Let’s face it–it’s tough to be a vegetarian and eat out in Memphis. Everywhere you go, there’s barbecued ribs and pulled pork with a side of ‘slaw and beans. Carnivore heaven! As a visitor to the city, these are some of the best to try:

The Rendezvous
52 South 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 523-2746
Down an alley but you will have no problem finding it–there’s a line-up outside and you can smell the place for blocks. This downtown landmark is always busy.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/charles-vergos-rendezvous-memphis#query:The%20Rendezvous

The BBQ Shop
1782 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 272-1277
Fall-off-the-bone ribs served with fabulous coleslaw and beans. Not far from Sun Records. You’ve gotta love the dancing pigs!
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-bar-b-q-shop-memphis-3#query:BBQ%20Shop

Corky’s Ribs and BBQ
5259 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 685-9744
Reputed to have the best pulled pork in Memphis. Delicious dry ribs, too, to die for.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/corkys-ribs-and-bbq-memphis-2

A & R Barbecue
24 North Third Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 524-5242
Down home rib goodness–either wet or dry–that’s popular with locals. Located downtown near AutoZone baseball park, and also near Graceland.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/a-and-r-bar-b-que-memphis#query:A%20%26%20R%20Barbecue

The Four Way Restaurant
998 Mississippi Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38126
Phone (901) 507-1519
A Southern home-style restaurant that’s still a neighbourhood favourite for sweet potato pie, fried catfish, fried chicken, and peach cobbler. Near the Stax Museum.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/four-way-restaurant-memphis

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
730 S Mendenhall Road
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 767-2323
Who knew Southern fried chicken could taste this good at this bustling café. Wow! Near the Civil Rights Museum.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/guss-world-famous-fried-chicken-memphis-2

The Little Tea Shop
69 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 525-6000
A busy downtown diner serving casual Southern soul food like fried chicken with turnip greens. Profiled on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Near the Cotton Museum.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/little-tea-shop-memphis#query:tea%20shop