Pitmaster IndexJim Neely
Founder & Pitmaster
Jim Neely
Interstate Bar-B-Q45+ years activeMemphis, TN
Signature:Wet ribs and BBQ spaghetti — the two dishes that define South Memphis BBQ
Jim Neely founded Interstate Bar-B-Q in 1978 in South Memphis, building it into one of the city's most beloved BBQ institutions. Neely is credited with popularizing BBQ spaghetti — a uniquely Memphis dish that combines slow-smoked pulled pork with a BBQ-spiced tomato sauce over pasta. His wet ribs, basted with a sweet-tangy tomato sauce, are the benchmark for the sauced style in Memphis.
Technique
Slow smoking over hickory wood with a wet baste applied during the last hour of cooking. The sauce is a proprietary blend of tomato, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices that caramelizes on the ribs during the final smoke.
Recognition
- People — named 2nd-best BBQ in the nation (1989)
Influences
South Memphis BBQ traditionSoul food heritageBrady Vincent (BBQ spaghetti originator)