City guide · Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis BBQ
Rendezvous ribs, barbecue spaghetti, Cozy Corner's Cornish hen and Payne's chopped pork, with prices from each spot's own menu.
Central BBQ on Central Avenue, photographed in 2010. Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0.
Memphis barbecue · Midtown
Central BBQ
The original Central BBQ, rebuilt in 2025, smoking over hickory and pecan in Midtown.
- Today
- WoodHickory and pecan2
Why go
Central BBQ's Midtown spot on Central Avenue is one of five locations, including Downtown, Poplar, Summer and Southaven.1 The meats are smoked over hickory and pecan.2 Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp opened the first Central BBQ in 2002. The Midtown spot reopened in January 2025 after two and a half years of rebuilding, in a larger space next to the original.34
Good to know
- Original location1
What people are saying
- WREG News Channel 3YouTubeView on YouTube ↗
- Eat LocalYouTubeView on YouTube ↗
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In the press
- Jan 2025Daily Memphian · After 2 1/2 years, Central BBQ reopens in Midtown
What we don’t know yet
We only publish what we can source. Here’s what’s missing.
- Prices
- Cash or card
- The pitmaster
Near Midtown
Bain Barbecue
Open Tue to SunCooper-Young · about 0.6 mi
993 S Cooper St
Payne's Bar-B-Q
Lamar Avenue · about 1 mi
1762 Lamar Ave
The BBQ Shop
Open Tue to SatMidtown · about 1 mi
1782 Madison Ave
Distances are straight-line miles from Central BBQ Midtown, not driving distance.
Nearest trail: Memphis in a Day, about 1.2 miles away.
Related guides
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0Road trip · Nashville to Memphis
The Tennessee BBQ Trail
Nashville to Memphis in two days: whole hog in Lexington, dry ribs and barbecue spaghetti in Memphis. Free printable map.
Photo: Southern Foodways Alliance, CC BY 2.0Style guide · Tennessee
Memphis vs. Nashville BBQ
Dry rub vs. sauce, ribs vs. whole hog, and where to taste each, all sourced.
Own Central BBQ? Get a Featured partner listing (paid)
Researched by Erik Peterson, sources linked below.
Sources (5) · every fact on this page links to one
- Locations · Central BBQ · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- Menu · Central BBQ · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- After 2 1/2 years, Central BBQ reopens in Midtown · Daily Memphian · published Jan 2025 · checked Oct 27, 2026
- About · Central BBQ · Checked Oct 27, 2026
- Midtown location · Central BBQ · Checked Oct 31, 2026
We don’t publish our own scores. Partner listings are always labeled and never change what we recommend. Hours change, so check before you drive.