What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Blues City Cafe
Review
About
Travelers' Choice
2024
Features
CUISINES
American, Bar, Barbecue
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
PRICE
$$ - $$$
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Live Music
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 11:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Contribute
4.3
3,648 reviews
Excellent
1,842
Very good
1,170
Average
442
Poor
108
Terrible
87
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mn_travelers02
Reno32 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Blues City Cafe probably hasn’t changed since the 1950’s - casual diner-style cafe - with the most delicious barbecue ribs I’ve ever eaten! The meat fell off the bone and was fork tender - yum! My husband and I split a half-order of ribs, coleslaw, and baked beans along with a small salad, and were very satisfied. One small quibble - I really like vegetables, and would’ve liked a bit larger serving of the side dishes - the ribs serving was very generous, and the service was fast and friendly. We had a very early dinner and by the time we left (about 5:30) it was almost full.
Written October 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rrheard
San Antonio123 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
Picked this highly best rated eatery when passing through Memphis . Definitely delivered the goods! pork ribs were meaty and plentiful served with delicious side dishes: coleslaw, baked beans, crispy steak fries and toast. YUM, YUM, and more YUM! Thank you again to our good waitress, Tasha!
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Newcastle3691 contributions
Sep 2024 • friends
OMG the Ribbs here are off the chart! The waiter told me I could eat them with just a fork, I think I just needed a spoon! Incredible, delicious, finger licken good! And they have great music, what more could you want! Get yaself some!!
Written September 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zak
Cheltenham126 contributions
May 2024 • family
The food was delicious, and well priced. However, the silverware given was dirty and our server was pretty spaced out. But overall it’s a great location to refuel to enjoy the Blues music down Beale Street 🎷
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MTMHampshire
710 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
We went here so we could dine where there was a band. There are effectively 3 rooms and our meal was not in the room with the band but open plan enough to hear them. Luckily as we finished eating a table in the band room became free and we moved (these tables are all high with bar stools). We liked the band.
The food comes within minutes of you ordering so I presume all ready cooked and waiting to go but it came before drinks and felt a bit rushed. I would recommend ordering drinks, getting them and then ordering food.
Food portions are generally big. There are a couple of appetisers that are fries - these are huge and hard to see them as an appetiser and definitely not for an individual! Two of us had a bowl of chilli - nice flavour but a bit too much liquid and probably one of the smaller portions and would be good to be able to have rice with it which is not an option. Ribs were enjoyed.
Written April 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hammstah
Lindenhurst129 contributions
Nov 2023 • business
I was in town for work for just 36 hours and the crew knew we needed to get some good food and legit vibes, if we had time some music.
Blues City Cafe was where are nose took us, we looked in, it felt cool it looked cool, staff came right up to us with a big smile and invited us in. We were sold. Inside, the decor, the look and feel, the smells, all spoke of the history of the town and music.
I believe I had a cup of etouffee. It was small but delish.
The ribs were outstanding. I could have eaten another slab! The sides were good, filling, tasty, all made on premises.
There were seven of us and everyone enjoyed what they ate.
Our server was an absolute pleasure, she put up with our shenanigans, she was knowledgeable, gave good recommendations, and we had fun with her.
You can tell that the folks at Blue City Cafe really understand the dining and entertainment experience works together.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
screenname287
9 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
I had read good reviews about the place and it was just as goodas, or maybe better than, folks said it would be. We went for lunch. I had a bowl of greens and a bowl of stew. The greens were deep ham flavored, the stew was a rich beefy goodness. The waitress accommodated my request to get the side of chicken tenders (supposedly available only with an entree) for my wife. The chicken was excellent and more than enough for her to eat.
We returned so I could try the half rack of ribs. They were tender, meaty and juicy, but I would have liked a smokier flavor. The fries and slaw were great as well. The place has great food and is right on Beale Street where you can get a major blues infusion.
Written April 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Parker M
Anna671 contributions
May 2024 • family
The gentleman who was our server was every bit as good as their ribs. He had a great smile and was so helpful. His name I don't know, but he was a tall slender black man.
And now for the food. Their ribs were just indescriably delicious, end of comments. Their sides were perfect too. I could eat their Cole slaw and beans every day and never tire of them. We got a bowl of greens that were seasoned perfectly and they came with some hush puppies that knocked my socks off.
After our meal was over and I paid the check I asked the waiter if he would go through the whole restaurant and shake hands and give out hugs to everyone working there. And I meant that too because the quality and pride was abundantly clear.
Just get yourself there and you'll be singing their praise too.
Written May 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrienne
Indianapolis119 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
I dined here three times while in Memphis. Good food. Enjoyed gumbo, catfish, dessert, etc. Will return during my next visit. Also, someone in my family can’t have salt so the chef offered to fry her food without seasonings. Thanks so much for going out of your way.
Written December 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlyB
Catonsville4 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
Fellow travelers on the street said this place had been recommended to them, and we are glad we followed them in! We had the gumbo (spicy and delicious), ribs (melt-in-your-mouth), fries (golden and crispy) and apple dumpling with ice cream (so good). The service was excellent and very friendly. I would love to come back to try the tamales and chili!
Written March 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim f
Auckland Central3 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
We went on a Monday night (when many other places are closed) on the recommendation of a local and it was fantastic. Had the Ribs and catfish "best meal on Beale" - all delicious and sides were so tasty too. Great service. My 19 yr old son rates it the best meal he's eaten so far in our 4 weeks in the US. Go when you visit Beale Street!
Written January 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TY M
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • friends
My co-worker/friend and I decided to dine out for lunch on today, October 1, 2024. We walked in right as they opened at 11 am. First customers of the day! At first I was a bit skeptical as it was so quiet, not much traffic and the staff seemed to be unbothered as we waited to be seated. Usually I don't like being the first customer to dine in at places because of the awkward feeling of bothering some who don't want to get their day started just yet - I like the space to have warmed up first! However, I'm so glad we were first, the space was ours momentarily and it gave us time to soak in all the rich moments the restaurant had in store within the wall of it's history. We got a chance to truly look around, choose where we wanted to sit and just take in the scenery. The space felt comfortable, relaxing and upbeat all at the same time. The music playing the background was pleasant and made me move a bit without even noticing until I did! The server was a cool chill guy who answered any questions we had - seemed nonchalant at first but that's just his personality of humbleness, plus it was his Friday, so he was ready! As professional women who scaled down from the usual, we called it a field trip and decided to try new places once a month. Well, this time we chose Blues City Cafe! If you haven't been, then you must dine in! Great atmosphere, delicious food, friendly service and nice prices! First ones in, first ones out and we will be back!
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmcm2006
Paris66 contributions
Mar 2023 • family
Decided on this restaurant on a Thursday night after a Grizzles game. Was worried about the wait but got seated as soon as we walked up. Our waitress came right over and took our drink order. I got the meal with ribs and catfish and was not disappointed. The ribs were great. Fall off the bone tender and tasted so good. The fries were typical and the baked beans were good but the fish....the fish was amazing. Probably the best fish I've ever had. The server was attentive and our food came out in under 5 minutes of ordering so we were glad we had not ordered a starter. Could not have asked for a better meal.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loud1Canberra
Canberra412 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
We thought as we were in Beale Street to try this cafe. The cafe is quite large incorporating a number of smaller buildings. This made it like a maze. The greeter was great and seated us at a table hidden in a small corridor area.
The food was nice but nothing special and the prices reasonable. The service was fine but again nothing special.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara F
70 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Too bad service. We asked what drinks were on the menu… and the person told us to go to the bar and look?! Like this?
Band ok. Good food but the service was so bad, desperately bad - we wanted to leave and even to pay we had to wait a long time. I don't recommend it... there are excellent bbqs on Beale street... you don't need to spend an eternity waiting for a beer that you couldn't even ask for...
We won't be back
Written May 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Downtown
Memphis Downtown, the city's dynamic core, offers an array of attractions that capture the spirit of this unique southern metropolis. With the mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, the neighborhood is home to the iconic Beale Street, famous for its blues clubs and live music. The National Civil Rights Museum, located in the historic Lorraine Motel, provides a poignant and powerful exploration of American civil rights history. Food lovers will savor the neighborhood's barbecue joints and southern eateries, while transportation is made easy with the convenient trolley system. Amid the sounds of soulful music and the scent of mouthwatering cuisine, Downtown Memphis presents a captivating mix of history, culture, and southern charm.
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