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Blues City Cafe

138 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103-3712 (Downtown)
901-526-3637
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Ranked #20 of 880 restaurants in Memphis
Price range: S$19 - S$19
Cuisines: American, Barbecue, Seafood, Steakhouse
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Restaurant details
Good for: Child-friendly, Local cuisine
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, After-hours, Dessert
Dining style: Casual Dining
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Cross street: 2ND STREET
Transit: Bus and Taxi pick up and drop off are done directly across the street from our front door along with a Trolley Stop about one block away.
Description: Enjoy the Best Meal on Beale at the Blues City Cafe in beautiful Memphis, Tennessee. The Blues City menu includes such favorites as our Famous BBQ Ribs, Southern Fried Catfish, Broiled Steaks, and the Worlds Best Homemade Tamales. Our friendly staff and world famous menu has drawn the attention of presidents and celebrities alike. We have been featured Nationally on The Travel Channel"s "A Taste of America", The Food Network's "Bobby Flay Show", Bon Apetit Magazine's "BBQ Issue" and HDNET's "Drinking Made Easy". Blues City also features nightly live entertainment in The Band Box. Everything from Rock-A-Billy with Hillbilly Casino and the Stunning Cunning Band, to Blues with Earl the Pearl, to a Sun Studio Revue with Gary Hardy and the Memphis2. Come on down to the Blues City Cafe and have a great meal and dance the night away on Beale Street.
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470 reviews from our community

79% Recommend
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    64
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Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Dayton, Ohio
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013 NEW

Steaks,chili,ribs .... nuff said. Great place! Try to sit downstairs that's where the band cranks out the soul!

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See 2 more reviews by Neil G for Memphis
Rochester Hills MI
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013 NEW

Ribs - there was no slow cooking these babies - it was just throw on the grill for 2 minutes - pour some dry rub on them (to make them look like BBQ ribs) - put some Campbell's pork and beans in a small paper cup - add some cold French Fries and there you got it - the worst... More

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Mts of western NC
Top Contributor
324 reviews 324 reviews
170 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 152 cities Reviews in 152 cities
153 helpful votes 153 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

These racks of ribs are HUGE and incredible. 'Fall off the bone' tender and outstanding flavor. We had leftovers for two days. The service was ultra friendly and very generous with the soft drink re-fills. Extremely helpful as well. It is loud in the Blues City Cafe and it is far from dining elegance so don't expect anything fancy. A... More

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Berkshire
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

This is a real gem. Went there for breakfast three times. Food terrific, portions very substantial, staff wonderfully welcoming and despite them being very busy we were not rushed. Don't miss this if in the area.

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See 3 more reviews by BerkshireWalker for Memphis
Peekskill, New York
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
12 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

No frills but great food. The ribs fell off the bone. Best part was going next door to their music bar for great down home music. We thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, great prices and a real feel for Memphis.

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See 4 more reviews by Ellie H for Memphis
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

The locals recommend this eatery as a must to visit and this restaurant holds true to its reputation. It's not fancy but the service and food is excellent. The ribs fall off the bone and cooked to perfection. My husband enjoyed the catfish and baked beans for a side. We stayed and listened to some great music. We did not... More

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See 4 more reviews by JDBacks for Memphis
Lexington, Kentucky
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Stopped here for a snack after the BSMF. We had the seafood dip appetizer and it was good. Others at our table had ribs, shrimp and mushrooms, and all were enjoyed. Good service. Price was good for a late night stop. This place is always busy, and the hole in the wall bar attached is a good place for a... More

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See 4 more reviews by SylviaKY for Memphis
Dyersburg, Tennessee
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

I don't care how many times or how often I come to Memphis. Eating at Blues city cafe is a must every time. The food is melt in your mouth good. The service is awesome. There is always live entertainment that makes everyone feel at home!

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See 7 more reviews by Melissa N for Memphis
Florence, AL
Top Contributor
54 reviews 54 reviews
36 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

Rolled into Memphis to hit the Beale Street Music Festival. The weather wasn't cooperating but the open doors of this establishment was very inviting. Seated quickly in a place that was packed, I started searching the menu for something not too heavy but hot. Listed in the appetizers I found skillet shrimp. Ordered six of the garlic and six of... More

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See 10 more reviews by Americana29 for Memphis
Yukon, Oklahoma
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
19 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

We checked with the locals on Beale Street and they all recommended the Blue City. A bit crowded, but that's because it's food is so good. Had the gumbo, catfish and ribs. Everything was delicious.

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See 5 more reviews by jmroberts1 for Memphis

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