The Bar-B-Q Shop

A great casual barbecue restaurant.

Anticipating my first visit to the Bar-B-Q Shop, I wasn't sure what to expect. The little restaurant had made quite a name for itself in Memphis. However, it was humble in appearance.

The cheap vinyl padded chairs and hard unpadded wood booths were unremarkable and somewhat unattractive. The walls were a dark shade of red, making the whole place dim and uninviting. In spite of the good things I had heard, I was beginning to think the Bar-B-Q Shop was going to be a dud.

Once I was seated, though, things took a turn for the better. I was quickly put at ease by a friendly waitress who was both prompt and efficient. The buzz of conversation from the other patrons was frequently punctuated by bursts of laughter, lending a fun and carefree feeling to the restaurant.

Then there was the food. When the appetizer of chicken fingers arrived, we were amazed at the portion size. It easily fed my party of four. For my meal, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast. The meat was tender and the sauce was the right amount of tangy. I ordered the regular size and was impressed by the amount of pork piled high on the toast. The battered fries and spicy coleslaw were perfect accompaniments to the meal. I also had the opportunity to sample the barbecue spaghetti. While tasty, I didn't really care for the combination of pasta and barbecue sauce.

Overall, my dining experience at the Bar-B-Q Shop was a good one. The next time you are in Midtown, you might want to check it out.