Best Budget Eats in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
1. Central BBQ
Famous Memphis-style barbecue with slow-smoked ribs and pulled pork. Try the 'three little pigs' combo for a taste of everything.
- Reasonable Portions: Serves generous portions that are enough to fill up a traveler without breaking the bank
- Authentic Memphis BBQ Experience: Offers an authentic Memphis barbecue experience with traditional sauces and cooking methods.
- Convenient Locations: Has multiple locations throughout the city, making it easy to find a Central BBQ while exploring Memphis
2. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Crispy fried chicken in a spicy dry rub served with white bread and pickles. Don't miss the legendary 'hot bird' for the ultimate Memphis experience.
- Unique Fried Chicken Recipe: Known for its unique fried chicken recipe, with a spicy dry rub that sets it apart from other restaurants.
- Affordable Prices: Offers affordably priced meals so travelers can enjoy great fried chicken without emptying their wallets
- Historic Location: Located in the South Main Arts District, visitors can explore local art and culture while dining at Gus's.
3. The Cove
Affordable seafood boil with shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage. Choose your heat level from mild to nuclear for a Memphis twist.
- Authentic Cajun-style Seafood: Offers authentic Cajun-style seafood boils, popular in the southern United States.
- Budget-friendly Prices: Priced affordably, making it a great option for budget-conscious travelers.
- Outdoor Seating and Live Music: Features outdoor seating and live music on weekends, creating a fun, festive atmosphere.
4. Corky's Ribs & BBQ
Known for its dry-rubbed ribs and Southern-style sides like fried okra and macaroni and cheese.
- Classic Memphis BBQ Experience: Represents a classic Memphis barbecue experience with traditional dishes and cooking methods.
- Reasonable Prices: Priced reasonably, offering a variety of barbecue options without breaking the budget.
- Multiple Locations: Has several locations throughout Memphis, making it easy to find Corky's Ribs & BBQ during your travels.
5. A&R Bar-B-Q
Serves slow-smoked ribs and pork shoulders with a choice of tangy sauce. Don't forget to try the homemade banana pudding for dessert.
- Homemade Sauces: Offers homemade sauces, adding a unique flavor profile to their barbecue offerings.
- Reasonable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
- Friendly Service: Known for friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere, making visitors feel right at home.
6. Miss Polly's Soul City Cafe
A Memphis institution for soul food classics like fried catfish and collard greens. Don't miss the sweet potato pie for dessert.
- Traditional Soul Food: Offers traditional Southern soul food dishes that are popular in Memphis.
- Reasonable Prices: Priced affordably, allowing travelers to enjoy soul food without overspending.
- Historic Location: Located in Downtown Memphis near Beale Street, visitors can explore the city while dining at Miss Polly's.
7. Diners Drive-Ins and Dives: The Blue Plate Cafe
Famous for its Southern comfort food, including chicken and waffles, catfish, and shrimp and grits. A must-visit spot featured on Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives'.
- Famous Restaurant Featured on TV: Made famous by being featured on Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives', attracting visitors from around the world.
- Reasonable Prices: Priced affordably, allowing travelers to enjoy a famous meal without breaking the bank.
- Authentic Southern Comfort Food: Offers authentic Southern comfort food dishes that are popular in Memphis and across the South.
8. The Spire Grille
Modern American restaurant offering affordable lunch specials like sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Try the award-winning burger for a satisfying meal.
- Affordable Lunch Specials: Offers affordable lunch specials that cater to budget-conscious travelers.
- Award-winning Burger: Features an award-winning burger made from locally sourced ingredients.
- Convenient Downtown Location: Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, making it easy to visit while exploring the city.
9. The Arcade Restaurant
A historic restaurant serving classic diner food like burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes since 1919. Visit for a taste of Memphis history.
- Historic Restaurant: A historic restaurant that has been serving Memphis residents and visitors since 1919.
- Classic Diner Food: Offers classic diner food options like burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes that are popular in the United States.
- Affordable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
10. Huey's
Popular local chain offering burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Try the famous Hueyburger or Hueyburito for a satisfying meal.
- Local Chain with Affordable Prices: A local chain of restaurants that offers affordable prices and delicious meals.
- Iconic Hueyburger: Known for its iconic Hueyburger, a Memphis favorite.
- Multiple Locations: Has multiple locations throughout the city, making it easy to find Huey's while traveling in Memphis.
11. Phineas Sandwich Co.
Artisanal sandwiches made with fresh ingredients and house-made bread. Choose from a variety of options or create your own custom sandwich.
- Artisanal Sandwiches: Offers artisanal sandwiches made with fresh ingredients and house-made bread.
- Create Your Own Sandwich: Allows customers to create their own custom sandwich using a variety of fresh ingredients.
- Affordable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
12. Café Eclectic
A contemporary restaurant offering brunch, lunch, and dinner with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Enjoy creative dishes like shrimp and grits or the chicken and waffles.
- Contemporary Restaurant: A contemporary restaurant that offers a variety of creative dishes.
- Seasonal Ingredients: Focuses on using seasonal ingredients to create delicious, flavorful dishes.
- Reasonable Prices: Priced reasonably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
13. The Beer Sellar Brass Rail
A neighborhood tavern serving classic bar food like burgers, sandwiches, and wings. Try the famous 'Beale Street Burger' for a taste of Memphis.
- Neighborhood Tavern: A neighborhood tavern that offers classic bar food options.
- Famous Beale Street Burger: Known for its famous 'Beale Street Burger', a Memphis favorite.
- Affordable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
14. Tamp & Tap
A coffeehouse and eatery serving creative breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Don't miss the avocado toast or shrimp and grits for a memorable meal.
- Creative Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Options: Offers creative breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are popular among locals and visitors.
- Avocado Toast and Shrimp and Grits: Known for its avocado toast and shrimp and grits dishes, which are must-try items.
- Affordable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.
15. Casa de Abdul's Restaurant & Hookah Lounge
A Middle Eastern restaurant offering authentic dishes like falafel, shawarma, and kebabs. Enjoy your meal with a hookah session in the lounge.
- Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine: Offers authentic Middle Eastern cuisine that is popular among Memphis residents and visitors.
- Hookah Lounge: Features a hookah lounge where customers can relax and enjoy flavored tobacco while dining.
- Affordable Prices: Priced affordably, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers.