Pitmaster IndexLeonard Heuberger
Founder (Historical)
Leonard Heuberger
Leonard's Pit Barbecue50+ years activeMemphis, TN
Signature:The original Memphis pulled pork sandwich on a bun with slaw
Leonard Heuberger opened one of Memphis's first BBQ restaurants in 1922, helping create the template for the pulled pork sandwich that would define the city's BBQ identity. Leonard's is credited with popularizing the BBQ drive-in and the pork-shoulder sandwich served on a bun with coleslaw. His legacy lives on at Leonard's Pit Barbecue, which continues to operate over a century later.
Technique
Whole pork shoulders smoked over hickory wood in a brick pit, then hand-pulled and served on a soft bun with tangy coleslaw. Simple, iconic, foundational.
Influences
Memphis pit tradition (pre-1920s)Southern roadside cookingDrive-in restaurant culture