Memphis BBQ help needed STAT

[BowGuy84]

Leaving Jonesboro AR...where should I hit for lunch? Plenty of time and heading through town towards Nashville. Plenty happy to try some place we haven't reviewed lately.

 

[rdwood]

Central BBQ is a safe bet.

 

[rdwood]

A&R BBQ is also good.

24 N Third Street, downtown location.

 

[Andy S.]

Cozy Corner Barbecue

745 North Parkway Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 527-9158

http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/

http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/CozyCornerMenu.pdf

Get off of I40 right after you cross the bridge and it is less than a mile away.

 

[BowGuy84]

At interstate based on posts when we decided. So far so good with glasses big enough to hold sufficient fluid.

Squaw just noted that her tea came with a spoon to stir in more sugar.

 

[Andy S.]

Did you order some BBQ Spaghetti?

Good stuff. I like their baked beans as well.

 

[TAFKAP]

Central BBQ is a safe bet.

No, it's the ONLY bet. They were REALLY on par today.

 

[BowGuy84]

Review to come...off to iris house for dinner.

 

[TAFKAP]

You're going to Restaurant Iris?

 

[FOX FIRE]

Ya gotta try Bozo's, ther located in Mason Tenn about 30-40 miles west of memphis on Hwy 70, theyve been in biz for over 80 years & have some really good BBQ.

If you've seen the Johnny Cash movie Walk The Line, the scene wher me runs into June Carter in the BBQ joint....Thats Bozo's BBQ they filmed that scene in.

 

[redblood]

dang. eating bbq at 2 and headed to iris for supper at 7. u better run about 12 miles tomorrow, lol

 

[treefarmer]

I was in Memphis Sunday and Monday and was told 'Rendevous" would be the best Memphis BBQ. Unfortunately they were closed both days! My boss used to own a plane and flew there once with another employee just for the BBQ, so it must be pretty good.

 

[beechnut]

I was in Memphis Sunday and Monday and was told 'Rendevous" would be the best Memphis BBQ. Unfortunately they were closed both days! My boss used to own a plane and flew there once with another employee just for the BBQ, so it must be pretty good.

I live near Memphis and I wouldn't drive to Rendevous......dang sure wouldn't fly. Consider yourself lucky they were closed.

 

[TAFKAP]

I was in Memphis Sunday and Monday and was told 'Rendevous" would be the best Memphis BBQ. Unfortunately they were closed both days! My boss used to own a plane and flew there once with another employee just for the BBQ, so it must be pretty good.

"Unfortunately"? Nope. You dodged a bullet. Rendezvous is an overcooked, overpriced tourist trap. There are 10 places within 5 miles of there that will blow their socks off.

The next time you're in Memphis, pull out your smart phone and Google any of the following:

1) Central BBQ
2) A&R BBQ
3) Cozy Corner
4) Neely's Interstate BBQ
5) Tops BBQ

 

[BowGuy84]

You're going to Restaurant Iris?

Yes it was very good. The starters are great and I had the strip and fried oysters which was incredible (albeit slightly overcooked which I think is just the nature of the dish in comparison to how I like my steaks.

 

[BowGuy84]

Ok, so finally able to give my impression.

Ranking: I'll put this at 3.5 stars for BBQ joints

Visual:

I ordered the combination platter with pulled pork and ribs. Sides I got potatoe salad and baked beans. The tater salad was mustard based and so-so, the baked beans I though were very good. Size wise these were nice size portions on sides for 1 person but small for 2 if you ordered the platter to split (due to dinner plans we were splitting).

Onto the meat of the meal...neither wowed me. What I really liked was the sauce, and as you can see there was plenty of it slapped right on top. I would have preferred it on the side.

The pulled pork was a little dry. Crust had good and simple flavor but the internal juicyness of the pork wasn't there. We did eat at 2 so maybe earlier it was more moist.

Ribs, seemed over cooked. They were very soft and again loaded with sause that took away from the taste of the dry rub.

Total cost of the meal with tip came to just over $20.

My next time through Memphis I will try somewhere else, but no matter how good it was I probably would do that. BBQ is rarely can't eat bad, and this was no exception. I enjoyed the meal, and a plus for those on lunch break is that service was quick and friendly.

 

[Andy S.]

baked beans I though were very good.

x2

What I really liked was the sauce, and as you can see there was plenty of it slapped right on top. I would have preferred it on the side.

x2. If this is always a preference of yours, I would clearly state it on the front end at every restaurant you eat at so you can make the final product (meat + sauce) just as you desire.

Thanks for the review BG84.

 

[moondawg]

I was in Memphis Sunday and Monday and was told 'Rendevous" would be the best Memphis BBQ. Unfortunately they were closed both days! My boss used to own a plane and flew there once with another employee just for the BBQ, so it must be pretty good.

"Unfortunately"? Nope. You dodged a bullet. Rendezvous is an overcooked, overpriced tourist trap. There are 10 places within 5 miles of there that will blow their socks off.

The next time you're in Memphis, pull out your smart phone and Google any of the following:

1) Central BBQ
2) A&R BBQ
3) Cozy Corner
4) Neely's Interstate BBQ
5) Tops BBQ

That's a good start. I've had Tops and A&R. I think our office has had Central BBQ catered, I don't remember for sure.

I've only been to the Rendevous twice, and that was only because my wife's company had some get together there. I wasn't impressed either time.

 

[TAFKAP]

You're going to Restaurant Iris?

Yes it was very good. The starters are great and I had the strip and fried oysters which was incredible (albeit slightly overcooked which I think is just the nature of the dish in comparison to how I like my steaks.

Really??? Mine was still mooing!

But when at a fine restaurant they ask how I'd like my steak, I always defer to the chef and his preferred preparation. Our waiter suggested "medium rare", and I just stuck with rare, as that's the chef's preparation.

One thing I discovered, too, was that nice restaurants like to have customers tour the kitchen. Even though they were cleaning up, they all still liked showing us around. Awesome night.

 

[TAFKAP]

Ok, so finally able to give my impression.

Ranking: I'll put this at 3.5 stars for BBQ joints

Visual:

I ordered the combination platter with pulled pork and ribs. Sides I got potatoe salad and baked beans. The tater salad was mustard based and so-so, the baked beans I though were very good. Size wise these were nice size portions on sides for 1 person but small for 2 if you ordered the platter to split (due to dinner plans we were splitting).

Onto the meat of the meal...neither wowed me. What I really liked was the sauce, and as you can see there was plenty of it slapped right on top. I would have preferred it on the side.

The pulled pork was a little dry. Crust had good and simple flavor but the internal juicyness of the pork wasn't there. We did eat at 2 so maybe earlier it was more moist.

Ribs, seemed over cooked. They were very soft and again loaded with sause that took away from the taste of the dry rub.

Total cost of the meal with tip came to just over $20.

My next time through Memphis I will try somewhere else, but no matter how good it was I probably would do that. BBQ is rarely can't eat bad, and this was no exception. I enjoyed the meal, and a plus for those on lunch break is that service was quick and friendly.

I know that "Interstate" is a local favorite, but I've never been a fan. For one, they don't have a spicy sauce. That's strike one for me. But it never just blew me away, so I'd never drive out of my realm to eat there.

Central's always been my favorite because the BBQ's good, but honestly, the greens are what brings me back.

I had some customers in town this week, and they did the usual Rendezvous thing. Talking about it the next day, they had the typical "everyone said it was awesome" letdown speech, and they were completely blown away at Central. And let me tell you, Central was on their game this week. The ribs were perfect.

 

[BowGuy84]

If this is always a preference of yours, I would clearly state it on the front end at every restaurant you eat at so you can make the final product (meat + sauce) just as you desire.

Thanks for the review BG84.

Good idea...most places have sauce on table and let you choose. Should have been a tip to me but I was really hungry.

 

[BowGuy84]

You're going to Restaurant Iris?

Yes it was very good. The starters are great and I had the strip and fried oysters which was incredible (albeit slightly overcooked which I think is just the nature of the dish in comparison to how I like my steaks.

Really??? Mine was still mooing!

But when at a fine restaurant they ask how I'd like my steak, I always defer to the chef and his preferred preparation. Our waiter suggested "medium rare", and I just stuck with rare, as that's the chef's preparation.

One thing I discovered, too, was that nice restaurants like to have customers tour the kitchen. Even though they were cleaning up, they all still liked showing us around. Awesome night.

I sent the first one back (Aunts Kobe loin was rare mine was medium...think they got them mixed up). It was hardly pink. second one was pink throughout and I ordered rare. Still was amazing.

I'd like to tour the kitchen...did you ask? Great restraunt for sure just missed on my steak a touch.

 

[TAFKAP]

Yeah, just mention to the waiter that you'd like to see the kitchen. It helps that I have a buddy that works there, but he says folks come back all the time.