8.7
A&R Bar-B-Que
$South Memphis, South Memphis / Whitehaven
The South Memphis pit where rib tips are the whole religion
rib-tipsold-schoolsouth-memphis
chopped-porkneighborhood-jointaffordablerib-tipslocal-favorite
Tom's BBQ
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
8.5/ 10
1,234 reviews“Working-class chopped pork the tourists never find”
Tom's BBQ is a Memphis neighborhood chain that locals swear by and tourists rarely stumble onto, with locations scattered across the city. It trades in honest, affordable barbecue served in plain rooms, the sort of place woven into a lunch break rather than a travel itinerary. The rib tips are the sleeper standout, some of the best in Memphis, loaded with smoky, fatty flavor at a fraction of the destination-pit price. The chopped pork sandwich rivals Payne's without the sell-out wait, hand-chopped shoulder with a real smoke edge, the smoked bologna is a proper thick-cut plate, and smoky baked beans round out a tray that keeps the bill low. This is the working-class backbone of Memphis barbecue, the everyday smoke that regulars grew up on and never had a reason to trade up for something flashier.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am–8pm
- Closed
- Sunday
- Price
- Budget-friendly ($)
- Don't miss
- Chopped Pork Sandwich, Rib Tips, and BBQ Bologna
What to Order
1
Chopped Pork Sandwich2
Rib Tips3
BBQ Bologna4
Baked BeansWhy It Stands Out
Tom's is the working-class backbone of Memphis barbecue, the lunch-break counter tourists never find. The rib tips are loaded with smoky, fatty flavor, and the chopped pork rivals Payne's without the sell-out wait.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 4087 New Getwell Rd, Memphis, TN 38118
- Phone
- (901) 365-6690
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am–8pm
- Price Range
- $
- Established
- 1990
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke8.5
Bark8.0
Tenderness8.8
Value9.5
Atmosphere7.0
Consistency8.5
Back to Best BBQ in Memphis
Good to Know
Tom's BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Tom's BBQ?
Regulars point to Chopped Pork Sandwich, Rib Tips, BBQ Bologna, and Baked Beans.
What are Tom's BBQ's hours?
Mon–Sat 10am–8pm
What days is Tom's BBQ closed?
Tom's BBQ is closed Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Is Tom's BBQ expensive?
Tom's BBQ is budget-friendly ($).
What kind of barbecue does Tom's BBQ serve?
Tom's 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 Tom's BBQ open?
Tom's BBQ has been serving Memphis barbecue since 1990.
