Barbecue in Memphis

Im going to be in Memphis this weekend and while I know of the famous places and some others I was wondering if we have any BBQ experts here who have any restaurant recommendations. Wet/dry ribs/pulled pork whatever, just let me know any must hits and avoids.

Thanks much.

Rendezvous was my favorite by far but I am sure you know about it.

Beale Street looks sadly like 4th Street live, I avoid it.

Rendezvous was my favorite by far but I am sure you know about it.

Beale Street looks sadly like 4th Street live, I avoid it.

From reading on-line reviews, there appears to be a love/hate relationship with Rendezvous. Its either the greatest ever or total suck. This is some of the input I was hoping to receive as I dont trust random people on the internet. But, random people on here seems okay.

Rendezvous was my favorite by far but I am sure you know about it.

Beale Street looks sadly like 4th Street live, I avoid it.

From reading on-line reviews, there appears to be a love/hate relationship with Rendezvous. Its either the greatest ever or total suck. This is some of the input I was hoping to receive as I dont trust random people on the internet. But, random people on here seems okay.

Corkey's and Rendezvous both offer very good BBQ....another option is Interstate Bar-B-Que....Google their website.

Rendezvous ribs are second to none. It's not BBQ, but Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is a MUST.

BIG 2nd on Gus's Fried Chicken, that is some fowl delight!

Im going to be in Memphis this weekend and while I know of the famous places and some others I was wondering if we have any BBQ experts here who have any restaurant recommendations. Wet/dry ribs/pulled pork whatever, just let me know any must hits and avoids.

Thanks much.

Avoiding into the wet/dry debate, I've always been fond of Interstate BBQ.

[Robin Garr]

My best buddy is a senior flight attendant and foodie who lives in Memphis and is a barbecue judge and contest winner. I'll ask her opinion and pass it on. There may be a delay, though, as she's in Amsterdam on duty for a couple of days - she never travels without her computer, but with the time difference and sleep needs, I'm not sure when she'll check in.

Prefer the atmosphere of Rendezvous, location near the Peabody and Beale Street. The food was good. Glad we finally waited it out there. We ate Corkys because there was a location near where we usually stayed. Got it mostly to go. Of course, I've only been in Memphis when thousands of UL fans are there so every place was fun. Really liked the old down town 2 storied Rendezvous. Love old buildings.

Rendezvous was my favorite by far but I am sure you know about it.

Beale Street looks sadly like 4th Street live, I avoid it.

Rendezvous ribs are phenomenal!!! I strongly considered shipping them in for the Super Bowl, but alas I was without power.

I have to disagree about Beale Street...4th Street is one block worth of failing chain bars with no theme other than drunken "fun." Beale St. at least has blues bars and some shops with character. Beale St. is also the only square mile in Memphis that has staved of rampant apathy.

A very good college friend lives in/grew up in Memphis, so I trust his judgment. He always took us to The Commissary in the Germantown area. It's been around for over 25 years, and the building itself has been around forever.

http://www.commissarybbq.com/

It's really very good, and the building and history and surrounding area are pretty neat.

A few other comments - Beale Street is not like 4th. Beale has a history, and supports the local music scene, etc. Yes, it is jam packed with drunk tourists at night, but it's importance and place in Memphis history in puts it heads above 4th Street. Plus, there are tons and tons of local, very good restaurants, bars, and shopping that are just off Beale Street. Unfortunately, Louisville isn't there yet. It's easy to go to downtown Memphis, pop onto Beale Street for the experience, and then finish your bar hopping at other places within walking distance that are much less crowded. In Louisville, for the most part, once you're on 4th, you're stuck there, with a few exceptions. For the true

Corky's is okay, but it's a chain. You can get it tons of places. If you're in Memphis, eat at a local Memphis joint.

I third or fourth or whatever Gus's. It's in a pretty bad area, is a little greasy inside, and not barbeque, but the food is great, the place is famous (made so by the locals, not the tourists), and it's a memorable experience.

Interstate BBQ and go to Beale St. 4th Street Live like? Not even close.

My wife and I took a sojourn to Memphis last May. As chance would have it, this was during the BBQ cook-off that is a huge event there (it was then we discovered that said cook-off is largely just a competitive affair--the plebes in the crowd didn't actually get to sample, oy--er, oink!). Anyway, we quizzed a bunch of Memphisites and the consensus was Rendezvous, Interstate, and the original Corky's on Poplar Ave. As our stay was short, we only got to sample Rendezvous and Corky's. Surprisingly, both of us were disappointed in Rendezvous. Great atmosphere, but I must say the ribs were rather chewy. This shocked us both because we had heard great things about the place, even long before we went there (food network or travel channel, I'm sure). Maybe we just had bad luck. Corky's on the other hand, pleasantly surprised. The ribs were far juicier, more tender, just better. We were told by multiple people that you shouldn't judge the original Corky's by their other outlets (not sure if they are franchised), and I must say that our experience reinforces this as I've had Corky's elsewhere and it was a different beast entirely (ribs and pulled pork). An interesting bit of trivia we were told while in Memphis: the original Corky's claims they are the busiest restaurant in the country according to square footage. Not sure of their basis of measurement, or veracity, but they were a hopping little joint. We got pick-up and they were remarkably efficient, however.
In short, chalk up another recommendation for the Poplar Ave. Corky's and a somewhat negative impression of Rendezvous. Not saying to avoid the latter, but bear in mind the acclaim is not free of caveats. An added plus with the place is that it's just a couple blocks from Beale St (I experienced Beale St during the day, and that does lend it somewhat of a 4th Street Live vibe; I'm sure at night when the blues bands are playing it takes on a different ambiance). Finally, the Travel Channel had a blurb on Interstate a couple of weeks ago and it looked mighty fine, so keep that one on your list as well. The locals spoke highly of it.
Enjoy the Q!

Rendezvous has the best ribs around! I actually had them flown in when I was pregnant!!! (1-800-pigs-fly) I've eaten a lot of ribs, but none come close to theirs.
Corky's is great for "wet" bbq.
Also, the Neely's (ala Food Network) has a family restaurant (which I can NOT think of the name right off my head) that has fabulous collard greens, mac n cheese, etc. The bbq was ok.

Yea, Rendezvous' ribs were so good I've looked into having them shipped but I'll have to wait for a special occasion, they're something like 49.95 for a full rack. But from what I've heard they ship really well and and a cinch to cook.