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Informal eatery with inventive meat dishes, from BBQ nachos to pork sandwiches & brisket platters.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 147 E Butler Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 672-7760
Website: https://eatcbq.com/pages/downtown
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Reviews
Gary Connor
We came as a tour-planned lunch buffet for a group of 40. Menu was Baked Beans, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, coleslaw slaw and drinks. The food in the buffet was hot and kept full. The BBQ was classic Memphis dry rub with sauce on the side. Sauce was a hot and a mild. Both were savory, not sweet. The mild had a little zip.
As a buffet, it was all-you-care-to-eat.
After the meal I had a chance to talk with Dutch, the chef. I do a lot of smoking and BBQ and we got down in the weeds talking spices, binders and such. I hope to see him when we come back in Jan.
The joint is very near the Lorraine and we were told there is a great bakery nearby.
Highly recommend.
… moreAs a buffet, it was all-you-care-to-eat.
After the meal I had a chance to talk with Dutch, the chef. I do a lot of smoking and BBQ and we got down in the weeds talking spices, binders and such. I hope to see him when we come back in Jan.
The joint is very near the Lorraine and we were told there is a great bakery nearby.
Highly recommend.
james northey
Place is located right across the street from the Lorraine hotel and civil rights museum. The brisket was great. Had the brisket and rib platter. The dry rub on the ribs were a little spicy but they were good. Quick service, friendly staff
… moreJessi Pacetti
Central BBQ is the definition of a classic barbecue spot! From the moment you walk in, you can tell they’ve got the whole down-to-earth, authentic vibe down pat. One of the highlights for me was definitely the banana pudding — it’s to die for! So rich and creamy, I couldn’t finish it all in one sitting, so I had to take some home to enjoy later, which honestly isn’t like me, but it was THAT good. The ribs were also fantastic — flavorful, tender, and cooked just right. The sauces were delectable, with just the right amount of smoky sweetness to complement the meat perfectly.
One thing I loved was being able to bring our dog along — we sat out on the patio overlooking the Civil Rights Museum, which made the whole experience even better. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy good food, and have a nice view while hanging out with your furry friend. They’re also super accommodating for large parties, making it a great spot for family gatherings or celebrations. The friendly staff, the laid-back atmosphere, and the delicious food combine to make it a must-visit. If you’re craving authentic barbecue with a welcoming vibe, Central BBQ will not disappoint. I’ll definitely be coming back soon!
… moreOne thing I loved was being able to bring our dog along — we sat out on the patio overlooking the Civil Rights Museum, which made the whole experience even better. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy good food, and have a nice view while hanging out with your furry friend. They’re also super accommodating for large parties, making it a great spot for family gatherings or celebrations. The friendly staff, the laid-back atmosphere, and the delicious food combine to make it a must-visit. If you’re craving authentic barbecue with a welcoming vibe, Central BBQ will not disappoint. I’ll definitely be coming back soon!
Leslie M
Great bbq place in Memphis! Casual vibe and friendly service. Order at counter and then food is brought out to you. We had ribs, chicken, pork, potato salad and banana pudding all excellent. Banana pudding is a must!! Ribs had great char. My favorite is bbq sauce is available in 3 flavors and warmed. Definitely recommend giving it a try.
… moreCarl Walker
First, for reference. I travel for a living and eat wings 3 to 4 times a week alll over America.
Wings – TREMENDOUSLY GOOD. Seriously, these are some of the best smoked wings I’ve ever had. I just got them dry rubbed with Jamaican jerk.
Ribs- Excellent, inside was very moist. The outside was a little overdone for my taste though.
Brisket – OK.. it lacked the smoke flavor it should have had.
Onion rings – They dont make these in house, they were average.
Both sauces were very good. When I come back I will probably just get wings…but I may try the pork or chicken.
… moreWings – TREMENDOUSLY GOOD. Seriously, these are some of the best smoked wings I’ve ever had. I just got them dry rubbed with Jamaican jerk.
Ribs- Excellent, inside was very moist. The outside was a little overdone for my taste though.
Brisket – OK.. it lacked the smoke flavor it should have had.
Onion rings – They dont make these in house, they were average.
Both sauces were very good. When I come back I will probably just get wings…but I may try the pork or chicken.
Larry Love
Great BBQ spot in walking distance from the Central Station Hotel, as well as the Civil Right Museum. I’ve eaten here several times over the years, & I always enjoy their smoked beef brisket and chicken too! The staff conducts a well-oiled machine when it comes to ordering food, cooking it, being served & cleaning tables. I personally make sure to tip the guys cleaning the table because they are always hard working & non stop! Depending on the time of day & what day it is with crowds, the wait in line to order could take 15 minutes, & parking your car could take some driving to another street if you want to park for free. If you are hungry for a big meal, definitely come here.
… moreLarry Wagenaar
I had the BBQ ribs and my wife had a pulled pork sandwich. Nice place, relaxed atmosphere, and across the street from the Civil Rights Museum which we visited. We are glad we went. The barbecue ribs use a rub which was authentic for sure. Being from the north, I’m more fond of sweet saucy barbecue sauce myself. The green bean side was delicious and the onion rings were good. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich and she really liked it but, like me, missed the fact that there was not any sweet barbecue sauce to be had. Their mild sauce which comes from a dispenser along the wall was not sweet. She did think the vinegar base sauce is pretty good though. If you want authentic Southern BBQ and a Memphis vibe this is a great place to go.
… moreMartha Hernandez
If you’re in Memphis, Central BBQ Downtown is a must-visit! The ribs are smoky, tender, and full of flavor — easily some of the best in town. The pulled pork sandwich was juicy and perfectly seasoned, and the sides (especially the mac & cheese and baked beans) were delicious. The service was quick and friendly, and the atmosphere has that authentic Memphis BBQ vibe — casual, lively, and full of the smell of great barbecue. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a true taste of Memphis BBQ!
… moreJ F (Swissofis)
The food was excellent, but the staff are racist.
I am moving my family across the country for work, and we were passing through the area. We read that the food at this establishment was to die for, so my wife and I came in on Monday 3/2/26 at ~8:00 PM. Unfortunately, the first thing the lady at the register did was look our little 2-year-old son up and down and say quote, “Wow. Blonde hair and blues eyes. That’s scary. Let’s hope you grow out of that soon.”
We were both stunned into silence at what we had just heard but still ate there because it was late and were tired from having been on the road for over 12 hours that day. Making a fuss over such incredibly inappropriate words didn’t seem worth it at the time, but that was unbelievable, unacceptable, and beyond racist as hell.
To make matters worse, my family immigrated here in the 60s and have absolutely nothing to do with America’s past legacy or even Germany’s infamous one. In fact, my grandfather had to survive Nazi occupation as a boy in Poland and nearly starved to death because he and my family weren’t allowed regular food as second class citizens of the occupied territory, and to say that my son, who hasn’t done a thing to anybody in addition to our family’s history, is “scary” simply because of his looks that are entirely outside of his control is beyond unacceptable, spits directly on our family’s history, and is the definition of racism. Shame on that woman (who had black rimmed glasses and two twin hair poofs), and I hope justice is done in that she’s fired.
Even worse, considering this establishment is located directly across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum (the Lorraine Motel) where the honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated is the definition of irony. Again, shame on that woman.
I don’t know if my family will ever be passing through Memphis again, but I can assure that we will never be coming back to this establishment.
… moreI am moving my family across the country for work, and we were passing through the area. We read that the food at this establishment was to die for, so my wife and I came in on Monday 3/2/26 at ~8:00 PM. Unfortunately, the first thing the lady at the register did was look our little 2-year-old son up and down and say quote, “Wow. Blonde hair and blues eyes. That’s scary. Let’s hope you grow out of that soon.”
We were both stunned into silence at what we had just heard but still ate there because it was late and were tired from having been on the road for over 12 hours that day. Making a fuss over such incredibly inappropriate words didn’t seem worth it at the time, but that was unbelievable, unacceptable, and beyond racist as hell.
To make matters worse, my family immigrated here in the 60s and have absolutely nothing to do with America’s past legacy or even Germany’s infamous one. In fact, my grandfather had to survive Nazi occupation as a boy in Poland and nearly starved to death because he and my family weren’t allowed regular food as second class citizens of the occupied territory, and to say that my son, who hasn’t done a thing to anybody in addition to our family’s history, is “scary” simply because of his looks that are entirely outside of his control is beyond unacceptable, spits directly on our family’s history, and is the definition of racism. Shame on that woman (who had black rimmed glasses and two twin hair poofs), and I hope justice is done in that she’s fired.
Even worse, considering this establishment is located directly across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum (the Lorraine Motel) where the honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated is the definition of irony. Again, shame on that woman.
I don’t know if my family will ever be passing through Memphis again, but I can assure that we will never be coming back to this establishment.
Tom Shultz
The food was very good. I had the beef brisket BBQ potato and a portobello mushroom salad with Italian dressing, my family had pulled pork and turkey sandwiches with assorted sides. The service was also very good. Staff were friendly, attentive, and actively keeping the place clean and tidy at all times. And last but not least the atmosphere was quite good.
There was nice decor and ambience appropriate to a BBQ joint, with plenty of seating at nice tables and chairs. The ordering process was obviously well laid out and controlled. They played up-tempo music at just the right volume (not so loud that you couldn’t talk to your table, but not so soft that you had to hear the conversations of those around you).
Unlike my experience at the location out East on Poplar, my experience at this location was worthwhile. Great BBQ in Memphis is the standard. If your BBQ is not great, you’re not in business for long. The real difference maker for those who stay in business and especially those who expand to more than one location is consistency in people and processes which create a culture of good service and a good atmosphere. Well done, Central BBQ – Downtown. Thanks for being great!
… moreThere was nice decor and ambience appropriate to a BBQ joint, with plenty of seating at nice tables and chairs. The ordering process was obviously well laid out and controlled. They played up-tempo music at just the right volume (not so loud that you couldn’t talk to your table, but not so soft that you had to hear the conversations of those around you).
Unlike my experience at the location out East on Poplar, my experience at this location was worthwhile. Great BBQ in Memphis is the standard. If your BBQ is not great, you’re not in business for long. The real difference maker for those who stay in business and especially those who expand to more than one location is consistency in people and processes which create a culture of good service and a good atmosphere. Well done, Central BBQ – Downtown. Thanks for being great!