Francine Maroukian

"One bite delivers everything you need to know about authentic barbecue texture and taste."

Craig David Meek

"For the most intense barbecue sandwich in Memphis, try a Spicy Jumbo from Payne's."

Rob Bellinger

"Payne’s charcoal-smoked fare is such a standout example of the city’s barbecue craft that no trip to Memphis would be complete without a stop there."

Grant Goggans

"Payne’s is no longer on my bucket list. It’s on my top ten list. Every word of all the considerable hype about Payne’s is true."

Sally Walker Davies

"The perfect combination of a bit of crisp on the outer layer, a tender inner layer, and a sweet tang tang that comes from either the sauce or the slaw."

Tim Shirley

"The exterior of the meat had a nicely developed crusty bark, which mixed throughout the more tender interior to create enjoyable contrast in texture. The meat had mild, balanced smoke flavor. "

James Boo

"Chopped into a coarse mixture of moist meat and crisp, chewy outside brown, the barbecue in this sandwich has a more adventurous texture than most. Payne's hot barbecue sauce—a thin, tangy, and spicy red—fleshes out the savory taste of the meat without masking its hint of smoke."