Memphis Championship Barbecue

I ate here once when it was open. The banana pudding was good.
The building has been renovated and is now a Davis Funeral Home.

CLOSED
Wow, I can’t believe this location closed. :(I just recently checked-​in here and had a really good breakfast, only offered on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Sept. 26^th, I received an e-​mail saying that this location had closed effective Sept. 25^th. The e-​mail included a coupon for $ 5 off my next order at one of their other locations. I doubt I will be using it though. I tend to stay in my neighborhood.

Perhaps if I hadn’t grown up in the south, I would be able to rate this place better. The food was fine, the service was fine, but I’m spoiled. I’ve had some awesome barbecue in my day, and this just doesn’t compare. The fried pickles are a little off, and the pulled pork and brisket, while nice and moist, just didn’t really taste like REAL smoked barbecue. And what kind of southern barbecue place doesn’t have brunswick stew and cornbread?
Honestly, this place is ok, and I’ll probably return at some point. But it could be SO much better.

I should disclose that when I ate the food from this establishment, someone had picked it up. So I cannot comment on the service, the restaurant, or anything like that. My commentary is exclusively about the food.
I loved it.
I don’t even know what else to say. The cole slaw, which I think is difficult to get just right, was delicious. The ribs were meaty, dripped delicious sauce, and were the most flavorful ribs I’ve had in the longest time. The chicken, which I only sampled from my friend’s plate, was absolutely perfect. It was one of those instances where you eat something so good, and so filling, that you’re truly just happy. I mean, it was a lot of food! And it was all so good! Cannot beat that combo!
My only suggestion, other than to make sure you try to ribs, is that you have a ton of napkins available. Or maybe don’t scarf it down like I did.

Not sure about «championship» but maybe I’ll go top five… ribs had good smoky sauce and had a lot of meat but were a bit over done. Beans were good, and I liked the coleslaw. But the hot links were mild at best, maybe not 5 alarm hot, but something with a little more zip to it.
I’m not a big sweet tea fan but theirs is always cold, served in those cool mason jars and is just right, my server said try the apple next time. Oddly it was the only thing she recommended out of the whole menu, maybe she knew something?

3 ½ stars. I’d been craving some BBQ since arriving in Vegas and happen to drive by Memphis Championship BBQ. This seemed like a chain restaurant and the interior was large and clean and nicely decorated .
My order the lunch combo of two meats, my choices the baby back & St Louis ribs with the 2 side choices — mac and cheese and Cole slaw.
My waiter was friendly and on the spot. The food arrived within minutes of ordering. I preferred the St Louis style ribs due to the seasoned rub and lightly smoked flavor. The baby backs were tender and meaty but were just average. The slaw was a vinegar based flavor which was tangy and unique. The mac and cheese reminded me Kraft Mac and cheese flavor that I ate when younger — nothing to write home about.
Overall, a decent dinning experience and less then $ 15.00 for lunch and a beverage excluding tip.

Sadly I have to write my first bad review.
This place should be ashamed to have the word barbecue in there name.
First off i’ll start by telling you I am from Kansas City, I know about BBQ,
I took my husband and kids here for dinner, we have been dying for some Burnt Ends, the décor is nice the server was friendly and very nice as well but the food is horrid.
Hubby ordered the Burnt Ends «naked» no sauce they should be DRY as he has food allergies and has to be careful with spices and sauces.
I ordered the crawfish app and the 4 meat combo to split with the kids.
our order came out and hubby’s was covered in sauce, so we let the server know, they went back to remake it.
The meat combo was missing the chicken and we had to ask for it, once it we got the chicken is was very dry and over cooked, as was the shredded pork.
the crawfish was was over salted and dry
Husbands burnt ends finely came out again with sauce so we complained then we were told by the manager «oh we baste them 3 times in the cooking so there is no way to get them dry, sorry your server didn’t know» WTF BBQ is about the meat and the cooking it is NOT about drowning it in sauce what are you trying to hide about your food? The spices in the sauce are so over powering you can’t even taste the meat or anything else after that! My husband ended up at home with a frozen pizza after what should have been a nice family dinner out!
The mac and cheese? ya its Kraft I can make a whole box at home for less than there $ 2.25 side dish!
All in all it was a bad expensive experience, the best part of the whole dinner was the sweet apple blossom iced tea, now thats really sad
don’t waste your money on this place drive over to North Las Vegas and find H&H BBQ

I was able to make two meals out of my dinner. Both the hubby and I weren’t REAL impressed. He got a 3 meat combo, I got a pulled pork sandwich… which I had to keep dousing in BBq to moisten my palette. Plus everything’s good with tons of BBq, although theirs… eh, I’ve had better.
The baked beans were great, and probably the best coleslaw I’ve ever had. Sweet apple tea was pretty good.
It would take a huge coupon or gift card for me to return, but glad I tried it.

I had my son’s wedding catered from here. They were prompt, set up for us and the food was great. We had the smoked prime rib which was tender and juicy. The mac and cheese was the best I have had, really creamy. My favorite side was the cucumber salad, crisp sweet and sour. The creamed corn was really sweet and delicious. The chicken and brisket were perfect.
I can’t say enough. Everything was delicious they supplied all the plates forks and napkins.
Would definitely use them again.

Alright! About to try some BBQ!
The baby-​back ribs, collared greens, green beans and Mac & cheese was awesome… They give a lot of food…

The king is really the only thing I get here on a regular basis. Most of the food is good. And they have a healthy selection of side dishes.
I have never had a bad experience here.

Been waiting a while to try this place. Found 80% off coupon from
to check this place out so we finally did. They have Happy Hour! 2 of my favorite words. *sigh* Good deals — ½ off most appetizers and $ 2 off drinks and some other stuff. Don’t remember.
Came her during happy hour both times. Got the ribs, both styles. I guess I am just not a fan of the smokey flavor. But the ribs were pretty dry and not very saucy. The bed of onion strings that the ribs (appetizer) came on were delicious though! At my first visit, we sat at the bar and only ordered the rib appetizers and then a dessert. Nothing special about it. Only good thing was the onion strings.
Second time around, there was a party of 7. Server was pretty good. Got the apple unsweetened tea. Yum. Got lots of onion strings (not as good this time around) and wings! The wings (original) were decent, the other flavors weren’t that good. Also had potato skins, decent. And as the main course we had fried catfish with side of mac and cheese and beans. Catfish was not very flavorful but texture was alright. Loved the mac and cheese, but the beans were far too sweet.
Overall experience, meh. Food is not worth the money, but I guess the appetizers at half off are okay for the price, but there’s so many other options out there I probably won’t go back. ever.

I went here for lunch with co-​workers. We sat in the bar area, and our waitress quickly said hello and got us menus. So far no problems. We started out with an order of onion strings, which our party of 4 quickly finished. When the waitress brought out our drinks, we asked for another order.
I had the slider lunch special which was 3 sliders and 2 sides for $ 8.50. The pulled pork was the best of the sliders, the chicken was way too dry. I did like the creamed corn and cucumber salad I got as sides.
Our waitress was very chatty, to the point of annoyance. And we never got the second order of onion strings. Overall I wasn’t impressed, I prefer Lucille’s and Famous Daves by far.

I used to really like this place when I moved here but it seems like these days that everything is decent here BUT the ribs. The smoked buffalo wings are great as is the smoked turkey and most of the sides.
But the ribs are the bread and butter of any decent bbq restaurant and these ribs just aren’t worth paying for anymore. Get anything else but the ribs!

Happy hour specials from 3−6pm.
I ordered the chicken and baby back ribs. I found both meats to be quite dry. Sides were over drowned in butter. Not my preference in BBQ.
Service was fast an friendly.
Woman’s bathroom needs renovating, it’s beat to hell and kind of smelled.

Seems like there isn’t a strict food consistency going on with this joint. When it’s good, it’s good. When it’s bad, it really sucks. That’s unacceptable. It’s apparent seeing the reviews being half food and half bad.
Unfortunately, mine will be a bad one. I didn’t go to the restaurant but my BF, his mom and grandma did and brought back food. Okra good highlight for them and that really was it. The meats were of good quality but it’s wasted by not cooking it right. It was dry and so smoky, it definitely tipped me off that someone heavy handed liquid smoke. I thought this was supposed to be naturally smoky with wood chips? I’m a cook and this was not natural tasting and overly abundant. I smelled my liquid smoke bottle and the takeout box– same smell.
I would like to see their BBQ at it’s finest, the reason why they won awards but without a consistency– I don’t think I can stomach going back until it’s a good night. I’d rather go to Famous Dave’s to get a decent meal. Not the best I’ve had, but at least there I can see where it might’ve deserved an award. It probably is nothing like the champion owners cooking but it at least is a chain that is holding a standard.
I guess the «Best of Vegas BBQ restaurant» will stay as an empty category for me… Hopefully only for now. I wanted to like this place, but skipping out.

THIS LOCATION MAY BE CLOSED… and it was good while it lasted… but don’t worry, as they have two other operating stores, at least now, eff 12 18 12. I ate at the Green Valley location, 2250 E. Warm Springs Road, Phone: 702−260−6909, about one year ago when we were doing a trade show. We’ll be back this January, and I guar… annn… teee, we’ll do at least one dinner at Memphis!
— — — — — — — Now my review of the Rainbow location — — — — — — — — — –
Up to, but not including the personal «fried pickle incident» of Unilocaler Guy C., I’d have to say that he reasonably and accurately told my story. (read about Guy’s acid reflux below…)
Las Vegas, for me, represents work. When I get into town, it’s usually for a trade show or to visit clients. Over the past years, I briefly lived here, and between then and now, have visited relatives and friends, on numerous ocassions. I guess the hippie still lives in my soul, because I’d take one week in Seattle for three weeks in Vegas.
I say this not to rank on those that love Vegas, but to let you know that I consider myself a non-​local, local. So while I could stay and eat at any hotel in town, my preference is to find «apartment style» lodging, far from casinos, and food spots that are most visited by locals. So given all that, here’s one page from my black book inventory of local, off-​the-​strip, restaurants,
Memphis Championship BBQ offers true smoked meats, and a thin, vinegar based sauce that you can liberally put on your meats, without prematurely filling up on all the sugar and mollases you’d find in thicker, darker sauces. It’s their style at Memphis, and I like it. The meats do all the talking. While they offer a number of sides, I gravitate to the sweet potatoes and their creamed corned. (the corn is almost a thick soup… and delicious!)
Last year, I took one of my Pittsburgh customer service reps here, and we totally pigged out, eating a huge combo platter that could’ve fed 4, and also ordered several desserts, and various non-​alcoholic beverages. The entire meal was less than $ 50, and so help me, it really was enough food for a group. This past Tuesday I got a to-​go order of three meats and two sides. The whole thing ran $ 19… a meal that held me over for two nights. I finished the second half the following day. I made three small sandwiches on the 3 dinner rolls and extra sauce they included. (smoked chicken, brisket and turkey) I’ve done their ribs and brisket, and could go either way. Chicken is hard to BBQ well, and only if it’s smoked, in my opinion, is it worth calling BBQ’d. And all their meats have that smokey flavor.
So if you’re hankerin’ (…that’s cowboy talk, right?) for pretty decent BBQ, I can very, very safely recommend Memphis. They have 3 locations, and this is the only one I’ve visited, but their manager promises me that all locations are held to the same standards. And if you have an issue with ANYTHING… they ask strongly that you share, so they can make it right. For me, that’s worth allot.
Closest restaurant I’ve done lately that’s close in menu and atmosphere? Phil’s in San Diego, near the sports arena. BTW… check out the Memphis website, (see link in header) and you’ll get a really good idea of what they’re all about.

It is rare when I send food back, but the food here was so unacceptable that I couldn’t sit by idly. I ordered the tri tip plate, which came with my choice of 2 sides. The tri tip was extremely dry, like they’d either sliced it before they grilled it or had reheated it. The macaroni and cheese was straight out of a box, and we’re talking the Kraft kind with that fake sickly orange powder. Unbelievable, this was a mid-​range BBQ place and they were serving starving college student mac ‘n cheese?! I thought to myself, how could you screw up steamed vegetables? Try covering it with melted butter.
The waitress was very nice and offered an alternate item or removing the plate from the bill. I took the later as I had no confidence in the quality of their food.

I would only go here if I had a coupon. The prices for their food are somewhat overpriced for what you will be getting on your plate. I could have the same thing at CJ’s Texas BBQ for cheaper and it would taste just as yummy. Service was good and the place was empty on a Friday night.

Having been born and raised in Texas, I know barbecue.
With an intro like that, you know that I am ready to throw down on this review, but it’s true. It’s been a while since I’ve had decent barbecue. I lived in California for a while, and they don’t «get» barbecue. I found one place in San Diego that was alright, but now I’m going off on a tangent, so back to my point.
I’m a little wary of West Coast barbecue offerings. I’ve been burned too many times, so I was hesitant on going here, but they are bonafide. It’s solid fare with big portions, and a good amount of taste and flavor.
From three visits, I tried their BBQ sliders of various meats, their Gulf Coast shrimp, and their turkey. Each is full of flavor, and tasty, and their «Magic Dust» added a good amount of «kick» to my meal, though I question the validity of the «magic» aspect, as no tricks accompanied my meal, nor did I get an invitation to Hogwarts to sample said magic.
I noticed some other reviewers seemed to have some «off» nights, but my experiences were all positive. Good waitstaff as well.
I am also a sucker for their fried pickles. Again, the words «Southern» and «fried» go hand in hand, but these are a quite tasty. I must admit that I have to cut back on them, however. While addicting as everything, they didn’t sit entirely well with my tummy, which is an epic tragedy in itself. To be denied pickles is to be denied a great reward. But I’m sure you’ll enjoy them, dear reader.
It’s good food. I’d recommend it, and will go there again. I just hope I don’t ever encounter the bad luck that has apparently befallen other readers here.