8.7
A&R Bar-B-Que
$South Memphis, South Memphis / Whitehaven
The South Memphis pit where rib tips are the whole religion
rib-tipsold-schoolsouth-memphis
neighborhood-chainaffordablechopped-porkdrive-throughlocal-institution
Tops Bar-B-Q
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
8.4/ 10
3,102 reviews“The people's Memphis barbecue since 1952”
Tops Bar-B-Q on Union Avenue is the everyman face of a chain that has fed Memphians since 1952, the antithesis of the destination restaurant. It is where locals go for a quick, affordable, and consistently smoky chopped pork sandwich, and the lunchtime drive-thru line is a small Memphis institution in its own right. The cornerstone is the chopped pork sandwich on white bread with slaw, the everyday Memphis experience that generations grew up on, cooked over green hickory the way Tops has always done it and finished in a tomato-based sauce. The rib sandwich covers the rack cravings in handheld form, and smoky baked beans and cool coleslaw fill out a tray priced for anyone. There is no pretension anywhere in the room; it is democratic barbecue, fast and honest, and that accessibility is exactly the point.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Daily 10am–9pm
- Price
- Budget-friendly ($)
- Don't miss
- Chopped Pork Sandwich, Rib Sandwich, and Baked Beans
What to Order
1
Chopped Pork Sandwich2
Rib Sandwich3
Baked Beans4
ColeslawWhy It Stands Out
Tops is the democratic soul of Memphis barbecue, great smoke at prices everyone can afford, served fast with no pretension. The chopped pork sandwich on white bread with slaw is the everyday experience locals grew up on.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 1286 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- Phone
- (901) 725-7527
- Hours
- Daily 10am–9pm
- Price Range
- $
- Established
- 1952
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke8.0
Bark7.8
Tenderness8.5
Value9.5
Atmosphere7.0
Consistency8.8
Back to Best BBQ in Memphis
Good to Know
Tops Bar-B-Q — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Tops Bar-B-Q?
Regulars point to Chopped Pork Sandwich, Rib Sandwich, Baked Beans, and Coleslaw.
What are Tops Bar-B-Q's hours?
Daily 10am–9pm
Is Tops Bar-B-Q expensive?
Tops Bar-B-Q is budget-friendly ($).
What kind of barbecue does Tops Bar-B-Q serve?
Tops Bar-B-Q 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 Tops Bar-B-Q open?
Tops Bar-B-Q has been serving Memphis barbecue since 1952.
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