Tucked away on South Third Street in Memphis, Tennessee, Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que has been serving up bold, smoky flavors for decades. This legendary spot has earned a reputation as a true destination for BBQ lovers from all over the country.
Whether you stumble upon it during a road trip or make it a planned stop, one bite of their smoked sausage sandwich will have you planning your return visit before you even finish your meal.
The Smoked Sausage Sandwich That Started It All
Some sandwiches are just food. This one is an experience.
At Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, the smoked sausage sandwich is the kind of thing people talk about long after they leave Memphis. The sausage is cooked low and slow, giving it that deep, smoky flavor that only comes from real pit BBQ.
Sliced and loaded onto a soft bun, the sandwich hits all the right notes. The snap of the casing, the juicy interior, and the tangy BBQ sauce create a combo that feels like pure Southern comfort.
Customers who have visited multiple times often say this sandwich is the first thing they order.
Food Network even featured this restaurant, which brought in fans from across the country. Once you try this sandwich, you will understand exactly why people drive miles out of their way just to get one.
A BBQ Legacy Built Over Decades
Walk through the doors of Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que and you are stepping into living history. The walls are covered in photos of celebrities, athletes, and famous faces who have all made the pilgrimage to this South Memphis landmark.
The owner, who has been running the place for many years, has even been known to personally wait on customers.
One visitor from Florida shared that seeing all those photos made the meal feel extra special. There is something powerful about eating at a place that has fed legends.
The restaurant has appeared on the Food Network, turning it into a must-visit destination for serious BBQ fans.
That kind of legacy does not happen overnight. It takes decades of consistency, passion, and a whole lot of smoke.
Jim Neely’s has earned every bit of its reputation, one sandwich at a time.
BBQ Spaghetti: Memphis Magic in a Bowl
Only in Memphis will you find BBQ spaghetti on the menu, and Jim Neely’s version is considered one of the originals. This quirky dish blends tender pasta with a rich, smoky BBQ sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all day.
One reviewer called it simply “divine,” and that word keeps showing up in reviews of this dish.
The concept sounds unusual at first, but one forkful changes everything. The smokehouse flavors soak right into the noodles, creating something that feels completely unique to this region.
It is the kind of food that makes you question why the rest of the world has not caught on yet.
If you are visiting Memphis for the first time, ordering the BBQ spaghetti is practically a rite of passage. Skip it and you might leave the city feeling like you missed something truly special.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Pork Ribs Worth the Trip
Ribs are the measuring stick of any great BBQ joint, and Jim Neely’s pork ribs have been turning heads for years. Multiple reviewers specifically called them outstanding, tender, and full of flavor.
One couple traveling from Hawaii rated the restaurant a top star largely because of the ribs alone.
The texture is what gets people. These ribs are not chewy or tough.
They pull apart with just the right amount of resistance, giving you that satisfying bite that BBQ fans dream about. Paired with the house sauce, every rib becomes a little celebration.
Sure, some visitors prefer their BBQ dry-rubbed, and the sauce-heavy style is not for everyone. But if you appreciate a saucy, sticky, slow-cooked rib that practically melts in your mouth, Jim Neely’s delivers exactly that.
Plenty of regulars keep coming back just for this dish, season after season.
The Fried Bologna Sandwich You Never Knew You Needed
Fried bologna might sound like something from a childhood kitchen, but at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, it gets a serious upgrade. This sandwich shows up repeatedly in glowing reviews, often mentioned in the same breath as the smoked sausage as a must-try item.
The bologna is cooked until the edges curl and crisp up, adding a satisfying texture you would not expect.
Tucked inside a soft bun with a drizzle of sauce, it becomes a nostalgic yet surprisingly craveable meal. Travelers who tried it on a whim often end up ordering a second one to go.
It is simple food done with real care and attention.
Sometimes the most unexpected items on a menu turn out to be the hidden gems. At this Memphis BBQ spot, the fried bologna sandwich is proof that humble ingredients, treated right, can create something genuinely memorable and worth talking about.
Smoked Turkey Legs That Impress Every Time
Turkey legs at a BBQ joint might not be the first thing you think to order, but regulars at Jim Neely’s know better. The smoked turkey legs here are massive, smoky, and packed with flavor that goes all the way to the bone.
One loyal customer listed turkey legs among the many reasons they keep coming back, trip after trip.
Smoking turkey low and slow changes everything about the meat. The skin gets that gorgeous deep color, and the inside stays juicy and tender.
It is a completely different eating experience compared to roasted or fried turkey, and once you try it this way, other preparations seem almost boring.
For anyone who wants a big, satisfying BBQ meal without going straight for the ribs or sausage, the turkey leg is a fantastic choice. It is hearty, flavorful, and absolutely worth adding to your order at this Memphis classic.
Pulled Pork Sandwich Piled High and Proud
When one visiting couple ordered the pulled pork sandwich at Jim Neely’s, they barely touched the fries that came with it. The sandwich was just too good to stop eating.
Generous portions are a hallmark of this place, and the pulled pork is no exception. It comes loaded with tender, slow-cooked pork that has absorbed hours of smoky flavor.
The meat is soft enough to pull apart with your fingers but structured enough to hold together in each bite. Add the house BBQ sauce and you have a sandwich that covers all the flavor bases.
Sweet, smoky, tangy, and satisfying all at once.
Pulled pork is one of those BBQ staples that every joint does a little differently. At Jim Neely’s, the combination of generous portions and real pit-smoked flavor makes their version stand out from the crowd in a city that takes its BBQ very seriously.
Legendary Rib Tips That Are Bigger Than You Expect
Rib tips are the underrated heroes of the BBQ world, and at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, they come in a size that surprises almost everyone. One reviewer described them as the biggest rib tips they had ever seen anywhere.
That alone is reason enough to add them to your order when you visit.
These meaty morsels are cut from the lower portion of spare ribs and carry an incredible amount of flavor. The irregular shapes and extra cartilage actually help trap moisture during the smoking process, resulting in bites that are juicy and deeply savory.
They are a favorite among regulars who know what to look for on the menu.
Ordering rib tips is a sign you know your BBQ. At this Memphis landmark, they are treated with the same care as any other item on the menu, making every single bite feel intentional and rewarding.
Beef Ribs for the Serious Meat Lover
Beef ribs are a bold order, and Jim Neely’s puts them front and center on the menu. These are not dainty portions.
Beef ribs here come in big, hearty slabs that are clearly meant for people who take their BBQ seriously. Several reviewers have mentioned ordering them and being genuinely impressed by the sheer size of each rack.
The flavor profile of beef ribs differs from pork in a really satisfying way. The meat is richer, beefier, and has a deeper savory quality that pairs beautifully with smoky BBQ sauce.
When cooked right, the fat renders down and keeps every bite moist and flavorful throughout.
Opinions on the beef ribs at Jim Neely’s are mixed, as with any popular BBQ spot. But fans of big, bold beef BBQ who have had a great visit often rank these among the best things they ordered during their entire Memphis trip.
BBQ Beans That Are Practically a Side Dish Star
Side dishes can make or break a BBQ meal, and at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, the BBQ beans have developed a reputation of their own. One long-time visitor described them as legendarily delicious, placing them on the same level as the smoked meats themselves.
That is high praise in a city full of serious BBQ opinions.
Good BBQ beans are not just beans in sauce. They need depth, smokiness, and a hint of sweetness that does not overpower the natural earthiness of the legumes.
When the recipe hits that balance, the beans become something you actually crave on their own.
Some reviewers have noted the beans lean sweet, which is a matter of personal taste. But for fans of a classic, rich Southern-style BBQ bean, this side dish is a reliable highlight.
Pair them with the smoked sausage sandwich and you have a plate worth celebrating.
Potato Salad That Keeps Getting Mentioned
In a restaurant full of bold, smoky flavors, the potato salad at Jim Neely’s quietly earns consistent praise. Multiple reviewers across different visits have pointed to the potato salad as one of the standout sides on the menu.
That kind of repeated recognition is not an accident. It means the recipe is solid and the kitchen takes it seriously.
A great potato salad needs creamy texture, balanced seasoning, and just enough tang to cut through the richness of BBQ meat. When it hits all those marks, it becomes the side dish that disappears from your plate before you even realize you have been eating it.
Pairing a well-made potato salad with a smoked sausage sandwich or a plate of ribs creates a classic Southern BBQ meal that feels complete. At Jim Neely’s, this humble side dish consistently earns its place at the table alongside the star attractions.
Collard Greens Cooked the Old-School Way
Collard greens might not be the flashiest item at a BBQ joint, but at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, they carry real weight. Longtime fans have listed the greens among the must-try items alongside the ribs and smoked sausage.
That tells you everything about how seriously this kitchen treats its Southern sides.
Cooking collard greens the right way takes time and patience. They need to be simmered slowly with smoky, savory ingredients until they are tender and deeply flavorful.
Rush the process and you lose the magic. Jim Neely’s approach to this classic side reflects the same low-and-slow philosophy that defines their BBQ.
For anyone visiting from outside the South, trying properly cooked collard greens is a genuine cultural experience. They are earthy, slightly bitter, and rich with layers of flavor that only come from traditional cooking methods.
At this Memphis institution, they are made the way they should be.
Sweet Potato Pie to Finish Strong
Ending a BBQ meal with dessert is always a good idea, and at Jim Neely’s, the sweet potato pie is the kind of finish that makes the whole experience feel complete. A couple traveling all the way from Hawaii specifically mentioned ordering the sweet potato pie and loving every bite.
When someone travels that far and still raves about the dessert, you know it is the real deal.
Sweet potato pie is a Southern classic that walks the line between comforting and indulgent. The filling should be smooth and warmly spiced, with a crust that holds its shape without being tough.
Done right, it is the kind of dessert that makes you slow down and actually savor each forkful.
After a plate of smoked sausage, ribs, or pulled pork, finishing with a slice of sweet potato pie at Jim Neely’s turns a great meal into an unforgettable one. It is the perfect Southern send-off.