BBQ joints in Memphis

**CyDaMan** · 12-27-2012, 10:54 PM

For the Fanatics coming to Memphis, we showed up early this morning. Hit the Blue plate diner for breakfast and was more than filling cause we skipped lunch. After that we took the trolley up and down main st. Which is 1.50 a ride or 3.50 for a all day pass or 9.00 for a 3 day pass. Anyways we toured the Martin Luther King museum and the hotel (some of it is under construction) and was very interesting a must see! For dinner we went to BB Kings BBQ and was an awesome experience and highly recommended while your down here because you can hit Beale St. as well! But locals are saying Central and Gus's Chicken is the places to hit but don't expect to have a full sit down dinner! Other than that everyone is very friendly and are showing CycONEnation the upmost southern hospitality! Enjoy and lets rock Tulsa!

**bringmagicback** · 12-27-2012, 11:15 PM

But have you been shot?

**Rhoadhoused** · 12-27-2012, 11:23 PM

Thanks. I wouldn't be mad if this became a "I have done this in Memphis and it was good/bad" thread.

**Erik4Cy** · 12-27-2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rhoadhoused

Thanks. I wouldn't be mad if this became a "I have done this in Memphis and it was good/bad" thread.

Everyone and their mom has chimed in with their intelligent opinion of Memphis since hearing my GF and I are making the trip for the bowl game...we've decided to not listen to ANY of their advice and just do what we want to do rather than skipping BB Kings/Graceland/etc. because someone else didn't like it.

**theyork** · 12-28-2012, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by CyDaMan

For the Fanatics coming to Memphis, we showed up early this morning. Hit the Blue plate diner for breakfast and was more than filling cause we skipped lunch. After that we took the trolley up and down main st. Which is 1.50 a ride or 3.50 for a all day pass or 9.00 for a 3 day pass. Anyways we toured the Martin Luther King museum and the hotel (some of it is under construction) and was very interesting a must see! For dinner we went to BB Kings BBQ and was an awesome experience and highly recommended while your down here because you can hit Beale St. as well! But locals are saying Central and Gus's Chicken is the places to hit but don't expect to have a full sit down dinner! Other than that everyone is very friendly and are showing CycONEnation the upmost southern hospitality! Enjoy and lets rock Tulsa!

take it for what its worth, but i've been to gus's fried chicken 4 or 5 times and it has been extremely average each and every time. i keep going back because some of my friends insist on it. i keep hoping i'll see the light, but i just don't. its just average fried chicken that you have to wait an hour to be seated for. probably won't have such a long line in the winter i suppose (as the line is outside, not inside).

**Cytaki** · 12-28-2012, 09:11 AM

I lived in Memphis for awhile and here are some of the best places there in my opinion (at least the ones I tried)...there are far more good places. BBQ: Corky's, Rendezvous, Central (All are good but a little bit different, Corky's has a nice atmosphere, Rendezvous is probably the best BBQ but it is always busy and you feel rushed out and Central is very good as well. Also Germantown Commisary has amazing BBQ as well. In terms of other food joints, Arcade on Main Street is really good, Gus' Chicken is good, Kooky Canuck has good burgers and other stuff, Huey's has reallly good burgers. Those are some of the places I really liked and most were either downtown or fairly close to the Liberty Bowl area. For a pizza joint you can't miss on Memphis Pizza Cafe and for sandwiches Lenny's is a good place.

**CascadeClone** · 12-28-2012, 09:30 AM

My personal faves are Commisary for BBQ and Hueys. Hueys claims the "best burger in the world" and it actually lives up to the hype IMHO. Get the sweet potato fries at Hueys.

Abuelos is a great place for TexMex.

Folks Folly for spendy, formal, high-class dining.

Also Leonards has the best fried catfish anywhere. Better than Bluff Lake. But they might only be take out these days, not sure.

So many good places to eat in Memphis, food is their thing. Not much else going on, besides FedEx.

Also the local beer is pretty decent - Ghost River, they have several different styles. Try some.

**Tank** · 12-28-2012, 09:42 AM

The Rendevoux, hands down, is the best BBQ joint!

**dirtyninety** · 12-28-2012, 09:47 AM

Restaurant Revisited: Pollard's | FN Dish

I just remember the loud food network guy telling the bbq joint owner that his ribs "sucked" to his face. Awkward.
I think there is an App for what bbq places you can go to.

**CyFan61** · 12-28-2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by CascadeClone

My personal faves are Commisary for BBQ and Hueys.

I am glad to hear this, we are staying in Germantown so we figured we would hit up Commissary anyway. Looking forward to it.

**Cyclones_R_GR8** · 12-28-2012, 10:20 AM

I'm surprised no one has mention Interstate BBQ. How is that ?

And according to the website Rendezvous is normally closed on Sundays & Mondays but I guess they will be open this Monday from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm.

**83Clone** · 12-28-2012, 05:56 PM

For what it's worth, I do business with an attorney in Memphis who has lived there for 20 years. (Big Auburn fan, big Rhoads fan, hated the Chiz). His recommendations are:

Central BBQ
Rendevous for dry ribs and BBQ "experience"
Hueys for the best burger in town
Although it's been previously panned in this thread, he recommends Gus' Fried Chicken
If you want to step it up a notch he recommends Felicia Suzanne's, McEwen's or Flight
Graceland is "definitely worth it"
Civil Rights Museum is very moving and also a must see. Given the time constraints and in order to do either one justice, we had to pick one and save one for later-we're going to the Civil Rights Museum

And he knew we didn't have a car so he only made suggestions downtown and said the trolley will get you nearly everywhere downtown.

And it's no secret that the Peabody is where you go to people watch. There is really a lot to see and do in Memphis. I really don't understand the "bowl snobs" that came out early. Other than the fact we would have played in the Cotton Bowl and it's further south, I actually like Memphis better than Dallas

**CarolinaCy** · 12-28-2012, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclones_R_GR8

I'm surprised no one has mention Interstate BBQ. How is that ?

And according to the website Rendezvous is normally closed on Sundays & Mondays but I guess they will be open this Monday from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm.

I've only been to Interstate once at the Memphis airport, but I thought their ribs were very good.

**Rhoadhoused** · 12-29-2012, 07:21 PM

Just got here. Right across from the Peabody. Anything in this thread within walking distance food wise?

**00clone** · 12-29-2012, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rhoadhoused

Just got here. Right across from the Peabody. Anything in this thread within walking distance food wise?

I believe Rendezvous is. IIRC, when we were down there, we parked, went to Peabody/Rendezvous/Beale street all by walking.

Didn't go there, but today I was watching "United States of Burgers". He was at Dyer's burgers on Beale Street. They deep fry their burgers, and they have had the same gigantic pan of grease for over 60 years. Never changed, never added to, just strain it every day and 'season' it by adding onions and their 'secret sauce'...like Worcestershire or something.