The Bar-B-Q Shop

About 15 years ago, I decided that I didn't like The Bar-B-Q Shop. Someone who shall remain nameless urged me to give them another chance, stating not only that it was good BBQ but that it was her favorite. Several others concurred. I couldn't really argue. 15 years is a long time, and I had no clear memory of why I disliked the food. A grudge is a grudge.

On a cold, rainy day after a haircut at a nearby establishment, I decided to give it another go. I also thought I'd get some extra sauce on the side for taste tests while making another batch of The Sauce. My haircut came way too close to lunch, and I was starving by the time I walked over to the restaurant.

What did I order? One large, pulled-pork BBQ sandwich on Texas Toast, an order of seasoned fries and an extra cup of sauce. What did I receive? One sandwich with huge slices of extra dry roast pork on what I think was regular toast with a teaspoon of what may have been BBQ sauce. No slaw. Did you hear that? No slaw! My order came with fries but not with the extra sauce. All for only $8.19. Is the sarcasm coming through? One crappy sandwich and fries with no drink for 8 bucks. Of course, 65¢ of that was for an imaginary 2 oz. of BBQ sauce.

I can't really describe how bad the sandwich tasted. No smoke flavor, no sweet flavor, no juicy pork fat – just dry roast pork on Wonder bread with what I'm beginning to think was burned ketchup on it. The Bar-B-Q Shop remains firmly planted in the Tourist Trap category. In fact, they have become my official "Worst BBQ Restaurant in Memphis" until further notice.