Since opening in January 2013, Elwood’s Shack has been serving Memphis barbecue alongside New York-style deli sandwiches in a hole-in-the-wall location that locals call one of the city’s best-kept secrets. 🍖
Owned by Tim B., this East Memphis eatery combines a smokehouse and deli under one roof, offering everything from perfectly smoked brisket to stacked pastrami sandwiches made fresh from scratch.
The expansive menu ranges from breakfast pizzas and croissant sandwiches to fish tacos and burnt ends, creating something for everyone while maintaining the authentic Memphis barbecue tradition. 🎵
How Elwood’s Shack Won Memphis’ Hearts
The story of Elwood’s Shack rise to becoming a Memphis favorite begins with Tim B.’s vision to create a unique restaurant combining traditional Memphis smokehouse fare with deli classics.
When the restaurant opened in 2013, the former Pizza Shack location already had a loyal following, but Elwood’s transformed it into something entirely new with the addition of a barrel smoker.
The commitment to fresh food made from scratch set them apart immediately—while other joints relied on pre-made sides and shortcuts, Elwood’s made everything in-house daily.
Their innovative BBQ Pizza became legendary, sitting on top of a thick and fluffy crust with lots of smoked pulled pork and mozzarella cheese drizzled with sweet barbecue sauce. 🍕
The introduction of Fish Tacos—perfectly balanced with acid and salt complementing the sweetness of the fish, greens adding freshness, and creamy sauce for richness—became the menu’s standout item.
The success led to opening a second location on Park Avenue, allowing more Memphians to experience what locals in East Memphis had been raving about for years.
Food Highlights
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Fish Taco: This menu standout features perfectly balanced acid and salt complementing sweet fish, fresh greens, and creamy sauce.
- Texas Patty Melt: This substantial burger variation features the patty on grilled bread with melted cheese and caramelized onions for diner-style perfection.
- Philly Cheese Brisket Wrap: The smoked brisket replaces traditional steak in this Philly-inspired wrap with melted cheese and peppers for an elevated take on the classic.
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Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich: The tender smoked brisket gets piled high on Texas toast with the fat melting in your mouth—so flavorful it barely needs barbecue sauce.
- Sausage Biscuit: The great-flavored sausage comes on a moist biscuit for a classic Southern breakfast done right.
- BBQ Pizza: The thick and fluffy crust gets topped with lots of smoked pulled pork, mozzarella cheese, and sweet barbecue sauce.
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Brisket Taco: This generously portioned creation showcases Elwood’s smoking skills with tender brisket in taco form, creating portable perfection.
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Eggs Over My Hammy Breakfast Pizza: This popular morning option tops pizza crust with eggs and ham for a creative breakfast.
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Burnt Ends: These tender meat chunks deliver the right amount of flavor with a jalapeño kick at the end.
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Debris Po’boy: This New Orleans-style sandwich holds its own against any Louisiana original with tender meat.
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Blue Smoke Melt: This adventurous creation combines creative flavors in unexpected ways—the blue cheese addition makes it polarizing but memorable for those who love bold taste.
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Elwood’s Croissant: A breakfast favorite featuring bacon, sausage, fried egg, avocado, provolone cheese, and mayo.
- Half Rack Ribs: The dry-rubbed ribs showcase traditional Memphis barbecue technique with tender meat that pulls cleanly from the bone.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Elwood’s Shack embraces hole-in-the-wall charm with zero pretension, where the focus stays squarely on exceptional food rather than fancy surroundings. 🎸
The old rock-n-roll concert venue aesthetic mixed with blues feel creates a uniquely Memphis ambiance, honoring the city’s musical heritage through decor and energy.
The friendly service and laid-back atmosphere make it equally perfect for quick takeout, casual family dinners, or lingering over barbecue while soaking up the Memphis vibe.
Bottom Line
Visit Elwood’s Shack for legendary fish tacos that customers call menu standouts, authentic Memphis barbecue from a barrel smoker, including burnt ends and brisket, famous BBQ pizza, and massive portions that feed two. ⭐
Experience the Memphis hole-in-the-wall where smokehouse meets deli, and everything’s made fresh from scratch since 2013.
Address:
4523 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122
📞 (901) 761-9898
🕔 Open Mon-Sat, 7 AM–9 PM; Sun, 8 AM–3 PM