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My weekend quest for good BBQ.
By Casey | February 20, 2008
As a lover of BBQ, I went to Memphis, TN to try out some what I had hoped to be great BBQ. Anyone who knows about BBQ knows that Memphis has a rich history and tradition in BBQ as well as having legendary pit masters. Before I headed south I spent some time on the internet searching for highly rated BBQ joints in the Memphis area. With skepticism I Googled, in my past years of searching for great BBQ I have went on the word of another only to be dissapointed and this trip would be no exception. My first stop would take me out of the way a few miles to the town of Little Rock, AR. Many a reviewer had ranked Whole Hog Cafe (www.wholehogcafe.com) on the top of the list as a for sure stop. I had a slab of ribs that were some of the best I have had in a BBQ joint and I would highly recommend that if you are in the area to drop in. With tons of good reviews my next stop would be Corky’s (www.corkysbbq.com) in Memphis. Corky’s has great atmosphere and I had a slab of ribs that were once again as good as I have had in a BBQ joint, I would have to recommend Corky’s as a “must in Memphis”. With two good meals under my belt it was time to move on to Charles Vergo’s famous Rendezvous (www.pigsfly.com) for my first Memphis dissapointment. The Rendezvous, of the higher ranked joints in Memphis, had great atmosphere and a line of people waiting out the door and up onto the alleyway. Their signature style of dry ribs were just that very dry and very overcooked. I could not recommend Rendezvous as a “Must in Memphis” but I would be interested in the opinion of others. Next on the list was a stop in at the Blues City Cafe (www.bluescitycafe.com) on Beale St. Although I didn’t find lots of high ratings for the Blues City Cafe I decided to try it out and was quite surprised in the results. I was impressed enough with the ribs at Blues City that I went back for another slab and was just a pleased. I would recommend Blues City Cafe as a “Must in Memphis”. My last stop was once again on Beale St. at a joint called Pig on Beale (www.pigonbeale.com). Although the Pig on Beale has a nice website and the place looked nice they must have took those pictures a few years ago. I went in and sat down and for a second considered getting up and leaving. The dining room was very dirty and with my background in resturants I know that if the dining room is dirty it is never as bad as the kitchen. Anyway, I went ahead and ordered a half slab of ribs and could barely eat them. I would not recommend this place to anyone with eyesight or a good taste for ribs. The moral to this story is it is hard to take the opinion of one’s taste because we all have different likings.
Topics: 4. Product Reviews, Pork |
February 20th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Where are those slabs of ribs from in the pic?
February 21st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
That is a good point, the first half slab was from the Whole Hog cafe and the secon half slab was from the Blues City cafe. Both were quite good I must say.
May 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
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August 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Hi, as a Memphian I can suggest a few additional places. Neelys (they have their own tv show), Interstate BBQ (you may want to try the BBQ bologna, too), Fat Larry’s and Jacks Rib Shack (although may not be as good since Fat Larry left). You could visit during Memphis In May BBQ cooking contest. Great food if you can convince the teams to share it and a great party!
December 11th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hey there. I love your site/blog.
About your trip to Memphis for ribs/BBQ…
You hit a couple of places I would never step foot in (esp. The Pig on Beale, or anyplace near Beale, for that matter…).
If you liked Corky’s (a spot none of us local BBQ aficionados would be seen in), I can easily steer you to about half a dozen places I GAR-ON-TEE you would prefer.
Let me know if you are interested.
Best Regards,
Bill
April 13th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Read your review of memphis barbeque… First off, going to beale street - a decided tourist destination - was a mistake. The Rendezvous is ok, but dry ribs are not my thing. As far as restaurants, there is a small store simply named “The Barbeque Shop” in midtown, this is a MUST for memphis out of towners. The only problem with trying these restaurants is that no restaurant can compare with the hundreds of rib smoking citizens in this city, BBQ fest during memphis in may is your only real chance to find out why memphis barbeque is second to none!
June 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
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August 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Had the same experience at the Rendevous. Ribs overrated. Went a BBQ joint across the river in Mossouri called Chubby’s. decent BBQ and brisket
October 21st, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Had the ribs at Rendezvous. Very dry. I normally like my BBQ dry, but they take it to the extreme.
I also went to Blue City Cafe. Didn’t have the bbq, but was very aware that I was in a touristy-trap kind of place.
When I am in Memphis, I stay near Beale St. without a car (airline employee on layover) would like a recommendation of a good rib place within walking distance of the downtown ballpark
November 20th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
15 years ago, Rendevous was good. Now all it does is live off that reputation. I haven’t had a good slab of ribs there in over 10 years. The Bar-B-Que Shop in midtown is a great place for a pork sandwich. There ribs are good, but sometimes they are overdone. My favorite rib joint is Central BBQ on Central Ave in Midtown (Summer Ave one isn’t as good). They have very good ribs and are very consistent with them.
January 24th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Found this website looking for BGE recipies.
RE ribs in Memphis (where I am)-I agree with all of the Memphis folks comments-you did not hit the best. I have had the best and worst ribs of my life at the Rendezvous. Next time tell your waiter that you want them fresh off of the pit-you might try sliding your waiter some cash. Tell him what you are looking for. As for the dryness, get your server to bring some rib juice. (not known in many circles). If they are not to your liking, send them back.
Other recommended joints-Cozy Corner-BBQ Shop-Central BBQ (2 locations) and A & R BBQ. Come on back and try again. As said in Memphis, the best BBQ comes from our own back yard. We are sooo over Corky’s.
April 6th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Agree with comments above - nothing on Beale is top of the line. Although not in Memphis proper, try Germantown Commissary next time you’re in the area. You won’t be disappointed. Also second Bob on Central BBQ - Central and Commissary are both better than Corky’s.
May 31st, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I guess I’m odd but I don’t like fall off the bone ribs, slick ribs.I like them with a healthy bark and chewy.The way most black folks cook them.I find the greasy smokey shacks the best.I agree corky’s and rendevous aren’t good.I did like blue’s city cafe too.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Try Texas instead. I suggest Louis Muellers, Smitty’s and Kreuz Market all within 50 miles of Austin.
December 21st, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I agree with Bob above in regards to The Rendezvous. If you don’t like your first slab, send ‘em back. Ask for them Hot and Crispy and they’ll come right off the pit. Also ask for the Kettle Juice if you don’t necessarily like the dry aspect. Dry merely means that they are not slathered in some thick sugary Q sauce. Coming off the pit Hot and Crispy allows for a nice bark and a meat resistance which will leave you gnawing on the bone. Not at all like Cafeteria Ribs which slide off the bone in a disgusting fashion.
Great Blog and come see me at Memphis in May at the Barbecue Republic Booth.