- Attraction: Payne’s Bar-B-Que
- Location: 1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
- Industry: Barbecue Restaurant
- Website: Facebook Page
A cinder block building painted pristine white sits on the corner of Lamar Avenue, looking every bit like the former gas station it once was.
Step inside this unassuming structure and you’ll discover why locals have been making pilgrimages here for over half a century.
Payne’s Bar-B-Que isn’t trying to impress you with fancy décor or trendy twists on tradition. What you get instead is honest-to-goodness Memphis barbecue that’s been perfected through decades of smoking meat low and slow over hickory charcoal.
This family-run institution opened in 1972 when Horton and Flora Payne, along with Horton’s mother, started serving their distinctive style of barbecue just a few blocks from the current location. They moved to the Lamar Avenue spot in 1976 and haven’t looked back since.
Today, Flora still shows up every day alongside her son Ron and daughter Candice, who’ve taken the reins while keeping every recipe exactly as it’s always been. The cooking method stays true to what Horton learned from his cousin who ran a popular barbecue joint in North Memphis back in the day.
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Keep Exploring →What Makes The Sandwiches Special
The Chopped Pork Sandwich: This is what draws people from across the city and beyond. Fresh pork shoulder gets smoked until tender, then chopped to order on a wooden block right when you place your order.
You’ll get plenty of those coveted crispy bark pieces mixed throughout the meat, adding texture and an extra punch of smoky flavor to every bite. The sandwich comes in regular or jumbo sizes, with the jumbo option being genuinely enormous and capable of satisfying the heartiest appetite.
That Neon Yellow Slaw: Here’s where Payne’s really stands apart from every other barbecue joint in Memphis. The coleslaw is intensely mustardy, with a tangy vinegar kick that cuts right through the richness of the pork.
It’s a family recipe passed down from Horton’s side, and it gets piled generously on top of every sandwich. The bright yellow color alone will catch your eye, but the flavor combination of sweet barbecue sauce meeting tangy mustard slaw creates something magical on your palate.
If you’re a mustard lover, you’ll be in heaven. If you prefer traditional mayo-based slaw, you can always request it on the side.
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Discover MoreThe BBQ Bologna: If you think bologna belongs only on kids’ sandwiches, Payne’s will change your mind completely. They take a thick slab of bologna, smoke it over the pit, and serve it slathered in sauce with that signature slaw.
The smoking process transforms the bologna into something entirely different from what you remember, with a smoke ring visible around the edges and a satisfying char that elevates this humble lunch meat into something worth seeking out.
Smoked Sausage: Another standout that deserves attention. The sausage gets smoked and then crisped up, giving you that perfect snap when you bite into it. Combined with the sauce and slaw, it makes for a hearty sandwich that rivals the pork in flavor and satisfaction.
The Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender with a beautiful smoke ring running through the meat. You can order them by the rib, half slab, or full slab.
The peppery rub combines with that slow smoking process to create ribs that need very little sauce, though three levels are available from mild to hot for those who want extra moisture and spice.
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Keep Exploring →Baked Beans: Don’t sleep on the sides here. The beans aren’t from a can but house-cooked with chunks of leftover meat mixed in. They’ve got a peppery kick with a subtle brown sugar sweetness that makes them the perfect companion to your main course.
The Sauce Selection
Three Heat Levels: Payne’s offers mild, medium, and hot sauces to suit your preference. The base is both tangy and sweet with a good spice blend that enhances rather than overwhelms the meat.
The hot version brings a nice burn at the end without requiring you to reach for water, while the mild provides all the flavor without any significant heat.
The Balance: What makes the sauce work so well is how it plays with that mustard slaw. You get layers of flavor, sweet meeting tangy, with smoke tying everything together.
The sauce doesn’t drown the pork but instead amplifies its natural smoky goodness while letting the quality of the meat shine through.
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Discover MoreThe Atmosphere & Setting
Former Gas Station Vibes: The building’s history as an auto service station remains evident. The old garage bays now form the dining room, with decorative concrete blocks covering what were once garage door openings.
This isn’t a negative at all—it’s part of the charm that makes Payne’s feel authentic and unpretentious in a city full of barbecue joints trying various approaches.
Dimly Lit Interior: The dining room stays fairly dark with limited natural light filtering through those concrete blocks. Red and white checkered tablecloths cover the tables, adding a classic touch.
The minimalist approach means nothing distracts you from your meal, which is exactly what you want when the food is this good.
Wall Decorations: Framed articles and press clippings celebrating Payne’s legacy dot the walls, reminding you that this place has been recognized nationally by food critics and publications.
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Keep Exploring →It’s Memphis barbecue history you can see and taste, with decades of accolades backing up the quality you’re experiencing.
The Pit: Through the kitchen area, you can glimpse the massive brick pit where the magic happens. Hickory charcoal burns nearly round the clock, with two huge steel doors in the chimney for loading meat and fuel.
The whole operation feels delightfully old-school, like stepping back in time to when barbecue was simpler but no less delicious.
No-Frills Setup: You order at the counter, grab your wrapped sandwich held together with toothpicks, and find a seat. Drinks come in cans or bottles. The focus here is entirely on the food, not the ambiance, and that’s exactly as it should be for a true Memphis barbecue experience.
Practical Considerations
Cash Only: Bring actual money because credit cards aren’t accepted. This catches some visitors off guard, so make sure you hit an ATM before arriving. It’s worth the extra stop.
Limited Hours: They’re only open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 2pm, and they’re closed Sunday and Monday.
Get there early because once they sell out of meat, they close up for the day. When you’re cooking everything fresh daily over charcoal, there’s only so much you can produce, and they prioritize quality over quantity every time.
The Neighborhood: The location sits in a grittier part of Memphis that might seem intimidating if you’re not familiar with the area. Don’t let that deter you from experiencing some of the best barbecue in the city.
The parking lot sees constant traffic of people grabbing takeout, and you’ll be focused on the food once you arrive.
Parking Situation: There’s a small lot right at the restaurant, which moves quickly since many customers order takeout. You shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot, especially with the steady turnover throughout the lunch rush.
The Pricing: This is real value for your money. You can get lunch for under ten dollars, which is increasingly rare these days. The jumbo sandwiches are massive enough that you might struggle to finish them, and the regular sizes are still substantial.
Considering the quality of the food and the generous portions, Payne’s delivers exceptional bang for your buck without sacrificing anything in terms of taste or authenticity.
Family Friendly: Despite the bare-bones setting, this works great for families. Kids will love the sandwiches, and the casual atmosphere means nobody has to worry about making noise or messes. It’s the kind of place where everyone feels comfortable.
Come Hungry: The portions, especially the jumbo sizes, are genuinely substantial. A jumbo sandwich can easily provide two meals if you’re not particularly hungry. If you’re planning to hit multiple barbecue spots in one day, stick with the regular size so you have room for more exploring.
The Slaw Situation: All sandwiches come automatically topped with that mustard slaw unless you specify otherwise. If mustard isn’t your thing, you can request it on the side or skip it entirely.
However, you’d be missing out on what makes Payne’s truly unique among Memphis barbecue establishments. The slaw is part of the experience and worth trying at least once.
Takeout vs. Dine-In: Both options work well here. The sandwiches travel beautifully wrapped in wax paper, making takeout convenient if you’re in a hurry. But dining in gives you a chance to soak up the atmosphere and appreciate the history of this Memphis institution while you eat.
Payne’s Bar-B-Que
📍 1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
