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.
Must order: Chopped pork sandwich, onion rings, sweet tea.
Tip: Drive-thru only at some locations; no dining room. Ten city outposts.
Address: 4183 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
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.
Try: Three-piece dark meat plate
Order: Three-piece dark meat plate with fried pickles and slaw.
Tip: Lunch 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.
Try: Fried chicken plate
Order: Fried chicken plate with greens and yams; ask for a Ghetto Aid.
Tip: Counter 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 room.
Try: Tacos and tortas
Order: Cubana torta and tacos al pastor with aguas frescas.
Tip: Closed 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 as the regular order.
Try: Deli Club sandwich
Order: Deli Club on sourdough with a cold pint of Wiseacre Tiny Bomb.
Tip: Counter 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.
Try: Pulled pork sandwich
Order: Pulled pork sandwich with BBQ nachos to share.
Tip: Order 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 standby.
Try: Catfish plate
Order: Catfish basket with hush puppies and turnip greens.
Tip: Counter service. The shrimp po'boy is the dark-horse order. Patio in spring is the seat.
