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.
Tip: Lunch only, Tuesday to Saturday. Cash preferred and the line moves quickly.
Address: 1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
The smoked Cornish hen at Cozy Corner on North Parkway Memphis is the city's most singular BBQ plate, hickory-smoked whole and mahogany-skinned in sauce.
Try: Smoked Cornish hen
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only. The bologna sandwich on white bread is the second-best order.
The Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison Avenue in Memphis invented BBQ spaghetti: pulled pork and BBQ sauce tossed over noodles. The signature side that put the room on the map.
Try: BBQ spaghetti
Tip: Order a small spaghetti as a side; the full plate is enormous. The Dancing Pigs sauce ships.
Maciel's Tortas and Tacos on South Main downtown Memphis runs handmade tortas with telera bread, tacos al pastor and house aguas frescas from a counter-service room.
Try: Tacos and tortas
Tip: Closed Sundays. The Midtown branch at 820 Cooper runs the same menu and the same lines.
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.
Try: Tortas and tacos al pastor
Tip: Closed Sundays. Cash and card both fine. The Germantown original at 1215 S Germantown Rd is the easier seat.
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.
