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.

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!

Central BBQ

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

You can sit-down to dine at Central, or grab something to go! Regardless of how you’ll be eating, you’ll definitely want to order the ribs! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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.

Sundays through Thursdays, Central BBQ is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays hours change to 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

“We came for the ribs, but also wanted to try more to see what we liked. I will say the RIBS are extremely tasty - so tender, deep flavor, and wonderful with or without any sauce.” — Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Central BBQ

Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant

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

This family owned restaurant is the perfect place to visit with your family. Whether you’re from Memphis or not, you’ll feel at home here! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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!

On Sundays through Thursdays Marlowe’s is open for dinner from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., but on Fridays and Saturdays closing isn’t until midnight though opening is at 4 p.m. every day of the week.

“At the restaurant we were quickly seated. We ordered ribs and a fried chicken salad. The ribs were awesome. Perfect seasoning and not spicy. The salad was huge with 3 huge pieces of chicken.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant

One & Only BBQ

An extensive menu made up of food prepared fresh daily!

The ribs at One & Only BBQ are smoked fresh daily, just like all their other meat. But it’s safe to say that ribs are the most popular choice among both regulars and visitors to Memphis. Image courtesy of Instagram.

567 N Perkins Rd | Memphis | oneandonlybbq.com 

With three Memphis locations, One & Only BBQ may seem a bit contradictory to its own name, but each location makes its food with care. They use fresh ingredients and smoke their meat daily so it's always tasting great! 

This restaurant began with a dream in 2011, and in just five years their ribs made it into the final five of Commercial Appeal’s “Memphis Most” for best ribs. There’s far more than just ribs on the table, here, though— wings, tenders, salads, starters, sandwiches, hot dogs, you name it. One & Only BBQ has it all!

This restaurant is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day of the week! With the amount of options here, you could grab all three meals out of the day at One & Only BBQ. They also offer catering!

“If I can recommend anything here, it would be the pulled pork nachos. The picture does not do them justice and I've dreamt about them at least once since leaving Memphis.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for One & Only BBQ

Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

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

These ribs are so good that they’re right in the name of the restaurant— the rest of the barbecue comes second! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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.

On Sundays through Thursdays the dining room is open from 10:45 a.m. until 9 p.m. while the drive-through remains open until 9:30. On Fridays and Saturdays everything shifts by a half hour, with the dining room open from 10:45 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and the drive-through open until 10 p.m.

“Spent the weekend in Memphis so of course I had to check out a BBQ spot. Corky's did not disappoint. Service was A-1 from the moment my family walked in the door.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

Elwood’s Shack

Great comfort food in Memphis— not just BBQ!

The sandwich choices are some of the most popular foods to order at Elwood’s, whether they’re barbecue or not! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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.

Mondays through Saturdays, Elwood’s is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. On Sundays, the restaurant only has hours from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“THIS is what comes to mind when I think of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives". Super casual shack with lots of delicious food! The guy at the register was amazing and walked us through the menu.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Elwood’s Shack

Tom’s Barbeque & Deli

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

Tom’s is a great place to stop for food whether you’re traveling through Memphis or you live there! There’s enough to choose from that you could go there once on a trip or once a week! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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!

Hours are from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“This spot is a winner! You walk in and you instantly get a comfortable, homey feeling. The staff is friendly and helpful. COVID-19 protocols are enforced here. The restaurant is clean, there is space between the tables.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Tom’s Barbecue

Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que

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

The fact that it’s only open for takeout makes this restaurant a perfect place to make a quick stop for food before getting on with your day with a full belly! Image courtesy of Instagram.

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.

Jim Neely’s is closed on Sundays, but on Mondays through Wednesdays the hours are from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. On Thursdays the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays hours are 11 a.m. until midnight.

“I have seen this restaurant featured on Food Network so it was a welcomed treat to get the opportunity to dine here while visiting Memphis. The decor is home-like with many family pictures adorning the walls.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que

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, sould— 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.