Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in Memphis, According to Yelp

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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Memphis, according to Yelp

Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.

The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.

As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.

No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Memphis using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.

#30. Grille At Hickory Hill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 3200 Hickory Hill Memphis, TN 38115
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#29. A&R Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1802 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis, TN 38106
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

#28. Big Bill's Bar-Be-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2857 Kirby Rd Ste 119 Memphis, TN 38119
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#27. Arnold's Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6721 E Shelby Dr Memphis, TN 38141
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#26. Blues City Cafe

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1706 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 138 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#25. Central BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (2281 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 147 E Butler Ave Downtown Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

#24. B.B. King's Blues Club

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1201 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 143 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Jazz & Blues, Performing Arts, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#23. Corky's Ribs & BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1031 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5259 Poplar Ave Memphis, TN 38119
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#22. Cocina Mexicana Bar And Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 7776 US-70 Memphis, TN 38133
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#21. Toms Barbeque

- Rating: 4.0/5 (438 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4087 Getwell Rd Memphis, TN 38118
- Categories: Barbecue, Halal
- Read more on Yelp

#20. The Bar-B-Q Shop

- Rating: 4.0/5 (770 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1782 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#19. One & Only BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (284 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 153 Timber Creek Dr Memphis, TN 38018
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Sandwiches, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#18. Big Bill's Bar-Be-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4101 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis, TN 38116
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

#17. Marlowe's Ribs & Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (586 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis, TN 38116
- Categories: Barbecue, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

#16. Central BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1719 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2249 Central Ave Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#15. Dim Sum King

- Rating: 4.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Address: 5266 Summer Ave Ste 65 Memphis, TN 38122
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

#14. Ferguson's BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 2770 Whitten Rd Memphis, TN 38133
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#13. Fat Larrys

- Rating: 4.0/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7537 US Hwy 70 Memphis, TN 38133
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#12. Elvis Presley's Memphis

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 126 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue, Arts & Entertainment
- Read more on Yelp

#11. Pollard's BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4560 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis, TN 38116
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#10. One & Only BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (517 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1779 Kirby Pkwy Ste 1A Memphis, TN 38138
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

#9. Cozy Corner Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (364 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 735 N Pkwy Memphis, TN 38105
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#8. Payne's Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.5/5 (321 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1762 Lamar Ave Memphis, TN 38114
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Bain Barbecue and Bakery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 993 S Cooper St Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Barbecue, Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

#6. Grillmaster Chew BBQ on Wheels

- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Address: Marianna St Memphis, TN 38141
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

#5. Arnolds BAR-B-QUE & Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (162 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 337 Madison Ave Ste 2 Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

#4. Smoky City BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 1023 Jackson Ave Memphis, TN 38107
- Categories: Barbecue, Diners, Cheesesteaks
- Read more on Yelp

#3. William's Bar-B Q

- Rating: 4.5/5 (89 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 106 S 14th St West Memphis, AR 72301
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#2. Old Whitten Tavern

- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2465 Whitten Rd Memphis, TN 38133
- Categories: Burgers, Breakfast & Brunch, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp