Central BBQ - After Church Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:   

Central BBQ

2249 Central Avenue                   
Memphis, TN
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Pulled Pork Plate, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, BBQ Pork Nachos

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8.5
Price - 8
Service - N/A
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere - Central BBQ has a homey feel to it. The picnic style seating, large windows, and Memphis-centered wall decor provide a breezy, casual feeling. The outdoor patio seating is an excellent option in decent weather. It's definitely not fancy, but it's unique and charming.

Menu - The menu is everything you would expect from somewhere with "BBQ" in its name. There are multiple BBQ plate and sandwich options available as well as an option to purchase meat and sides in bulk. There were a few surprising offerings. The boast crispy homemade potato chips with chunky blue cheese dressing and a char grilled, marinated portabella mushroom sandwich, so even our vegetarian friends can enjoy Central.
 
Presentation - The presentation is plain and simple. Basic plates or baskets with wax paper. The restaurant itself is completely unpretentious, as is its presentation.

Taste - The BBQ nachos are the best we've ever had. A hulking pile of chips topped with a generous portion of pulled pork, dressed with nacho cheese, BBQ sauce and dusted with dry rub (and jalapenos optionally). Absolutely delicious. The proportions of each of the ingredients are perfect. The nachos are neither dry nor soggy. The layers of flavor are awesome and the dry rub is the perfecting touch. The pork plate is juicy and delicious, with slow-cooked flavor cooked in. Central's BBQ sauce is scrumptious. The sides were just ok. The cole slaw was a bit runny, and the beans were more like cowboy beans than southern baked beans. The mac & cheese was the best of the sides, but needed some salt. Overall though we were very pleased.

Price - Central is completely comparable to other restaurants of the same kind. Their prices resemble something like Sonny's with equal portions and a more authentic, less mass-produced taste.

Service - At Central you order at a counter and have no server, but every employee of the restaurant we encountered was friendly and welcoming.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes! Central BBQ is one of our staples

Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.cbqmemphis.com/home.html