Barbecue and a Pink Cadillac at Marlowe’s in Memphis

A plate of ribs that pulls cleanly from the bone has a way of settling the question of where to eat near Graceland. At Marlowe’s, the barbecue comes with an extra helping of Memphis theater: Elvis memorabilia on the walls, Elvis music in the room, and, for guests who arrange it, a Pink Cadillac limousine ride to dinner.

It is an easygoing place to make an evening of a meal. Couples, families and bigger groups can settle into booths or indoor tables, linger over a platter, order another drink, and let the King keep the soundtrack going.

The ribs and brisket are the headliners here. Both are notably tender, with rib meat that comes away from the bone easily and brisket that does not require much effort from a knife.

Pulled pork, barbecue chicken and barbecue beef sandwiches broaden the choices for a table that cannot agree on one meat. Combination meals are especially useful in that situation, since they make it possible to sample across the menu rather than commit to a single style of barbecue.

Portions run generous, particularly once sides enter the picture. A three-meat meal can be paired with three sides, which is already a substantial order; a four-entree barbecue platter with four sides can easily become a sharing affair.

The regular barbecue sauce has a tangy, sweet profile and stays on the milder side of the heat scale. Ribs also come with a smoky rub and a sweet finish that gives the meat plenty of flavor before anyone reaches for extra sauce.

The side dishes are not treated as a small afterthought beside the barbecue. Macaroni and cheese is rich and distinctly white-cheddar-forward, while the potato salad is made with red potatoes, mustard, mayonnaise and paprika.

Coleslaw, beans and green tomatoes round out the familiar barbecue-table possibilities. With the larger combination plates, those sides create a useful little tasting menu of their own.

For a starter, fried pickle spears are a popular choice, including at family tables. Deep-fried rolls offer another indulgent way to begin before the serious business of ribs and brisket arrives.

A mixed group does not have to send every diner down the same barbecue path. The menu also includes a chef salad, chicken tender salad, chicken tenders, and barbecue chicken served with burgundy mushrooms.

Dessert stays true to the generous, old-school mood. Bananas Foster, a banana Foster sundae and fudge brownie sundaes give the table a few reasons not to rush out after the last bite of potato salad.

The drink list includes alcoholic options, and a chilled, citrusy margarita makes a reasonable companion to a smoky plate of barbecue. The bar area provides another place to settle in, particularly if dinner has turned into a longer conversation.

Marlowe’s makes its Elvis connection visible from all directions. Memorabilia and themed décor are worked throughout the restaurant, so the room reads as a Memphis stop rather than a generic barbecue dining room with a few posters added at the last minute.

Elvis music, or Elvis radio, plays during the meal, and televisions have shown older Elvis films. It is a theme handled with enough material to keep a fan happily looking around between courses.

The setting can be lively without necessarily becoming hard to navigate conversationally. Some meals have a moderate buzz, while others are quiet enough for easy table talk—useful for a family dinner, a couple’s stop after sightseeing, or a group catching up over a platter.

The most memorable way to arrive is by Pink Cadillac limousine. Marlowe’s can arrange pickup and drop-off for some guests staying around the Graceland area, including nearby hotels and RV parks, turning the trip to dinner into its own Memphis outing.

The ride is not simply transportation with a flashy paint job. Drivers may share local stories along with Graceland and Elvis talk, giving first-time visitors a short orientation before they ever sit down for barbecue.

Children tend to get a kick out of the limousine, but adults who have never ridden in one may be just as pleased. Pickup is an arrangement to confirm directly with the restaurant by phone, rather than a service automatically attached to every reservation or visit.

Marlowe’s sits near Graceland and is also convenient to the airport, which makes it a workable meal stop on either side of a Memphis arrival or departure. The restaurant has a free parking lot with ample space noted by diners who drive themselves.

Inside, the mix of booths, general indoor seating, a bar area and a private dining room gives the place flexibility for different-sized parties. Reservations have not always been required, though current arrangements are worth confirming directly when planning a group meal or a Cadillac pickup.