The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is next week, and we can’t stop thinking (and talking) about Memphis barbecue.
Because tickets to the annual event are limited this year, we wanted to make sure that you had a chance to enjoy Memphis’ most iconic fare — even if you aren’t headed to Tom Lee Park for the weekend.
To help you decide which barbecue restaurant to check out, we asked The Commercial Appeal newsroom team to share their favorite barbecue dishes in town.
Here are five of Memphis' must-try barbecue dishes.
The Bar-B-Q Shop: The Texas Toast Bar-B-Q Sandwich
1782 Madison Ave.; (901) 272-1277; thebar-b-qshop.com
When I moved to Memphis almost three years ago, The Bar-B-Q Shop was my first stop. It left an indelible first impression.
I had heard very good things, which almost always heightens my sense of skepticism. But, after the first bite into the pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast, any and all skepticism was dashed.
The Texas toast is great. The sauce is great. But the key to any great pulled pork sandwich is the pulled pork. Naturally flavorful and as tender as can be, The Bar-B-Q Shop's pulled pork is unrivaled, in my opinion.
— Jason Munz, sports reporter
Tops Bar-B-Q: Bar-B-Q Sampler
Multiple locations; topsbarbq.com
Great taste, low price and large portions: That’s what Memphis barbecue should always be about.
For my choice of favorite Memphis barbecue, I’m picking a meal that has all three of those qualities: Tops Bar-B-Q’s Bar-B-Q Sampler.
The sampler features ribs, shoulder and a generous serving of brisket. All three have the flavor and tenderness required for good barbecue, with the ribs especially giving you that fall-off-the-bone quality.
I love barbecue in all its forms and don’t have a strong leaning toward ribs, brisket or shoulder. This sampler gives me the chance to have it all (plus two sides) at an establishment that has served great barbecue for decades.
There are Tops Bar-B-Q locations all around Memphis, so there’s no excuse to miss out on a sampler. If you haven’t tried one of their classic burgers, put that on your list, too.
— Max Garland, business reporter
Cozy Corner: Sliced Beef Sandwich
735 N. Parkway; (901) 527-9158; cozycornerbbq.com
The sliced beef at Cozy Corner is what Arby’s is trying to convince you it sells. It is good meat that is well sliced. It’s chewy in the way sandwich meat should be, but it doesn’t go too far down the spectrum to resemble chewing gum.
The sandwich comes loaded on a simple bun that soaks up the hot sauce. The restaurant isn’t skimping you on meat — that’s key.
The hot sauce and beef have the chemistry of a great pick-and-roll tandem. The sauce is hot enough that your sinuses tingle but not so hot that you slow down eating and search desperately for a water glass.
My recommendation is pick up two sandwiches when you go. You’ll scarf the first one down and be able to savor the second.
— Sam Hardiman, government reporter
Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que: Pulled Pork Sandwich
Multiple locations; interstatebarbecue.com
There’s so much great barbecue to choose from in Memphis so I’ll pick an underrated fave in Jim Neely’s pulled pork sandwich.
The regular size will fill you up, but the jumbo will knock you out on the couch afterward. It’s well portioned, great flavor and the sauce adds to the smoky taste of great pork.
The original Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que opened back in 1979 at 2265 S. Third St. That restaurant is full of photos and memorabilia from over the past four decades. Neely also has Interstate Bar-B-Que restaurants on Winchester Road and in Southaven.
— Evan Barnes, sports reporter
Central BBQ: BBQ Chicken Nachos
Multiple locations; eatcbq.com
I discovered barbecue nachos inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, cheering on my Alabama Crimson Tide alma mater. There, it's classic stadium nachos and cheese, topped with barbecued pork. I thought I'd discovered heaven, and then I moved to Memphis. Behold, friends said: Central BBQ nachos.
At Central, you have your choice of meat (for me, that's chicken) as well as chips, though that choice is less advertised. The default is tortilla chips, which are just thin enough to scoop up some barbecue and cheese without breaking and are still quite crispy — a perfect bite, which in the barbecue world means you will make a grand attempt and still not quite be able to execute without needing a napkin or seven.
"Homemade" chips, the alternative, are thicker potato-style chips. They're less crunchy, but are covered in seasoning that pairs perfectly with the barbecue sauce. I nix the jalapeños (a personal and controversial decision I am sure, please don't email me about this transgression) and order a side of coleslaw to top the nachos with instead (or in addition to, if you're a jalapeño fan).
A half order is plenty — however if there are any whole order readers out there, you can email me and I will congratulate your admirable barbecue eating fortitude.
— Laura Testino, education reporter