Memphis Championship Barbecue

My wife and I were in Las Vegas earlier this month visiting some family. I had to ask the obvious question: "Where is the best BBQ in Las Vegas?" My nephew Alex quickly recommended a place called Memphis Championship Barbecue. With four locations around Las Vegas, he finds it easy to eat there often and loves their pulled pork. So we asked him to show us the way.

Upon entering the restaurant you notice all of the BBQ trophies and awards that adorn the foyer. Not just local awards, but big competitions like Memphis in May. I was delighted to be at a restaurant that bases its menu on winning competition-style BBQ recipes. I couldn't wait to order.

We got seated and ordered the BBQ nachos for appetizers and some drinks. My wife and I decided to split the Grand Champion Plate for $19.99, which would give us a good sampling of their BBQ meats. It came with St. Louis ribs, beef ribs, smoked sausage, BBQ chicken, brisket, pork shoulder, and a choice of two sides. We got the mac and cheese and baked beans. Alex ordered the BBQ brisket while my niece Tiana and her baby-daddy each got the catfish.

When the BBQ nachos arrived it was nothing but artery-hardening deliciousness. Pulled pork piled atop oh-so-cheesy nachos smothered in award-winning BBQ sauce. Can you say tasty? I had to stop myself because of the pending BBQ plate I ordered. The plate came stacked with BBQ, more than enough for my wife and me. I started off with the pork ribs and found that they were seasoned well with good smoke flavor, but a little overcooked. The beef ribs were surprisingly delicious, as was the hot link. The brisket and the pork shoulder were not bad at all. My biggest disappointment of the evening was the chicken — dry. This letdown was countered by the superb quality of the side dishes. All the way around the table, everyone was talking about how good the sides were. In particular the mac and cheese as well as the collard greens.

No dessert was ordered this night in Las Vegas. We had nowhere to put it. As it was, we didn't even finish our Grand Champion Plate. Part of that was because the chicken was the only thing left on the plate, and the other part was that we were just too full.

**Memphis Championship Barbecue** *(permanently closed)*
Formerly at multiple Las Vegas locations