Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
The Memphis pulled pork sandwich is hickory-smoked pork shoulder pulled, piled on a soft white bun, topped with mustard slaw and a splash of BBQ sauce.
Pulled pork shoulder is the heart of Memphis BBQ alongside ribs. Pitmasters smoke whole shoulders 14 to 18 hours over hickory and pull the meat by hand. The mustard-slaw topping is a Memphis-specific signature, distinguishing it from the vinegar slaw of the Carolinas. Payne's on Lamar Avenue, opened in 1972, codified the cheap-pulled-pork-sandwich form.
4 editor picks for Memphis pulled pork sandwich in Memphis, ranked by editorial score. All Memphis signature dishes · Memphis pulled pork sandwich across every city.
Payne's Lamar Avenue Memphis BBQ counter has run chopped pork sandwiches and mustard slaw out of a converted gas station since 1972. Locals' top chopped pork.
OrderChopped pork sandwich, mustard slaw, fizzy red drink.
TipLunch only, Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00-17:30. Cash preferred and the line moves fast.
Frank and Hazel Vernon's Madison Avenue Memphis BBQ room invented BBQ spaghetti and has run dry-rub and wet ribs from a wood-pit smoker since 1987.
OrderHalf slab of dry ribs with a side of BBQ spaghetti.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. The Dancing Pigs sauce ships nationally if you want to keep the meal going.
Central BBQ Downtown in Memphis runs the city's most reliable dry-rub ribs and pulled pork from a casual counter across from the National Civil Rights Museum.
OrderHalf slab of dry ribs with a smoked turkey sandwich on the side.
TipLines from noon to 14:00; order online and pick up at the express counter to skip the queue.
A&R Bar-B-Que on Elvis Presley Boulevard in South Memphis has run Black-owned hickory-smoke BBQ from a converted gas station since 1983: pulled pork, ribs.
OrderPulled pork sandwich with smoked bologna on the side.
TipCounter service. The Hickory Hill branch at 3721 Hickory Hill Rd runs the same menu.
Memphis pulled pork sandwich makes more sense with someone from Memphis explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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