

Leonard's Pit Barbeque
Cordova, Memphis
Restaurant in Memphis, United States
The Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Smoked meats and homestyle sides are the draw at Leonard's Pit Barbeque, a casual Memphis-style barbecue pick with roots going back to 1922 and a 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives feature. Go for lunch if the buffet appeals; choose dinner only when the brief is relaxed, low-cost barbecue rather than a polished special-occasion meal.
About Leonard's Pit Barbeque
Is Leonard's Pit Barbeque worth it in Memphis? Yes, if the decision is about Memphis-style barbecue, casual dress, a meal built around pulled pork sandwiches, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, a buffet with meats and homemade sides. Choose it when the priority is a straightforward barbecue meal in Memphis with no need to dress up.
The strongest case is value. At $20 per person, Leonard's Pit Barbeque is best framed as a casual choice for Memphis-style barbecue. The useful expectations are simple: pulled pork sandwiches, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, a buffet with meats and homemade sides.
The buffet is the practical value angle
For many readers, the buffet is the clearest value angle here, especially for diners who want to choose from meats and homemade sides rather than focus on one plate. It fits the casual tone and keeps the meal centered on Memphis-style barbecue.
A visit can work during the posted Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM hours. The dress code is casual, so the experience is better framed as a relaxed barbecue meal than a formal dining plan. If the occasion calls for a broader search, use the Memphis restaurants guide to cross-shop other dining in Memphis. If the occasion calls for barbecue tradition first, this is a practical pick.
What to order when the goal is Memphis barbecue, not novelty
Order around the staples. The pulled pork sandwich, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, buffet spread are the useful anchors because they reflect the menu highlights: Memphis-style barbecue served in a casual setting. The buffet is the right choice for range; individual dishes make more sense for anyone who already knows what they want.
The restaurant’s recognition includes being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2026. The appeal is tied to familiar Memphis-style barbecue staples, homemade sides, a casual meal that prioritizes the food.
Use it for relaxed celebrations, not formal ones
For a special occasion, the right answer is specific. It works best when the occasion fits casual Memphis-style barbecue: pulled pork sandwiches, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, buffet plates with meats and homemade sides. It is less suited to occasions where a dressier setting is the priority. Dress casual and treat the meal as a relaxed barbecue outing.
Solo dining can make sense here because the details are straightforward: a casual dress code, a $20 per person price point, a menu built around barbecue staples. Visit during the Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM hours, remember that the restaurant is closed Monday.
The main caution is expectation-setting. The win is simple: Memphis-style barbecue, accessible pricing, casual dress, a menu built around pulled pork sandwiches, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, a buffet with meats and homemade sides. For broader planning around where to stay or what else to do in the city, use the Memphis hotels guide, Memphis bars guide, Memphis wineries guide, Memphis experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 5465 Fox Plaza Drive
- Website
- leonardsbarbecue.com
- Phone
- 901-360-1963
Venue details
Ambiance
A classic Memphis barbecue joint with a casual, no-frills dining room focused on hearty plates and a buffet of smoked meats and homestyle sides; atmosphere is friendly and down-to-earth, emphasizing tradition over design polish.[1][4][6]
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- pulled pork sandwich
- pork ribs
- barbecued chicken
- catfish
- buffet with meats and homemade sides
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Explore Memphis
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Leonard's Pit Barbeque guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Leonard's Pit Barbeque?
Keep it casual. Leonard's Pit Barbeque in Memphis is a $20-per-person Memphis-style barbecue spot, so everyday casual clothes fit the setting.
What should I order at Leonard's Pit Barbeque?
Start with the barbecue staples. The pulled pork sandwich, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, buffet with meats and homemade sides are the key orders to consider. If the goal is variety, the buffet is the clearest pick.
Is Leonard's Pit Barbeque good for solo dining?
It can be. The details are straightforward for one person: Memphis-style barbecue, a casual dress code, $20 per person, Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM hours. It is closed Monday.
Is Leonard's Pit Barbeque good for a special occasion?
Yes, if the occasion is casual. Leonard's Pit Barbeque fits a relaxed Memphis-style barbecue meal at $20 per person with a casual dress code. For a dressier meal, compare other dining in Memphis.
What are alternatives to Leonard's Pit Barbeque in Memphis?
If you want a different barbecue meal, compare the meal against other Memphis dining. Leonard's is the better pick when you want its buffet, casual setting, Memphis-style barbecue staples; another dining room may make more sense if you want something more formal.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Leonard's Pit Barbeque?
The details for Leonard's Pit Barbeque center on Memphis-style barbecue, a $20 per person price point, a buffet with meats and homemade sides. The practical choice is to focus on the pulled pork sandwich, pork ribs, barbecued chicken, catfish, or buffet.
Is lunch or dinner better at Leonard's Pit Barbeque?
The hours run Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, with the restaurant closed Monday. Choose the time that fits your schedule; the main reasons to go are the Memphis-style barbecue staples, the buffet with meats and homemade sides, the casual $20 per person value.





















