Venerable institution for simply great Southern BBQ
Memphis BBQ and its sibling Big Bone BBQ have been around for decades. They brought BBQ to the Toronto region before (most) people could tell the difference between the regional styles of Southern BBQ. Since then, more BBQ outlets have opened up with different styles and price points. Even so, Memphis BBQ remains one of the few restaurants that serve Memphis-style BBQ.
Memphis-style BBQ is all about the pork. The sauce is moderately thick and sweet and can either be incorporated during cooking or omitted entirely. Wet and dry preparations are equally popular. Memphis BBQ (the restaurant) does the wet style.
The food
Memphis BBQ has three signature dishes: smoked wings which they call “Wicked Wings”, ribs, and pulled pork. You can sample them all with a combo.
The mini combo has half a pound of wings, 3 ribs, fries, coleslaw, baked beans, and corn bread. It’s a steal at $24.80. The package was a mouth-watering whopper.
The ribs were tender with juicy pieces of fat on it. They weren’t overly sauced and they were lightly sweet and smokey. 8.5/10.
The smoked wings came with a choice of over 20 sauces. I picked the Signature BBQ sauce. It formed a moderately-thick coat on the wings. It tasted the same as the sauce on the ribs. Since it was applied after cooking, it didn’t have a touch of smokiness like the ribs did. That said, the wings themselves were mildly smoked and moist. 8/10.
Of the sides, the fries were my favourite. They were perfectly salted and crisp on the outside. The cornbread was redolent of corn and the crust had caramelized well. The baked beans were thick and luscious. The coleslaw was the weakest in comparison but it wasn’t bad. It could have used more citrus or vinegar to contrast with the fatty items on the plate.
The place
Memphis BBQ has its own little shack by the Humber river. The dining area is small and narrow, which probably explains the large amount of takeout orders. One can dine at a few picnic tables outside the restaurant, or go to the nearby park.
Like any BBQ establishment worth its salt, Memphis BBQ has garnered various trophies over the years. It might be reassuring to see all those awards but really, the food speaks for itself.
Pro tip: order at least an hour ahead as they are perennially popular.
Verdict
Finger lickin’ good Southern BBQ and sides, satisfying portions, and eminently reasonable prices. 8.5/10.
Practical information
- Name
- Memphis BBQ
- Rating
- 8.5/10
- Recommended dishes
- Mini combo
- Prices
- Mini combo: $22.55 ($19.95 excluding tax)
- Address
- 8074 Islington Avenue, Vaughan
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 1100h – 2100h
Sunday 1200h – 2100h - Date of visit
- September 2021