"Be prepared to eat until you fall over" at this "counter-service" BBQ chain where "true carnivores" satisfy cravings for "meat, meat and more meat" via "down-home" dishes including "tender" pulled pork and "beef brisket you'd sell your mother for"; the decor is "plain" and service just ok, but with "finger-lickin'" eats at "reasonable" prices, diners still leave crying "praise the lard."
At the busy intersection of Granville and Broadway, this hole-in-the-wall barbecue pit has made a name for itself with corn-pone, Southern-boy barbecue smoked for hours over a low-heat, hardwood fire. Ribs come out tender enough to pull apart with your fingers (which is how food is eaten here; the cutlery is mostly for show), yet still sweet and firm. The beef brisket is cooked long enough that... more
Not what I had remembered.
Came here when it first opened- this was prob the first location 15 years ago.
But has it slid? or have I just been around the Southern-BBQ block a few more times that I know what good southern BBQ is now?
Good price. Lots of food. But unfortunately not great food.
The benefit is that there's enough bbq sauce to cover the dryness of all the meat.
Service is good,...
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Do. Not. Eat. Meat. Anywhere. Else. For serious. Memphis Blues satisfies carnivores like no other joint does, including all the other bbq places. If you want heaping piles of meat, well-seasoned, cooked right, and slathered with bbq sauce. Yes. Go. Right now. The portions are huge; you definitely get your money's worth. The bbq sauce is sweet and smoky, and that's my thing. Now before you get... more
Maybe too authentic for some reviewers here it seem.
BBQ is a funny thing, each region of the US has their take on BBQ and you can break it down into 3-4 categories.
Good BBQ places do run out of food, that's normal, it's a sign of taking time to smoke things.
Now, this place is a "Wet" BBQ.
I had a few platters and the meats were juicy, but you need the sauce. Some people like BBQ that...
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Went here with my son. We were each going to get a combo for 2 when we noticed that the smallest platter was only $5 more and would likely leave us with leftovers for the next day or two. Originally seated at a small table because all other tables were occupied, but just before food arrived, we were moved to a booth to give us plenty of room. Every meat was delicious. Cornbread was sweet and... more
Ordered the daily special which was a combo plate of pulled pork and sausage. Both were amazing. The combo also comes with cornbread, coleslaw, fries and beans. The beans were a bit too salty/smoky for my taste, but the fries and cornbread went perfectly with the rest of the meal. If it weren't for the slightly high prices, I'd be here every week.
Sold out of everything except sausage, pulled pork, and ribs on a Sunday at 7? Unforgivable.
We walked out. Do we need to call ahead next time to ensure they actually have food?
Really enjoyed the burnt ends!! After a long walk from downtown to Broadway we came across this location, had a beer and some ends. Not cubed like traditional Texas ends but good eats all the same. Nice cold beers on tap too
Definitely agree with another reviewer who said that this place lacked ambiance, I haven't been to the other locations but some music or the hockey game would liven this place up quite a bit.
Shared the Memphis platters and the food was pretty decent but not hot enough. They were out of regular chicken so they gave us the pulled chicken instead which was pretty good. The ribs were dry for my...
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This is a great place for some tasty BBQ. I love their pulled pork and the vibe of the place is great. Make sure to bring your appetite! Last time I was here I had the pulled pork meal AND a piece of apple pie. My friend bet me $10 I couldn't finish my whole meal and the pie.... I won the $10.... not sure I won at life.
I think I would recommend sharing a meal between two people if you are...
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Sooo good. The fries were awesome with the seasoning. The pulled pork sandwich had just the right amount of spicy sauce. Was a delicious lunch.
I once lived near Granville Island in the mid 90's and got food here at least 1x a month...I went last week and talk about downhill..I have been there a few times in the last 5 years and the gradual downfall was noticeable. I had the half chicken and there was about 3-4 oz of meat!!. I had to fill up on sides. We went to the movies later and I had the jumbo popcorn. The chicken was also dry and... more
Solid 3.5 stars. Don't get me wrong, I love their food but this location lacks the ambience of the Robson and Commercial Drive locales.
Good size location.
Plus this is the only one that doesn't deliver.
Restricted rush hour parking restrictions in front.
Awesome beef brisket and ribs...good sides...delicious bbqsauce...fries a bit too salty...but the meat was 5starquality!!!
Like it almost every time.
I always bet the brisket meal.
Didn't get 5 starts because a few times the meat was a little dry. All the other times it was cooked really good.
Great meal to fill you up for the whole day.
Dropped in for lunch while on a break between games in Richmond. Small location but awesome staff. Im just starting to get into BBQ but this stuff was pretty good. The pulled pork was tender and the bbq sauce wasnt overly sweet or spicy (good for some, bland to others). The slaw was crunchy and fresh and the corn bread was delicious. Worth getting your hands a little messy.
Poor taste, I throw out everything after I had the beef brisket. I guess it was food position.
Dine-out menu , portion size different every plate, my gf had bigger piece of chicken. The bean was burn taste. Ribs taste charcoal flavour, nothing special anymore. The only thing is there was the owner still being energetic taking care after the customer for his business to survive. He better fix it with the food back to original as it was more tasty in past. Good luck.
Barbeque in Vancouver? Who'd a thought. We came twice since it was so good. Husband loved the beef ribs and brisket. I devoured the chicken. Loved the place, the music, the people who worked there.
Still can't figure out how there are so many locations of this place. How can you be a rib place and have terrible ribs? They were incredibly tough, corn bread was cold& stale and the cole slaw was flavorless. Such a disappointment. Don't know it we just got them on an off day but I don't ever want to waste my money trying it again.
Meat, meat, and meat! Couldn't ask for more... or could I? This place wasn't my personal first choice, but a good friend was visiting from Hong Kong and this was on his list of spots to hit up. We came pretty late around 9pm and ordered a Memphis Feast for 4 people. They were out of chicken, which was disappointing. The meat overall was...fine? The ribs were a touch on the dry side, the... more
Went there a few weeks ago, this is my first review.
Service was super friendly, very casual but informative.
Food arrived quickly and there was plenty of food for us with the BBQ platter. Food was generally good, the chicken was dry but everything else was delicious.
I'd definitely go again but I would probably stick to brisket. It was perfectly tender and had just the right amount of smoke....
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NOM NOM NOM, why? Glad you asked: BECAUSE THEY SMOKE THE RIBS FOR HOURS! That way the meat is incredibly succulent, and just come off the bones.
I want to eat their ribs all day, and have their rib sauce all over my body. My girlfriend is there to, and she has rib sauce all over her body. Then we have some sort of deprived rib sauce sexual related act that makes a two dollar prostitute blush.
...
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My bf hunts for BBQ wherever we go.. So when we were in Vancouver, we found Memphis Blues BBQ House. This place is super laid back and casual. You order at the front and they bring out your food.
We started off with some wings, which were pretty tasty. For my entree I had the special that day, this included: pork ribs, chicken and brisket with 3 sides. My bf had the half rack of pork ribs and...
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Would I go back? - Yes, we have been at least 7 times last year and will probably go 7 more this year. Good food everytime, eat in and take out. You get exactly what you expect and it does wonders to satisfy your meat cravings.
Would I recommend it? - Yes, it is one of the only BBQ places in Vancouver; and after much research I can conclude it is probably the best. It is optimal when you go...
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Got Take )ut from here last night to get a beef/iron fix after donating blood. Brisket was Lean and Nicely Cooked like I enjoy it. Order was ready at pick up time. Since the beans have pork and I go sans pork they provided me some extra slaw. A note to the Managers you rcurrent team at this this location seem really nice maybe it for update on the Hooter'sese slogans on the back of uniform T's... more
I used to love Memphis Blues. It was fantastic to be able to go to the original restaurant on Broadway and Grandville and eat fantastically delicious selections of meat and fixins.
The smells, the decor, the food was amazing. Then something happened, It might have been the franchising or the growth but the food is now terrible. the meat is always dry and the fixins are just a wash of too much...
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Raving for this smoking hot Barbeque Joint! ..
Getting your hands dirty from the sauces and coleslaws, corns, beans and the beef briskets while eating is the best way to taste it... The mouth watering Pulled Pork sandwiches are to die for.. this location in the Drive is the best because of its laid back atmosphere..
yummy times
one of my favorite stops whenever I'm in town and did not dissapoint
only gripe is we had flat beer and the brisket was kinda fatty
The food is delicious, but service is non-existent as you have to order at the counter and pick up your own glass of water, which they will not refill. Also was disappointed that the daily "special" did not come with all the regular sides despite being more expensive than the regular menu options.
Will definitely go back as the food was delicious. But I will definitely be less generous with my...
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So good!! We had beef ribs and beef brisket combo. Had to pay extra $2 per rib to substitute into the combo. Completley worth it. We were so stuffed by the time we finished the corn bread, coleslaw and beans. Next time I want to try the other meats.
This location is quite small and you order at the counter before you sit down. Be prepared to wait, or go early so you dont need to.
Oh boy-oh-boy do I love my smoked vittles and Memphis Blues does it right! I know very little about the smoking/barbecue process that goes on in the back other than it being very complicated and precise. It's not a place you could eat lunch at every day; I mean, you could but you would have a short life. Luxuries like bbq beef brisket are to be savoured over time.
Memphis offers whole smoke...
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Some of the best food I've ever had. It's a must visit next time I'm back in Vancouver
Great ribs that were somewhat diminished by the sauce, which was different but not in a good way. We purchased a full rack plus the combo plate that lets you try two other meats plus another set of sides. Corn bread, fries and pulled pork were all very good. The chicken was a bit dry and not too interesting so you might want to just try something else. Definitely worth trying this place.
I am still on the hunt for Vancouver's best pulled pork sandwich... but you surely can get a decent one here.
I was very excited to try this place--I love me some good meat! And pulled pork is always a favorite of mine. So I ordered the pulled pork sandwich (which comes with a side of coleslaw and baked beans). Overall, the pulled pork was pretty good, but honestly it was mostly the tasty...
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Wonderful place to go when you're starving! Massive portions. I went there with my brother, dad, and boyfriend and we shared the Memphis feast, which includes a little bit of all the meats they have, and a bbq poutine. While the poutine could have been better because they didn't use gravy or cheese curds (I'm from montreal so i guess its not fair to compare), the meats were delicious! I... more
This is barely barbeque. It reminds me mostly of the cheap BBQ fast food everywhere in the US, and nothing of a true slow-smoker BBQ pit. The ribs were boiled tender and sauced to cover any flavor of pork, the sausages were too salty and had a gross texture. The pulled pork was the best thing on the platter, but still nothing to write home about.
This is one of our new favorite places when we're craving barbecue (and very convenient for us since we live down the street).
We always get the pulled pork sandwiches with one side of fries. Even the small-sized sandwich is a generous portion. Lots of juicy, flavorful pork, and tasty barbecue sauce. The french fries are tossed in herbs and seasoning and large enough for two people. Our orders...
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Great place! I got the pulled pork and BBQ poutine with a pint of local beer - yum! Generous portion sizing and the service was friendly to boot, would recommend to my friends.
Excellent find. This is a great place to get some nice causal BBQ. Three of us shared a sample platter and everything was great - especially the chicken. I can't wait to get back here and try the fried catfish.
Make sure you bring your appetite, this place will filler up!
This place will conquer the biggest of huger pangs, everything in the menu is a party in your mouth; everything from the pulled pork or catfish sandwiches to the full Elvis size platter. The Elvis platter will feed six hungry guys... trust me I've watched this in action!
The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large!...
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What can I say about Memphis Blues that hasn't already been said, the food here quite frankly is FANTASTIC and they've got the local awards hanging on the wall to prove it. I first went to Memphis Blues in 2003 and after a negative exchange with one of the owners (Park) I thought it might be my last, that is until the food hit the table and I experienced for the first time what BBQ is all about... more
Good place for meat lovers. Five of us tried Elvis platter. Everyone is full and we got some for taking home. Price is a bit high but the food is unique. Come here if u wanna try something different then the usual burger and sandwich.
Tip: the way they order food is a bit different. After seated, you need to go n grab ur own drink and pay for it at counter. Same with ordering the food. The...
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I promised the bf we'd be having BBQ on a quarterly basis. So 3 months after our last Memphis Blue soiree, we promptly returned for our next serving of meat, meat, and meat.
We were ambitious this time and took on the challenge in the form of the Memphis Feast. When this platter hit the table, it was drop-your-cutlery-and-use-those-digits every man/woman for him/herself kind of eating rampage....
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A bunch of us hit up Memphis Blues to dig in some southern barbecue meat.
We ordered the ridiculous Elvis platter to split between six of us. This massive plate was filled with slab o' ribs, sliced beef brisket, pulled pork, barbecue chicken, ribs ends, and smoked sausage.
There was a full spread of side dishes including fries, potato salad, coleslaw, chili, corn bread, and barbecue sauce for...
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Craving meat? This is your place. I'm not a big meat person. This is not for vegetarians, or vegans. However, as someone who isn't a big meat person can I say the meat is delicious. If you are ever in the mood for meat you've found heaven. The best option is to get some friends and spilt a platter with various meats, just come with a big appetite. The decor is very American, and blues era. They... more
After hearing people rave on and on about this place, we decided to make the trip out. Much to my dismay, I'll give it two stars just for the customer service. The lady who brought us to our table and behind the counter were very courteous. Otherwise we had very dry ribs and pulled pork, which we didn't finish. As we had to wait quite a while for a table and it isn't quite value for money,... more
Quick Notes: 1) Seating is limited this location with only about a dozen tables so you may have to wait 2) You will be taken to your table, but you have to go up to the cashier to make an order 3) They have specials Monday to Wednesday night on some dishes, but Wednesday is one of the best deals.
YAY BBQ! YAY again for BBQ cooked correctly! YAY a third time for also having good flavours with...
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If you like your food super salty...this is the place. My pallet can't handle overly salty things in general, however, their fries and ribs are a sodium overkill for me. The guy I am dating whom loves his salt was even shocked at the sodium suicide of the fries. I haven't eaten a lot of Memphis based foods to compare if the spice combination is appropriate to the culture, however, based on... more
I really digged the Bbq sauce. Meat is great and the wings are a treat.
Great lunch The brisket lived up to the reviews Wonderful
"""When you're craving something that is simply rich and burger type, this is definitely the stop."""
"""Memphis serves authentic barbecue to a regular stream of clientele, including ribs, chicken, beef brisket, and the occasional sausage. They also do a very nice breaded catfish. Ordering is done at the front, and you carry your food to one of the half a do"""
"""I despaired of ever finding decent barbecue in Vancouver until I came to Memphis Blues. This place is so good I have to ration my visits for fear of being spoiled. The pulled pork is the best thing on the menu, followed closely by their authentic side dis"""
Mediocre barbecue, no passion or love. Pullled pork looks like cat food. A propane fired pit that smoulders a log or two for flavour, no charcoal or real coals are used in the preparation of your food. Good wine list, real cider on tap and good for 1st timers, as they will be able to apppreciate the real thing when they finally encounter it.
"""This is the Britney Spears of BBQ. Looks (mostly) good on the outside but has no soul or taste. With little to no competition this place gets away with serving sub-par BBQ. The meat is dry, smokeless, sauceless and generally its just unfortunate that good"""
"""Don't go unless you're really hungry and be prepared to eat until you fall over. The decor is pretty basic and the service pretty much non-existent (you order at the counter), but the portions here are huge, so if you like meat, you'll like the Memphis Bl"""
Decore was what I expected. Roadhouse. Service typical self serve Bbq style. Food portion ENORMOUS!!! Sauce; not the best I've ever had. Very sweet. Good if it's late, your hungy and a bit tanked.
My place for BBQ ribs and all the fixings. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
No pretence, no airs, no B.S...just good ole fashioned, authentic barbecue. Go hungry and leave the vegans at home. Bring some of the boys, order a couple of pitchers of beer and an Elvis platter (ribs, pulled pork, chicken, brisket, sausage and more...). The King would be proud.
They know how to cook meat in that American way that has found little traction in Canada. If you like the style, go for it. Apparently, you can BBQ anything: chicken, beef, pork, wood blocks, tire casings... It all ends up tasting like the sauce, which w
Great place to take grown-up kids. Something for every carnivore. Tasty barbeque platters filled with every southern dish you can think of! The brisket is my favourtie.
They got the meat part right- which is what really matters- but could easily be more generous on the simple sides. My baked beans should come in a bigger container than a ketchup cup.
yes there is a boatload of meat. yes there is a boatload of meat. yes there is a boatload of meat. explosive crusted up bbq sauce bottles make for fun in a room where, yes, there is a boatload of meat.
The North Vancouver location was a real disappointment. There is no "decor" and service is ordering at a counter (albeit from nice folks). But the BBQ itself was the biggest disappointment - expensive, not smoked enough, not memorable.
the place is selfserve! you have to walk up to the front pay for your food and than they call you so you can pick it up. Decore is very forgetable. that said the food is a super deal! and the best BBQ in town (commercial drive location)
Perhaps the best pork barbeque sandwhich outside of the Carolinas.
Some of the best pulled pork on this side of the border! Order from a vast number of combinations at the cashier with picnic-table-like setting. Surprisingly fast service and delicious home-cookin' keeps me a regular whenever I'm in town feeling carnivo
large portions. lively friendly atmosphere. no air conditioning.
Broadway location.Great meat! the pulled pork is something else. Nice beers too. Try the whole shbang tray to take home and try them all!
When your arteries need a good clogging... no better place than this. You can smell this restaurant from the street and boy, does it smell good! If you feel like good, affordable, stick to your ribs, traditional Southern fare- this is it! The BBQ Poutine
THE place for your Southern bbq/Soul Food pig-out. Bring a big stomach and ask for doggy bag. Very informal
It is what it is. BBQ. Pull up to an almost certainly dirty table, and get sauce on your favourite shirt. Go up to the counter to order, and always order one size down from what you think you need; The portions are huge!
BBQ is good but not as good as the real southern BBQ in the States. Ribs and sausage combo was good and filled the tummy. Beans were tasty, just wish there was a little more of it. No waiters; you must order and pick up from the counter (Commercial Drive
Great bbq.You don't go there for the ambience or the decor,just the food.
You'd better like meat, but if you do you will be dreaming about it 6 hrs after you digest it.
Best BBQ in Vancouver (not that there's a whole lot to pick from, but still.........)
Their food used to be a lot better, now it's just fat, grisly, and greasy these days.
Memphis Blues is a self-serve casual dinning restaurant with a jazz and blues flair. It has several restaurnats (which indicates its popularity) but does not have a chain restaurant attitude. I have been to 3 of the restaurants, 2 of them being franchis
More cafeteria than restaurant. Still a good place when you have a craving for "Q".
The Broadway location ( the first one to open in town ) is always pack jam at lunch time. If you are a spare rib person it is the place to go. They also have pressure beer which goes well with the spice sauce that they used. The music and the decor is sim
Why oh why can't Vancouver have decent BBQ? The meat here just bounces around from decent to awful depending on the day. No consistency at all.
Good BBQ in a casual setting. Service is minimal, which is somewhat expected in a room full of patrons licking their fingers.
Trying to duplicate some of those great US bbq establishments, but not there yet. Basic fare with nothing of note.
The BBQ Brisket sandwich is, dollar for dollar, the best meal in Vancouver. The pulled pork is also very good, but the ribs only average. Daily specials, on the other hand, can be excellent. This is far and away the best bbq in Vancouver.
The food has generous portions. The decor is acceptable. The service is very good.
First, I am no fan of Vancouver, one of the most self-inflated destinations I have ever been too - so when i say that this southern BBQ joint rates up there with the best I've ever been too, including lots in "Dixie' itself, I am not being some local chauvinist. There are now several outlets but i have only been to the original hole in the wall on West Broadway. Before the expansion, both of... more
Oww this place..been eating here twice, one here and one another is at the Commercial drive. Both resto give kinda the same experience, though. Umm, the fewd was a lot!!And totally meaty….my goodness!!pricewise it’s ok i guess ^^ I certainly like the food and the taste and everything but eating JUST meat for a meal and grilled too, kinda makes me feel paranoid about eating dangerous foods.... more
one a summer's eve this place is jammed. the too good smell from the kitchen is hard to resist.
Delicious food, very authentic, and a great value for your money. Lip-smacking ribs!! Need I say more.
Give me a break, Soupy! You are complaining because you didn't get your FREE sandwich!? Wah wah. I've eaten at Memphis many times, and love it. My American friends say the food is better than what they've eaten down South. Half the fun of going there is how you're made to feel like family (it's very casual). If you've ever eaten true barbeque before, it's all about the food, not the ambience.... more
We have had many a fine meal at this establishment and highly recommend this food to any and every one park and george are great hosts and are very down home and frendly guys enjoy everyone and pigs can fly!
The food was adequate - pulled pork and brisket stood out, but I've had far better ribs, chicken, sausage and oysters - the owners, however, have the WORST attitude.
We ordered their biggest item, the Elvis Platter, which was advertised outside on a sign to come with an Elvis-style fried peanut butter and banana sandwich - we didn't get one and had to ask about it - they said they ran out, no...
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Memphis Blues Barbeque House Ltd offers these services: restaurant.
Memphis Blues Barbeque House is famed for its original Southern barbecue style. The meat is smoked for hours on low heat over hardwood till juicy and tender meat is realized. The restaurant not only serves barbecues but also delicious sandwiches, salads and full meals. For the love of succulent, tender and simply yummy meat variants one must try this place. Check website for more details.