Central BBQ
| Address: | 4375 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122, USA |
| Phone: | +1 901-767-4672 |
| Site: | cbqmemphis.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
CO
Colin Bailey
Whats worse than Central BBQs original location? The crappy old red lobster on summer avenue. Ah, Summer Avenue, my destination for all things culinary, how ye have been betrayed. My spouse got the turkey sandwich and immediately scoffed. "This isnt what it used to be." Meaning it used to have a giant pile of turkey on it. This had like 6 or 8 crayon sized pieces on a sad bun with some sauce squirted on it. I had the equally disappointing pulled pork plate. Mushy pork. Not very flavorful. Not much smoke. Huge piece of bark left on the meat (which Im cool with if it had flavor, it did not). Mac and Cheese was watered-down kraft. Potato salad was the only thing that was good. The whole reason we stopped in was due to the review on Yelp for the wings. My kid is obsessed with drummies. He wants them for ever meal. He wouldnt eat them. Said they were all fatty and gross. I pulled the meat off the bones and he ate it...dipped in ranch. From an adult, the wings arent that good. Wings arent meant to be smoked. It messes with the texture. If they are smoked, they should always be fried afterward. In closing, I dig on swine, just not here.
RI
Richard C.
Called in an order today for my coworkers and me. I arrived at the store about 15 min after and paid. Didnt get my food until 40 min after I called. When I asked the manager about the hold up he abruptly asked if I had paid first (of course I did). They gave me my food almost immediately so it seems like someone just wasnt communicating to the staff at the front counter. Still I was short an order of fries (even after the cashier noted that only one fry was added to the order but she would make sure a second would be added) and all of our food was lukewarm at best. Cant say I was impressed by the managers ability to handle the situation. He seemed more concerned with finding it and moving me out than checking on the order to make sure it was fine. I dont complain often but I feel like a renowned Memphis establishment like this one can hold up to a better standard. After a separate sub-par experience a couple months ago I cant say Ill be going back again.
AL
Alex Williams
0 bad things to say about this place. Nini is a great cashier. Mr. Tom is a great manager. They serve tables during the weekends and most evenings. Half order Bbq nachos on house chips and their wings are my favorite. A full order of nachos will feed 2-2.5 ppl. Im a big man and a half fills me up. The wings are smoked here and are excellent. I have eaten wings everywhere in Memphis worth while from Uncle Lou s to Chings (my favorite overall). But Centrals wings are my very close 2nd but 1st for smoked wings. This location is the best out of the bunch. Nicer people. Better crowd and have never gotten my order wrong once in 7 years. That says something. Try their sampler platter if u r u sure. It has a little bit of everything. Its not expensive for a lot of food here unless you get ribs or something grand.
MI
Misty Palmer
The place has two seating options, order at the counter or be waited on at a table in the bar. Everything is extremely run down, from the wonky table to the weird bear dressed in blue with cables hanging on it in the back corner. One waitress was doing all the tables in the bar area, which was nearly full, so she had to be efficient. Endless mixed soda or beer only, dont let the wine glasses hanging over the bar fool you. Full slab of Memphis ribs came in under 10 mins. Cole slaw side was tiny and terrible. The BBQ beans were bland. The ribs were juicy and the rub tasty but spicy for me. I dont know why it was rated so highly, I was really disappointed. The place is depressing and food mediocre.
R
R Humphrey
These were the best smoked, WHOLE wings around the city 3 years ago. No complaints whatsoever! However on the last couple of occasions, the wings have changed drastically--not in taste or flavor--but in appearance. Either the wings were missing meat in various spots and the wing bones were visible or the wings looked plain skimpy compared to the norm. Maybe theres a new meat supplier or something? Oh and before I forget, because of the rave reviews, I expected much more with the banana pudding. The pudding was light, airy, and delicious, but in the 8oz container, they were about 9 slices of bananas with no wafers...what is a banana pudding without wafers??
JE
Jerusha Dahm
Central BBQ Memphis TN Absolutely incredibly delicious BBQ. Words dont do it justice. The smell alone would be worth paying for! Selection of sauces. Meat just falls off the bone. You order standing at a counter like in a fast food joint, and then they either call your number or deliver your food to your table. Ive been to two locations, the (Id assume) original on Central Avenue, and the one on Summer Avenue. The Summer location is a little fancier, while the Central one is pretty bare bones, with a tiny, cramped dine-in area. Its BBQ--who wants white glove service?
KI
King David
First the waitress was nice, when ordering we had the combo plate, 3 meats and 2 sides. Waitress let us know that the beans, greens, and green beans were canned. This fact kind of threw me off. Food came put extremely fast, which was another flag for me. I had the pork, beef brisket, and ribs, half bbq and the other half dry rub. All of the meat was average at best. Its possible that because we came late, they gave us the late night leftovers. The mac and cheese was ok, and the canned greens I should not have ordered. They tasted like canned greens.
LA
Las Vegas Creamers
Heard about this place from some local friends who raved about it. Definitely a locals favorite as this place was packed when I came in to pick up a to go order. Friendly staff got me in and out quickly even though there was a big line to order. Plenty of staff that were all busy, but didnt mind stopping to answer questions. Food was great. Meat quality was great and being able to select different sauces gives you plenty of options. Only way it could have been better is if they had cornbread.
WI
william stoddard
My first experience with Central was great. Best ribs ever, but this last Monday Dec. 28 at the Summer location was really bad. Not even 1 Star. The ribs were burnt dry and not eatable when we got them home. Even worse I had bragged to my son who was visiting from NC how really great they were. Sadly they went in the trash. I may try again due to the first visit but will do so with caution and inspect before leaving for home
CR
CR Nyland
My trip to Memphis was almost a complete loss, but then I went here. First off, the girl at the counter was sweet as sugar and the manager was super helpful in picking the right food to order. Got a sampler with some ribs, and I didnt think Id be able to eat it all, but then I tried it. Good grief. Amazing food, great atmosphere, worth every penny and more. Id go back anytime. Cant recommend highly enough.
