Dec 14 2007
Interstate BBQ in Memphis TN is the Best
Let’s start this blog off on the right foot. I have eaten a lot of BBQ over the years but there is one place that stands out above the rest when it comes to as they say in Kentucky, good eatin’ Last summer my wife and I were watching a program on the Food Network about the best barbecue places in the U.S. and Interstate Barbecue in Memphis, TN looked like our kind of place so off we went. 24 hours and 600 miles later we were back home in western Kentucky completely satisfied.
Interstate BBQ serves traditional southern wet barbecue and in my opinion is second to none. I had a platter with a little of everything that took me the better part of an hour to work over (see photos below). Located just off of I-55 at exit 7, on the south side of Memphis, the restaurant is easy to locate. The owner, Jim Neely is an outgoing “old school” bbq man who definitely lets you know about his love of barbecue. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. A converted grocery store with bars on the windows and a spacious dining room, Interstate Barbecue can hold a lot of hungry people and it is not unusual to find it full.
Jim showed us where the magic takes place. He cooks his meat in a closed pit that keeps the mositure in the meat with vapors that can’t escape. With 2 pits running from the early morning hours, he can cook as many as 500 slabs of ribs at one time. That’s a lot of ribs!! While Jim shows where the cooking is done, one thing he won’t talk about is the recipe for his sauce. There is always an ongoing debate, especially in Memphis, about wet or dry barbecue. Jim believes in wet and when your plate arrives it is covered with a sauce that make your taste buds jump off your tongue. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.
So, the next time you find yourself in Memphis, or like us, within 300 miles (one way) take some time out and stop by Interstate Barbecue and visit with Jim and have a feast of traditional Memphis bbq. You won’t regret it one bit.
Interstate Barbecue
2265 S. 3rd St.
Memphis, TN
You can find out more about Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue by visiting their website. If you are in the Memphis area be sure to make this one of your stops. You won’t regret it. Here are a couple of photos from my visit.
Before
After
