The Flavor-Packed Chicken Wings At This Tennessee BBQ Spot Are Worth Every Mile Of The Drive

Tucked away at 2265 S Third St in Memphis, Tennessee, Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que has been serving up smoky, saucy goodness for decades. This down-to-earth BBQ shack has earned a loyal following from locals and road-trippers alike, and for good reason.

The chicken wings here are the kind that make you want to pull over, park the car, and forget about wherever you were headed. Whether you’re passing through Memphis or making a special trip, this place is absolutely worth the detour.

The Legendary Chicken Wings That Started It All

Some chicken wings just have a way of stopping you mid-bite and making you say, “Okay, this is the one.” At Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, the wings have been doing exactly that for years. Coated in a bold, tangy BBQ sauce that clings to every curve, these wings deliver a flavor punch that’s hard to forget.

What makes them special isn’t just the sauce — it’s the balance. The outside gets a beautiful caramelized finish while the inside stays juicy and tender.

Customers who’ve driven hours to get here rarely leave disappointed by the wings.

Reviewers on Google have called the food at Interstate BBQ a “destination” experience, and the wings are a big reason why. If you’re planning a Memphis food trip, these wings deserve a top spot on your must-eat list.

Memphis-Style BBQ Sauce That Coats Every Bite

Memphis BBQ sauce has a personality all its own — it’s sweet, tangy, and just a little bold. At Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, their signature sauce is the kind that makes you want to lick your fingers and reach for another wing before you’ve even finished the first one.

It’s the glue that holds the whole experience together.

Some reviewers have noted the sauce leans on the sweeter side, which pairs perfectly with the smoky char on the wings. The sauce soaks into the meat just enough to flavor every single bite without overwhelming it.

Memphis has a long history of sauced-up BBQ, and Interstate BBQ carries that tradition proudly. Whether you’re a sauce fanatic or someone who usually prefers dry rub, one taste of this Memphis magic might just change your mind for good.

A Family Legacy Built on Smoke and Flavor

Jim Neely opened Interstate Bar-B-Que with a dream and a smoker, and that family spirit still runs through every dish served today. Visitors who’ve been coming here for years love that the same dedication to quality has stayed alive through the decades.

One Google reviewer even mentioned that the original owner still waited on them during their visit — now that’s personal service.

The walls of the restaurant are covered in photos of celebrities and famous guests who’ve made the pilgrimage to this Memphis BBQ landmark. Walking in feels like stepping into a piece of Southern food history.

Food Network even featured the restaurant, drawing fans from across the country who wanted to taste the food they saw on TV. That kind of recognition doesn’t happen by accident — it’s earned one plate of wings at a time.

Perfectly Tender Meat That Falls Right Off the Bone

There’s a difference between wings that are cooked and wings that are truly done right. At Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, the meat reaches that perfect point where it practically slides off the bone without any effort.

You don’t need to wrestle with your food here — it practically welcomes you.

Multiple Google reviewers pointed out that the pork ribs were tender, and that same careful cooking approach carries over to the chicken. Getting meat to that level of tenderness takes time, patience, and a real understanding of how heat and smoke work together.

For first-timers, biting into a properly cooked BBQ wing can feel like a revelation. The texture is soft but not mushy, with just enough resistance to remind you that real, quality meat went into making it.

That’s the Interstate BBQ difference in every single bite.

The Drive-Thru Experience That Keeps Fans Coming Back

Not every legendary meal has to happen at a sit-down table. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que offers a drive-thru option that’s become a fan favorite for busy travelers passing through Memphis.

One Google reviewer described their drive-thru visit as “fast and delicious,” which is exactly what road-trippers need after hours behind the wheel.

The drive-thru setup makes it easy to grab wings and sides without missing a beat on your road trip schedule. You can be back on the highway in minutes with a box full of Memphis BBQ goodness sitting in the passenger seat.

It’s worth noting that the restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 9 PM, with extended Friday and Saturday hours until 10 PM. Planning your stop around those hours means you’ll never have to miss out on those incredible wings during your Memphis visit.

BBQ Spaghetti — A Memphis Original You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Forget everything you know about spaghetti for a moment, because Memphis has its own version and it’s absolutely wild in the best way. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que is famous for their BBQ spaghetti — pasta tossed in smoky BBQ sauce with tender pulled pork mixed right in.

One Google reviewer described it as simply “divine,” and that might actually be an understatement.

This dish has become a symbol of Memphis food creativity, and Interstate BBQ helped put it on the map. It’s the kind of food that makes you question why you’ve been eating regular spaghetti your whole life.

Ordering the wings and a side of BBQ spaghetti is the ultimate Interstate BBQ combo. The two dishes complement each other beautifully — one smoky and saucy, the other hearty and uniquely Memphis.

Together, they make for a meal you’ll talk about long after you’ve left town.

Generous Portions That Give You Real Bang for Your Buck

One thing that surprises first-time visitors to Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que is just how much food lands on the table. The restaurant is listed with a budget-friendly price rating, but the portions don’t reflect that at all.

A Google reviewer noted that their two-meat platter came with a half rack of ribs, a wing, breast, leg, thigh, and two sides — that’s a serious amount of food.

Value like that is hard to find, especially at a place with this much history and reputation. Families, couples, and solo travelers all appreciate getting a full, satisfying meal without spending a fortune.

The sampler platter is another popular option that lets you try multiple meats in one sitting. Several reviewers mentioned ordering it to get a full taste of what Interstate BBQ has to offer, and most walked away very happy with the experience.

The Warm, Welcoming Staff That Makes Every Visit Special

Good food tastes even better when the people serving it make you feel at home. At Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, the staff has earned plenty of praise from visitors who appreciated the warm, welcoming energy from the moment they walked in.

One reviewer from Hawaii mentioned being greeted three times as they entered — that kind of hospitality is genuinely rare.

A waitress named Stephanie gets multiple shoutouts in the reviews, with customers calling her “awesome” and praising her for helping them navigate the menu. That personal touch goes a long way when you’re visiting a new city and just want a great meal.

Even the original owner has been spotted waiting on tables personally, which speaks volumes about the pride that goes into running this place. When the person who built something from the ground up still shows up to serve you, you know the food means something to them.

Rib Tips So Big They’ll Make Your Jaw Drop

Rib tips are one of those underrated BBQ cuts that don’t always get the spotlight they deserve — but at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, they’re impossible to ignore. One Google reviewer ordered them for his wife and called them “the biggest we’ve ever seen,” which is saying something in a city as BBQ-obsessed as Memphis.

Rib tips come from the lower portion of the spare ribs and are packed with rich, fatty flavor that slow cooking brings out beautifully. They’re chewy in the best possible way, with bits of cartilage that BBQ lovers absolutely go crazy for.

Pairing rib tips with a side of potato salad or BBQ beans rounds out the experience perfectly. It’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down, stop scrolling your phone, and just focus on eating.

That’s the mark of truly great BBQ.

The Fried Bologna Sandwich That Became a Fan Favorite

Fried bologna might sound simple, but at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, it’s been elevated into something genuinely crave-worthy. A Google reviewer who had seen the restaurant on Food Network made it a travel destination and raved about the fried bologna sandwich alongside the ribs.

That’s the kind of dish that earns cult status for a reason.

Thick-cut bologna gets a hard sear in the pan, creating crispy, caramelized edges that add incredible texture. Slapped onto a bun with a swipe of sauce, it becomes something unexpectedly satisfying and deeply Southern.

For visitors who think they know what bologna is, this sandwich will completely reframe that understanding. It’s a reminder that great BBQ joints don’t just do one thing well — they bring that same smoky, soulful energy to everything on the menu.

Order it alongside the wings for the full Interstate BBQ experience.

Onion Rings That Deserve Their Own Fan Club

Most people don’t drive to a BBQ spot for the onion rings — but at Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, maybe they should. A Google reviewer who visited the drive-thru made a point of calling out the onion rings as “amazing,” which is a bold claim at a place already famous for its meats.

Bold claims like that tend to be backed up by seriously good food.

Crispy on the outside with a sweet, soft onion center, a great onion ring is all about the batter and the fry. When done right, it’s the kind of side dish that disappears from the plate before the main course is even halfway done.

Grabbing a basket of onion rings to go with your wings order is a move you won’t regret. Sometimes the unexpected side dish becomes the highlight of the meal, and at Interstate BBQ, that’s exactly what happens.

A Historic Atmosphere Packed With Memphis Soul

Walking into Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que feels like stepping into a living museum of Memphis food culture. The walls are lined with photos of celebrities, athletes, and famous visitors who’ve made the pilgrimage to this iconic address on South Third Street.

Every frame tells a story about why this place matters to the city.

The vibe is casual and unpretentious — worn-in in a way that feels earned rather than neglected. Multiple reviewers have described the atmosphere as exactly what you’d expect from a real Memphis BBQ joint, and that’s meant as the highest possible compliment.

For food tourists and history buffs alike, eating here is about more than just the wings. It’s about connecting with a city’s culinary identity and understanding why Memphis BBQ has influenced smokehouses all across the country.

The food tastes better when you know the story behind it.

Sweet Potato Pie That Ends the Meal on a High Note

After a plate of saucy wings and smoky sides, the last thing you’d expect is a dessert that somehow manages to top everything that came before it. But Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que has sweet potato pie that reviewers describe with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for main courses.

One visitor from Hawaii said every mouthful was “delicious” — and they specifically called out the pie.

Sweet potato pie is a Southern classic, and when it’s made right, the filling is silky smooth with warm spices and a natural sweetness that doesn’t feel overdone. The crust should be buttery and slightly flaky, holding everything together without stealing the show.

Ending a BBQ meal with a slice of sweet potato pie is a full-circle Southern dining experience. It wraps up everything that makes a place like Interstate BBQ special — comfort, tradition, and flavors that feel like a warm hug on a plate.