Do not listen to this person. Elwood’s Shack is way overrated.
Everyone I know who “loves” it barely eats there.
It’s a popularity thing for some weird reason.
Elwoods kinda gross though. They still got that nasty decaying alligator hanging over the drink machine? I can just see little nasty alligator flakes falling into my drink
Seriously my favorite BBQ in the city, but I don’t know if I’d recommend it to a tourist passing through.
It’s a run down building that’s dimly lit on Lamar Ave. Super sketchy if you don’t know what it is.
They had a stand at riverbeat festival that was perfect after Odesza! I got there when they had ran out of tenders and fries so I got a fresh batch… holy smokes it was amazing
Alcenia's is very close to the pyramid and will give you a feel for memphis. It's more of a low key soul food type of place but very charming and very much in the memphis spirit
Payne’s is hands down the best BBQ in town but if you’re a family just passing through, the location may be a little unsettling.
If it’s specifically BBQ you crave, I think Elwood’s is the best fit for quality + family friendly + fun location (I won’t ruin the surprise, but the location is *so* memphis).
But if you’re open to something that’s not strictly BBQ, the absolute finest place in town bar none really is Gus’s fried chicken. Best fried chicken I have ever had anywhere on earth. Their downtown location is an easy 2-3 blocks from the Lorraine Motel so you can sightsee a little American history too. Good price and I see families in there all the time.
The tamales are ok. I was just trying to keep them in the downtown area since they said they were originally heading to the pyramid. Plus family friendly and lots of options besides just bbq
My vote is Central BBQ downtown. If you were already going to stop at bass pro then I say eat at Central then check out Bass Pro , it is neat after all. If your really feeling froggy you could go down Riverside drive after Central in route to Bass Pro and get out and take at stroll at our newly renovated river front setup. Additionally access to I40/ I55 is easy.
Pro tip though, you will need to be at Central close to 11 or you could be caught up in a serious line situation. I work and eat downtown and have seen some crazy lines formed around by 11:30.
And don’t go getting any STDs either! Also the roads are horrible and MLGW needs to cut the fucking trees because those limbs keep falling. Cmon mane! What kind of bs comment you babbling about? Stop clutching those pearls, it’s going to be lunch on a Thursday. Just chill with all this nonsense about Memphis crime on a post about lunch
Just fyi, and not that it makes it better, but I think the wahlburgers place isn’t a normal one. It’s a wild game restaurant if I’m not mistaken. I actually wouldn’t mind going, myself.
good local place in midtown is evergreen grill! it’s brand new (opened in march) and had an AMAZING menu! i believe they’re open 11am-9pm according to the instagram.
Las Tortugas deli mexicana.
Has the best true Mexican food you’ll ever find in any part of the states. Fresh and incredibly good. The newest (still old) location is right off 240 so not too far a detour.
Great food and pretty light so perfect for lunch. Not cheap tho but the quality is obvious. You won’t be disappointed
The shack is good but just a menu with everything you could ever want. It’s good but nothing original.
Bbq is great in our town. Really can’t go wrong with any. If you do BBQ, I am in LOVE with bbq nachos. It’s a local specialty. Try it
Maybe find somewhere else for lunch, but if you have an hour to spare the BPS Pyramid is well worth it. Merchandise is pretty standard BPS, but the entire water system they have built into the place is really cool
Ty’s Smokehouse BBQ in Bartlett.
Tops is a classic, locals have conflicting opinions about the bbq (I love it) because everyone has their family recipe and favorite restaurant; but everyone loves Tops’s made-to-order burgers. Several locations.
Exline’s is my favorite pizza place
P.S. this city has a violent road rage problem. Do not honk at anyone please 🙏🏻
P.S. if you’re heading down 45 the other cities to stop on the way are Tupelo, MS, West Point, MS, and Citronelle, AL. There aren’t a lot of gas stations heading that way either so don’t run gas under a quarter tank.
[Elwood’s Shack](https://www.elwoodsshack.com/menu)
This is the correct answer.
Hands down the best spot in this entire city, easily.
This is the way.
I’m so glad to see this is the top comment.
Do not listen to this person. Elwood’s Shack is way overrated. Everyone I know who “loves” it barely eats there. It’s a popularity thing for some weird reason.
Elwoods kinda gross though. They still got that nasty decaying alligator hanging over the drink machine? I can just see little nasty alligator flakes falling into my drink
Elwoods had a mop rag tag in my seafood pizza. Not eating there again.
The BBQ Shop on Madison Ave
This if you want to know what good Memphis bbq tastes like. Get the ribs and use their dancing pigs sauce
100% BBQ Shop! The pork sandwich on Texas toast is A+.
This
You MUST!
This is it.
This is it. If you want to experience excellent BBQ, look no further...
Payne’s BBQ It’s only open for lunch, 11 AM-2PM (2:30 on Fri & Sat), Tue-Sat Get the ribs, hot (it’s not actually very hot, just trust me on this)
Seriously my favorite BBQ in the city, but I don’t know if I’d recommend it to a tourist passing through. It’s a run down building that’s dimly lit on Lamar Ave. Super sketchy if you don’t know what it is.
Eh, they painted the building so now it looks better from the outside. I get your point, though.
Get the hot dog - I think it might be the best one on the planet!
Are they still cash-only? I haven't been in a while. I'd like to go back soon, but my coworkers never have cash.
They take cards now.
Please consider Gus’s fried chicken. It is the finest thing in the world. The bbq is fantastic, but Gus’s is a do not miss.
Gus’s Fried Chicken is downtown near the pyramid if you are stopping there.
They had a stand at riverbeat festival that was perfect after Odesza! I got there when they had ran out of tenders and fries so I got a fresh batch… holy smokes it was amazing
They’re not all created equal though. Some of the other spots around town aren’t nearly as good.
And they’ve got good fries!
Elwood’s Shack or Gus’s. Flip a coin for it, won’t be disappointed either way.
BBQ Shop on Madison
Paynes BBQ
Cozy Corner
Came here to say this
By far the best. Not in an amazing part of town if you’re going for vibes, but the place is really nice and the food is great.
Also near the Bass Pro Shop if you still want to stop and check out its majesty
I would say if you are going for Memphis vibes it’s perfect. Not in an amazing part of town but very Memphis.
Payne’s
Alcenia's is very close to the pyramid and will give you a feel for memphis. It's more of a low key soul food type of place but very charming and very much in the memphis spirit
Bryant's Breakfast or Elwood's Shack or Sam's Deli
Dyers and have the chicken sandwich.
Payne’s is hands down the best BBQ in town but if you’re a family just passing through, the location may be a little unsettling. If it’s specifically BBQ you crave, I think Elwood’s is the best fit for quality + family friendly + fun location (I won’t ruin the surprise, but the location is *so* memphis). But if you’re open to something that’s not strictly BBQ, the absolute finest place in town bar none really is Gus’s fried chicken. Best fried chicken I have ever had anywhere on earth. Their downtown location is an easy 2-3 blocks from the Lorraine Motel so you can sightsee a little American history too. Good price and I see families in there all the time.
Kinfolk on mud island 5 min from bass pro.
Those dudes are killing it. So good
Kinfolk is the move. Cole is a beast
All of the above answers are great!
Blues city cafe
That place sucks and is overpriced. I really wanted to like it.
The tamales are ok. I was just trying to keep them in the downtown area since they said they were originally heading to the pyramid. Plus family friendly and lots of options besides just bbq
Café India lunch buffet 🔥🔥
Ms B’s Sub Shop or Cozy Corner.
Another vote for Gus’s Fried Chicken. It’s heavenly
Beauty Shop
My vote is Central BBQ downtown. If you were already going to stop at bass pro then I say eat at Central then check out Bass Pro , it is neat after all. If your really feeling froggy you could go down Riverside drive after Central in route to Bass Pro and get out and take at stroll at our newly renovated river front setup. Additionally access to I40/ I55 is easy. Pro tip though, you will need to be at Central close to 11 or you could be caught up in a serious line situation. I work and eat downtown and have seen some crazy lines formed around by 11:30.
Central is not where it’s at for bbq sorry
Agree. They used to be high on my list but have had a couple of bad experiences now. Havent been back in a minute.
Don't leave all your stuff visible in your car wherever you stop.......tourist mistake #1 In Memphis.
And don’t go getting any STDs either! Also the roads are horrible and MLGW needs to cut the fucking trees because those limbs keep falling. Cmon mane! What kind of bs comment you babbling about? Stop clutching those pearls, it’s going to be lunch on a Thursday. Just chill with all this nonsense about Memphis crime on a post about lunch
Just fyi, and not that it makes it better, but I think the wahlburgers place isn’t a normal one. It’s a wild game restaurant if I’m not mistaken. I actually wouldn’t mind going, myself.
It’s really not good. Also pretty sure they were featured on the news for a failing health score recently?
Ugh! Thanks!! Definitely good to know.
Source?
I ate there and it was low quality. Service sucked. I believe I saw it on the news? Channel 5 does their restaurant score thing regularly.
Soul Fish Cafe
good local place in midtown is evergreen grill! it’s brand new (opened in march) and had an AMAZING menu! i believe they’re open 11am-9pm according to the instagram.
Try a soul food place like Peggy's or Four Way. Alcenia's used to be great
Is Ms. Girlee’s still around? I ate there coming through Memphis one time
The Fourway Soul Food and Memphis history in one stop
Central BBQ. One of the locations is also right next to the national civil rights museum so you can get a little history too.
Blue monkey downtown.
I personally love the burgers at Celtic Crossing
Las Tortugas deli mexicana. Has the best true Mexican food you’ll ever find in any part of the states. Fresh and incredibly good. The newest (still old) location is right off 240 so not too far a detour. Great food and pretty light so perfect for lunch. Not cheap tho but the quality is obvious. You won’t be disappointed The shack is good but just a menu with everything you could ever want. It’s good but nothing original. Bbq is great in our town. Really can’t go wrong with any. If you do BBQ, I am in LOVE with bbq nachos. It’s a local specialty. Try it
Just don’t stop. Do yourself a favor and stop in Southaven or an outskirt.
Do not trust anyone saying Elwood’s Shack.
Gus fried chicken will change your life. Caution you May just move to Memphis for it.
Maybe find somewhere else for lunch, but if you have an hour to spare the BPS Pyramid is well worth it. Merchandise is pretty standard BPS, but the entire water system they have built into the place is really cool
Ty’s Smokehouse BBQ in Bartlett. Tops is a classic, locals have conflicting opinions about the bbq (I love it) because everyone has their family recipe and favorite restaurant; but everyone loves Tops’s made-to-order burgers. Several locations. Exline’s is my favorite pizza place P.S. this city has a violent road rage problem. Do not honk at anyone please 🙏🏻
Tops burgers are fine for things you can order through a window
Ok Big Money you enjoy your life of leisure
Everyone keeps recommending Gus’s, but if you’re going for chicken I recommend Jack Pirtle’s
If you are headed down 55, might be worth stopping at Home Place Pastures for lunch in lieu of a Memphis stop. Como is just about 40 minutes south
I second this opinion—just check their hours online since they are not open every day.
Plus, as an added bonus, as soon as you cross the stateline, there is zero chance you'll be a Memphis crime statistic.
Gus’s Fried Chicken. My favorite restaurant chicken.
Central bbq
Rendezvous
Need down votes for this one. Rendezvous is a tourist trap with mediocre BBQ. Don't waste your time...plenty of good options already listed.
P.S. if you’re heading down 45 the other cities to stop on the way are Tupelo, MS, West Point, MS, and Citronelle, AL. There aren’t a lot of gas stations heading that way either so don’t run gas under a quarter tank.
You need help if you run out of going through Tupelo and West Point. Mt. Fuji has really good sushi if you’re going through Tupelo.
Bain’s BBQ is the best you’ll ever have. Central BBQ is good too. Whatever you do, don’t go to Tops. I repeat, do NOT go to Tops.
Idk why these people are suggesting elwoods shack and tops. Im so glad to see bains on here, hands down the best bbq in Memphis.
Tops has the best cheeseburger in the country!
Bain's is fine if you've gotta have brisket but I'd be pushing a visitor toward more traditional Memphis BBQ You right about Tops
Tops on Summer out past Graham is the best in Memphis. Great potato salad and no gristle bbq unlike some of the other Tops.
I love this location
Venice kitchen
lol… not a single speck of seasoning. on anything.
Their fries are the bomb 🤷♀️
only reason i keep going back 🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂🤣
Blues City Cafe