7.7
Big Bill's Bar-Be-Que
$$East Memphis, East Memphis
East Memphis pit with the longest hours on Kirby
pulled-porkwingseast-memphis
wet-ribsdry-rubmail-ordertourist-friendlyfull-menueast-memphis
Corky's Ribs & BBQ
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
8.3/ 10
3,890 reviews“The Poplar Avenue landmark that mails Memphis ribs nationwide”
Corky's Ribs & BBQ on Poplar Avenue is one of the most recognized names in Memphis, famous nationally for the mail-order business that ships its ribs across the country. The restaurant itself is a sprawling East Memphis destination, a high-volume room with a loyal following for both wet and dry racks. The sweet, thick Corky's sauce is one of the best-selling commercial barbecue sauces in the South, and it defines the wet ribs, glossy and fall-tender. Dry-rub racks give the smoke room to lead, sauce optional, while BBQ nachos and pulled pork sandwiches chopped to order keep the crowds moving through the dining room. Purists may argue its standing against the old-school pits, but few restaurants have carried Memphis barbecue further from the city limits, or introduced more first-timers to a proper rack of ribs.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Daily 10:45am–9pm
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Wet Ribs, Dry Rub Ribs, and BBQ Nachos
What to Order
1
Wet Ribs2
Dry Rub Ribs3
BBQ Nachos4
Pulled Pork SandwichWhy It Stands Out
Corky's built one of America's first successful barbecue mail-order operations, shipping Memphis ribs to doorsteps nationwide. Its consistency and reach have made this Poplar Avenue room one of the city's most influential barbecue ambassadors.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 5259 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119
- Phone
- (901) 685-9744
- Hours
- Daily 10:45am–9pm
- Website
- www.corkysbbq.com
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 1984
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke8.0
Bark8.2
Tenderness8.8
Value7.8
Atmosphere8.0
Consistency8.8
Back to Best BBQ in Memphis
Good to Know
Corky's Ribs & BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Corky's Ribs & BBQ?
Regulars point to Wet Ribs, Dry Rub Ribs, BBQ Nachos, and Pulled Pork Sandwich.
What are Corky's Ribs & BBQ's hours?
Daily 10:45am–9pm
Is Corky's Ribs & BBQ expensive?
Corky's Ribs & BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Corky's Ribs & BBQ serve?
Corky's Ribs & BBQ serves Memphis Style barbecue — Memphis BBQ is rib country. The great debate is wet vs. dry: dry ribs are coated in a paprika-heavy spice rub and served without sauce, while wet ribs are glazed with a tomato-vinegar based sauce. Memphis also claims BBQ spaghetti and the BBQ nachos.
When did Corky's Ribs & BBQ open?
Corky's Ribs & BBQ has been serving Memphis barbecue since 1984.
