The Bar-B-Q Shop

Why go

The Bar-B-Q Shop started life as Brady & Lil's Bar-B-Q Restaurant. Brady Vincent trained Frank and Hazelteen Vernon before he retired in 1981.3 The spot moved to its Madison Avenue home in November 1987.4 Sandwiches come on Texas toast, because white bread got too soggy. Frank Vernon also created the "Half and Half," a slab that's half wet and half dry.6

In 1995 the Vernon family launched the Dancing Pigs sauce and seasoning line.3 The Bar-B-Q Shop sits on Madison Avenue in Midtown Memphis. Frank Vernon bought the business, which started as Brady & Lil's, and it has cooked at this address since 1987.4

It is known for barbecue spaghetti, dry ribs and its Dancing Pigs sauce.5

What to order

• Barbecue spaghetti

  Southern Kitchen credits the shop with the dish.

  Source: Southern Kitchen5

• Dry ribs

  A house staple, with Dancing Pigs sauce on the side.

  Source: Southern Kitchen5

Good to know

• Barbecue spaghetti

  Southern Kitchen credits the shop with the dish.5

What people are saying

Posts and videos from people who’ve eaten here, pulled from 2 platforms and linked to the original.

In the press

• Jun 6, 2022Southern Kitchen · What makes Memphis barbecue so good? A closely kept secret
• Southern Foodways Alliance · Tennessee BBQ oral history: The Bar-B-Q Shop