Best bets: Barbecue

Photo by Dave Darnell // Buy this photo

Payne's Bar-B-Q at 1762 Lamar Avenue offers this chopped pork sandwich with sauce and slaw.

This weekend folks are going to be rolling into Tom Lee Park to set up their tents for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. They'll probably want to try the local products while they're waiting to fire up their own rigs. Here are suggestions from Whining & Dining bloggers, in no particular order:

Photo by Dave Darnell

Payne's Bar-B-Q at 1762 Lamar Avenue offers this chopped pork sandwich with sauce and slaw.

Central BBQ (2249 Central; 272-9377 and 4375 Summer; 767-4672) is a favorite of many locals. Cdel favors it for all things barbecue: "I'm going to say Central for all. I especially love their dry ribs."

Payne's (1762 Lamar; 272-1523) brings in the followers for the sandwich. Todd says, "Payne's easily has the best sandwich." Randal is a convert: "Smoky, sweet, sour, hot, savory; it showed some other sandwiches a firm lesson in discipline and balance."

The Rendezvous (52 S. Second; 523-2746) has fans far and near. Matt says it: "I still think the dry ribs at the Rendezvous are the best I've ever eaten -- I don't care if the tourist write-ups generate a backlash, the ribs themselves still taste as great as ever."

Cozy Corner (745 North Parkway; 527-9158) is also a steady winner. Marsha says they have the best ribs. Gary says they have the best beans.

The Bar-B-Q Shop (1782 Madison; 272-1277) is another institution. Gregg: "Sandwich tie between Payne's and the Bar-B-Q Shop. Dry ribs from the Bar-B-Q Shop. I'd love to see a show of hands from those who've had their ribs."

Anyone heard of a place called Neely's Bar-B-Que? Hmm... (670 Jefferson; 521 9798; 5700 Mt. Moriah; 795 4177) Kip sums it up: "Neely's all the way"

A few more: There's P's and Q's just across the river (510 N. Missouri in West Memphis; 870-735-9394); A&R (multiple locations); Jack's BBQ Shack (5099 Old Summer; 682-3320); and Morris' Grocery (10601 Macon in Eads; 755-5804).

Let's get a new list for this year. Log on to whiningdining.com, look for the post that says "best barbecue," and vote for your favorites; we'll publish a list in next week's GoMemphis. Be sure to tell us about any out-of-the-way places you've found.

-- Jennifer Biggs: 529-5223

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