have an impact on you! Travel there, see what there is to see, and you never know what might happen!

And of course, if someone you know is a big barbecue fan who happens to be traveling to Memphis in the near future, buy a delicious meal for them by sending them a GiftYa for some of this delicious food.