Best Barbeque in and Around Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is known for a lot of things, and their barbeque is among them. The land of the Delta Blues has lots of good eats too! iF you are present in the city for Memphis in May, there is also a barbeque fest where people come from all around the country to showcase their delicious recipes. Here are three great places to go for barbeque in Memphis, all of which have been sampled by yours truly.

Germantown Commissary

Germantown is a suburb that lies to the south and east of Memphis. From downtown, it's about a half hour drive. Coming from the west, head up I-240 to the Poplar Avenue-East exit, and go east about five miles. Turn right on West Street, then left at the Methodist Church. Park in the Methodist Church parking lot and walk across the road to the Commissary (it's much easier than using their parking lot, which is small.)

There are a lot of delicious recipes that they serve, but when I purchase barbeque for my family, I purchase what they call the 8-pack. This has enough barbeque for what they claim is 8 people but for my family it's more like four. Still, it's a good price and good eats. Along with the barbeque is beans and slaw, but I always substitute slaw for their delicious potato salad. They have awesome salad, deviled eggs, and home baked cakes as well.

2290 South Germantown Road
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 754-5540
http://www.commissarybbq.com
Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm

Corky's

Corky's barbeque has restaurants all over town. In addition, their dishes are served in grocers freezers all over the country. Their barbeque is fall-off-the-bone tender, and their ribs are to die for. They do have some great sides. The feel of Corky's is a little more formal than other barbeque restaurants - likely because of the fact that it is world renowned.

Corky's Poplar (East Memphis)
5259 Poplar Ave (inside the 240 loop, near White Station)
Memphis, TN 38119 • (901) 685-9744
Sun-Thur 10:45am - 9:30pm • Fri, Sat 10:45am-10pm

Corky's Cordova*
1740 N. Germantown Pkwy
Cordova, TN 38018 • (901) 737-1988
Sun - Thurs 10:45am - 9:30pm • Fri, Sat 10:45am - 10pm
*Private Dining Room available

Corky's Collierville
743 W. Poplar (near Byhalia)
Collierville, TN 38017 • (901) 405-4999
Sun - Thur 10:45am - 9pm • Fri, Sat 10:45am- 9:30pm
http://www.corkysbbq.com/

Charlie Vergos's Rendezvous Barbeque

If you want to eat barbeque that has been enjoyed by the likes of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Al Gore, Justin Timberlake, Mick Jagger, and Bill Cosby then head over to Rendezvous Barbeque downtown. While I've never been inside this off-the-beaten path Memphis favorite, I have enjoyed their nachos at the Redbirds games. Yes, if you get barbeque nachos at the minor league baseball games - this is where the recipe is from. This restaurant has been a Memphis tradition since 1948, and is known for its sensational dry rub barbeque.

52 South 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38103-2628
(901) 523-2746
Open Tue-Thu 4:30pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Rendezvous Barbeque: http://www.hogsfly.com/