I love this place. The owners are super nice. The location may deter some people from going but I felt totally safe. Even the customers eating inside was nice. Love the atmosphere. The Jumbo sandwich is huge. I could have went with a regular. The mustard slaw, I loved it as well as the Barbeque sauce. It is on the sweet side so it might not be everyone but I loved it. I saw someone with the hot dog and it was huge too with lots of yellow slaw.
A BBQ place in the same location for 51 years says something about the food. Puts it in the category of Rendezvous, Tops, Leonards, and the Commissary. True Memphis style meaning theres more meat than you know what to do with. I could have made two Jumbo sandwiches with the amount of meat on my dinner plate. See the pics of that. My partner picked a jumbo sandwich and is bringing half of it home. First bbq place I’ve been to i couldn’t finish my meal, other than when i order a whole rack of ribs. Mustard style slaw with a bit of vinegar. Three levels of sauce; mild, medium and hot. Not much on the seating but a steady stream of orders walking out the door. Great service by Ron, Tony and Flo who os otherwise know as Mrs . Payne b
The rating is for the food not the building or the neighborhood. We loved the pork sandwich with the yellow coleslaw/chow chow sauce on it..it was the best thing there and would get it again..then beans were great also. The baloney sandwich was the same as the pork with the coleslaw..but not quite as good..still good though...both the sandwiches were very messy. Last of all were the ribs.. just not my style..sauce was very good..and the crispy parts were good .but the rest was fatty..I guess I like baby backs better. The people inside were very nice..don't be scared away by the building.
A real hole in the wall, at least from the outside. Hidden deep inside Memphis, this hole in the wall has been around for over 50 years so....there must be a reason. We tried it and WOW is the reason. Everything here is special. The meat is perfect and their sauces add to it, not hide it. Ribs, yes. Just go...check their hours though, they are not always open when you expect, a great lunch place for sure.
I had the jumbo pork sandwich with their medium sauce, and holy moly, it's the best thing I've eaten this week! I'll go back before I head back home to Atlanta, and the next time I'll try it with the hot sauce.
The woman at the counter was super friendly- she clearly likes what she does.
Just a fantastic place. Bravo!
Good food, different spin on bbq with the big flavor from the Mustard Slaw. Medium heat was just right. The size of the regular was plenty, though maybe a little under weight for the price.
I found the Chopped pork sandwich to be unique with big bold flavors from the sauce and slaw.. but I was looking for smoked pork. I honestly could not get any of that flavor. I tried a few small unsauced bits.. it might have been that my taste buds were blown out already, But I could hardly detect any flavor at all.
The smoked sausage was another story. Here the mustard slaw worked like a really good crunchy relish. The meat was mild but very present. The price was much better, and I liked it a lot more than the sandwich. I'd get this again no question.
All of the staff still wearing masks, and I really appreciated that. Extra 🌟
One of the best BBQ sandwiches I’ve had in a long time. It reminded me of the BBQ my grandfather use to make when I was a kid. I’m from Arkansas but I’m in Memphis all the time so I will be back! Thank you 4 that FLAVOR!
Located in the heart of Orange Mound, Payne’s is the literal definition of "don't judge a book by its cover". With great flavor and sauce options, I can wholeheartedly say this is the BEST BBQ in Memphis! My go to is the chopped shoulder with baked beans and it hits every time. They were even featured on an episode of NBC’s hit drama “This Is Us”. Consistently a delight with kind staff, Payne's is one spot that may get over looked by tourists but local Memphians know this gives Central, A&R, Rendezvous and others a run for their money!
Hands down the best BBQ sndwhich in Memphis. I don't say this lightly. We have the best BBQ in the world and Paynes reigns Supreme. I cannot recommend them enough. A must try if you come to visit. Try a smoked sausage while you are at it.
Payne's is my hands down favorite Memphis neighborhood BBQ spot. Been going there since my teenage years. They are family owned and operated with limited operating hours so go early. Best times are between 11am and 1pm. You won't be disappointed! 😋
Payne's is the definition of 'no frills.' It is in a small roadside building where you eat at folding tables and makeshift chairs such as old church pews. The menu options are limited, but they are GOOD! Chopped pork is a specialty (you hear the chopping as soon as you walk in) so went with that. The sauce is tangy and vinegary. I do wish I would have asked for it on the side so I could taste the smokiness of the pork. The baked beans are hands down the best I've ever had. Not too sweet but rich and smoky. The slaw is mustard-ey and pairs well with the sauces.
My husband got the smoked sausage. Had a bite and it had really good flavor. Table next to us got the fried bologna sandwich which also looked amazing.
Finally made a stop at Paynes and it didn't disappoint. The staff was super nice. As far as chopped pork sandwiches you can get regular, medium, or hot bbq sauce on it. Super sloppy (the best kind), the type of sandwich you eat with a fork. The baked beans were kinda plain, but maybe that's because I got my sandwich with the sauce "hot"?
The sandwiches are a great deal for what you pay. I thought they were a little heavy handed with the barbecue sauce and I wasn’t a huge fan of their mustard coleslaw, but the bits of meat that weren’t overpowered by the sauce were delicious and I liked the beans.
On a road trip from Colorado to Florida and back. Driving trough Memphis and searched best Memphis BBQ, this place came up. They were doing some filming when we walked in. Will have to look for it! Regardless of the film crew the staff was extremely helpful and sweet (even to an out of towner who knows nothing). We got the chopped pork sandwich and ribs. All of it was fantastic!! The pork had amazing texture and flavor. The slaw made it for me, so yummy. I’m a pansy for heat and asked for the mild sauce. It had great flavors and spice (not hot just flavor). The ribs were smoked super well and tender. I agree with comments that the location is in an area where people know what hard work means but there is plenty of parking and the building is super easy to find. When you go in the smoker is like nothing people now know how to build. It has seen some days and knows how to make amazing bbq. Huge thank you for a fantastic meal!
Finally a place in Memphis that serves bbq juicy instead of typical dry rub that the area is famous for. Just a simple dine in shack/kitchen. Food is prepared quickly prior to order. The chopped pork sandwich and rib plate is a must. Definitely a top ten must try in the Memphis area
Best BBQ sandwich in Memphis!!!
And when you have the best BBQ sandwich in Memphis, you have the best BBQ sandwich in the world!!
WOOOOO!!!!!!
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes