Memphis Street BBQ in Chattanooga: Smoked Pork and Beef in the North Shore
Memphis Street BBQ is a counter-service smokehouse on North Shore that specializes in Memphis-style pulled pork and whole hog, with beef brisket and ribs available daily, operating as a takeout-focused operation with limited seating.
What Memphis Street BBQ actually is
Memphis Street BBQ follows the Memphis tradition of whole-hog smoking and wet rubs rather than dry rubs, setting it apart from the Carolina and Texas styles that dominate regional competitors. The operation smokes meats low and slow over hardwood, finishing pulled pork with a thin vinegar-based sauce applied tableside or on request. The restaurant occupies a modest storefront with a small counter, a few bar stools, and street-level pickup designed for fast turnover rather than lingering. It competes in Chattanooga's barbecue market primarily against Sticky Fingers Smokehouse (which emphasizes Carolina lowcountry style with heavier sauce ratios) and Terminal BBQ (which focuses on Texas brisket as its flagship).
Menu and pricing
Pulled pork sandwiches run $12 to $14, depending on size and whether you add a premium side. Whole hog plates (half or full) range from $18 to $28 and come with two sides chosen from mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, or cornbread. Beef brisket by the pound costs $16 to $18, with a half-pound minimum. Rib plates (beef or pork) are priced at $19 to $24 for a half-slab. Sides average $3 to $5 individually. A pulled pork sandwich with one side and a drink runs approximately $18 to $20 for a single diner. Pricing is consistent year-round; confirm current rates directly before visiting.
How it compares to other Chattanooga barbecue
Memphis Street's pulled pork is wetter and more sauce-forward than Sticky Fingers' drier, brown-sugar-rubbed approach, making it the better choice if you prefer pronounced vinegar tang and cling. Its whole-hog offering is uncommon in Chattanooga; most competitors focus on individual cuts. Terminal BBQ excels if brisket is your priority, with thicker bark and smoke ring, but lacks Memphis Street's pork-centric depth. For a mixed plate of ribs, pork, and sides without committing to a full hog, Memphis Street offers more variety than Terminal and less Carolinian sweetness than Sticky Fingers.
Who it suits and who it does not
Memphis Street works well for diners seeking authentic Memphis-style pork, those wanting takeout without table service, and anyone trying whole hog for the first time in a lower-commitment format. It does not suit groups seeking a dining room experience, those prioritizing brisket as the centerpiece, or diners who dislike vinegar-based sauces. The limited seating makes it poor for families wanting to eat on-site; the strong sauce profile alienates purists who prefer smoked meat flavor unadorned.
What the first visit involves
Order at the counter. State your meat choice (pulled pork, ribs, brisket, or hog), size, and sides. Expect a 10- to 15-minute wait if the pit is running full; shorter if it is a slow service window. Pick up at the counter, apply sauce from the squeeze bottle if desired, and take your tray to one of three or four bar stools or leave with your order. Most first-time visitors try the pulled pork sandwich and collard greens; the hog platter is worth ordering on a return visit if you have appetite for commitment.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Memphis Street operates Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday (confirm hours before visiting, as pit schedules can shift seasonally). Street parking is available on North Shore; the storefront has no dedicated lot. The location sits one block from the North Shore walking path, making it accessible after or before recreational time on the riverfront.
Memphis Street BBQ fills a specific role in Chattanooga's barbecue landscape: it is the only reliable source of Memphis-style whole hog, making it essential for anyone chasing that regional style or wanting to branch beyond Texas and Carolina approaches locally.
