Order was taken by an extremely nice hostess. Food arrived quickly which was a huge plus with a 4 year old. The bbq nachos are where it's at. read more

My ribs were beyond overcooked. So much that a large portion was inedible. Unsatisfactory and waste of money. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Dry and inedible ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Modern decor was nice, but the ribs were dry and disappointing, baked beans were just ok and no one in our family was a big fan of the homemade chips. My husband did enjoy the nachos though. read more

Okay, I'm from Texas and we know how to do BBQ. So, I was excited to see what Memphis, Tennessee had in store for me. Let's say I was strongly disappointed. I ordered a brisket plate and there was no option for marbleized cut or anything. It was kinda of dry and lacked in the smoky taste of brisket. If I didn't have the sauce then it would've been a waste of money. The Mac and cheese was a TOTAL let down!!! It looked like it was store bought but lesser than a store bought version. It was runny and lacked in flavor. The only thing I did enjoy was the greens. For my Texas taste buds, it was horrible. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Horrible Mac and Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

A big swing and miss today. Was gonna give 2 stars, but they got a couple of things right, so giving them the benefit of doubt. The place was clean, lady taking my order was efficient, accurate and kind. The guy delivering food was quick and did a good job. Unfortunately, the food just wasn't good. The pork skins and the greens were very good, but not much else. The pork bbq was terrible. Clearly, nobody was checking quality. The pork was "reheat meat". After smoking pork shoulder or butt, there should be some "bark" on the outside, followed by a pink smoke ring, then normal pork color. It should be moist and tender. All of the pork at our table was dry as sawdust with a yellowish hue and no pink smoke ring, no smoke flavor. Meaning it was reheated meat from yesterday, or it was pre pulled and sitting in a steam well, where it continues to cook. With the slogan "smoke is our sauce", I guess we didn't get any sauce. My bbq pork sandwich was dry, no flavor other than sauce and slaw. The bbq nachos were bad - due to dry meat. The 3 pork plates my friends ordered were basically uneaten and just left it on the table. Even the sausage and cheese plate was bad. That sausage has to be the cheapest on the market. It's more like hot dog slurry/bologna shoved into a casing. Real sausage should have a sort of crumbly texture with visible ground pork, not liquified "goo" in a casing. But the cheese was fine. Overall, I'd come back to drink a beer with my friends while snacking on some pork skins, but that's about all. read more

When I went to Memphis for my latest tour of BBQ sandwiches, this name kept popping up. So good we ate there 3x in 2 days. Thank goodness I don't live in Memphis. read more

Day 2 of our trip brought us to Memphis as we needed to see Graceland and the King. And of course, since we were in Memphis, we needed some more BBQ so I looked up some locations for classic Memphis BBQ and that brought us to Central BBQ - a more recent player in the scene but one that has been getting great reviews from locals and that has expanded to multiple locations around Memphis. Similar to Martin's BBQ in Nashville, you order at the counter and then go find a seat. The servers bring out your order and find you with a number marker. This particular location - located in East Memphis - from a decor point of view really feels like a fast food location which fits the strip mall setting where it is located. It is nice enough but doesn't have the cool vibe of Martin's we saw. However, this is all about the BBQ so if the food is great, who cares about the decor, right? Like our previous experience, we grabbed three different meats with a choice of two sides each to cover as much of the menu as possible. First up, a full slab of ribs served wet (with sauce) - we went with half mustard sauce and half sweet BBQ sauce - served with onion rings and BBQ beans. The ribs were excellent - super tender and rich. The sauces were great as well. I enjoyed the tang of the mustard sauce which is something we don't see much back home. The sides were okay but not great. The onion rings had too much batter relative to the onion itself. The beans had good flavour but compared to the ones we had in Nashville, these were more liquid in consistency and less smoky. Our second plate was sliced smoked beef brisket with fries and slaw. The brisket was different than in Nashville - served more thinly in longer ribbons. The texture was different - more closely to cold cuts but the flavour was equally as good as in Nashville - great smoke and meatiness. We paired it with some of the BBQ sauce which worked very well. The fries were fine but nothing more. I liked the slaw though - a little creamier which I enjoyed. Our final plate was some pulled pork served with some home-cooked pork rinds and mac n' cheese. The pulled pork was excellent - the texture was more pulled than in Nashville and had some more 'bark' to it which was a nice texture contrast. Great smokiness and tenderness to it. This was the hit of the table. The mac n'cheese was creamy and rich which I enjoyed. The pork rinds were very crunchy and light but honestly didn't really feel like a side I wanted with BBQ. It was interesting to try but not a big hit. Central BBQ also had dessert so we shared two slices of cake: coconut cake and 5 layer chocolate cake. Both cakes were moist and very rich. This was pure gluttony but frankly at this point why not, right? Central BBQ was a very worthy stop on your way to Graceland. We got more Southern BBQ which made us very happy. Definitely worth it for the meats and the different sauces. The sides were more hit or miss but again, the meat is the key in BBQ. You won't be disappointed there if you spot by. Cheers! read more

I don't know if it's the place but they just slot some crap out on the bun and that was it... the one by the Civil Rights Museum is much better. read more

First time at Central (I am an out of towner). Central has a very nice, newish location on Poplar. We ordered the folliwing; Full slab of ribs Smoked Chicken Wings Pulled pork The sides were; Greens Mac n Cheese Green Beans BBQ beans French fries So first the ordering. You go through a buffet style line where you order your food first, then they bring it out to your table. The cashier was very nice and helpful. We had a large order that they brought out in stages, but very very quickly. The servers are constantly running back and forth bringing food. Sauces and drinks are self serve; mild, hot, mustard and vinegar. The mild is good, not too sweet with a vinegar bite. The hot is really hot. I needed to mix mild and hot. I didnt like the vinegar sauce, it had the consistency of thin vinegarette but was fairly bitter. As a kid we used apple cider vinegar which has a sweetness. This tasted like plain white vinegar with a bit of bbq sauce in it....not my taste. The sides....most were serviceable without being great. The greens had a great flavor, but a super soft consistency like frozen spinach. If they had used fresh greens with the same seasoning, this would have been outstanding. As it was, just ok. Mac n Cheese, I hear it was very good, as my family ate it all before I got any. Looked good and cheesy. Green beans were peppery and spicy. The baked beans were sweet and cayenne-y spicy. The fries, not hot enough or crispy enough, but Ok. Overall, sides were a 3. THE MEATS The ribs were very well smoked, and cooked long enough that nearly all the fat had rendered away. In other words, cooked correctly. Meat was super tender. I am generally not a ribs person but these were excellent. The pulled pork was standard, meaning very good. The chicken wings were actually stars in my opinion. They were full wings, smoked until they were nearly fall off the bone. They needed no sauce, but the addition of sauce put them in the stratosphere. I would return just for a chicken wing plate. Meats overall score, 4.5 I'll be back! read more

Avoid until they figure out how to handle a standard lunch service. At 1 PM on a weekday, they had only 1 person taking orders and the line moving like molasses. Then they decided to stop the line, announce to everyone that the kitchen was too backed up to accept any new orders for the time being, and then disappear into what seemed like a very confused kitchen. I like Central BBQ, but this location seems like they've bitten off more than they can chew. Prices also seem higher than the other locations from what I saw before they halted orders. read more

Ordered a brisket plate it was bad fries were cold and asked for a refund. To their credit they gave me a refund. Not sure why people think Memphis has good BBQ They DONT read more

Sad to say, I was not impressed. The place is cute and clean but the seats were really uncomfortable to me. I ordered the half dry half wet ribs with greens and baked beans. Everything was just ok. The ribs taste baked and I don't consider that real bbq. Some of the sauces were good though. I enjoyed mixing hot and mild. The vinegar and mustard were overbearing for me. I really like the atmosphere and that is why I rated 3 stars. Next time I will try the wings which I hear people rave about but this is not where I would send visitors to for bbq. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Half & Half rib plate... lol I started eating quick - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Visited the new location on Poplar for the last time! Took 40 minutes to get half our order. Nachos were cold and disgusting. Had to reorder the ribs and that was the only hot food - not good but hot. Had to join the line of complaining diners asking status of orders placed 30/40 minutes before. Don't waste your money at this location!! read more

This was our first time at this location. We tried a different one in the past and had a terrible experience with long wait time and cold food. I would not have gone to this new location if it hadn't been right across the street from my hotel. The building is very trendy and nicely decorated inside. It's the same cafeteria style set up to order as the other one. We got a 1/2 order of chicken nachos, 1/2 rack of ribs (meal), pulled pork sandwich, and 2 sodas for $37. Our food arrived quickly. The ribs were very good. I got the wet & dry and both were good, but the dry rub was really great. The nachos were disappointing. The cheese wasn't melted at all. Pulled pork sandwich was just ok. Had to add spicy bbq to it. My side of French fries were cold and so was the Mac & cheese. I don't understand how the fries, basically the only thing that is cooked to order, were cold. If they had actual waiter service I definitely would have complained. The flavors here are great as well as the ribs, but overall I was disappointed again and will not be back. read more

A can't miss in the Memphis area. This location was new and super convenient while in the Germantown area for ikea. We stopped right around lunch at noon on Saturday and the crowd was immediately behind us. Order at the bar, take your number, and find a seat. They'll bring your order to you. Attempting to try a bit of everything while we were visiting, we shared a half order of brisket nachos, 6 chicken wings (sweet heat and jerk), and a rib sampler. It was pleeeenty of food for two. The stand outs were certainly the ribs and the wings. I preferred the sweet heat wings bc jerk seasoning isn't my favorite, but my husband loved the jerk wings for their sugar flavor and dry coating which left crispy skin intact. I agree that the crispy skin was delicious, and next time we might try the dry rub wings. The rib sampler said only 3 ribs, but we got quite a few more than that. We got them wet and they were fall off the bone tender. The only miss for me were the nachos strictly based on personal preference. There was your typical yellow nacho cheese sauce and shredded cheese that wasn't melted. I felt there was far too much bbq sauce and not enough brisket, and I don't think they'd be something I'd reorder. Overall we left happy and satisfied with the delicious lunch in a fun atmosphere. Recommend! read more

I cannot tell you how disappointing this venture into bbq was. We had a few hours after landing before we had to leave the area. We've never been to Memphis before, so here was our chance to indulge. The brisket was okay, but tasted about the same as a Sunday pot roast. I only ate a few fork fulls of the greens before pushing them aside. A few days before we had eaten at the big bbq chain, Rudy's back in Colorado. My daughter and I agreed, Rudy's bbq was superior. With so many bbq places in this town, I'd recommend finding a different place. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Brisket, turnip greens and house made chips - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The food was great! I enjoyed the turkey noches. They were really good. It has a great atmosphere as well. Friends of mine really enjoyed the smoked turkey sandwich. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Full order of Turkey BBQ nachos. - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Super nice staff at bar. So easy to walk in order to go and take home super barbecue! Great to have Central our east! read more

Came here on the recommendation of several locals. I ordered the ribs combo which consisted of a half rack of ribs and 2 meats. They didn't have any brisket which was disappointing so I went with sausage and pulled pork with Mac and cheese and Cole slaw side, all for a little over $30. The Mac and cheese, sausage and pulled pork were good but the cole slaw had no taste and the ribs were kind of a disappointment as I was expecting more flavor. The restaurant was clean and the staff was friendly and I would go back but I was expecting more flavor, especially listening to the way everyone raved about this place and the price. read more

Absolutely terrible service! Lazy and rude if you ask questions. Doing everything else but service.

Food was great and was glad door dash was an available option! Sampler appetizers needs to be added to the online order process. Cut one star cause the food wasn't hot when delivered. read more

I have no complaints. People were nice. Service was fast and the food was tasty. I was recommended by my real estate agent. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Pulled Pork Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I am not a Memphis local but the city is known for their barbecue. When talking to locals A lot of them like central. And it's up there with rendezvous they say. I went to blue city cafe and it was amazing. The ribs were some of the best I ever had. In contrast Central was such a disappointment very dry.Manager was great and tried to make it right. But I just think they make their ribs that way kind of dry. Their sides are good mac and cheese and onion rings are great but I would not recommend for ribs read more

SINGLE TO OPEN THE GAME! I grabbed dinner here with a friend the other night and it was slammed (Tuesday night). I had the smoked chicken (wet) and my friend had the chicken wings. For sides I had green beans and baked beans. The chicken was good, but a little dry; the green beans were good; and the baked beans were a little bland. I'm going to give it another try as I've had success at other locations. read more

I'm not a huge BBQ person, yet Central BBQ did not disappoint. When we arrived the line was to the door, yet moved extremely quickly. The woman at the counter was very helpful with our questions. I didn't feel the need for a full or half rack of ribs, so I ordered the rib sampler. Our food arrived fairly quickly for the amount of people within the restaurant. On the menu it says the rib sampler comes with 3 rib pieces, but mine arrived with four. It also comes with a bun! The ribs were falling off the bone and not dry at all. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Wet Ribs- Rib Sampler - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Not bad, not good. Kind of like a blind date who is pleasant and nice but you know you're never gonna take her out again as you lean in for the platonic hug. Nothing special about the BBQ or the restaurant. Meh... two stars for not getting food poisoning. read more

This is the first time I've ever visited this location on the recommendation of a coworker. He recommended the pulled pork sandwich. So I ordered the large pulled pork sandwich and asked the employee what came on the sandwich. She told me coleslaw. Sounded good to me so I ordered a large pulled pork sandwich and then asked to get Texas toast on the side. When I got the sandwich it was on toast not a bun. The toast cannot be considered Texas toast. It was just bread barely toasted and absolutely no butter. When I got back to my hotel I discovered that there was no coleslaw placed on my sandwich. Overall the meat was mediocre, smothered in barbecue sauce, likely to cover the lack of taste. My side of mac & cheese was a three on a scale of 1 to 10. The one thing I thought was excellent were the onion rings. I will likely not return to this establishment. read more

We stopped in with the family during a road trip and we were impressed at every turn. All the employees were really helpful and patient with us first timers. My husband is in the military and we have sampled BBQ from across the country and back. We were completely surprised to declare this place the best dry bbq we have come across. And the greens! And green beans! Thank you Central BBQ for an amazing family dinner!! read more

Classic Memphis BBQ is excellent and the wings are hands down the best I have ever had. We always take our clients visiting from out of town to Central BBQ. Great food, atmosphere and very clean. read more

I have been a Central fan for years. Moved away almost 8 years ago but found myself in Memphis today, looking for a lunch spot. Came across the new location on Poplar and dropped in. I have a half slab of dry ribs & they were very good. Also shared the chips & blue cheese and those too were good. I miss Memphis BBQ!!! read more

Central BBQ is the go-to destination for any discriminating barbecue lover! There are "fancier" barbecue places in Memphis, but you can't go wrong with a quick top at Central BBQ for ribs, wings, or a pulled pork sandwich. Highly recommended! You won't be disappointed! read more

I stopped by the Poplar Ave. Central BBQ about 5:30 pm on March 27th to pick up dinner for a friend of mine & me. The 2 dinners were so totally different... my BBQ chicken was all bits & pieces, like little shavings with some dried out pieces, skin, & a few burnt pieces thrown in for good measure. Hers looked fine - looked normal with small hunks big enough to put on a bun & make a sandwich. I asked for beans & potato salad as the sides. I had also asked for an extra roll for both of us & said I'd be glad to pay extra. We didn't get the extra rolls. Then, as we ate, I found the rock in my baked beans. Thank you, God, I was chewing small bites slowly & felt the rock before I bit down. So, I called the Poplar store to let them know they might have the same issue with other customers. I asked for the manager on duty & the girl who answered put me on hold & I waited & waited... then someone picked up the phone & hung up on me. That's when I got steamed. I was trying to be nice & warn them. Obviously, there's more than food quality issues in that store! (I'm sending photos & the offending rock to the Central store, which I think is the main office, too.) read more

Central BBQ Poplar - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

We had a fantastic dinner here and tried both the wet and dry ribs. I thought the ribs were incredible and would recommend them to anyone. I was less impressed by the brisket, so I'd say pass on that one. The brisket was somewhat dry and not fatty at all. This new location for Central BBQ is fairly large. It has many different sittings rooms with also various themes. It is great for large parties! read more

This was not as good as I had been hearing. The sauces were okay but not for my taste. I tried all 3 and the best was the hot bbq. The mild was way too sweet and smoky. The vinegar sauce was okay. I had wet ribs which were way too smokey with their mild sauce. sausage and bologna were fine. pulled pork was very dry. pork rinds were fine and baked beans as well. I prefer Corky's. read more

New to this location. Regular at Central BBQ-Midtown. Chicken wings dry rub was ungodly. I believe it was dry rubbed with Paprika. Would NOT recommend. Rib meat was dry & hard. I was totally disappointed with the food today. I'll be sure to take this place off the list to bring out of town guest. Embarrassing. read more

I have eaten at most of the famous and not so famous BBQ restaurants in the southeast. I have attended Memphis in a May as well as the Pig Fest in Lakeland and I also BBQ, so I certainly know good BBQ. We went on a road trip and read about Central BBQ so we tried it. My wife and I and a friend visited. I ordered the 3 meat special, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, bake beans, and onion rings. My wife and friend ordered the 3 meat special with ribs, turkey, slaw and pulled pork. My ribs were tuff and dried out, my brisket was dry and had no taste. They forgot my onion rings and when they brought them they were floppy and greasy. They forgot my wife's slaw and when they brought it it had no taste. I was very disappointed in the quality of the food. Maybe the original restaurant may be better. read more

Seriously, business model for 8 wings for $24? I'm sure it won't matter, but you lost some local, repeat customers I'm with unless you can justify this hilariousness. read more

Central BBQ Poplar - $3 per wing and carrots!!!!!!!!! Those free buns - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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There were no drinks available. The cashier came out and said you could get a refund when I requested the refund they questioned me anoint the drinks and gave me a hard time and never refunded my money. Always get a receipt and check if the drinks are available before paying for a cup. The bbq was ok read more

Full rack of ribs (dry), sauce on the side/Smoke wings (dry) with sweet heat on the side is the BUSINESS! Visiting from Denver and stoped by. You won't be disappointed. read more

Fast and friendly service. Food was very good... prices are not bad. Try the pulled pork and chicken, you won't be disappointed.