It had been more than 20 years since I’d last been to Memphis, and I was glad my BBQ Bound road trip passed through it, affording me the chance to reacquaint myself with this fantastic town so prominently set on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Indeed, a tour of the best BBQ destinations in the South without a stop in Memphis would have been remiss.
I’m equally pleased to report Memphis remains as funky as it ever was but not nearly as rough around the edges as I remember from my visits in the early 90s. Home to some of the Deep South’s homiest food, a list of legendary local musicians who rocked the globe while forever changing it, and a history fundamental to understanding how and why America is as it is and shall most probably continue to be – Memphis is the kind of place that’s as gracious as it is groovin’. For a city break accompanied by a backbeat you can’t deny – there ain’t nowhere finer.
Central BBQ
2249 Central Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Awarding winning and with good reason, Central BBQ is “where the locals go.” I had an amazing and massive pulled pork sandwich jammed full of super tender and flavoursome meat. I went to the original outlet on Central Avenue – and enjoyed some live bluegrass while waiting for my takeout – but there are location downtown and in East Memphis too.
More: cbqmemphis.com.
Elwood’s Shack
4523 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38122
Memphis smokehouse meets New York deli, Elwood’s meat-o-rific menu was something like a dream come true. Every nomnomnom–able mouthful of my Cheddar brisket wrap with horseradish cream was full-on fantastic. Plopped down in the corner of a Lowe’s Hardware parking lot, there’s no hyberpole in calling this eatery a shack either. Whatever the antithesis of high faluting might be, that is what Elwood’s seems to stand for. Go for good, honest grub.
Online at elwoodsshack.com.
Jerry’s Sno Cones
1657 Wells Station Road, Memphis, Tennessee 3810
Better known for its snow cones than its BBQ, it’s still a top choice for downhome Dixie dining. BBQ bologna sandwhich? Yes m’am! Just make sure to save room for dessert. The Wedding Cake Supreme is the city’s top choice for beating the Memphis heat with a cold and tasty treat.
Find Jerry’s online at facebook.com/Jerrys-Sno-Cones-108163999232058.
Beyond the Q
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
250 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
I stayed downtown at the super comfy Sheraton. It’s the perfect hotel for exploring some of the city’s coolest bits – Beale Street, South Main Street – on foot and is well positioned for quick and easy drives most anywhere else around town. Visit the hotel online at sheratonmemphisdowntown.com.
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel
450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
The National Civil Rights Museum is set at the Lorraine Hotel, the site of 1968 assassination of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The museum commemorates his death while highlighting his achievements as well as those of the American Civil Rights Movement with poignant and stirring exhibits. Find out more at civilrightsmuseum.org.
Sun Studio
706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and a number of influential Memphis musicians recorded here unwittingly making history while laying down firm foundations for rock ‘n roll, country, and R&B. A tour here would make the day of any music fan. I loved it. Visit online at sunstudio.com.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
926 E. McLemore Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38106
I’d never been to a museum before where all the folks were bopping their heads in unison while checking out the exhibitions. Located at the original site of the Stax Records studio where some of soul music’s biggest stars (Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, Rufus Thomas, and on and on and on) made some of the best music and biggest hits of the last 60 years, this place is an awesome and lovingly presented shrine to local talent and the Memphis sound. For more about the museum go to staxmuseum.com.
Graceland
3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38116
I made it to Graceland! The home of the King of Rock ‘n Roll did not disappoint or underwhelm and was worth the visit alone for a looksee at Presley’s infamous Jungle Room. Details at graceland.com.
More
Get tips on what’d on in Memphis at memphistravel.com. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for more BBQ Bound posts to come!
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