Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and home to American music greats, like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. It's also known for great ribs and barbecue, which are put on a pedestal each year as part of the city's month-long "Memphis in May" celebration. Festivals aside, Memphis visitors will find barbecue ribs a dining pleasure any time of year.
Corky's Ribs & BBQ
Corky's Ribs & BBQ was opened in 1984 by restaurateur Don Pelts, who operated another Memphis barbecue venue for 13 years prior. It is a cozy restaurant with a wood and brick interior with the nostalgic sound of 50s and 60s music. Neon lights line the walls and the wait staff cruises the main floor in white shirts and black bow ties. It attracts a casual clientele -- locals and travelers alike -- who come for traditional barbecue. Some of the highlighted dishes on the menu include BBQ nachos, BBQ pork with spaghetti and fried catfish. Corky's also has a drive-in that offers special deals to anyone driving a car with a Corky's bumper sticker. Reservations are not needed.
Corky's Ribs & BBQ
175 Peabody Place
Memphis, TN 38103
901-529-9191
corkysbbq.com
The Pig on Beale
The Pig on Beale has a 1950s inspired interior, complete with checkerboard floors and vintage movie posters. A jukebox and a wraparound bar with red bar chairs, comfortable booths and windows along the front of the dining room all add to its charm. In addition to serving barbecue and specializing in ribs, live music is a regular occurrence, with performance throughout the week on a small stage. Mostly, the restaurant offers bluegrass, blues, honky-tonk and rockabilly tunes. Established in 2002, the restaurant received the "Best BBQ Ribs in Memphis" accolade in the 2003 Memphis Flyer. Located on Beale Street -- Memphis' major bar and restaurant strip -- the restaurant remains a casual place that sees many tourists, weekend partiers, as well as crowds throughout the week.
The Pig on Beale
167 Beale St.
Memphis, TN 38103
901-529-1544
porkwithanattitude.com
The Rum Boogie Cafe
The Rum Boogie Cafe opened in 1985 on the Beale Street entertainment strip and has been serving barbecue and Cajun cuisine ever since. It has a nice selection of rum and beer as well. The interior is a two-story open space -- the top story a balcony overlooking the first -- with hanging autographed guitars, simple furniture and a casual air that meshes well with the laid back spirit of Beale Street. The cafe displays music memorabilia that includes Memphis concert posters and a letter written by Bessie Smith. While the hickory smoked BBQ ribs are a favorite here, the seafood gumbo is somewhat a star: It has twice claimed the title of the International Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival and Gumbo Cook-Off held annually in Memphis. Live music is performed nightly; mainly blues, which leads to the restaurant's slogan: "Down home cookin' ... down home blues."
The Rum Boogie Cafe
182 Beale St.
Memphis, TN 38103
901-528-0150
rumboogie.com
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