December 30, 2006

Bring the Payne's in Memphis

Bring the Payne's in Memphis

Even in a Southern city like Memphis, there's plenty of variation in the barbeque experience. There are joints for northern rubes, high-class barbeque restaurants, chain barbeque spots and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Clear through all the clutter, though, and you'll soon be craving something else: an authentic barbeque experience. To find that in Memphis, you'll have to go to Payne's.
Payne's is down-home in a way that's hard to even comprehend. It's inside a former garage, and the interior has a few tables, though the huge garage doors remain. They make ribs and smoked sausage, but the real treat is the chopped pork sandwich for $3. It's hand-chopped to order, then piled atop a tiny WonderBread bun with slaw. The slaw is spicy and much closer to relish as most northerners know it. Payne's has no knives, forks, dishes, or straws: only sporks and paper plates. The 'cue itself is tender and on the sweet side, though plenty smoky. However you attempt to eat it, it should be considered one of the best BBQ sandwiches in the nation.
Payne's BBQ [MemhpisDining.com]
[Alexander Basek]
[Photo: Cerifiedfool/Flickr]
Previously: Mustache Maintenance in Memphis, The Elvis Suite, Memphis in May, Memphis and Nashville Music Tourism, NYC Cracks Fattest Top Ten