Memphis Minnie's BBQsimilar businesses >
576 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117
(7 Ratings)
Were you to picture the best barbecue joint in the Bay Area, you might envision some Oakland hole-in-the-wall that looks like it's been there for dozens of years, with recipes and traditions jealously guarded by a single family down the generations, tracing back to the deep South. Memphis Minnie's blasts through any such romantic notion: The bright-red, squeaky-clean lower Haight spot is run by an expatriate New Yorker. It's named after Memphis, but a look at the menu shows Carolina mustard sauce, Texas red sauce, Kansas City ribs, Carolina pulled pork and Santa Maria tri-tip. You can even buy your own souvenir T-shirt here. Yet the brisket at Minnie's is smoked for 16 hours, and its slightly burnt outside and fork-tender inside is hands-down the best in the Bay.
There's a little more competition for the title of "best pork ribs," and though places like Flint's might have an edge, Minnie's hold its own with succulent, juicy bones. And where else can non-red-meat eaters go and find several different options, from chicken to smoked turkey to salmon? They're all done very well, as is a decadent Frito pie and a creamy banana pudding. The sides are uneven, though. Beans and sweet potatoes are fantastic and potato salad is passable, while watery greens, flavorless macaroni and cheese and disturbingly dry corn bread need work. But it's all about the meat anyway, and the two sauces (both served on the side, as they should be) are equally good. Debate the merits of each with your dining partners if you must, but odds are the conversation will be limited to "Oh man, that's good."
Categories: Restaurants-Barbecue, Restaurants
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7 Ratings and Reviews
Great food with uncaring, rude service
Bertcam - 06/16/2008The food was excellent and I would have given in a 4.5 but the vibes from the workers were so bad that I just cant do it. I'm concerned that the uncaring attitude will go into the food. How can the owner ignore their attitudes? Parking was okay in the middle of the day, but otherwise it's non existent. Biker bar next door adds to the ambiance?
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Heidland - 06/06/2008The best BBQ I have ever tasted
JFraser101 - 06/06/2008I am not a novice when it comes to good barbeque having eaten it throughout the US at all the top lauded places.
I really wasn't expecting much from Minnie's but after having read two glowing reports from two of the most respected food critics in San Francisco ( a place with VERY high standards for restaurants) in just a week I thought I would make a visit.
This place turned out to be very casual . You order up at the counter and get you food when yu name is called. The food however was worth all the raves. Its ribs and brisket are simply the best I have ever had bar none. Forget Texas BBQ, forget Kansas City, forget southern BBQ. This place beats them all. The sauces are totally unique and there are three different types on each table so you can douse as much on as you want. The side dishes are also excellent.
The only downside is the terrible parking, big crowds, very long lines, and the uninterested wait staff. It might be a good idea to take public transit or a taxi if you want to try this place.Never Got to the Food
BoomerangHalo - 05/20/2008We made a special trip, braved the parking, and were excited to sample the bbq, recommended by Sunset Magazine... only to encounter the rudest, most obnoxious people 'working' the counter - there's no food in the world worth the attitude. Since this seems to be a running theme, I suppose they don't need the business... highly disappointing and somewhat disturbing...
BroCl4's Review
brocl4 - 11/11/2003I realy like the food no parking pasive agressive workers once owner goes