This weekend is the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ contest Here’s the link for the schedule www.memphisinmay.org/bbq-schedule. Let me say this, I love BBQ. Whether it’s pulled pork, ribs-dry-wet, it doesn’t matter & all the fix-ins. I get excited every year for BBQ fest but the only problem is unless you know someone with a “tent”. It can get expensive. A VIP Pit Pass with parking can run as much as $495 for all 3 days, ouch & muddy (most years). I thought it would be good to list my favorite BBQ places to eat in Memphis. Here’s my top 5!
#5 Germantown Commissary. www.commissarybbq.com Located in the heart of Germantown plus provides a great atmosphere. Favorite Dish: BBQ plate; comes with beans, slaw, deviled egg & a roll. I like to sub the slaw & beans for potato salad & onion rings. You have to try them. Also, try their tamales! Melt in your mouth.
# 4 Showboat BBQ. Located at Hickory-Hill and Knight Arnold. Showboat doesn’t get a lot of national attention like some other places but I have found it to be very consistent & very good. Favorite Dish: BBQ ribs & pork combo plate; comes with half a rack of ribs, pulled pork, slaw, potato salad, & a bun. I love their mustard based sauce and the amount of meat that comes with the ribs. The ribs also have a great pepper flavor that’s hits all your taste buds.
#3 Tom’s BBQ. www.tomsbarbq.com Featured on www.Foodnetwork.com TV show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. This is a great hole-in-the-wall place to eat with a large menu and fast service. Favorite Dish: RIB plate & Bologna sandwich; comes with two sides, try them all!
#2 Central BBQ. www.cbqmemphis.com You can’t beat the BBQ sauce station it’s unlimited access to three great but very different sauces. Favorite Dish: Rib plate with two sides. I like the mac-n-cheese and beans. A very close second is the BBQ Nachos You’ve got to check them out.
AND #1 is The BBQ Shop. www.dancingpigs.com I love this place their ribs, pork, bologna & BBQ Spaghetti are my absolute favorite! You can purchase their sauces at most local Kroger stores. Their BBQ spaghetti recipe was featured on the Bobby Flay TV (foodnetwork.com) show in 2004. Favorite Dish: Large rack of Ribs with a side of the BBQ spaghetti.
Honorable Mention list: Rendezvous, www.hogsfly.com, Corky’s, www.corkysbbq.com, & Top’s BBQ, www.topsbarbq.com One disclaimer about Memphis BBQ joints from my personal experience. It’s best to try a place at least twice because BBQ can be hard to keep wet and tender all day every day. You might get yesterday ribs & pork before lunch and today’s fresh batch after lunch and sometimes it can be a combination. This is why I’m making this suggestion. Agree/disagreed with my list?