Leonard’s Pit Barbecue
5465 Fox Plaza Dr, Memphis, TN, 38115
Leonard’s Pit Barbecue Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Bbq Specialties
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Pasta And Combination Plates
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Side Orders
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Leonard’s Pit Barbecue
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Sandwiches
-
Bbq Specialties
-
Pasta And Combination Plates
-
Side Orders
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Desserts
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Address :
5465 Fox Plaza Dr
Memphis, TN, 38115 - Phone (901) 360-1963
- Website https://www.leonardsbarbecue.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Chris M.
Having been to this buffet many times I'm sure it's helped in building my hard won gut. Different days are different prices due to some being rib days and some being shoulder days. Many food items in the buffet like fried catfish,wings,chicken fried steak, veggies, etc. Bread and a selection of desserts also come with the buffet. This is an old Memphis BBQ family restaurant and while it sure isn't a diet place it sure is good!
(4)Leslie S.
Buffet for southern food is probably the best description for this place. It has all food that southern comfort food, from bbq to fried chicken. They are all good, but not amazingly good. Variety in the buffer is also good, but don't expect vegan/vegetarian specific food. This is pure southern food.
(3)Chuck B.
The Leonard's Buffett is just past it's prime, so i ordered a simple bbq sandwich. The meat on it was very tender! AND.....very tasteless....but the older folks who were crowded into the building that day, apparently love it as evidenced by many of our senior most Memphians present in the dining room. Later after I took my first bite, I wondered why they didn't seem to know how much it has changed since the heyday of the early years... when Leonard's dominated Memphis best BBQ lists! Yes I am that old, and I remember those days when Leonard's was on Summer Avenue.... And it was just much better then. Service: Our busy waitress was kind and quick to encourage a choice or answer questions. Atmosphere: The interior decor is uninspiring but does feature a cool, old delivery truck (aka "Grave Digger). Yes, a truck is inside the building. Food: The sandwich i ordered was presented in about 10 minutes. A large BBQ with a generous amount of meat. I looked at the buffet before ordering. I have had it before. It has a good variety, but the offerings were sort of like that of the giant, human cattle, all you can eat steak buffets you see in a tourist town. Crowded and mediocre. Still I like Leonard's, if only for the nostalgia. Worth trying if you have never been.
(3)Craig W.
The outside of this place made me think that I wouldn't be enjoying it. I went with a friend, and he had raved about the buffet. I figured why not. I was pleasantly surprised. While the country fried steak was soaked in gravy and thus soggy, the rest of the meal held up quite well. I enjoy the butter beans and black eyed peas the most of all. Strange... It is a relatively cheap filling meal.
(4)Blake B.
rat vomit. worst bbq in town... worse than a mcrib - they have no right to call themselves memphis bbq - i literally got sick of a few bites of one of their sandwiches.
(1)Mike K.
My all time favorite BBQ restaurant in Memphis! I've followed Leonards from South Memphis to Mendenhall to its current location. I love the mustard slaw, an all important side dish that seems to be hard to find. The baked beans are the best in town - period. Add in the spaghetti and decadent butter soaked rolls and I almost don't need the simply outstanding pork. Understand that I live 30 miles away and drive past dozens of good BBQ places to eat Leonards BBQ. The taste of pork (with just the right amount of bark), spaghetti and beans can't be beat. Don't let the seen-better-days neighborhood discourage you, Leonards is the place to eat real BBQ.
(5)Kayler H.
I totally love this place! I've been here several times but I have yet to do a review! Leonard BBQ buffet has so much to choose from: chicken, fish, cabbage, greens, corn bread, corn, dressing, peach cobbler, lemon ice box pie, chocolate cake, and any thing that your heart crave. The waiters are right on time for orders! I am full as a tick! Oh and the buffet is only $13 bucks for adults! All you can eat!
(5)Sam M.
Buffet only open for lunch most days. It's old and plenty of food. Where else can you go for all you can eat ribs for $13.
(3)Olivia H.
Amazing BBQ, very friendly customer service. This place has some of the best food in town for sure, for a very reasonable price also. I would highly recommend checking this place out. You will note dissatisfied
(5)Richard F.
We have never been to Leonard's for the buffet so we thought we'd try it. It was very good for mass serving but no where near as good as other well known Memphis places. They served all the usual stuff and it was good but, not enough to go back for another trip.
(3)Gary F.
Recently had lunch at Leonards. the cost with tea was about $15 for the buffet. I tried a little bit everything, and I can't complain at all. There were dry and wet ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and fried cat fish. I went back for seconds for everything. The buffets are in different rooms, and is kind of dated. The desserts were good to nana pudding, and all kinds of cakes. Although, there were no cobbler, the day I went. I also thought the cole slaw and potato salad was lacking a bit. However, I will go back.
(4)Adam L.
Leonards BBQ is a fantastic buffet located in Memphis. It has the true Memphis atmosphere and a friendly helpful staff. But what its really all about is the food. Dry Rub Ribs, Wet Ribs, pulled pork BBQ, brisket, desserts, you name it. At $10/head it is an unbelievable deal. My favorite was the brisket. The beef is tender and their sauce is unique from the others in Memphis. The BBQ beans are to die for. If you are in the Memphis area this is the place to be. Make sure you bring your appetite with you!
(4)Adie M.
Ate the dinner buffet the other day and thought it was pretty good. The lunch buffet is a better deal, but they don't have a day that has both ribs AND the fried hot wings, my 2 faves. I think I got my money's worth, though, eating ribs! Always have preferred wet, but the dry rub ribs at Leonard's have made me a believer in dry. Yum! Smoky, meaty, and tender. I sampled a few of the sides, but really only went back for mashed potatoes and gravy. Desserts are ok, but not great. I like that they have honey available on request (I like to dip my wings in it!). Basically, if you're in the mood for a lot of meat, the $18 price is a good deal. Otherwise...you're better off coming for lunch.
(4)Tom E.
I tell you what, when I heard BBQ and buffet in the same sentence, I was kind of turned off. When I found out that the place has been around since 1922, surely they had to have been doing something right- so I put it on my bucket list. I never really had time to check it out until randomly I woke up at 9AM and told my roomate we should get some food before work. This place is off the beaten path, I wonder if it is the original location (I should have asked). But if you near the intersection of Mt Moriah and Mendenhall, you are close! This place looks like a cop hangout too, as I saw about 4 of them in the parking lot. So I felt safe to say the least. Upon entering, we were launched back in time. I can't pinpoint, but I want to say at least 60 years. We were greeted and seated immediately, and got our drinks. They have a separate menu if you don't want the buffet. I heard an old guy in the corner say their sandwich is one of the best he has ever had. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Now, next to our seat, there was an old school green catering wagon- real old school- I am sure there are plenty of pics on it on Yelp already. Nice touch! The music playing was all oldies- hell yea! As I said, this place screams old school- my kind of style. Believe it or not, I didn't check out the restrooms! I will have to next time. Now, for the buffet- they have 2 areas- the meat line, and the fixins line. We went to the fixins line first- which had rolls, cornbread, okra, green beans, new potatoes, beans, fries, brisket, spaghetti, corn, collards, and I am sure I leaving something out (how dare I, since I was there only a few hours ago!). This was in its own room. Then there was the meat line- which had wet ribs, dry ribs, fried fish, pulled pork, sauce, and again, I think there was something else. Low and behold, I got 2 full plates sampling everything. All of the fixins were awesome- they sure know how to use a fryer! For the meats, I liked the dry robs and the fish. That fish was moist and seasoned well. The sauce they had, was unique- but it was decent! It was slightly tangy and slightly smoky. It was a nice combo. I couldn't have too much of it though. During my buffet journey, I saw a lady reach into a refrigerator, and I saw it was LOADED with desserts. I mean carrot cake, red velvet, chocolate cake, bread pudding, banana cream pie, and hell I KNOW there was more! That stand alone unit would be worth the cost of the buffet in itself. I ended my meal with a piece of red velvet and slipped into a coma. The service was stellar and very friendly. You pay up front (and yes they take card)- and this is where I was really happy. I was shocked as I handed the lady my card (and she was older mind you), she asked to see my ID. I was caught off guard as only 3 people have asked to see my ID since I have moved here (my signature line says "CHECK ID" in bold red ink)- so that was pleasant. I thanked her for doing so. Could I eat here everyday? No, I would probably die. Is it the best BBQ I have had? No not really. But some of the dishes they do have are knockout, the desserts are great, and the service makes this place a home run. Consider it 4 stars and change.
(4)T J.
Part of a 9 stop bbq tour. 1 17th st grill (IL) Favorite place of the tour. 2 Bar-B-Que Shop 3 Central BBQ 4 Rendezvous 5 Blues City Cafe 6 Double J 7 Leonards I was excited about this place, maybe I had my hopes too high. They have a buffet but ribs aren't included and we walked by and looked at the items nothing looked appetizing. They had "Texas" style brisket but in looking at the brisket on the buffet I almost cried. I wouldn't serve that grey nasty stuff to my worst enemy let alone try and eat it. There is no way the pit master (i use that term loosely) has ever tried Texas brisket. We talked to the waitress and told her what we were doing. She immediately told us she doesn't eat here and suggested other places for us to go... We had the ribs and pulled pork. Ribs were ok but lacked smoke flavor. Pork was dry and flavorless. I personally didn't care for their sauce either so we barely ate any of it. beans were just ok. Slaw was very mustardy which I liked but not enough to return.
(1)Laranda D.
The buffet was pricey but with the money. There was a wide variety of food to pick from. The food was really good. They had peach cobbler on the buffet the day I went & it was delicious. The service is good. The parking isn't the best.
(4)William B.
Leonard's has an amazing buffet of southern sides and pork barbeque. The hushpuppies and fried okra are incredibly crunchy. The chopped pork is savory and delicious. Hoppin' John, collards, etc. were also great. I think this is further evidence that I am a Tennessee/Kentucky BBQ man rather than a Texas man. To be sure, not everything was perfect. Much of the plate was too sweet -- sweet slaw, sweet BBQ sauce, sweet cornbread, sweet pickles, and I didn't even try the cobbler. And in a BBQ town as amazing as Memphis, I probably won't be back as long as there are new places to try. But I left Leonard's in a much better mood than I entered.
(4)Haley H.
Great place! The atmosphere was really cool! The wet ribs fell off the bone. Sweet tea was fabulous. The homemade onion rings were some of the best I have ever had. (They were featured in Southern Living Magazine.)
(4)John K.
Man, this place is old school. I was immediately seated by the hostess and told Mr. Curtis would be my server. Unreal. The guy felt like my grade school PE teacher and I almost felt like raising my hand to be called on to use the bathroom. Leonard's has everything under the sun in terms of comfort food to please your appetite. In fact, if anyone leaves here hungry, I will personally vouch for you in a professional eating contest. The first thing I noticed was that the plates are huge. Small plates are aggravating when you are trying to eat a buffet out of business. The second thing I noticed was they have a heated drawer that houses the buttered rolls and cornbread muffins. Warm and soft, couldn't ask for anything better. This definitely received the gold star on my visit. Their spinach was tasty and hot and the corn on the cob was awesome too. I thought the ribs and sausage were just okay, but the pulled pork, beef brisket, and catfish were well worth the price of admission. I capped the night off with a helping of apple pie to put me in a sugar coma as I waddled to the cashier content. Leonard's is definitely a local BBQ hole in the wall that distinguished itself from the rest of the pack with wonderful service and a plethora of options that provides the customer with endless combinations. Don't believe me? Just ask for Mr. Curtis next time you go.
(4)Jimmy H.
The food over all is pretty good on the buffet. The lemon ice box pie is wonderful. They are very consistant and the service is friendly. The problem is they want way to much for the buffet for the seedy neighborhood they are in and the quality of food they serve. The last time I went there they charged 15 bucks not including drinks. For that kind of money you should get crab legs and lobster tails. Dont get me wrong it is a good buffet but not worth the price.
(3)Mason H.
Went there and was very impressed with the food and service. The staff is very friendly and they have very good bbq. My only complaint is the parking lot is very small
(4)Andrea M.
I'd say 4.5 stars for the super friendly service, but the food was not great and like a 2. I'll have to agree with several other reviewers--the buffet options were either too bland or too salty. All of the vegetables are cooked in pork, by the way. (Just an FYI in case you're a vegetarian and you thought you'd find something at the BBQ pit your friends took you to.) The coleslaw and banana pudding were really the only things I enjoyed. I was actually kind of glad that the hushpuppies weren't great because it limited me to only eating one. The meatloaf sauce was too sweet, and the box mashed potatoes had like no salt at all. Everything looked pretty on my plate at least =) Also, I was super bummed their tartar sauce wasn't homemade--I get so excited when I find places that make their own. It makes it seem like a place really cares when they go that extra step.
(3)Luann B.
Delicious. Friendly service. Casual. My mom and I loved being there and felt the service was solid. I would go back!
(5)Dawn M.
We had the onion rings piled high and overflowing. Crispy and delicious. May have had rice flour in the batter....crunchy like panko or besan (chick pea). My husband had a big Leonard and I had a beef BBQ sandwich. The potatoes were mashed with skins. We also had great beans...almost as good as Rudy's in Austin but not as meaty. I passed on the strange yellow slaw served in a ketchup paper souffle. It was mustard based but looked more like potato salad. The restaurant is located in an industrial park like it was sky dropped . Urban Legend or Truth: It was a favorite of Elvis's entourage who used to pay by check for their $400 -$500 meal after getting the bill at the mansion with tipfor the waiter and cook $100 each. No wonder they kept the restaurant open for after hours when they walked in at 10 pm. Best service in town - everyone was friendly. I didn't get food poisoning as a few reviewers have mentioned. I got that at Pei Wei the following week with their spoiled Vietnamese rolls. Brunch was not open as we went on a Saturday morning. The buffet for groups is loaded with BBQ and sides. People kept streaming in for a meeting. Decor is early, old diner with an old truck in the front dining room and warren of rooms in the back. There is more ambiance in the Germantown Commissary.
(5)Gary P.
I usually do not like buffets but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. We went on a Friday for the fried catfish. It was fresh and very good, as was the barbeque pork. Service was efficient and pleasant. Lot's of food so go hungry.
(4)Shirley C.
We arrive around 8:15 pm and the place was almost empty. Most of the meat must have been sitting out a while because it was dry and not very good. The rolls, cabbage and corn were very good as well as the desserts. Skip the country fried steak, it is soaked in gravy and just turned out mushy.
(2)Kevin B.
We loved this place. Went ahead and opted for the buffet to get a sampling of most everything they offer. We both enjoyed the dry rub ribs the best but the smoked chicken was nearly as good. I found the BBQ sauce with the pulled pork to be a unique (in a good way) and the Texas style brisket melted in you mouth. If we lived here we would make this a regular stop.
(4)A V.
Leonard's Pits is as good as it gets! I had no idea ribs and buffet could be used in the same sentence, but Leonard really doesn't seem to mind much about that. He is quite a generous man, and he doesn't stop at just the BBQ sauce. Yes, I left this place reeking of smoked hog and busting at the seams of my pants, but I'm proud to say it was the best day of my life. I've never felt so American!
(5)Jacob J.
Incredible? If we are talking about their charm, service and rolls, then yes. It's nice to be approached with warm greetings as if invited into their home. Nice when they ask welcoming questions to get you to open up and have a conversation with them. Found a U.S. map on the wall which they used to indicate where all their customers have visited from. There are tons and tons of pins which indicate the many cities across the East coast and Midwest which have made the trek. Chicago has been blanketed, Skokie as well, LoL. Inside it makes me think of a 50's diner with neon and fun colored walls, an old Dodge wagon sits in the middle of the front dining area. Was it how they delivered BBQ years ago? Today it just sits with pitchers of drinks on its back bumper along with napkins and other items. I wish I could sit in it and eat, not really but it would be different. This was another stop determined by reviews and Food shows. Alas, the barbecue was not as awesome as what we had the previous day at Neely's. Perhaps if we were there for the buffet and tasting of different dishes, entrees, etc we would have enjoyed it more. The buffet runs at lunch and dinner time all through the week, which is an advantage to the tourist wanting to save some dough. Even regular priced entrees were a deal. This time had ribs and BBQ combo which cost eleven dollars. Pork loin ribs and BBQ pork shoulder chopped and topped with sauce. Beans and potato salad on the side. The sides were good enough but the winner for me were the freshly baked rolls, with a dab of melted butter.. Yum! Most everyone in our party got ribs, either wet or dry except for one child who ordered spaghetti and ravioli topped in meat sauce which was a standard good. Based on this place being known for BBQ I wished they had a BBQ spaghetti side item. Sadly the ribs were dry and all were left longing. We left with full stomachs and leftovers. When asked which BBQ joint rated higher, based on service Leonard's is rockstar, on barbecue Neely's Interstate all the way. I wonder if the ribs were not dry if it would've been better?
(3)Steven G.
The food here is like eating in a dream. Perfect melt in your mouth and everything good pork ribs. Even better than other rib places in Memphis and Memphis has the best. Was able to sample most menu items in a lunch buffet. Even the desserts here are excellent. This place is worth a side trip to go out of your way for a wonderful dining experience. It is the best in the ribs department.
(5)Anthony C.
Visited for lunch. A BBQ buffet is unique to me. Found the food to be ok and not bad for a buffet. I would say it is as good or in some cases better than some of the pricier BBQ joints in Memphis. Cool decor.
(4)Gary D.
I ate there only once - had the saturday night buffet. Plenty of food, but nothing special. The BBQ was not a star either - I was disappointed.
(2)John A.
One of the great BBQ restaurants in Memphis! I enjoy their lunch buffet which consist of fried catfish, wet or dry ribs, pulled pork, onion rings, bbq spaghetti, and so much more...a great variety that never gets old. Additionally, Leonard's hot wings are some of the best I've had. They are meaty and have quite a kick without all the messy sauce. Highly recommended!!
(5)G L.
Forget the Rendezvous. The ribs at Leonard's are so meaty, so tasty, so Just Right it can't be wrong. Moist dry rub done really well. What keeps me coming back to Leonard's is the quality cut of meat they use. It makes all the difference in the finished product and they know it. Love the atmosphere - the original delivery truck parked in the dining room and the serve yourself cafeteria style for lunchtime buffet. Make sure you have the driving directions right when you head to Leonard's if you've never been before and aren't sure of the area. You could head into some sketchy territory pretty quick with a few wrong turns. But no worries - once you get there, the staff is nice, the food is great and you'll feel like you're in your own pit bbq oasis.
(4)Debby R.
Not impressed at all. The sauce was inedible in my opinion. Buffet did have a good selection. Second visit, won't return. Memphis has far better BBQ elsewhere
(2)Rachel W.
My favorite BBQ joint, EVER! Best place I've ever gone to for a lunch buffet, too. Anytime coworkers from Nashville came to visit, I would always take them to Leonard's for the lunch buffet.
(5)Stewart P.
I consider myself to be somewhat of a BBQ connoisseur. I've traveled the country and tasted the drop-dead delicious, the absolutely revolting, and everything in between. There's huge diversity across the nation as far as BBQ is concerned so I often have to step back and consider when my tastes simply don't align with the local flavors. But, in this case, I have tasted a ton of Tennessee BBQ and have even sampled multiple tastes from different places in Memphis. Leonard's was my pick for my short stay in Memphis this time because it is a few blocks from my hotel and seemed to rummage up some relatively good reviews on Yelp. Walking in, the decor is old-timey and fun and has a good vibe. I had decided ahead of time that I would just jump on the buffet as people had mentioned that it was cheap and had a good sampling of everything... and I will respond to those thoughts later. I sat down and told my waitress that I would be enjoying the buffet tonight and she stared at me with a blank look like I was a moron. She responded, "so you're going to wait for it to start?" I looked down at my watch and considered that I was only 4 minutes early for buffet kick-off time (it begins at 4 pm) and felt slightly confused - all of the food was sitting in its place in the buffet so there was no reason it shouldn't be accessible. However, I was a good little boy and waited to dig in even though I had been traveling all day and this was the first food that would hit my lips. As I made the rounds I have to admit that I could tell from the get-go that I wasn't going to be impressed. The food didn't look very good and there was absolutely no BBQ smell wafting up from the steamers... In fact, in retrospect, I think it's notable that I couldn't smell the BBQ when I drove up to the place, or even when I walked inside. That tells me that they are doing something wrong. Every good BBQ joint I've been to can be caught in your nostrils from a mile away. Nevertheless, I filled my plate with a little bit of everything and took my seat. Looking back on it all, I wish I would have just told them that the food was terrible and left. Everything was bad - even the peach cobbler (as if that were even possible!). The meat was devoid of flavor and dry and the sauce was indescribably unappetizing. As I reread some of the reviews on here I feel like I may be living in crazy town. Maybe I've lost my mind or tastebuds because my experience was nothing like those who are raving about this place. This is Memphis - one of the pillars of BBQ culture. You people should know better! To add to everything, my server was terrible - hardly acknowledging me the entire time I was there. When she did, it was with a bored disdain. This is one of only 3 times in my entire life that I didn't leave a tip. I didn't even feel bad afterward like I did the other times. Before I can end my review, I have to make something crystal clear to people who may decide to ignore me and go to Leonard's anyways: the buffet costs $18!!! Yes, that says eighteen dollars!! I wasn't smart enough to look at the price before I sat down and ate so I suppose I can only blame myself for my stupidity. However, to put this in perspective, you can get a duck confit at L'Albatros (one of the finest restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio) or stuffed quail and dumplings from Memphis's very own 'Flight' and get 5-star service for pretty much the exact same price....
(1)Tom D.
I first went to Leonards while trying to recreate Guy Fieri's Memphis BBQ Tour from Diners Drive-In's and Dives on my first visit to Memphis. The first time I visited Leonard's, I was so impressed with the food. This was also my introduction to ribs with dry rub instead of wet sauce. Having first gone to Marlowe's, where I wasn't given an option for wet or dry BBQ, I had not yet been completely versed in what true Memphis BBQ really was. Thanks to the wonderful waitress who suggested I try dry rub on my ribs, I had, up to that point, the best food I had ever eaten in my life! The ribs were fall of the bone tender, the sides I had, BBQ beans and wedge fries, were also outstanding. I enjoyed the food so much that we went back the following day and the food was JUST as good! The second time around I got a whole rack of ribs and let me tell you, there was so much meat there that I struggled to finish it, but being from out of town there really wasn't a place for me to keep leftovers in the hotel room and I knew I had to eat it or leave it, and I'm not one for wasting such fabulous food. On my most recent trip to Memphis we tried going one night when the place had apparently closed for the day (Sunday through Wednesday they close at 2:30 in the afternoon for some reason -- I can understand maybe Tuesday and Wednesday, but Sunday?), so we ended up going to Central BBQ instead while saving Leonard's for lunch the following day.... on that last lunch at Leonard's, the food was exactly how I expected it to be....top notch. It would have to be. It seems every time I've eaten there, there was a large tour bus group eating inside the restaurant as well. As an added bonus, when I was there on my last visit, the restaurant's owner, Dan Brown happened to be around when I was on my way out front to wait for my travel companion who had gone off to use the restroom so I took the oppertunity to tell Mr. Brown exactly how much I loved eating at his restaurant and he thanked me for stopping by.... having seen him on Diners Drive Ins and Dives it felt like I was meeting a celebrity of sorts and it made me feel good to be able to tell an artist how much I admired their work, so to speak. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. To me, Leonard's epitomizes what Memphis BBQ is all about. It's a bit out of the way from the touristy areas of the city, but it's well worth searching for.
(5)Chris F.
It's a buffet joint and the food is buffet quality. The ribs were very dry, had very little meat, and the brisket was so tough that I had to eat it with a knife. The cornbread was dry, and they had chicken parmesan (at a BBQ joint, strange) and it was crusty an gross looking. The lemon pei was good. I cannot recommend Leonard's.
(2)Lyz L.
The service was very good, although the atmosphere is definitely dated. (I could be influenced by the fact that my boyfriend and I went on an early Sunday afternoon, and we were surrounded by elderly people enjoying their lunch.) We did wind up getting the buffet, and I tried a bunch of things (mashed potatoes, corn, spaghetti, pulled pork, etc.), and most of that was okay. I enjoyed their potato salad (I can be picky about that sort of thing!) and their dinner rolls were very good. But the brisket... that brisket is worth 4 stars by itself. I ate a lot of brisket in Memphis during my trip, and while it was all very good, the brisket from Leonard's was definitely the best.
(4)Terrell P.
One of my personal favorites as a native Memphian. Be prepared to bring an appetite for lots of food and homemade desserts.
(5)Melaina C.
Went with my bf and we both got the buffet. Very reasonably priced..under $20 pp for all u can eat. This included several meats...sides...salad...dessert. Sweet tea was really good. Buffet had....ribs- dry and wet, pulled pork, fried catfish, grilled chicken, hot wings, country fried steak, hot links, fried chicken and all the usual sides. Bread rolls/biscuits were fantastic...so was the homemade banana pudding! I highly recommend the buffet so you can try almost everything on the menu....We went early...so we could guarantee the food to be hot and fresh. The dry ribs and catfish were out of this world. We would definitely go back!!! Side note....The pictures on yelp and the episode on Triple D don't do this place justice,...It is not that run down looking. It's actually pretty quaint. TRIPLE D :)
(5)Casey R.
Went for lunch on my way to the airport. My dad begged me to go since I had never been, and he saw it on Triple D. We were running late for lunch, but I had no clue there was a buffet. Even though they were about to close it up, the servers helped us out and let us get everything we wanted. They even suggested double plates in case we didn't get a chance to go back through. Wow... it was so good. The barbecue, the vegetables and my dad really loved the catfish. He always says, "Never go to a steak house for sea food and never go to a seafood place for barbecue." He means, stick with what they do best. I was very surprised he loved the catfish so much.
(4)Cornelius V.
Review solely on the ribs. I found this place to be alarmingly medicore especially in a city of great food like Memphis. HAHa I can relate to Kim D's security paratrooper escort to the car after dark. It wasn't scary, it was actually charming in a Memphis kinda way. Anyways, around closing, I came in with a pickup order for a full rack of ribs with fries and a patatah salad as sides. I took them back to my hotel 5mins away. The fries were cold and mushy. Not good. I'm pretty sure these were frozen fries. The salad was aiiiet. The ribs were horrific. Maybe it is because I went at the end of the night. Good lord, every bite I took resulted in a mouthful of that inedible film at the bottom of the ribs. I've never seen so much of that, maybe they were in the heater too long? Super disappointed for the price that I paid. Again, I'm rating this place based on the ribs that I got at the very end of a weekend night. Maybe the brisket and pork are better. And this place is reviewed too well for me to believe that what I experienced was normal. I'll give it a shot next time I'm in MEM.
(2)Jim B.
First of all, let me say that Leonard's is the real deal! You want some serious pig? Get down to Leonard's! Still, I couldn't much resist when my beautiful bride decided we should hold our own "Iron Chef" Memphis style BBQ competition ... unbeknownst to the restaurants. So on a Friday, we went to three of the jewels in the Memphis BBQ crown (Leonard's, McNeely's, and Rendezvous ... and don't argue with me about not including Big Pig), got a pound and a half of pulled pork, a bottle of each sauce, and got the competition started! I was two for two for Leonard's, my wife went for McNeely's, and nobody picked Rendezvous (I mean really, pawning chargrilled off as a slow cook method?). Ultimate decision ... Leonard's! Although the sauce got downgraded a bit in a head to head with McNeely's. Was sweet, but needed a little more zip. Still, in the category of pulled pork ... ain't nothin' better!
(5)The Yelp-inator W.
Not impressed....I've had better. Overpriced sub-par BBQ. The place was dingy, which can be acceptable if the food is good, but not when it is below average..which I think this was. They have a Buffet...so if you want lots of low quality BBQ and spaghetti that will reminded you of the kind served at a school cafeteria, all for the low price of $17...then this is the place for you. I liked the Onion rings, they were pretty good, Ribs were salty, pulled pork dry, brisket was OK. Sauce was below average Service sucked. Not planning on ever going here again.
(1)Jolynna M.
Another wonderful spot for some good Memphis-style barbecue. I like almost everything on the menu here. The ribs are meaty, smoked to perfection and have a great flavor. The pork sandwich "The Big Leonard" is generous in size, loaded with chopped pork, slaw and sauce. But you know what is really cool about this place? They have an all you can eat bbq buffet for both lunch and dinner. The price is about $12. A total bargain.
(4)Lisa P.
This is one of those places that has been around forever. If you are from Memphis, you should be familiar with Leonards. I used to go there quite often when the buffet was 9.95 on a Friday or Saturday night but it now like 18 bucks. That is a pretty price to pay if you are not big on buffet and only eat one plate, it is better to order off the menu. As far as the buffet is concerned, they do have good food on there but not what they are really known for. As for the bbq pork and ribs, its ok, but nothing special. It can also be a little dry. The bbq sauce is a bit too sweet for my taste and the coleslaw is not that great. Now the good stuff is the catfish., the pieces are huge and it is of top quality. The potato salad and the veggies are also pretty good, especially the fried okra. The rolls are to die for as is the lemon ice box pie. I will warn you if you are not from Memphis and do not know the area, its not in a good area. The area used to be a good area years ago, but that has changed. Most of the regulars go there early. They get there for dinner about 5 pm and the bulk of the people are gone by 7. Also, the food at the buffet is not as good after 7 as they do not keep up with it as much. If you are a really healthy eater, the buffet may be for you. It is just not worth it if you not are a big eater. Another option is that you may want to try the lunch buffet, about 9 dollars cheaper but it doesnt have catfish and ribs on at the same time..you just need to check and see what they have that day.
(4)Russ A.
This place is a slice of Memphis gold. There is one reason and one reason only that a business can survive and thrive since 1922....its gooooooooooooood :o) This place has character, great staff, history and most importantly awesome food. Spectacular brisket, pulled pork, ribs, BBQ spaghetti, potato salad and sides. The buffet is wonderfully fresh and tasty and the desserts in the self service refridgerator are delicious. I wish this place was in a slightly less out of the way location but it is certainly worth the drive. LOVE this place! Can't wait to go back!
(5)div s.
First off: I'm not much for buffets. I generally only make one trip, and the fact of life with a buffet is that the food sits out under hot lamps and over heaters getting over-cooked and dried out. Secondly, I wish Yelp had a more in-depth rating system. There are times when the service and or atmosphere outshine mediocre food and make a place truly worth visiting - as long as you don't have unrealistic expectations of what you'll be eating. There are times when the place is a little hole in the wall with sagging brown ceiling tiles and a miasma that makes you wonder if the health department even knows the place exists - and yet has a spotless kitchen and the most amazing food you've ever eaten (just get it to-go). And, in the case of Leonard's Pit Barbecue, there's times when the great service just isn't enough to outweigh all the other failings. Last week, we had VIP customer in town, and my boss decided we all needed to go to Leonard's. The service is good, really good. The wait staff is friendly and attentive - they made you feel right at home. Couldn't ask for better, really. The atmosphere is interesting when you first walk in the door, but after you've been led through the maze of rooms to the back room and sat at a rickety table in a room that has paint peeling off the walls and feels more like a condemned high-school cafeteria than a highly reviewed restaurant even the friendly and attentive staff do not provide enough light to break through the impending clouds of doom for this dining experience. The buffet: lots of selection, sure. You have the mashed potatoes, steak fries, corn on the cob bobbing in a lake of butter, greens, bbq chicken, chopped pork, etc. All the buffet standards. Everything I tried was bland and tasted like it had been microwaved from frozen. The pork had a nice smoke flavor, but almost no moisture and it was devoid of seasoning. I guess they expect you to eat it with their BBQ sauce, but I expect BBQ to stand on it's own. If it needs sauce, it's not good BBQ. This may have been passable when it was fresh, but after who knows how long on the buffet table.... I've eaten sawdust that wasn't that dry and unappetizing. Maybe I'd have a better experience ordering off the menu. Speaking of a better experience... that VIP customer I mentioned? He didn't show up the next day for the meetings we had scheduled. Was too busy being violently ill in his hotel. And on the plane trip back home. And for the next several days. Just talked to him again this morning. His words? "Just got the results back from my doctor. Food poisoning. The only place I ate at was at that buffet you took me to. Thanks, guys."
(1)Jennifer E.
Leonard's BBQ was one of the best BBQ restaurants I have ever been too. The brisket was delicious, the pool pork was wonderful, and even I your not an okra fan I dare you to try their fried okra. There rolls are home made and their service is great. After you taste Leonard's BBQ you will wanna slap somebody. Go to Leonard's BBQ pit and you will definitely be satisfied.
(5)Channa P.
I'm a born and raised Memphian. BBQ is what I do. I'm also homegrown in Leonard's neighborhood in Hickory Hill. I especially love a good pork shoulder sandwich. This place is amazing and one of my favorite places to eat when I'm at home. The sauce is perfect and the sandwich is served Memphis style with slaw on the sandwich instead of on the side. The baked beans are amazing too. This place a buffet as well, so you can't beat it! One of the best BBQ places once you get past the plethora of restaurants downtown.
(4)darryl b.
The BBQ is good, I am not much a fan of Memphis BBQ to start with but this place is cool. Loosen up a belt buckle roll up your sleeves try the BBQ spaghetti and icebox lemon pie for desert. The lunch buffet can be well worth the money if you bring your appetite.
(3)Cris W.
Great ribs. Be sure and go on Thursday when they have both ribs and catfish on the buffet. Skip breakfast. Ignore the sides (fat-boy filler). This place is feed-bag worthy.
(5)Rachel A.
My husband, my friend and I stopped on our way through Memphis based on reviews. Fabulous service from our waitress! Friendly & knew the menu. We did see the buffett, and chose to order from the menu. Appetizer was the onion rings - WOW, very good. Hot and fresh, and HUGE! Good & tasty. My husband had the wet ribs, pulled pork dinner - he enjoyed very much. My friend and I had the pulled pork. I felt the pork was a bit dry, and so did my friend. Get ready for a KICK....the sauce is spicy w/ a zing! The baked beans are pretty good, although I could still taste a bit of the "pork n' beans" flavor - I really like my beans dressed up. Slaw was very tasty...more creamy than vinegar. The hot rolls are the friggin' BOMB! The waitress told us they are Sister Schubert brand from like Sam's Club or Wal-Mart. YUMM!! Next time through Memphis, we would try another BBQ place - Leonard's was just OK.
(4)Chris L.
Best BBQ beans in the universe. I sometimes stop by just for the beans. They are eff me beans. Dang it, now I'm gonna have to drive across town to get some.....
(4)mike l.
Off the plane and on the way to my first stop, Leonard's Pit BBQ. First time here, based off recommendations of locals. They said to get the ribs, but for some reason I was craving a pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich was HUGE and awesome! So much smoke flavor in the meat -- and it was amazingly tender. Topped high with slaw and beans on the side, I barely finished it before rolling myself out. A little bit hard to find, but just keep going down Fox plaza behind the dealerships and you'll get there.
(4)Ramin R.
Best. Buffet. Ever. So cheap and so vast. Very delicious pork and sides. Love it.
(5)Tanya T.
Yet another great BBQ joint in Memphis- we are so spoiled in this town! I love both Leonard's dry ribs and pulled pork. The ribs are a little smoky, with plenty of flavor in their dry rub. The Big Leonard pulled pork sandwich is big and tasty- I leave the cole slaw off and concentrate on the BBQ goodness. They also offer spaghetti, salads, brisket and BBQ bologna. Lots of sides to choose from, as well as a kids' menu. Another great thing about Leonard's? They cater, and have excellent prices.
(4)Stefan W.
So nice, I went there twice ! I have to say, it was exactly what I expected after watching Guy Fieri rave about it on Diner's Drive in-s and Dives. Ribs were fantastic, as was the Big Leonard. Some people might not like the slaw, which has a mustard base. Some of the best onion rings I've ever been served. And really good rolls (none of which was mentioned by Guy... I hope he goes back and samples the bread ;) Baked beans were also great - and had a lot of pulled pork mixed in. Service was exceptionally attentive and friendly. Price wise - you couldn't beat it. $11 got me 1/2 rack of ribs (more than enough), a huge portion of wedge cut potatoes served crisp and hot, a big bowl of baked beans, and a soda (refilled without having to ask). I'd give a fifth star, if they'd spend just a little more time cleaning up tables and chairs, which were a little sticky. I know it's hard in a BBQ joint, but some Windex would do wonders for the table tops!
(4)Mahendra P.
I ate at Leonard's several times over the decades. Last time I went, I thoroughly enjoyed it; it is among the best four in Memphis. But I can't claim it is the best in Memphis. That title probably goes to Bynum's.
(5)Jonathon C.
The Big Leonard is a must try. The dry rub ribs are a must try. YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE!
(4)E. D.
Mediocre at best. I got a combo plate of ribs and pork shoulder. I have had better of both at Sonny's a chain bbq joint, among other places, so that's not saying much for Leonard's. My plate came with beans and coleslaw. The beans were phenominal, A+++. I couldn't even finish my coleslaw, and I love coleslaw. Also their sauce, which drowned my pork, was not any better than Kraft's. Save your money, go elsewhere.
(3)Len W.
Another "Diners, Drive in, and Dives" conquest. Bagged this on a business trip to Memphis. Ribs were good, smoky, meaty and flavorful. I'm biased, I like dry rub more than Leonard's wet style. The area is a bit depressed. You know your driving past hard times when a Walmart and a "gentleman's club" are boarded up and out of business.
(3)Tim C.
The lunch buffet here rules. All you can eat ribs, good sides and the lemon ice box pie is incredible. I mean I never eat desserts and I had 3 pieces after eating a couple dozen ribs. Leonards isn't famous and its far from the tourist areas but come on, all you can eat ribs?
(5)Dave S.
Got there between lunch and dinner so we couldn't try the buffet we had to order off the menu. Very good barbecue!! I had an excellent barbecued pork sandwich. Overall very good, hard to rate the atmosphere because due to the time of day we were the only people in the entire restaurant.
(4)Gina L.
Went there because our original place to go was closed :( Based on the reviews we read, we decided to try. Too much to get in to but everything we ate was GROSS. The other reviews are BS, sorry, I would never go back nor recommend. The only decent thing was the nice server.
(1)Chick L.
I first went to Leonard's three years ago and I remember it being really good, but my recent trip there was just ok. The service is wonderful, the wait staff there is super nice. The rolls they bring out ahead of your meal are good. I am not a slaw eater, but I tried the slaw and I didn't like it at all. Someone else said it was mustard based, so that may have been it. My big problem was the ribs. They were supposed to have been wet ribs, which they were, but I felt like they had been sitting under around too long and they were really overcooked and dry. And the pecan pie was just ok. The beans were good, but it was the ribs that did them in. They might be better the next time I go, but not this time.
(3)Viet T.
I've been on a buffet binge... Anyway, good atmosphere, good service, good quality food. 3 stars? I said good quality, I never said good taste... but not bad not bad at all A lot of the options were good, the catfish, the potato wedges, braised greens, fried okra. But I found the BBQ sauce and the coleslaw to be... well... sauce was kinda one flavor, I liked the vinegar but... I just couldn't like the sauce. Coleslaw... I've had better at the grocery store, nevermind homemade... too minced That's really sad as this is a BBQ place and the sauce and slaw should be the best components. The pulled pork was a bit dry to me too, I suppose if drenched in BBQ sauce it would be better but... like I said I wasn't a fan of the sauce. Wings were small, flavorful... kinda like a better/upscaleish nugget with bones, I would get them. There was chopped hot links, okay... BBQ chicken, it looked undercooked but tasted fine, flavorful but sauce would be better on it. The country fried steak was a salisbury steak with plenty of peppers and onions thick with sauce, I would have preferred an actual thin deep fried steak with gravy on the side but... it wasn't too bad, tasted like any other steak, bathed in plenty of gravy. Last few things I tried, spaghetti - nothing special, mashed potatos... very fluffy As to dessert baked apples were lacking flavor, peach cobbler tasted like canned peaches, and not much flavor in the crust, banana pudding was banana pudding and then I also had the key lime pie... that was amazing, definitely could go for that. Overall, I think I like this place, I just don't like the BBQ sauce much, next time definitely will get something non bbqish off the menu, like the catfish. I think there was supposed to be rolls or biscuits but I did not see any so I didn't get to try those that people raved. Try this place out, but I suggest sharing a plate of pulled pork first to see if you like the sauce.
(3)Lady H.
Oh my gosh, this place is absolutely awful. I read all of the good reviews and thought that my family and I would try it. I really wanted to ask for my money back. Overall I would not recommend this place at all. Extremely disappointed.
(1)Brad C.
Ive been to restaurants that have been featured on TV shows, and it seems that all of them have let this fame go to there head. They either shove that fact down your throat, or jack up their prices. This is not the case with Lenard's. The food is excellent, and the service is what you expect from old southern hospitality. The decor is kinda tacky, but you can't win 'em all.
(5)Kim D.
3rd BBQ joint visited on my vacation to Memphis. Best part of the visit was the police escort back to our car rental when we were leaving the place. ...kinda scary. The baked beans w/bits of pork and cole slaw were delish. I never liked baked beans, but pushed my picky tastes aside and tasted a sample. Very good. The pulled pork entree, however was cold and very very dry. Tasted as though it had been sitting on a warmer all day. Shame, I had bigger hopes for this place.
(2)Michael C.
I'm giving this place 5-stars for the pulled pork, the BBQ sauce to which I added Louisiana Hot Sauce found on my table that I'm convinced was laced with some habanero, and the truly Outstanding cole slaw! Definitely worth visiting again and then, again.
(5)Arlene H.
They don't have hot BBQ sauce. Also, somehow 1 onion ring, two bites of rib, some honey apple, a roll and tea = food poisoning :( i wish i could give them a higher rating because the servers were so nice and their rolls are so scrumptious, but i definitely got sick here. :( couldn't eat for 3 days.
(2)Roger E.
Drove from Louisiana and heard a lot about their BBQ. Too bad they weren't open. They must do a heck of a good business to close at 2:30 pm. Very disappointed.
(1)C B.
Wow....TERRIBLE! I should have done an about face as soon as I walked in. Was not greeted with hello... only "tell them the buffet is closed." We waited 15 minutes to even get a drink order, after two servers bussed adjacent tables made eye contact and continued on. The food...was that in name only. The soda was flat. Onion rings over cooked on the outside and pasty batter flavored on the inside. The ribs were terrible. The meat tasted freezer burnt with no smoke flavor and very under seasoned. Triple D got this one wrong. I should have set fire to my money in the parking lot. I'd have been further ahead.
(1)Keith B.
I've been to nearly every BBQ joint in Memphis & Leonard's is, for sure, my favorite so far. First of all, the atmosphere and service were great. The dry ribs were incredibly good. Perfectly seasoned & cooked just right - not too tender and not too tough. The sides were top-notch; I had the beans and slaw. I also tried the pulled pork, which was smoky & full of flavor
(5)Josh R.
I had the lunch buffet. While the meat wasn't amazing, it was definitely much better than you'd expect at a bbq buffet. The fried catfish was ok. I really liked the collard greens a lot.
(4)