Best barbecue in Memphis? And Baton Rouge, too.

July 25, 2005 | Max Flatow

[Max Flatow]

The wife and I are heading down to Memphis, TN for a short trip. What else is there to do besides tour Graceland? I heard there was a cool shopping district not far from Graceland. Where is the best barbecue in town and where is the best place to find a safe economical motel that is close by to attractions?

Also heading on to Baton Rouge, LA. Where is a decent but economical place to stay in that town? A pool would be a plus. Is everything off of I-10 in BR?

I appreciate all your help and responses. TIA.

Max Flatow

[MotleyGirl70]

Try pinging some of these folks . Click on the pages to get to Memphis.

I'm sure they would help you out.

[Rokke]

In all honesty, don't set your sights too high with regard to Memphis. The areas around Graceland (with the exception of Graceland)are actually very dangerous. Make sure you know exactly where you are going within in the city before you go there, because the roads are confusing and a wrong turn could get you in deep trouble. Bottomline, this ain't the Memphis Elvis would remember. But as far as BBQ is concerned, Corky's is a Memphis BBQ icon, but I think Topps is probably a little more "authentic". There are several of both within the city.

[jla]

http://www.hogsfly.com/

[Cedar]

If you can afford to stay at the Peabody, stay there-- a beautiful Grand Hotel.

Don't stay at a motel near Graceland.

The Memphis Redbirds might have a home baseball game going at AutoZone Park. Or check the events at FedEx Forum, might be a concert or something. Also the Orpheum has events and is a wonderful, majestic sight in itself.

You can ride down the Mississippi River on a big paddleboat cruise.

For something besides BBQ, eat at Stella Restaurant for great food (preferably at night--the interior is a beauty). For really expensive (and delicious) steaks, eat at Folk's Folly.

Corky's has great BBQ, but so does the Commissary (out in the suburb of Germantown).

The Brooks Museum is interesting if you want to see some art. And the Pink Palace Museum gives more the history of Memphis.

Hope y'all have a great time, whatever you do.

[GailA]

I have to ditto the advice you've been given so far. Add in keep your car doors LOCKED at ALL times. Keep alert, there are reports that the parking area of the Peabody that while it is patroled is still a dangerous spot to park or be. The area around Graceland is dangerous so do your mall shopping at the Wolfchase in Germantown. It's the biggest and cleanest mall. There is the tourist shops connected to Graceland that are safe but don't wander to far.

Corky's, Rondevous (sp?) are the best BBQ, the Rondevous is downtown, the area is questionable in my opinion. Corky's has a place on Germantown Parkway, down a few miles from Wolfchase.

There is the Pink Palace, Licterman Nature Center, Beale street if you are into the bar scene and of course the Zoo and the Pandas. But Graceland is the 'Jewel' of Memphis' tourism.

In other words treat Memphis like you would any large city that has a high CRIME problem with a government more intent on racial continuing racial disharmony and graft than on dealing with bad schools, drugs, gangs and high violent crime rates.

[Max Flatow]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm hip to not staying at a hotel where you said, but where then is a safe place to bed down for the night? Do we want to stay 20 miles away in some suburb? We aren't looking for luxury accomadations, but a nice place like a Quality or Comfort Inn.

Thanks again. Your help has been most illuminating.

[Max Flatow]

Thanks for the link. I pinged a couple of fellow Freepers from that list.

Thanks again for the help.

Max Flatow

[Cedar]

"Do we want to stay 20 miles away in some suburb?"

Might not be a bad idea. Bartlett, Cordova, Germantown or even Collierville would be good places to pick.

Other options would be staying at a motel in Horn Lake, MS (not far down the interstate from downtown Memphis) or staying just across the river in West Memphis, Arkansas (which is just a 10 minute drive to downtown Memphis).

There are other places to stay in downtown Memphis besides the Peabody Hotel, but I don't know enough about them to recommend which one. Maybe someone else can give a recommendation. You don't want to be having to fight the traffic out to the suburbs if all of your plans are for activities downtown.

But if you just really want a mall to visit, the Wolfchase Galleria out in Bartlett/Cordova area is the place to be (as mentioned in a previous post).

For a downtown shopping experience, try the Peabody Place (next to the Peabody Hotel) or the local art galleries on South Main St. And the Gibson Guitar Museum is a popular downtown attraction too.

Midtown Memphis has lots of unique shops and coffeehouses, but at night it's probably not the best place to be if you don't know the area.

The earlier advice given was very good -- Memphis is just like any other city with a crime problem. If you want to really relax, go to the Ozark Mountains. :)