Corky's Ribs & BBQ

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#2 of 1,501 Restaurants in Memphis₹₹ - ₹₹₹, American, Barbecue, Gluten free options

+1 901-685-9744+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Mon

10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Tue

10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Wed

10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Thu

10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Fri

10:30 am - 9:30 pm

Sat

10:30 am - 9:30 pm

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

2,686 reviews

#2 of 1,501 Restaurants in Memphis

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, American, Barbecue, Gluten free options

“... chicken tenders the creamy mac and cheese and a spaghetti dinner and they...”

“Sweet tea is syrupy sweet, but you’re in the South, so what do you expect?”

“The waitress Tiara was very nice the side of mac and cheese was great and the...”

“Both were delicious, and the sweet tea hit the spot!! Anita was our server an...”

Location and contact

5259 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119-3513

+1 901-685-9744

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Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?

Yes

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Details

Manage this business?

PRICE RANGE

₹0.00 – ₹2,541.00

CUISINES

American, Barbecue

Special Diets

Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Drive Thru, Non-smoking restaurants, Sports bars, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

2,686 reviews

Excellent

1,669

Very good

630

Average

249

Poor

Terrible

Christine N

Sewell297 contributions

Awesome food!

May 2021 • couples

We went to Corky’s mostly because of seeing all the food items that QVC sells from them. I wanted to taste the real menu items that had my mouth watering all afternoon. We had a full slab of ribs that were outstanding and an order of catfish bites that were softly breaded and very good. Our orders came with coleslaw that had a tangy kick, baked beans that were a sweet delight and fluffy rolls that were addictive. I bought Corky’s bottled rib sauce for $3.99 a bottle that sells on QVC for over $10 a bottle. If you ever get to Memphis, you must stop at this place were the drive through line never stops. The order taker/bartender gave us a great narrative on the history of Corky’s where many celebrities have craved the slow cooked ribs. He explained that on holiday weekends, the drive through line goes so far back to the highway that it stops traffic on the freeway. Don’t miss this legendary Memphis icon.

Written 19 May 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laurie B

Tacoma49 contributions

Excellent BBQ and service

Feb 2020 • none

We were looking for some BBQ on our last night in Memphis. It was a Saturday night so a bit busy. Parking is a challenge but once we got in the atmosphere was so great we did not mind the wait. Guests and staff so friendly it made for a fun time even before we got seated. We were a party of four and had a variety of the food to include brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. prices are very reasonable - we would go back!

Written 3 February 2020

amyw2012

Birmingham2228 contributions

Great BBQ

May 2021 • couples

We are inside for lunch. Everything looked very clean. The staff were also friendly. We had the jumbo BBQ sandwich with Mac and cheese and fries and a park baked potato. All was very good, but the Mac n cheese was just okay. Bbq sauce was available to put in containers and bring back to your table.

Written 23 May 2021

Lloyd B

Springfield150 contributions

Not what it once was!

Mar 2020 • none

Out of towner that has gone to Corkys since the 1990’s. The restaurant has slipped badly based on my last visit. Six of us arrived for an early lunch. The restaurant was maybe half filled. We were promptly seated and our server was Anita. What Anita lacked in service, she more than made up in sassy gab. We placed our order and Anita disappeared. (This would be a theme through lunch.). After a long time we actually saw our server again and inquired about our appetizers. Anita said they were just about ready-and soon appeared with them. At the one hour mark, I managed to see Anita and mentioned we had been seated an hour and wondered when our food would arrive? Anita said it “she could see it on the horizon”and disappeared. 20 minutes later, our orders arrived. 2 of the 6 orders were wrong and those diners had to wait another 10 minutes. The pulled pork was decent but the brisket and ribs were very average (and that’s being kind). Beans below average. When we were done, we had to wait a good while to find Anita and Paul our checks. Two hours after entering, we were ready to leave. All six diners agreed there was much better BBQ experiences in Memphis.

Written 15 March 2020

corkysb2017

Lloyd, Thank you for your feedback. We take pride in serving great food and providing excellent service, and I'm disappointed to hear that we missed the mark on this visit. When you have some time, please contact me at cwilliams@corkysbbq.com so that I can further discuss this, and we can use this as a learning opportunity going forward.

Written 16 March 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shannon C

2 contributions

Not normal behavior

Feb 2020 • couples

My husband & I visit Corkies at least once a year in our travels & order from QVC their food & always great...until this year. Food was good but waiters made us feel like they didn't want to wait on us & other white people sitting next to us. What is going on here with there help? Don't know if we will continue to go there anymore.

Written 18 February 2020

corkysb2017

Shannon, Thank you for your feedback. We take pride in serving great food and providing excellent service, and I'm disappointed to hear that we missed the mark on this visit. When you have some time, please contact me at cwilliams@corkysbbq.com so that I can further discuss this, and we can use this as a learning opportunity going forward.

Written 19 February 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lbangle

Oakland7 contributions

Tamales were NOT good!

Feb 2020 • none

We had to visit Corky's with some relatives from out of town who wanted to go there. I really don't care for their BBQ so I ordered the tamales, based on some of the reviews I read here. Well, I was really disappointed. The tamales were hard and dried out on the ends as if they had been reheated and over cooked. I asked the waitress if that was normal and she said no, and took them away and brought me another serving. Well the second serving was really no better than the first. I gave up and just did not eat them. My husband got ribs which he enjoyed and our guests ate BBQ sandwiches which they said was good. Our waitress was wonderful and everyone else liked their food, but the tamales were horrible. I know they sell frozen ones in the grocery stores......perhaps that is what I got. Perhaps they just had a bad tamale night but they won't get my order again. Don't order the tamales! They were NOT good!

Written 4 March 2020

corkysb2017

Lbangle, Thank you for your feedback. We take pride in serving great food and providing excellent service, and while I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the service and the other guests enjoyed their BBQ, I'm disappointed to hear that we missed the mark with the tamales. When you have some time, please contact me at cwilliams@corkysbbq.com so that I can further discuss this, and we can use this as a learning opportunity going forward.

Written 5 March 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jim O

Helotes22 contributions

Corky’s was disappointing

Sept 2021 • couples

Stopped at Corky’s BBQ while passing through Memphis. The food was just okay. The wait staff was uninterested, had to get their attention to get anything. Asked about the special Corky’s beer - they were out of it. Asked about BBQ sauce as a gift - they were out of it. Sure wished I had gone to another restaurant. Can’t recommend.

Written 29 September 2021

Rebecca M

1 contribution

WORST SERVICE AND WORST BBQ EVER

Aug 2021 • couples

We ordered wing (smoked) came out with our meals. Ordered a salad which they tried to bring me 15 mins after meal and appetizers served. Canceled salad and still got charged for it. Waitress was unapologetic. Manager walked away from us basically stating that’s how it goes. Very disappointed with the whole experience, since we were from out of town and looked forward to good BBQ. 😢

Written 24 August 2021

Schultz79

Memphis144 contributions

My first visit in many years............Wish it was what I remembered

Jan 2020 • none

Sat at the bar, and the bartender was a good fella, and gave good service. And he was pretty busy too, since he's responsible for all takeout orders. I don't think I'd ever had brisket from Corky's so I went with the 1/2 slab of ribs & brisket combo. Unfortunately the brisket was just fair. It almost seemed like the meat had been boiled b/c it was so tender it was damn near mushy.. As for the ribs (ordered dry) they had WAY too much rub on them. So much so, I had to take a napkin and remove some it b/c it was overwhelming the meat. Once I did this, the ribs were OK, but don't really compare with several places around town, nor what I remember from Corky's. The two sides - cole slaw and beans - were excellent! The slaw was particualrly good! The beans were a little too sweet for me, but they have a vinegar hot sauce on the bar which I added and it did the trick of cutting some of the sweetness. But it's a shame when you go to a BBQ place and all I can truly compliment is the veggies and the bartender.

Written 19 January 2020

corkysb2017

Shultz79, Thank you for your feedback. We take pride in serving great food and providing excellent service, and while I'm glad to hear that you came back to see us and enjoyed the service, I'm disappointed to hear that we missed the mark in other areas of your visit. When you have some time, please contact me at cwilliams@corkysbbq.com so that I can further discuss this, and we can use this as a learning opportunity going forward.

Written 20 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kratkys

Atlanta37 contributions

Love Us Some Memphis BBQ

Nov 2019 • none

We stopped in Memphis as part of a 2-day drive ONLY so we could eat a Corky's. The whole family couldn't get enough onion rings and dry ribs (and this was the day after Thanksgiving). Any chance we get to stop for Corky's we will take it!

Written 19 January 2020

Susan H

Anthem49 contributions

Left a Bad Taste in My Mouth

Jul 2022 • none

Corky's was our go-to for BBQ every time were were in Memphis. The food USED to be delicious and the service was fabulous. We were there in July 2022 and it was some of the worst BBQ I have had. The pork was not tender and moist like it used to be. And the chicken dinner was a joke: The meat was tough and it was a paltry piece of chicken. Additionally, the sides were not tasty like they had been in the past: The cole slaw tasted soured, the potato salad was bland, the mac and cheese tasted like it was made out of a box, and the seasoned fries were not well-seasoned. The bread was ok, tho. The server pretty much ignored us and there were only a few occupied tables. My suggestion: Go to Payne's or try another BBQ place because Corky's has gone WAYYYYY downhill.

Written 20 July 2022

andrea B

Hello Susan, I am sorry to hear this. I strive to deliver legendary service and legendary authentic Memphis BBQ that lives up to our name. I am sorry about the quality of the meal you received. I want to thank you for your comment and for letting me know where we can improve.

Written 8 September 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Paul S

Port Charlotte512 contributions

A Victim of COVID-19

Aug 2020 • none

We made a long drive to eat at this restaurant where we'd previously had delicious ribs. Upon arrival, we were disappointed to find that their dining room was closed and they were only serving Take Out. After deliberation, we decided to place a To go order for a full slab of ribs, half dry and half sauced, baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies and mac and cheese. We waited and then took our meals to a nearby park for our picnic lunch. To my taste, the ribs were over cooked while the cole slaw and extra sauce we requested were missing. Once this pandemic is over, I'd recommend Corky's again, but not before.

Written 30 August 2020

Ridehi

Springfield16 contributions

Expected it to be better…

Jun 2023 • family

It was ok in my opinion. I am surprised it is supposed to be the best bbq place in Memphis. All our food was warm at best. Waitress was friendly, but never offered to refill our drinks. Rolls were supposed to be included with my wife’s meal and we never got those, even after asking. My local bbq place in Marion, IL is better.

Written 29 June 2023

andrea Baker

I am very sorry to hear this. Thank you for taking the time to post. I will share this with management so that we can make improvements.

Written 19 July 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cheerslady

Spicer51 contributions

Great Memphis BBQ

Mar 2020 • family

Party of 4 had lunch specials with pork sandwiches, 1/4 slabs of dry & wet, spaghetti, Mac n cheese, coleslaw...and a bourbon flight. Reasonably priced, tasted good (mac n cheese needed a little something, so added BBQ sauce), decor interesting, restrooms okay, parking tight.

Written 8 March 2020

travelpr0123

Saarbrücken1563 contributions

Great place

Oct 2020 • none

This was a quick "must-do" lunch stop on our way home to northern Illinois. Brisket dinner plate and sandwich were both delicious, I like my brisket typically a little bit more tender and longer smoked with more "bark". But it was very good, nevertheless. Recommended.

Written 19 October 2020

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CORKY'S RIBS & BBQ, Memphis - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor