Las Tortugas Poplar in East Memphis runs Jose Magallanes's Germantown taqueria menu from a Poplar Avenue branch, with tortas and tacos al pastor at counter speed.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Cash and card both fine. The Germantown original at 1215 S Germantown Rd is the easier seat.
Address: 6300 Poplar Ave Ste 115, Memphis, TN 38119
Central BBQ in midtown Memphis runs the city's standard BBQ nachos: tortilla chips with pulled pork, sauce, sour cream and jalapeños. The stadium snack done right.
Try: BBQ nachos
Tip: Order at the counter and grab a patio table. Available at all four city locations.
The Rendezvous downtown Memphis serves a cheese and sausage starter that locals order before the dry-rub ribs. Crackers, smoked sausage rounds and sharp cheddar.
Try: Cheese and sausage plate
Tip: Order it as a pre-meal snack at the bar while you wait for a table downstairs.
Memphis hot tamales are a Delta street-food tradition: cornmeal-wrapped beef tied with twine, simmered in spicy broth. Often sold from roadside stands and BBQ shops.
Try: Hot tamales
Tip: Found at Cozy Corner and A&R BBQ as a side. Ask at any Memphis BBQ joint with Delta roots.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken on South Front Street is the city's defining counter-service fried chicken, a Mason-born spice-crusted bird on butcher paper.
Try: Spicy fried chicken plate
Tip: Lunch line moves; dinner can be an hour on weekends. Three-piece dark plate is the order.
The Soul Burger at Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main is a griddled patty with caramelised onions, pickles and the bar's mysterious Soul Sauce on a soft bun.
Try: Soul Burger
Tip: Walk upstairs to the old brothel rooms while waiting for your burger. Cash works fastest.
Payne's chopped pork sandwich on Lamar Avenue South Memphis is wrapped in mustard slaw and white-bread bun, the city's defining cheap BBQ sandwich for over 50 years.
Try: Chopped pork sandwich
Tip: Lunch only, Tuesday to Saturday. Cash preferred and the line moves quickly.
