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Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous

3.7 (2.9k reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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CHARLIE VERGOS' RENDEZVOUS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous

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Pork Ribs & Brisket Combination
Ed S.

First of all, this place is an institution. Otherwise I'd have gone 3 stars but the experience is worth a bit of a bump. Had the ribs and brisket combo. I was not a fan of the ribs. Not much meat and kinda dry. The brisket, on the other hand, was some of the best I've ever had. The beer was cold, the beans and slaw were tasty. The service is unique. Fairly attentive with a very old school vibe. It's been over 30 years since I was here last and it was pretty much as I remember.

Tiffany J.

I have been in Memphis all of my life and I have never been to Rendezvous. I can't believe it myself considering it is one of the most popular barbeque spots for locals and tourist. However, my friend ended up ordering a sausage and cheese platter from them for an event we were attending and I was assigned pick-up duty. Since it was lunch time I went ahead and ordered from them. I had the barbecue nachos, a grilled cheese sandwich, baked beans, and their homemade potato salad. When I walked in, I went downstairs. I immediately felt the Memphis vibe. All of the pictures, souvenirs, music, etc. made us feel right at home. It is family owned and at the owner was super kind to my baby boy and I. Now let's get into the food! My favorite was the potato salad. It was so delicious. I would definitely go back and order it to pair with my meals at home. If you don't like it sweet then it's not for you. The nachos were good. It can with a bag of chips, so I had to assemble them myself (that could also be because I ordered them to go). The chicken was the highlight. It was juice and seasoned really well. The grilled cheese and baked beans were ok. The parking is a "thing", so I don't believe I will dine in. If I want some more or to try more items, I will order takeout!

Emily K.

While visiting Memphis we got a late lunch at Rendezvous and were seated right away. Our waiter was super friendly and attentive! The food was good overall. The ribs had good flavor but were a little dry. The sides, though, were all delicious and definitely a highlight of the meal. We also really loved the BBQ sauce and ended up buying some to take home. Overall, good casual place to stop in Memphis that has a lot of history.

Full slab for two
Ben F.

I'm baffled at the less than stellar reviews. This place sets the standard for ribs. We split the full slab for two and everything was fantastic. Big pitcher of sweet tea, beans, slaw...fantastic. Food was served quickly and the service was efficient and polite. Price for two is totally reasonable. Again, this place sets the standard.

Leanora K.

How does this place not have 5 stars? You go downstairs to the restaurant and the staff is so attentive. The food was so delicious. The brisket was mouth watering. The dry ribs were deliciously heavily seasoned. They bring out a complimentary dish. The coleslaw and beans sides were so delicious. This is a def must have.

View of kitchen prep area
Paul K.

Charlie Vergo's Rendevous has a speakeasy feel to it with the main entrance in an alleyway just off 2nd street and BB King Drive. It's been around for over 75 years (since 1948) and has great staying power. Inside is like a museum of signs, print articles, and lots of eclectic decor but it all seems to fit just right. The Rendevous shows up as a must-try place when in Memphis so, of course, we had to try it. My wife and I really enjoyed ourselves here and for what it might lack in some areas, the character and staff more than make up for it. We had a seat at a crossroads area where two in-restaurant walkways merged and there was no shortage of ongoing activity throughout our visit. We shared the perfect sized Pork Ribs and Brisket Combo with sides of beans and coleslaw. The meats are all charcoal grilled and tasted very good. They put a LOT of dry seasoning on the ribs. I liked the baked beans and mustard vinegar slaw as well. They were a nice compliment to our meats. The ribs were a bit dry but good with the added tangy BBQ sauce that is on every table. I even bought a bottle to take home. Our server was Mark F and was very seasoned and professional. He did a great job. I love these types of old school places with an "if these walls could talk" vibes. Also love their website name: HogsFly.com. Hilarious! Everyone needs to try this place at least once.

Small ribs with baked beans and slaw
Alana K.

My friends and I came here for dinner on a Friday night. We did not have a reservation, but it was a big restaurant and we were able to be seated right away. I had the small ribs plate, which has five ribs and is served with mustard-vinegar slaw and baked beans. I thought the meat on the ribs was a little dry, but everything was delicious. There was a great selection of local beers on draft, too. Our server was so nice. Overall, we had a great experience!

Wines may differ slightly 5-2026 Diora Pinot Noir = Parker Station Central CA $10 ($10-14 bottle) thick red vanilla spice fruity 3/5*
Louise B.

The Fight Club of the BBQ ring, you'll navigate a short industrial looking alleyway between parking lots enter under the orange marquee, down a flight of stairs into a dark, ornate with historic and kitsch memorabilia, bustling basement with several tables areas off the main bar drag, to meet your rack o rib match. Bring a sweater or ask for one of the side rooms where the icy chill won't kill those rib fighting knucks lol. We had to move into the far back Delta Map room and it was much comfier. Brisket Combo $27 comes atop bread, it was very soft in texture, oily, vs my preferred slab of smoked beef with grainy texture intact. The crispy burnt ends were delish tho accompanied by a rack with about 1/3? less ribs. Ribs $27.50 Lg order became more meaty as I made way to small end and leftovers tasted even better next day. Dry rub is excellent black pepper, onion garlic, baked beans tangy n bit sweet, while the BBQ sauce, Hot and Regular in squeeze bottles, along with a mustard yellow coleslaw in deep plastic solos, were more vinegar forward than I recall. It definitely gave me a pucker and took me to almost end of first sitting to acclimate to that level of tang. By the next day, you are almost craving it lol so it's a building up your sour puss or maybe that it tames and mellows out somewhat next day haha. Mesquite smoke permeates the air and the ribs and that's a good thing, yum! Traffic IPA 12oz draft, a local Crosstown Brewing West Coast paired well, crisp, hoppy, light head, citrus pine & mango notes, Award winning wow just $4.75?!! Mid Coast CA Parker Station is a $10-14 Pinot Noir. Good $10 pour, easy to sip, just ok 3/5 fruity vanilla spice and deep thick color akin to a merlot in taste and body. A bottled GF beer was tasty and v pleasing to our guest. Family reunion dinner for hubby, his brother, niece, & great nephews. Everyone left full and fulfilled in their nostalgia filled bites down Rendezvous lane. Robert Jr gave us excellent service, patient as our guests arrived very late and happy to take pictures, a welcome about face from a previous salty, no nonsense server ;D

Decor
Mary W.

This place is a staple in Memphis, so of course had to check it out! The decor is eclectic. The service was amazing, our waiter was very attentive! We tried the sausage appetizer which was different, but tasty. I ordered the ribs and brisket. Both were decent, but I think would have been better if they'd been fresh! My ribs were lukewarm and the brisket was cold. The cole slaw and baked beans were ok/unique though I think they could benefit from a sweet/spicy or just sweet bbq sauce at the table to help offset the strong vinegar-y flavors. They do offer two sauces, but they were also tangy so didn't offer much balance in my opinion-- minus a star for that. I will say the night ended for a few of us with terrible stomach aches that kept us bathroom bound :( Minus 2 stars. Can't say I recommend.

Andrea U.

We walked through the alley across from the Peabody and down the steps into the basement of Rendezvous. There was valet parking & 2 security guards stationed in the alley. It's our last night in Memphis and we had to finish our day off with barbecue. Charlie Vergos has been serving bbq here since 1948. Today Charlie's family, the staff at Rendezvous continues cooking up his famous barbeque ribs in a casual, fun dining atmosphere. The signature "Memphis-style" dry rub ribs, brisket, red beans, rice, chicken & salad are on the menu, unfortunately, the lamb riblets are $57 per rack and are only available on weekends. They usually sell out by lunchtime as they only do nine racks Dan waited on us and got us icy cold beers. We shared the pork rib and brisket combo with coleslaw and beans. For dessert, we shared a pecan chart and a chocolate chess pie. Dan was so quick. Food came before we had a chance to put the napkins on our lap.

Soraya V.

Cole slaw vinegary and spicy. Beans super sweet. Ribs dry. I've had bbq from many different states and I come from a bbq state. Being my first time trying Memphis bbq it was very disappointing. But it won't deter me from trying other bbq restaurants. Service was excellent though and ambience was great. Loved the decor and jukebox.

Pork Ribs & Brisket Combination
Brandon L.

Food was spot on! This is what Memphis BBQ should taste like. Ribs is what they are famous for, but I would highly recommend getting the Pork Rib & Brisket Combination. Service was excellent and fast! Original decor makes this place look & feel like you walked in to the past.

Rendezvous sign
Kat B.

I'm a sucker for any restaurant regarded as a city institution. It's obviously a very popular spot for tourists, so it should be approached and assessed with that in mind. A very old school entrance down an alley, then down the stairs. Walls and ceiling filled with all manner of bric a brac. Service was a bit slow and perfunctory. There's not much reason to entice people to return since so many are visitors. We ordered the small ribs and a brisket plate. Both were heavily seasoned. The ribs were a little dry but made better with the table BBQ sauce which was nothing memorable. We did enjoy the small tarts, both the buttermilk chess and pecan were delicious.

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3 days ago

Great service. Ya don't need sauce for sure. Baked beans are wonderful. Moma loved the Red Beans and Rice. A+++.

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Great ribs, chicken was a bit dry. Overall neat place to visit and temp Memphis style BBQ. Servers were attentive and helpful.

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2 months ago

Good ribs just a little dry. Service was fast. It's a Memphis staple but pretty decent.

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Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous

Do they take reservations?

They don't take reservations, but service is quick, so even with a wait, it won't be a long one.

Is dine-in available again, or is it still take out/delivery only?

Yes, dine in fully available

Is there outdoor seating?

No, there is not. The restaurant is in the downstairs of a city building.

Good pork rinds?

Don't know about pork rinds but the pork ribs were terrible.

Is there seating at the bar or just tables?

Just tables when we were there.

Do they accept reservations? Looked on their webpage and didn't see a place to request reservations.

They do not take reservations. First come, first served.

Best parking option near Rendezvous?

We offer a valet service at the corner of our alley and Monroe. It is $8, which is cheaper than the nearby garages. Street parking is free on nights and weekends. There are lots of garages around us as well that range from $5-$10. Hope this… 

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Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous - bbq - Updated October 2026

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