Memphis knows barbecue better than most cities, but they’ve created something truly special that might surprise you. BBQ spaghetti combines two comfort foods in a way that sounds crazy but tastes incredible. The Bar B Q Shop has been perfecting this smoky, tangy dish for decades, earning a reputation as the place where it all began. Ready to discover why this unusual pasta creation has become a Memphis legend?
1. What BBQ spaghetti actually is
Memphis created this comfort-food mashup by tossing pasta in tangy barbecue sauce with tender pork, sweet onions, and colorful peppers.
Local BBQ joints serve it as either a hearty side dish or a full plate meal. The sauce carries that signature Memphis flavor – sweet, smoky, and just tangy enough to make your taste buds dance.
This isn’t Italian cuisine, and it’s not traditional barbecue either. It’s pure Memphis creativity at its finest.
2. The place to try it first
Head straight to 1782 Madison Avenue in Midtown Memphis, where The Bar-B-Q Shop proudly displays their claim as the “Originators of Bar-B-Q Spaghetti.” This isn’t just marketing talk – they really did start the whole craze.
The restaurant wears this title like a badge of honor, and for good reason. Walking through their doors means experiencing the dish exactly as it was meant to be made.
When you want the authentic original, skip the imitators and go directly to the source. The Bar-B-Q Shop has been serving this creation longer than anyone else in town.
3. How the dish started
The story begins with Brady & Lil’s, where former owner Brady Vincent first dreamed up barbecue spaghetti. Before retiring, Vincent trained Frank and Hazel Vernon in his techniques and secret recipes.
The Vernons later took over and renamed the place The Bar-B-Q Shop, but they kept Brady’s original spaghetti recipe alive. This passing of the torch ensured the authentic flavor survived through generations.
Today, every plate of BBQ spaghetti served here connects back to Brady Vincent’s original vision. That’s real culinary history you can taste with every bite.
4. Why this version tastes different
Food writers consistently note something special about The Bar-B-Q Shop’s spaghetti sauce – it’s cooked in their charcoal-fired brick pit. This gives the pasta a deeper, more complex smoke flavor than their regular rib sauce.
The exact formula remains famously secret, passed down through the years like a family heirloom. What they will say is that the sauce base gets special treatment in that smoky pit.
This extra step creates layers of flavor you simply can’t get anywhere else. The smoke penetrates the sauce in ways that make each bite memorable.
5. Exactly how to order it
The menu gives you several delicious options for getting your spaghetti fix. Order it as a side dish, or get a full plate with coleslaw and Texas toast for a complete meal.
You can also add spaghetti to any rib dinner for the ultimate combination. Feeling ambitious? Take home a whole quart to share with friends or save for later.
Each option appears clearly on their printed menu, so you won’t have to guess. The staff knows exactly what you mean when you ask for their famous BBQ spaghetti in any of these combinations.
6. The signature combo locals love
Order The Bar-B-Q Shop Special and you’ll understand why locals keep coming back. This massive platter includes ribs, pork shoulder, brisket, BBQ spaghetti, beans, coleslaw, and Texas toast.
This combination lets you judge the famous spaghetti alongside their award-winning meats. You’ll taste how the flavors complement each other perfectly on one incredible plate.
It’s like getting a complete Memphis barbecue education in a single meal. The spaghetti holds its own against some of the city’s best smoked meats, which says everything about its quality.
7. Don’t skip the toast
The Bar-B-Q Shop also claims to be the originators of the Texas Toast Bar-B-Q Sandwich, and that same thick, buttery toast comes with your spaghetti. Smart diners use it as the perfect “sauce mop.”
This isn’t regular bread – it’s thick, grilled to golden perfection, and sturdy enough to soak up every drop of that smoky sauce. The butter adds richness that balances the tangy barbecue flavors beautifully.
Consider it an edible utensil that makes the meal even more satisfying. Every last bit of sauce gets captured and enjoyed.
8. Sauce you can take home
The Bar-B-Q Shop bottles their Dancing Pigs mild and hot sauces, plus dry seasoning, so you can recreate the magic at home. These products appear throughout their menu and website.
Having the actual sauce means you can attempt your own BBQ spaghetti when the craving hits. The bottled version captures much of that distinctive smoky-sweet flavor that makes the dish special.
It’s like taking a piece of Memphis home with you. While your homemade version might not match the original, it’ll definitely satisfy those late-night spaghetti cravings until you can return.
9. Where it fits in Memphis BBQ culture
BBQ spaghetti appears at other Memphis barbecue stalwarts too, including Interstate Bar-B-Q, which serves a version also linked back to Brady Vincent’s original creation. This makes it possible to plan a mini tasting tour.
The dish has become so embedded in Memphis culture that multiple restaurants proudly serve their own interpretations. Each place adds their own twist while honoring the original concept.
Visiting several spots lets you compare different approaches to this uniquely Memphis creation. It’s a delicious way to explore the city’s barbecue heritage beyond just ribs and pulled pork.
10. A Midtown stop that’s easy to plan
The Bar-B-Q Shop sits perfectly in the heart of Midtown, less than a mile from the popular Overton Square entertainment district. This location makes it incredibly easy to add to any Memphis sightseeing day.
You can grab lunch here, then walk off the meal exploring nearby attractions. The central location means you’re never far from other Memphis highlights and entertainment options.
Smart travelers use this restaurant as an anchor point for exploring Midtown’s many offerings. The convenient location eliminates any excuse for not trying this Memphis original during your visit.
11. Context for the skeptics
Thinking “pasta with BBQ sauce” sounds weird? You’re definitely not alone in that reaction. National food outlets have highlighted this dish as a Memphis icon precisely because it sounds so odd yet works so well.
The combination delivers smoky-sweet-tangy sauce coating tender pork and perfectly cooked al dente noodles. The flavors blend in ways that surprise even the biggest doubters.
Sometimes the best dishes come from unexpected combinations that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. Keep an open mind and prepare to be converted to this uniquely Memphis way of enjoying comfort food.
12. Bonus bragging rights
The Bar-B-Q Shop is widely recognized for their excellent ribs too, including a Food Network Top Five Restaurants recognition. However, the spaghetti is the dish you’ll find yourself talking about long after you’ve returned home.
While their ribs compete with dozens of other great Memphis joints, the BBQ spaghetti stands completely alone. It’s the conversation starter that gets people planning their own Memphis food trips.
Having the original BBQ spaghetti gives you serious foodie credibility. You’ve experienced something genuinely unique that most people have never even heard of, let alone tasted.
