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Memphis BBQ ...Best Options in Town?

Posted on 12/4/25 at 12:54 pm
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
52175 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 12:54 pm
Folks are headed to the marathon this weekend. What are the current best BBQ options? I haven't eaten in Memphis in 20+ years. TIA

Question....how is Arnold's BBQ and Grill?
This post was edited on 12/4/25 at 1:38 pm
Posted by rltiger
Metairie
Member since Oct 2004
1903 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 1:31 pm to
I do like Rendezvous. They cook the ribs over open flame, not smoked.
Posted by cuyahoga tiger
NE Ohio via Tangipahoa
Member since Nov 2011
6103 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 1:44 pm to
Germantown Commissary is best , IMO
Central is very good
Rendezvous' is decent and should be done at least once for nostalgia if nothing else
Posted by moontigr
Commanders/LA Kings/Detroit Tigers
Member since Nov 2020
6981 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 2:00 pm to
Haven't been there in a decade or so, but back then Central, BBQ Shop, and Germantown Commissary were the best.

I much prefer TX bbq though
Posted by Kenna City Solja
America’s City
Member since Nov 2025
509 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 2:34 pm to
BBQ Shop

Their specialty is the dry glaze ribs (not to be confused with 1/2 dry 1/2 glaze)

It’s good, but their dry rub only ribs are the best I’ve ever had
Posted by Pikes Peak Tiger
Colorado Springs
Member since Jun 2023
9418 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 2:49 pm to
When I lived there, my favorites were Central BBQ, Germantown Commissary, Cozy Corner and Rendezvous

Not sure if Cozy Corner is still opened and i remember if you went there after dark you were just as likely to get shot as get food, but damn was the food good.
Posted by Cosmo
glassman's guest house
Member since Oct 2003
129163 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 3:01 pm to
Bbq shop
Germantown commissary
Central
Cozy corner
Posted by jchamil
Member since Nov 2009
18828 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 3:38 pm to
Are you staying downtown? Also, do you want ribs, chicken, or pulled pork?

Posted by dpd901
South Louisiana
Member since Apr 2011
7870 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 3:54 pm to
Is Rendevous the best BBQ in Memphis? Absolutely not.

Is there a cooler place to eat barbecue in Memphis? Absolutely not.

Go have drinks on in the lobby at the Peabody around 4;30. Watch the ducks. go up the elevator. Stay til 6:00, then walk across the street to the Vous
Posted by SpotCheckBilly
Member since May 2020
8197 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 4:06 pm to
My fave is Central, followed very closely by Germantown Commissary. If you go to Germantown, get some tamales too.

If you have never been to Rendezvous, it's worth a trip, and it's good, but I like the other two better.
Posted by tiger rag 93
KCMO
Member since Oct 2007
2913 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 4:11 pm to
Best pure BBQ is probably Commissary.

Central has some good items but I found them to be pretty hit and miss. Bbq nachos, sausage and cheese plate, and the wings never disappointed.

Rendezvous is very polarizing but I really like it. Brisket and Rib combo plate never disappointed me. And the vibe is good.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
52175 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

Are you staying downtown? Also, do you want ribs, chicken, or pulled pork?



These are friends. They are a shrt distance from the Peabody...looking for good BBQ, but not likely Rendezvous.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
23905 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 4:19 pm to
I had Central a few weeks back and it was great.
Posted by jchamil
Member since Nov 2009
18828 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 4:29 pm to
quote:

These are friends. They are a shrt distance from the Peabody...looking for good BBQ, but not likely Rendezvous.


I'd go to BBQ Shop on Madison. It's in Midtown and not far from downtown. Or go to Cozy Corner on the north side of downtown. There is also a Central downtown, but it would be my 3rd choice of those 3.

Everything is pretty good at BBQ Shop. I always get the bologna and cheese plate. Cozy Corner has a great smoked Cornish game hen; their ribs and chicken wings are good too. Central (also Commissary but that's too far) has a good smoked half chicken and great dry rub wings; I think their ribs and pulled pork are just ok.
Posted by Indfanfromcol
LSU
Member since Jan 2011
14887 posts
Posted on 12/4/25 at 10:32 pm to
Where ever you go, just make sure to also order bbq nachos.

The real tip. Go to Colettas. Not the newer one, but the one on south parkway. Get a bbq pizza. You won’t regret it.
Posted by bossflossjr
The Great State of Louisiana
Member since Sep 2005
12274 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 7:34 am to
If they do wind up at Rendezvous - the lamb riblets is the order.

BBQ Shop on Madison is probably my preference. Germantown Comm is a decent drive from downtown. Central is fine too. Most of them have sauces too sweet for my liking, but BBQ Shop is least
Posted by Turbo Busa
South Bend, Indiana
Member since Oct 2025
36 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:05 am to
Rendezvous and Central and Commissary are garbage compared to Cozy Corner.

Cozy Corner is the only way to fly.
Posted by Turbo Busa
South Bend, Indiana
Member since Oct 2025
36 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:07 am to
quote:

Not sure if Cozy Corner is still opened


They are

quote:

i remember if you went there after dark you were just as likely to get shot as get food


Utter bullshite. Quit being such a soft bitch.
Posted by tuzak
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2018
27 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:34 am to
Commissary.......Smoke Turkey is really good and in my opinion the best Banana Pudding ever.
Posted by Junkyard Hog
Arkansas
Member since Aug 2019
354 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:42 am to
Really depends on what you are looking for.

For a pulled pork bbq sandwich......BBQ Shop by a mile

For ribs and ambiance.........Rendezvous

For all around great bbq.......Central or Commissary
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