The Rendezvous vs. Leonard's - Memphis

I went to Memphis recently for some BBQ, if you plan on going to Memphis and you don’t try BBQ you must be communist.  I was torn on which to try, so I opted to buy from two places.  However, I did not eat at the restaurants, I took the food back to my mom and Step-dad so that they too could enjoy, and tell me which they preferred.

The two BBQ places I chose were the Rendezvous and Leonard’s.  Both claim to have the best ribs in Memphis.  Normally, I base my BBQ quality on beef brisket, or pulled pork, if they don’t claim a specialty.   To be fair, I took the ribs with dry rub and sauce on the side.  Comparing apples to apples on this one.

The first place, Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous, http://www.hogsfly.com/ this place is located in a small alleyway off of the famous Beale Street (52 South Second Street) behind the Peabody Hotel.  The story behind this place is that in 1948, Charlie Vergos was cleaning his basement and found a coal chute and began to use it for barbecuing.  Tons of famous people have eaten at the Rendezvous.  So this makes it one of the key places to eat when visiting Memphis.

When you go in, expect a wait (I think most ‘famous’ restaurants off Beale Street have a wait).  Since I was placing a to-go order I went in placed my order and was out in 10 minutes.  But, there was a wait if I wanted to sit and eat.  You walk in to a split level, up is the bar and down is the host/hostess stand.  It wasn’t too large of a place.  The smell of BBQ wafts throughout.  If you didn’t come hungry, this place will make you that way.  All kinds of Memphis memorabilia adorns their walls.  I would like to come back and sit down and eat.

The second place, Leonard’s Pit Barbecue, http://www.leonardsbarbecue.com/ this is not located downtown, it is out of the way (5465 Fox Plaza Drive).  This is Memphis’ oldest BBQ joint.  Opened in 1922, this famous place was a favorite of Elvis. 

When you come in here, it is a typical restaurant, nothing really unique about it, except for the truck parked inside.  Leonard’s does offer a BBQ buffet, but alas, I didn’t eat at this place, I took my food back home.  The place is walled off from a lot of the rest of the establishment.  And it’s a dark place, much like Rendezvous.  Dim lighting and BBQ must go hand in hand.

 

 

Let’s get to the taste…The drive back to Nashville from Memphis taunted me, due to the fact I had the aroma of BBQ drifting in the truck, but I waited until I got home.  I opened up both containers and seen a discernable difference in the ribs.  The ones from the Rendezvous packed more meat…AND they smelled better. 

The ribs from Leonard’s were a little dryer than the others.  I tried both plain and then with their sauces.  Note that Rendezvous ribs are meant to be eaten without a sauce and Leonard's are not.  I prefer a sweeter sauce, but the Rendezvous sauce had a lil heat to it, and more vinegar base.  Leonard's was a sweeter sauce.  I like Leonard's sauce better, but the Rendezvous ribs won hands down.  I think Leonard's uses their sauce to cover up their dry rub, which was lacking, in my opinion. 

If I had to choose one it would be The Rendezvous, but I wouldn't count out Leonard's.  It is the oldest for some reason.  Maybe their pulled pork was better, but I think if you're going to claim to have the best ribs, then you need to bring it, but Leonard's didn't bring it in my opinion.  Give both a try and choose your favorite.