Memphis-style barbecue

History

After World War II, Memphis saw barbecue become a real business. Small joints with dedicated slow-cooking pits started popping up. Neighborhood spots in poorer areas—like Payne's, Leonard's, and Interstate—became famous for staying true to the city's barbecue roots. Regional chains, including Tops, Neely's, and Corky's, also grew out of Memphis. As the style caught on nationwide, places like Corky's and The Rendezvous began shipping their food overnight to customers.

Notable establishments

Memphis barbecue has several iconic names, each with its own story. Interstate Bar-B-Que got its start in 1978 when Jim Neely opened shop in a former grocery store in South Memphis. Though he had no restaurant background, Neely mastered slow-cooked ribs and developed a secret sauce drawing from local family recipes. The spot gained national attention on The Food Network and The Travel Channel, and People magazine ranked it the second-best barbecue restaurant in America.

A separate location in Gardena, California, is run by Neely’s brother and sister-in-law. In 1988, Jim Neely’s four nephews—Gaelin, Tony, Mark, and Patrick—launched Neely’s BBQ in Downtown Memphis, a distinct business from Interstate. Pat Neely and his wife Gina later hosted the Food Network show Down Home with the Neelys, which premiered in 2008, and released a matching cookbook. The Neelys closed their Memphis restaurants in 2012.

Rendezvous dates back to 1948, when Charlie Vergos turned the basement of his diner into a barbecue pit after finding a coal chute there. He eventually converted the whole diner and moved the entrance to the alley. The Memphis City Council officially named that alley “Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous Alley,” though the address remains 52 South 2nd Street. One of its standout dishes is a barbecue shrimp skillet that requires a full day’s notice to order.

Central BBQ opened in 2002 on Central Avenue, founded by Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp. Known for dry-rub ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken wings, and barbecue nachos, it has grown into a chain with multiple locations across Tennessee and nearby states.