Central BBQ

“East Memphis's polished crown of the pork trade”

This Poplar Avenue location brings Central BBQ's city-defining formula to East Memphis, and it delivers the same polished cooking that made the brand a rare consistent name in a scene built on one-off legends. The room is busy and bright, a modern counter where the smoke never feels franchised. The dual rib order remains the signature: dry-rubbed and wet, tomato-glossed racks on the same tray, an invitation to argue both sides of the Memphis question in one sitting. The award-winning pulled pork nachos have become a pilgrimage order, the chopped pork sandwich stays juicy chopped to order, and the smoked turkey is the quiet standout for anyone who has done ribs to death. East Memphis gets the full Central experience, right down to the sauce-optional dry rub, without the Midtown crowd.