Eat well in Memphis without overpaying: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Memphis for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Payne's chopped pork sandwich with mustard slaw on Lamar Avenue in South Memphis stays under $10, the Memphis cheap-BBQ defining order since the family.
OrderChopped pork sandwich, mustard slaw, fizzy red drink.
TipOpen Tuesday to Saturday lunch only, 11:00-17:30. Cash preferred. The line moves fast.
Arcade Restaurant on South Main downtown Memphis runs the city's oldest diner since 1919 with sweet potato pancakes and the fried peanut butter and banana.
OrderFried peanut butter and banana sandwich; sit at Elvis's marked booth.
TipCounter service from 07:00-15:00 daily; cash and card fine Cash is faster than card.
Tops Bar-B-Q on Summer Avenue is the Memphis BBQ chain since 1952 with chopped pork, onion rings and a complete BBQ plate for under $10 at a drive-thru.
OrderChopped pork sandwich, onion rings, sweet tea.
TipDrive-thru only at some locations; no dining room. Ten city outposts.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken on South Front Street downtown Memphis runs the city's cheap fried chicken plate, three-piece dark with sides under $15.
OrderThree-piece dark meat plate with fried pickles and slaw.
TipLunch line moves fast; dinner can run an hour. No reservations.
Alcenia's in the Pinch District of Memphis runs Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo's soul food plates under $15: fried chicken, collards and a hug at the door.
OrderFried chicken plate with greens and yams; ask for a Ghetto Aid.
TipCounter service, cash preferred. B.J. greets every table; the experience is half the meal.
Maciel's Tortas and Tacos on South Main downtown Memphis runs handmade tortas with telera bread and tacos al pastor under $13 from a quick counter-service.
OrderCubana torta and tacos al pastor with aguas frescas.
TipClosed Sundays. The Midtown branch at 820 Cooper runs the same menu.
Young Avenue Deli in Cooper-Young Memphis runs deli sandwiches under $13, with the Deli Club on sourdough and a cold pint of Wiseacre Tiny Bomb.
OrderDeli Club on sourdough with a cold pint of Wiseacre Tiny Bomb.
TipCounter service for food, table for drinks. Patio is the spring seat.
Central BBQ in midtown Memphis runs the city's most reliable pulled pork sandwich under $13, plus BBQ nachos and a half slab combo that splits between two.
OrderPulled pork sandwich with BBQ nachos to share.
TipOrder online to skip the lunch line at the Midtown branch on Central Avenue or use the app.
Soul Fish Cafe in Cooper-Young Memphis on South Cooper runs catfish baskets, hush puppies and Mississippi-style po'boys under $15, the city's cheap-catfish.
OrderCatfish basket with hush puppies and turnip greens.
TipCounter service. The shrimp po'boy is the dark-horse order. Patio in spring is the seat.
The Four Way on Mississippi Boulevard in South Memphis runs a soul food lunch plate around $15 with two sides, the Black-owned Memphis room that fed MLK.
OrderSmothered turkey wings, collards, mac and cheese, sweet potato pie.
TipLunch only Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00-17:00. Cash and card both fine; sit at a counter.
Earnestine and Hazel's Soul Burger on South Main downtown Memphis is the city's $8 late-night bar burger, griddled with onions, pickles and Soul Sauce.
OrderSoul Burger with a cold beer; sit at the bar.
TipCash works fastest. The kitchen runs late, food until 02:00.
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