Food lovers who have the opportunity to visit the city of Memphis, Tennessee undoubtedly find that this underrated Southern locale is one of the best places to eat in the entire country. Much of this is due to the city’s fantastic soul food scene, including its world-class barbeque. If you’re planning a trip to Memphis and looking to sample the best of the city’s BBQ scene, be sure to add these three spots to your list!
Central BBQ
Central BBQ is perhaps Memphis’s most-heralded barbecue restaurant and it has grown into a local chain with four restaurants scattered around the city. Slow-smoked, traditional-style Memphis barbecue, with its sweet, tomatoey sauce, is the main attraction here. This is Memphis barbecue at its most classic and best.
Payne’s Bar-B-Que
A hole in the wall restaurant located in a strip mall about 15 minutes southeast of the city’s downtown area, Payne’s is an undeniably authentic joint which specializes in chopped and pulled pork sandwiches. Affordable, unassuming, and delicious are the three words to sum up Payne’s.
Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
Located in the heart of downtown Memphis is Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, one of the city’s most iconic barbecue restaurants. Ever since 1948, this joint has been serving up barbecued meat which has been dry-rubbed with its special blend of seasonings to Memphians and celebrities alike.