Memphis BBQ in Atlanta: Where to Find That Slow-Smoked Memphis Flavor in the ATL

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and craving Memphis-style BBQ, you don’t have to drive to Tennessee to find it. While Atlanta is better known for a mix of Texas, Carolina, and “ATL-style” barbecue, there’s a growing appreciation here for the sweet, smoky, pork-focused flavor that defines Memphis BBQ.

This guide explains what Memphis BBQ is, how it compares to other styles you’ll find around Atlanta, and where and how to seek it out locally—whether you live here, are visiting, or planning a BBQ-focused food tour.

What Makes Memphis BBQ Different?

When Atlanta diners say they want “Memphis BBQ,” they’re usually looking for a very specific taste and style.

Key Traits of Memphis-Style Barbecue

1. Pork is the star
Memphis BBQ is known for:

• Pulled pork (often from shoulder or Boston butt)
• Pork ribs – especially spare ribs and St. Louis–cut ribs

You may still see brisket or sausage on menus in Atlanta that lean Memphis, but pork is the centerpiece when it follows the Memphis tradition.

2. Dry rub vs. wet ribs
Memphis ribs are famous in two versions:

• Dry ribs:

  • Heavily coated in a spice rub before smoking
  • Served without a thick sauce on top
  • Flavor comes from smoke, bark, and seasoning

• Wet ribs:

  • Basted with a tomato-based sauce while cooking
  • Often glazed again before serving

In Atlanta, when a menu calls out “Memphis dry ribs”, you can expect a drier exterior, more rub, and subtle sweetness, not sticky, heavy sauce.

3. Signature Memphis rub and sauce
Typical Memphis-style rubs emphasize:

• Paprika
• Brown sugar
• Garlic and onion powder
• Black pepper
• Cayenne or other mild heat

Sauces are usually:

• Tomato-based and sweet, but thinner than thick, sticky Kansas City-style
• Balanced between sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy

If you see “Memphis-style sauce” in Atlanta, expect a reddish, pourable sauce that complements pork without overpowering smoke and rub.

4. Cooking method: low and slow over wood
Traditional Memphis BBQ:

• Smokes meat low and slow, often over hickory or a mix of hardwoods
• Aims for tender meat that still holds together, not mushy

Local Atlanta BBQ spots that highlight Memphis influence often mention hickory pits, smokehouses, or “slow-smoked for hours” on their menus and signage.

Memphis BBQ vs Atlanta’s Other BBQ Influences

Atlanta is a crossroads for Southern barbecue, and that can be confusing if you’re trying to pinpoint Memphis-style flavors.

Here’s how Memphis BBQ compares to other styles you’re likely to encounter around the city:

If you’re in Atlanta and specifically want Memphis BBQ, you’ll want to focus on:

• Rib descriptions (dry vs wet, Memphis-style rub)
• Pulled pork plates or sandwiches with Memphis-style sauce
• Menus that explicitly call out “Memphis-style ribs” or “Memphis dry rub”

Where Memphis BBQ Fits into Atlanta’s BBQ Scene

Atlanta doesn’t have a single, official BBQ style. Instead, you’ll find:

• Neighborhood BBQ joints with a house style influenced by different regions
• Food trucks and pop-ups that experiment with Memphis-style ribs or pulled pork
• Upscale Southern restaurants that feature Memphis-inspired dishes or specials

When you’re in Atlanta and craving Memphis BBQ, you probably won’t find a long list of purely Memphis-branded restaurants. Instead, you’ll want to look for:

• Places that highlight pork ribs as a specialty
• Menus that offer both dry and sauced options
• Descriptions like “Memphis-style dry rub”, “pit-smoked ribs,” or “slow-smoked pork shoulder”

Because restaurant details change over time, the most reliable way to find current Memphis-influenced spots is to:

• Use terms like “Memphis ribs Atlanta”, “Memphis-style pulled pork Atlanta”, or “dry rub ribs Atlanta” when searching
• Check menus for the words “Memphis,” “dry rub,” or “Memphis-style sauce”

How to Spot Memphis-Style Options on Atlanta Menus

Even if a restaurant doesn’t market itself as Memphis-focused, you can often build a Memphis-style experience from the menu.

1. Prioritize pork

For a Memphis-style meal in Atlanta, lean toward:

• Pulled pork plates or sandwiches
• Rib platters, especially if they mention:
  • Spare ribs
  • St. Louis–cut ribs
  • Dry rub ribs

If the restaurant lists several rib styles, ask which one is closest to Memphis dry (less sauce, more rub).

2. Ask how the ribs are prepared

You can usually get a sense of how “Memphis” the ribs are with a few quick questions:

• “Do you offer dry rub ribs or only sauced ribs?”
• “Is your rib rub sweet and smoky, or more peppery/spicy?”
• “Can I get my ribs served dry, with sauce on the side?”

Many Atlanta pitmasters are familiar with Memphis traditions and can point you toward the most similar option on their menu.

3. Look at sauce style

If the menu lists multiple sauces:

• A Memphis-style sauce will typically be:
  • Tomato-based
  • Moderately sweet and tangy
  • Thinner than thick, sticky BBQ sauces

You can often order:

• Ribs or pulled pork dry, with sauce on the side, to better control the Memphis-style balance of rub, smoke, and sauce.

Building a “Memphis-Style” Plate in Atlanta

You can put together a Memphis-style meal at many Atlanta BBQ restaurants, even if they’re not strictly Memphis-themed.

Ideal Memphis-Style Plate

If available, try to assemble:

• Main:

  • Half or full rack of dry-rubbed ribs, or
  • Pulled pork plate (ask for sauce on the side)

• Sides (common at Atlanta BBQ spots and consistent with Memphis traditions):

  • Baked beans
  • Coleslaw (often served right on pulled pork sandwiches)
  • Potato salad or mac and cheese

• Bread:

  • White sandwich bread or Texas toast, depending on the restaurant

• Sauce strategy:

  • Ask for a mild, tomato-based sauce
  • Use it lightly, the way many Memphis fans prefer

🍽 Tip: In many Atlanta restaurants, you can request dry ribs even if the menu photo shows them sauced. Just ask to have the sauce on the side.

Finding Memphis-Style BBQ in and Around Atlanta

Because restaurant lineups, menus, and concepts change, it’s smart to:

• Check recent menus or photos before you go
• Call ahead if you specifically want Memphis-style ribs or pulled pork prepared a certain way

How Atlanta Diners Commonly Track Down Memphis BBQ

Here are practical ways locals and visitors narrow in on Memphis-style options:

• Search by menu descriptor
  Look for phrases like:

  • “Memphis dry ribs”
  • “Memphis-style pulled pork”
  • “Dry rub ribs with sweet tomato glaze”

• Use BBQ-focused neighborhoods as starting points
  Areas around Downtown, Midtown, the BeltLine, and West Midtown often have BBQ spots that experiment with regional styles, including Memphis.

• Check food truck roundups and markets
  Atlanta’s food truck parks and markets sometimes feature BBQ vendors that offer regional specials like Memphis-style ribs. While not tied to one fixed address, you’ll often find them:

  • Along the Atlanta BeltLine
  • At festival-style events
  • In rotating food truck gatherings in neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, or Westside

Bringing Memphis BBQ Home in Atlanta

If you can’t find exactly what you want at a restaurant, you can recreate Memphis BBQ at home using ingredients readily available in Atlanta.

Where to Shop for Memphis-Style Ingredients

You can find what you need at:

• Major grocery chains throughout Atlanta (for pork ribs, shoulder, spices, charcoal, and wood chips)
• Warehouse clubs and large supermarkets (for bulk ribs or pork shoulders if you’re cooking for a group)
• Specialty or local markets that carry:
  • Hickory wood chunks or chips
  • Smoker supplies
  • A variety of spices for rubs

Basic Memphis-Style Setup at Home

To approximate Memphis BBQ:

1. Choose the cut

   • Pork shoulder/Boston butt for pulled pork
   • Pork spare ribs or St. Louis–cut ribs for rib racks

2. Make a Memphis-style rub

   • Paprika
   • Brown sugar
   • Salt and pepper
   • Garlic powder
   • Onion powder
   • A touch of cayenne

3. Cook low and slow

   • Use a smoker, charcoal grill, or gas grill set up for indirect heat
   • Aim for low, steady temperature and hickory or similar hardwood smoke

4. Serve with sauce on the side

   • Keep it tomato-based, sweet, and tangy, but not too thick

Many Atlanta residents smoke meat on balconies, patios, or backyards, so you’ll find plenty of local equipment options and fuel sources to support Memphis-style cooking.

Tips for Visitors: Planning a Memphis-Style BBQ Stop in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want to fit Memphis BBQ into a tight schedule:

• Stay flexible on style labels. You might not find a restaurant named “Memphis BBQ,” but you can:

  • Scan menus online for dry ribs and Memphis rub
  • Call ahead and ask which menu items are closest to Memphis-style ribs or pulled pork

• Combine BBQ with sightseeing. Popular visitor areas—like Downtown, Midtown, and BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods—often have BBQ nearby. You can:

  • enjoy a walk or attractions like Centennial Olympic Park or Ponce City Market
  • then stop for BBQ that offers Memphis-influenced dishes

• Ask staff directly. Many Atlanta servers and pitmasters are familiar with Memphis-style BBQ. A simple:

  • “Which ribs are most like Memphis dry ribs?”
  • or “Do you have a Memphis-style pulled pork option?”
    can quickly steer you to the right order.

Key Takeaways for Finding Memphis BBQ in Atlanta

• Memphis BBQ in Atlanta is usually found within broader BBQ menus, not as a separate, dominant category.
• Focus on pork ribs and pulled pork, especially:
  • Dry-rubbed ribs
  • Memphis-style sauce (thin, sweet, and tangy)
• Use menu language like “Memphis-style,” “dry rub,” and “pulled pork” to spot the closest match.
• Many Atlanta BBQ spots can prepare ribs dry and serve sauce on the side if you ask, giving you a more authentically Memphis-style experience.
• If restaurant offerings don’t fully match what you want, Atlanta’s grocery and market scene makes it straightforward to smoke your own Memphis-style ribs or pulled pork at home.

With a bit of menu reading and a few questions, you can enjoy Memphis BBQ flavors without leaving Atlanta, whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through.