8.7
A&R Bar-B-Que
$South Memphis, South Memphis / Whitehaven
The South Memphis pit where rib tips are the whole religion
rib-tipsold-schoolsouth-memphis
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
8.2/ 10
0 reviews“Competition-bred smoke in historic Orange Mound”
BallHoggerz BBQ is where pitmaster Merritt Bailey parked an award-winning competition team and turned it into a tiny storefront on Airways Boulevard. The setting matters: Orange Mound is one of the first U.S. neighborhoods built by and for Black Americans, and BallHoggerz cooks like a source of neighborhood pride, contest technique aimed squarely at a walk-up counter. The payoff is smoke with a competition edge. Ribs come off with a clean bite and a deliberate, contest-honed bark, seasoned dry the Memphis way, while the smoked wings carry real hickory rather than fryer grease. The pulled pork stays juicy under a proper crust, and loaded fries fill out the tray for a hungry table. The room is small and the regulars are fiercely loyal, exactly the kind of loyalty a decorated pitmaster earns when trophy-grade cooking lands on an everyday plate.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Wed–Thu 12–8pm, Fri 12pm–12am, Sat 1pm–12am, Sun 12–5pm, Mon–Tue closed
- Closed
- Monday and Tuesday
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Ribs, Smoked Wings, and Pulled Pork
What to Order
1
Ribs2
Smoked Wings3
Pulled Pork4
Loaded FriesWhy It Stands Out
Built by a decorated competition pitmaster, BallHoggerz brings contest-grade technique to an Orange Mound walk-up. The ribs and hickory-smoked wings taste like a trophy shelf translated to a neighborhood counter.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 1404 Airways Blvd, Memphis, TN 38114
- Phone
- (901) 279-1758
- Hours
- Wed–Thu 12–8pm, Fri 12pm–12am, Sat 1pm–12am, Sun 12–5pm, Mon–Tue closed
- Price Range
- $$
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke8.3
Bark8.1
Tenderness8.2
Value8.5
Atmosphere7.4
Consistency8.1
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Good to Know
BallHoggerz BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at BallHoggerz BBQ?
Regulars point to Ribs, Smoked Wings, Pulled Pork, and Loaded Fries.
What are BallHoggerz BBQ's hours?
Wed–Thu 12–8pm, Fri 12pm–12am, Sat 1pm–12am, Sun 12–5pm, Mon–Tue closed
What days is BallHoggerz BBQ closed?
BallHoggerz BBQ is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Is BallHoggerz BBQ expensive?
BallHoggerz BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does BallHoggerz BBQ serve?
BallHoggerz BBQ serves Memphis Style barbecue — Memphis BBQ is rib country. The great debate is wet vs. dry: dry ribs are coated in a paprika-heavy spice rub and served without sauce, while wet ribs are glazed with a tomato-vinegar based sauce. Memphis also claims BBQ spaghetti and the BBQ nachos.
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