Central BBQ Menu 2026: Dry-Rub Ribs, Pulled Pork & Memphis BBQ

Central BBQ (often called CBQ) is best known for its award-winning dry-rub ribs — baby back and spare ribs seasoned with a signature spice blend and slow-smoked over hickory. The restaurant has won multiple regional and national BBQ awards since opening in 2002 and is considered one of Memphis's most celebrated BBQ destinations. The pulled pork, smoked brisket, and smoked wings are equally popular menu staples.

Central BBQ has multiple locations across the Memphis, Tennessee area, including restaurants in Midtown, East Memphis, Collierville, and other suburbs. For current hours, addresses, and whether a particular location is open for dine-in, takeout or catering, visit the official site at cbqmemphis.com.

In Memphis BBQ tradition, dry-rub ribs are seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs (no sauce applied during cooking) and smoked low and slow — the result is a deeply flavored, slightly crispy bark on the outside with juicy meat inside. Wet ribs are basted with sauce during and after smoking. Central BBQ's signature style is dry-rub, though sauce is always available on the side. Memphis is the American city most associated with the dry-rub technique.

Yes. Central BBQ offers BBQ catering for events of many sizes — from small gatherings to large corporate or wedding events. Catering options typically include whole or half racks of ribs, pulled pork by the pound, combo trays, sides, and desserts. Contact your nearest Central BBQ location or visit cbqmemphis.com for catering inquiries and pricing.

Most visitors and longtime fans recommend starting with the dry-rub baby back ribs (half rack if it's your first visit), followed by a pulled pork sandwich or a two-meat combo plate. The BBQ nachos are a well-loved starter. For sides, baked beans with smoked meat bits and the house coleslaw are standout picks. If banana pudding is available, order it — it's a fan favorite dessert at CBQ.

Several items at Central BBQ are naturally gluten-free or can be ordered that way, including the smoked meats (without sauce, which may contain gluten), pit-smoked beans, green beans, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. However, Central BBQ is a busy BBQ kitchen and cross-contact is possible. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten intolerance, notify your server and confirm with the kitchen before ordering.

Central BBQ is priced in the mid-range for a full-service BBQ restaurant — expect to pay more than a fast-casual BBQ chain but less than a fine-dining steakhouse. Ribs are typically charged by the rack or half-rack; plates include two sides. Because pricing varies by location and menu changes seasonally, visit cbqmemphis.com or call your nearest location for current prices. No prices are listed here because we cannot verify them independently at publication time.

Central BBQ's menu centers on smoked meats, so vegetarian options are limited. Sides such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato salad, green beans, corn on the cob, and the house salad can work for vegetarians — though some sides (like baked beans) are cooked with smoked meat. Ask your server which sides are prepared without meat. The menu is not designed as a vegetarian destination.

Central BBQ uses hickory wood as the primary smoking fuel, which is traditional for Memphis-style BBQ and produces a robust, slightly sweet smoke flavor. The combination of hickory smoke and the dry-rub spice blend is what gives CBQ's ribs their distinctive character. Low-and-slow smoking times can run 4-6 hours or more depending on the cut.