The standard for “Memphis style” barbecue ribs was set in the late ‘50s in a downtown basement restaurant when Charlie Vergos threw racks of ribs—what was then considered scrap meat—on the grill. He added a vinegar wash to keep them moist and created a dry rub based on his father’s unique Greek chili recipe, cajun spices he discovered in New Orleans, and paprika. These ribs are a rack of history, but the Cheese and Sausage Plate, the Brisket, and the Pork Shoulder Sandwich are also worth your time.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous has become a Memphis institution and the ribs were a favourite of President Bill Clinton and his Vice-President Al Gore. Located just across from the famous Peabody Hotel, the barbecue side of things began when Charlie Vergos headed down to the basement of his diner and dug out a coal chute. The idea then came to him to use the chute over a barbecue grill – the days of the diner serving up sandwiches were gone.

They sell plenty of dry-style barbecued ribs in this downtown restaurant in an 1890 building, in an alley just north of the Peabody Hotel. A diverse group chows down in the antiques- and collectibles-filled basement dining room, and the service is among the most efficient in town. The menu also includes shoulder sandwiches, pork loin, chicken, and a shrimp skillet.

A signature side of dry-rubbed ribs and sides at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, a Memphis barbecue institution (Photograph by Paul Van Riel, Redux)

Elvis Presley’s favorite barbecue joint, Charlie Vergos Rendezvous (52 S. 2nd St., 901/523-2746), right downtown, with its main entrance through a downtown alley, is now something of a tourist trap. Main challengers to the title of “Best Barbecue in the Universe” include Interstate Bar-B-Que (2265 S. 3rd St., 901/775-2304), just north of where US-61 crosses I-55, and bare-bones drive-up barbecue stand Cozy Corner (735 N. Parkway, 901/527-9158), just east of US-51. For a change of pace from ribs, try the onion rings, burgers, beers, and live blues at another Memphis institution, Huey’s (77 S. 2nd St., 901/527-2700), right downtown.

One local politico lovingly calls this Memphis favorite "ambrosia of pork" -but locals simply call it the 'Vous. Charlie Vergos started this Memphis landmark in 1948 - selling pork sandwiches and coleslaw on the street, eventually opening this one and only location tucked into a downtown alley. The best bets on the menu are the sausage and cheese plates, barbeque nachos and full slabs of ribs; the waitstaff can be brusque but don't take it personally - they are simply trying to get everyone served in the cavernous basement that is the main dining area.

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous — known locally as simply "Rendezvous" — has been around for decades. The original 1948 concept by Charlie Vergos was known as a "meat and three," that is, a plate of one type of meat and three sides. Eventually, Vergos diversified his menu and added ribs, cooked today how they were then, which, per the restaurant's website, is to: "Throw the racks in 18 inches from the fire, grill them for an hour and fifteen minutes to seal in the flavor, and add a vinegar wash kept them moist.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Charlie Vergos Rendezvous during our recent visit to Memphis but it was recommended by several people as apparently, it is another one of the best Memphis restaurants for fabulous barbeque. Rendezvous is famous for its unique dry rub ribs as opposed to most other places that serve their ribs with slashings of sauce. And while we didn’t get to eat them ourselves, we did take home some of their dry rub spice and have used it ourselves to make some delicious ribs.

Charlie Vergos is one of Memphis’ most iconic BBQ Spots and they have been serving barbecue since 1948. I will admit I am not a fan of Charlie Vergos BBQ, but I am in the minority on my view of Rendevous BBQ. Rendezvous is legendary in Memphis, and where at any given time you might see celebrities with barbecue sauce running down their chin and enjoying the goodness of Rendezvous. Rendezvous has also been featured on both the Travel Channel and Food Network because of its famous dry-rub ribs.

The Rendezvous offers classic Memphis style BBQ, and for many, the best ribs in Memphis!. In 1948, Charlie Vergos cleaned out a basement below his diner, discovered a coal chute, and started a legend. The coal chute gave him a vent for his considerable talent over a grill, and allowed him to expand from ham-and-cheese sandwiches to ribs.Today, several thousand people on an average Saturday night pour into our basement and sink their teeth into a slab of what makes Memphis, well, Memphis.

Every barbecue restaurant in the city has a meat-and-cheese-plate variation, but the Rendezvous takes the Memphis-style cheese and sausage plate to the next level with the “Rendezvous Special.” Composed of ham, cheese, salami, sausage, pickles, and peppers, this platter has what you are craving. Located in Downtown Memphis, the Rendezvous has been a staple since 1948. They’ve got everything from an ambiance of true Memphis charm to mouth-watering charcoal-cooked ribs on the table.

The Rendezvous has been a famous Memphis landmark since 1948, and it has a well-deserved reputation for serving the best ribs in town. You can see the food being prepared in an old open kitchen as you walk in, but more importantly, your sense of smell will immediately perk up as the fragrance of hickory-smoked pork wafts past. You'll also likely be intrigued by all the strange objects displayed in this huge but cozy cellar.

In stark contrast to the barebones and minimalistic Payne’s, Charlie Vergos Rendezvous is a lively and stylish Memphis institution that draws on the spirit of the city’s legendary music scene. The place was born in 1948, when sandwich vendor Charlie Vergos was clearing out his basement and discovered a coal chute. This, he pondered, would work well as a vent, enabling him to pursue a personal passion for charcoaling meat.

Barbecue at Charlie Vergos Rendezvous is grilled rather than smoked and occasionally attracts celebrity visitors to Memphis. At Charlie Vergos Rendezvous (known to many residents as simply the Vous), you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists and, if you’re lucky, the occasional celebrity. People like Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Justin Timberlake have stopped by the Vous for a taste of some of the best ribs in Memphis.

For a true taste of Memphis, head to The Rendezvous, a legendary barbecue joint known for its dry-rubbed ribs and smoky atmosphere. For a more modern twist on Southern cuisine, visit The Southern, offering fresh, seasonal dishes in a chic setting. Solo travelers can also enjoy the lively atmosphere of Overton Square, with its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and live music venues, perfect for a casual night out.

Back in the 1940s, Charlie Vergos took a few racks of ribs, rubbed them down with a spice blend borrowed from his father's Greek chili recipe, and cooked them hot and fast over charcoal in a pit fashioned from an old coal chute. The Rendezvous has been the revered home of Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs ever since. Robert Stewart Jr., pictured here, has been at Rendezvous for over 30 years.

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous opened its doors in downtown Memphis in 1948 serving up its famous dry rub pork ribs. Originally, Charlie Vergos sold beer and ham sandwiches in the basement of the building, smoking the ham in an old coal chute onsite. It was in the 1950s that he expanded the menu and added pork ribs using a dry rub combining flavors from his Greek heritage and Cajun spices.

Places that have been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and Southern Living are The Rendezvous, Central Barbecue, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken, the Cozy Corner, and Dyer's Burgers, to name a few. There's a reason they come here; the restaurants that abound in Memphis have food that, as we say in the south, is good enough to make you smack your momma.

The most famous barbecue joint in town also happens to be located in a not-exactly-easy-to-find alleyway in downtown Memphis. While the locals may consider this a tourist spot, it’s absolutely worth a pilgrimage for the atmosphere, service, and of course, the food. Their dry rubbed grilled ribs put them on the map, but try the sausage and and cheese plates and beef brisket, too.

The Rendezvous is legendary in Memphis for its charcoal-broiled ribs, a unique take on barbecue that draws fans from all over the world. Located in a basement just across from the Peabody Hotel, this no-frills restaurant has been serving up its signature dry-rubbed ribs since 1948. The atmosphere is lively and casual, with walls covered in Memphis memorabilia.

In Memphis, barbecue is pretty much a religion, a fact that's highlighted through the expert preparation of its ribs, pulled pork and more across the city. Memphis-style barbecue is a dry-rub base, where the meat is often smoked over hickory wood with no sauces slathered onto the meat while it’s cooking. If there's sauce it’s often served on the side.

For ribs, the world-famous Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is divisive amongst locals, but worth a visit for their sauce nonetheless. Some Memphians would tell you that the very best ribs are at Cozy Corner in Uptown, and I’d be inclined to agree. The place burned down while I was in college four years ago, but has been revived and returned to top form.

Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous set the standard for Memphis-style ribs after Vergos decided to throw some ribs on the grill during the 1940s, according to Southern Living, using vinegar and a dry rub with several spices to pump up the flavor. Stop by to try the barbecue that helped put the Memphis food scene on the map. View this post on Instagram

One of the more iconic restaurants in Memphis, The Rendezvous is one-of-a-kind. Its signature Charbroiled Ribs are renowned across the globe as the signature Memphis-style rib. And Memphians and visitors from around the world flock to the restaurant for its ribs — The Rendezvous cooks more than 5,000 pounds of ribs at the restaurant each week.

For the past 75 years staff at The Rendezvous have been tossing their world-famous ribs in a secret dry mixture. The juicy ribs are so good they are shipped across the country. Charlie Vergos developed the technique and in 1948 turned an old coal chute into a smoker to give the meat some flavour, in a basement reached via a downtown alley.

Charles Vergos Rendezvous has been serving up tasty barbecue since 1948, and it’s a Memphis BBQ staple. It’s sort of difficult to locate, so don’t be surprised when your GPS takes you down a seemingly empty alleyway (that’s when you’ll know you’re in the right spot!). This is arguably one of the best spots to find authentic Memphis BBQ!

For more than 70 years, the Vergos family has been grilling the best ribs in Memphis at Rendezvous . This spot has served world leaders, touring rock bands and thousands of locals who crowd this downtown favorite on weekend nights. The décor reflects the restaurant's history, and antiques are displayed seamlessly with new memorabilia.

There's so much to love at this Memphis BBQ pioneer, starting with the fried pickles and amazing drummies, to the sensational ribs, pulled pork and ending up on the sweetest note. Yes, please to Zoe's banana pudding!. If you cannot make it down south to the 901, Corky's, along with Rendezvous, does ship anywhere in the USA.

Devouring smoky, slow-cooked pit barbecue is as essential to the Memphis experience as hearing live blues music. Local chefs love Central BBQ’s three locations for its dry-rubbed, hickory- and pecan-wood-smoked ribs and pulled pork. More historic is Charlie Vergos Rendezvous rib joint, located in a basement downtown.

You’ll discover the entrance to this iconic barbecue restaurant tucked into an unassuming back alley. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous has been a staple since its founding circa 1949. Revered for its dry-rubbed ribs cooked over charcoal, this Memphis favorite continues to entice locals and is a a must for visitors.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is probably the city’s most famous spot for BBQ. With over 70 years of tradition, this spot is located in a basement in the alley across from the famous Peabody hotel. It has expanded since its initial days, but you will have to walk down into the basement to get to the restaurant.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving up their famous dry-rubbed ribs since 1948. Located in an alleyway in downtown Memphis, the restaurant has a unique ambiance with exposed brick walls and dim lighting, giving it a cozy and intimate feel.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by Charlie Vergos Rendezvous (@rendezvousmemphis). Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is a barbecue restaurant that is located in a kitschy basement unit that is decorated with 50s-era posters and photographs.

Most people know that Memphis is celebrated for its particular BBQ style, but not many know how it all started. Cristina tells us that although barbeque has been around for hundreds of years, it was here in Memphis where Charlie Vergos Rendezvous Restaurant popularized the dry rub style.

But Rendezvous stands out with its celebrity, often attracting A-list visitors, including President Obama and Anthony Bourdain. Rendezvous has been serving dry rub ribs cooked over charcoal since 1948 out of an alley in downtown Memphis. The menu is simple – barbecue and all the fixings.

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, or Rendezvous, or even simply Vous, is an amazing restaurant in Memphis. While in town, you’ll probably hear locals refer to this spot by any of their multiple names. Although Rendezvous may have different names, it might be easier just to call it delicious!

Charlie Vergos was my grandfather, and his son John is my dad. After a stint in politics, law school, clerking for a federal judge, and spending some time at Burch, Porter, & Johnson, I came back to the restaurant in 2015. I’m the oldest of the third generation of Rendezvous family.

Memphis is famous for its barbecue, and perhaps the most famous restaurant of its kind in the city is Rendezvous. In business since 1948, the restaurant has been featured in novels, movies, and print articles. In addition, many celebrities have been known to dine there.

Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 1088 Reviews Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous in Memphis is authentic Southern BBQ at its finest. This place knows how to do BBQ in creative and unique ways, like with their Rendezvous BBQ Nachos. Their sausage and cheese plates are also out of this world.

Restaurant Iris (4550 Poplar Ave) helmed by acclaimed local chef Kelly English. The inviting, neighborhood-style eatery offers bold, Southern Creole classics—like veal grillades, shrimp & grits, and house-smoked meats—served daily in a warm, lively atmosphere.

While the meat is the calling card, a big part of what makes The Rendezvous special is the experience. The smoky aroma is grilled meat and barbecue shake. The sounds of Memphis soul and delta blues, cut with clinking beer mugs and laughter.

While there are bbq joints in every nook and cranny of this city, Rendezvous is one of the most well-known. Rendezvous has been serving up ribs in a downtown Memphis basement since 1948. It is truly a must-have Memphis dining experience.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is one of the oldest and most famous advocates of the dry rub. The restaurant’s rub nods to its founder’s Greek heritage (a unique chargrilling technique further set Rendezvous barbecue apart).

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (111 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Bar, Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103-2628- Read more on Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (87 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Bar, Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103-2628- Read more on Tripadvisor

Surprisingly my favorite meal came at one of the most famous bbq places in Memphis. Rendezvous has several vegetarian options, like meatless bbq nachos but I went with the meatless red beans.

The two generally best known BBQ places are Central BBQ ( there is a location right across street from the National Civil Rights Museum) and The Rendezvous, which is downtown.

Opened in 1948, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous is the revered home of the Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs. This Memphis restaurant is world-renowned for its signature rack of ribs.

If your taste buds have not been sufficiently sated, a meal at Charlie Vargos Rendezvous for renowned charcoal grilled dry rubbed ribs will surely do the trick.

Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous has been serving charcoal-braised ribs from its basement since 1948. It’s a Memphis institution, and the ribs are worth the wait.

Second St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 523-2746Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.

If you are serious about that date night then why not go out to eat for some mouth-watering BBQ at Rendezvous?