Tennessee called, and the smoke answered. I mapped out a weekend with one reckless mission: chase 12 BBQ plates across Memphis, Nashville, and beyond, and see which ones truly stuck. You will taste the tang in the air just reading this, and maybe feel the sticky sauce on your fingers. Four plates were unforgettable, but every stop told a story worth savoring.
Germantown Commissary – Germantown, Tennessee
Germantown Commissary felt like a family handshake, warm and steady. The pulled pork melted into its own juices, and the ribs carried gentle smoke with a pepper-sugar balance. Deviled eggs on the side were a charming touch, old-school and perfect.
Banana pudding sealed the deal, creamy and cheerful, like dessert hugged the meal. The sauce leaned tangy-sweet, brightening every bite without masking smoke. You can settle in here and forget the clock exists.
Service was friendly and relaxed, keeping the pace easy. I would bring a crew and order the sampler again. It captures small-town welcome with big flavor.
Payne’s Bar-B-Que – Memphis, Tennessee
Payne’s is a shrine to the chopped pork sandwich. The neon-green slaw looks loud, but tastes balanced, cool and crunchy over juicy pork. Mustard-forward sauce ties it together, creating a sweet-tang snap that wakes you up.
The bun surrenders just enough, holding steady under dripping goodness. Every bite is messy in the best way, napkins becoming part of the ritual. Smoke sits whisper-light, letting sauce and slaw steer the show.
If sandwiches are your measure, Payne’s climbs high. It is straightforward, soulful, and unforgettable in its lane. I still crave that mustard glow days later.
Cozy Corner Restaurant – Memphis, Tennessee
Cozy Corner breaks the pattern with barbecue Cornish game hen that turns heads. The skin glazes to a sticky sheen, sweet heat clinging to juicy meat beneath. Rib tips crunch then surrender, delivering pockets of smoke and fat.
There is comfort in the sides, especially the potato salad, cool and creamy against the heat. The sauce is bold but friendly, inviting a messy, happy plate. You taste Memphis ingenuity without pretension.
For something different that still honors tradition, this is your stop. The hen alone makes the detour worth it. I left smiling and licking knuckles clean.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Nashville, Tennessee
Arnold’s is not a barbecue joint first, but the smoke sneaks in like a welcome guest. I grabbed roast pork beside turnip greens and mashed potatoes, and it sang like Sunday. The cornbread crumble carried sweetness that played nicely with salty gravy.
Lines move fast, and the trays clatter with comfort. You feel taken care of, like someone cooked all day just for you. It is Nashville hospitality with a cafeteria heartbeat.
For a pit stop between rib feasts, Arnold’s resets the palate. The flavors are honest and steady. You leave refueled, ready for more smoky miles.
Peg Leg Porker BBQ – Nashville, Tennessee
Peg Leg Porker hits with attitude and consistency. The dry ribs throw sparks of salt, pepper, and subtle heat, finishing clean. Pulled pork carries enough fat to stay luscious, especially with pickles and white bread doing their simple magic.
The sauces are fun, but restraint serves the rub best. Fries arrive hot and honest, no tricks, just crunch. The vibe is celebratory, like everyone is in on the same secret.
If you want a confident Nashville plate, this delivers. It is bold without bluster, tidy but not timid. I would order those ribs again tomorrow.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint – Nashville, Tennessee
Martin’s puts whole hog front and center, and you can taste the patience. Chopped pork wears bits of bark and soft fat, delivering that perfect North Carolina whisper in Tennessee. A dab of vinegar sauce makes everything pop alive.
The cracklin sprinkles add ecstatic crunch, while slaw cools the edges. Hushpuppies bring sweet corn notes that welcome another bite. You sit longer than planned, because the plate keeps calling.
I loved the honesty here: smoke, salt, and careful hands. It is a lesson in balance and texture. Whole hog fans will feel completely seen.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que – Nashville, Tennessee
Edley’s brings a social energy where plates feel tailor-made for friends. The brisket sandwich was juicy with a lovely smoke ring, and the slices held together without drying out. Pimento mac rode shotgun, creamy and peppery, stealing bites from everything.
Pickles and jalapenos kept the pace bright, cutting richness on demand. Sauces ranged from tangy to sweet, but the meat spoke loudly on its own. You can camp out here for a while and not notice the clock.
If you chase brisket, this is a strong Nashville stop. The sandwich travels well, too. I would happily replay that combo any day.
Ridgewood Barbecue – Bluff City, Tennessee
Ridgewood feels like a mountain postcard with smoke added. The famed smoked ham sandwich is different in the best way, sliced thick with a sweet sauce that leans caramel. Blue cheese slaw offers a surprising tang that balances the sugar nicely.
Crinkle fries arrive crispy and nostalgic, made for dipping and conversation. The room hums with locals who clearly know. You sit a little straighter in places like this, grateful and hungry.
If you want something off the rib trail, this plate delights. It is soulful, simple, and proudly itself. The drive to Bluff City pays off big.
B.E. Scotts BBQ – Lexington, Tennessee
B.E. Scotts is a pilgrimage for shoulder lovers. The chopped pork lands on a soft bun with hot slaw that sings mustard and pepper. Vinegar sauce sharpens each bite, letting pork and smoke stay center stage.
The place feels humble, focused, and absolutely sure of itself. You do not need much here, just napkins and time. Heat builds gently, never bullying, and you keep chasing the next bite.
For purists, this is essential Tennessee barbecue. It tastes like patience and pride. I would drive out of my way for another sandwich without thinking twice.
Central BBQ – Downtown – Memphis, Tennessee
Central BBQ Downtown felt like the spark that lights a whole weekend. The smoke hits first, then the sweet tang trails behind, and you suddenly know why Memphis swears by this place. The pulled pork was tender enough to hush conversation, especially dressed with that vinegary slaw.
I loved the ribs most, bark glistening, tug just right, and a peppery finish that lingered. The dry rub leaned bold, but a splash of sauce lifted everything without drowning it. Mac and cheese was creamy comfort, while beans brought a molasses kiss.
If you love balance and bite, this plate delivers. It set my bar early. Absolutely worth lining up for.
Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous – Memphis, Tennessee
Rendezvous is legendary, and the charcoal-kissed ribs remind you why. The dry rub is assertive, peppery, and aromatic, delivering a crisp bark you can hear. Pickle spears cut through the richness, nudging you toward another bite.
Service is quick, almost theatrical, and the basement setting feels like a time capsule. You smell charcoal and history together, and that is Memphis distilled. The slaw brings a zippy crunch that keeps the pace moving.
These ribs lean leaner, with a firmer chew that purists admire. If you favor sauce, add it sparingly to protect that rub. Rendezvous gives a masterclass in restraint.
The Bar-B-Q Shop – Memphis, Tennessee
Bar-B-Q Shop took a left turn in the tastiest way with barbecue spaghetti. It sounds wild, but one forkful delivers smoky pork tangled with tangy sauce and perfectly cooked noodles. The ribs here flex a beautiful crust, dry rub singing with paprika and pepper.
There is confidence on the plate, like they know you will come back. Texas toast soaks up sauce without falling apart, and the slaw snaps with freshness. I felt the rhythm of Memphis in every bite.
For adventurous eaters, this is a must. The spaghetti makes perfect sense once you try it. It is quirky, nostalgic, and absolutely comforting.