I grew up in the Bootheel at the top of the Delta, where Chubby's BBQ is a legend. My wife is from Mississippi County, Arkansas, home of the Dixie Pig, another legend. So when I talk about Delta barbecue, I'm coming from a place of love... and pretty high standards. Abe's is part legend, part myth, and all Crossroads. If it's your first visit, let me save you some confusion: yes, the tamales are one of the signature items at a barbecue joint. And yes, they're every bit as good as you've heard. I get mine with chili, slaw, and crackers, and I'll happily eat enough of them to make myself miserable--in the best possible way. Then it's time for a chili cheese dog, a pig sandwich with slaw, and enough sweet tea to float a jon boat. It's probably a good thing I only pass through Clarksdale every couple of months on the drive between New Orleans and my hometown. If I lived closer, my doctor and my waistband would both have something to say about it. This place is famous throughout the Delta for a reason. I've been stopping at Abe's for over three decades, and it has never disappointed. read more

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While we were working in a nearby town, we kept hearing how good Abe's BBQ in Clarksdale was, so we decided to check it out after work. Definitely get why people recommend them. I had the tamale plate, while my co-worker had the tamales and beans. Service was quick and super friendly, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]there's a ton of memorabilia on the walls to look at.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If I find myself at the Crossroads again, I'll be back! read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Tamales - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

Amazing tamales! The service is amazingly friendly and this place has great history. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Menu - History - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Best barbecue I've had in a long time. Super genuine, Old style polite service right at the crossroads. Huge portions and great quality. Definitely not to be missed on a trip to Clarksdale. read more

Great service and exceptional food. George made time for us as the last guests of the night. A great experience! Thank you! Ivan & Michele (NJ) read more

This place is buns. The service was terrible, [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambience was trash[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and the food sucked. I am not sure how you are in business for 102 years and still have not perfected your food. It doesn't make sense. They had a Budweiser sign, and they don't serve beer. It doesn't make sense. Btw, my friend said the grilled cheese was good. Would avoid. read more

We rolled in here for a late lunch; pork bbq; tamales and fresh brewed tea. Ok the good news: [[HIGHLIGHT]]great atmosphere, storied history, friendly staff.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ok the bad news: the bbq was bland with a sauce that was also bland; tamales were ok, but filling wasn't really meaty. The tea was good. So three stars on food, five on atmosphere. read more

Pork sandwich and beans were great. Server was very friendly. I would recommend this place.

Worse BBQ I have ever had. No flavor. Only had vinegar BBQ sauce, which might be a regional thing. But no excuse for the smokeless tasting pork. read more

The pork sandwich was very good. They say this place started in 1926. On this road trip I started at Jones BBQ in Marriana AR then to Cypress Corner BBQ in Lexa then finished up at Abes! All in the same day! Jones #1, Cypress #2 Abes #3 but all were better than you could get anywhere else except for Craigs in De Valls bluff. read more

This is the real deal: excellent "down home" pit BBQ, or as they call it: "swine dining!" Blocks away you can smell the smoke of this Clarksdale institution, which serves excellent ribs, pork (sliced or chopped), and the Mississippi favorite: hot tamales. The ribs were the perfect balance of moist but held onto the bones. Sides of slaw and beans were tasty, with the vinegar slaw a perfect foil to the sweet and tangy ribs. They have an extensive menu featuring all of the typical BBQ options and sides, and they all looked good. The team at Abe's couldn't be nicer or more helpful, providing guidance on what is particularly good that day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Just be prepared to be very full when you leave, and to have a slight smokey aroma following you for the rest of the day![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Located right at Crossroads in Clarksdale - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Our road trip took us through Clarksdale and we stopped for a couple of Blues Highway landmarks and lunch at Abe's. The food is solid excellent and we tried the hot tamales (the favorite of the day), pork sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich. Sides included the chili, baked beans, fries and slaw. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with the slaw on the sandwich and it was a very tasty combination. My husband thought the pork sandwich was one of the best he's had. read more

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This Delta barbecue landmark, located at the symbolic crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, is almost 100 years young--it never gets old stopping here to dine in or takeaway. The place can get busy but you are waiting for quality. It's laid-back and you can hang out as long as you wish. No one is rushing you out--outside tables too. As for the food, my go-to is the Big Abe--juicy balance of well smoked pork, sauce and tangy cole slaw. And recommend the onion rings over the fries. But really you can't go wrong--and take some Delta tamales with you. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Order at counter or take a table for waiter/waitress service - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Had the pulled pork sandwich with fries and sweet tea for lunch. Pork was served Carolina style with slaw on top. It had that sweet vinegar taste. Not sure if it was the slaw or pork but it was good nonetheless. Service was quick and friendly. I enjoyed it read more

Over 100 years old - great place to enjoy solid BBQ and sides [[HIGHLIGHT]]with a view of the crossroads[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] - one of the most important places in music history!!! read more

The tamales with coleslaw and crackers were delicious. My server, Lucille, was a sweetheart! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was just what you would expect from this century old landmark.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Abe's is a must stop if you have never been. Food is always hot and good. Service is good Ms Lucile will take good care of you. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of things to look at too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Big Abe hot dog. Big Abe ham and cheese with slaw. Bbq baked beans and a plain cheeseburger. And of course chips and sauce. - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

Friendly delicious place. Tamales generously heaped with chili. The chopped pit BBQ pork hit the spot. Reasonable prices and open for indoor seating. (June 2021). Bring cash; credit is +3% read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Menu 2021 June - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Abe's bbq on the crossroads is a must when traveling through Clarksdale. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant has an old timey feel and the employees make you feel welcomed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Bbq was great and loved reading about the history of the place and area. read more

I have never been to Abe's BBQ. Im on my break for lunch and I passed by and turned around to try Abe's out. Im not from Clarksdale MS. So I went in there were 2 lady's behind the counter, I let them know that I have not eaten there before so the one of the lady's give me a menu. I was on the phone with my crew so I can put there order in for the 16 of us. There was an older white male asked one of the lady's did they take my order, she told him I was on the phone so I put my phone in my pocket so I can make an large order for my crew I stood there for about a minutes with no service. Shortly after an older white gentleman came in and set down in front and the main lady looked at me then looked at the older guy and went the behind the counter and went out the other side and started to take his order. I looked at the lady then I look at the other lady and said (this how yall work here) so as I had a strange look on my face and I looked at some of the other guests they seen my discomfort for Abe's BBQ so I walked out and went and ordered over $200 worth of food for my crew. So if your not from Clarksdale MS. and you visit dont go to Abe's BBQ our money isn't good enough read more

I have eaten here a few times. I can't say that it is not good. I think that it's just a tourist spot.

So, the legends here are really quite amazing. Cash is preferred in this little down home spot. I had to try the hot tamales, very nice. The slaw is a wonderfully tart no mayo style. The sauce on the BBQ has a similar hint of tart. Yum. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Pork BBQ and beans - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Stopped in here while traveling through Mississippi on our motorcycle to get some ribs... the people in the place were awesome and friendly but the beef jerky they called ribs was another story. The ribs were about as dry as the delta that day and I may have even chip a tooth I nawing on those ribs.. but the sweet tea was good. read more

Food is amazing. Service is great. Waitress was so nice and polite. Saw this place on Somebody Feed Phil. It was as good as he said. We shared three tamales with chili and cheese and a Big Abe pork sandwich. So good!!! read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Tamales - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Don't expect a lot. Abe's is a little joint that sells bbq. Not outstanding, but okay. It's old, it's historic, the owner cares about his business. The servers are an assortment of those who care about getting it right and those who don't; no different from other places. The prices are pretty average. There aren't a lot of places to eat in Clarksdale and Abe's is almost always open. If you want good bbq, Abe's is good. read more

Hot Tamale Trail - Stop #12/12 Tamales - Red and hand rolled (most other locations seem to be machine rolled). Good ratio of meat to masa. I came for the tamales... but I should have tried it with chili and cheese. - (4) star. Bar-B-Q Pork sandwich - Pulled pork, tender with enough BBQ sauce to taste, but not overpowering, with slaw on top. - (5) star I would keep coming back for more of this! read more

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Best BBQ pork sandwich EVER! Highly recommend going out of your way to this place. It's so worth it

Abe's is an old school BBQ joint in the Mississippi delta. From the moment you walk in your are treated like family by the staff. The menu is a good size and the pricing is a little bit better then most Texas bbq joints. The dining room has photos from the history of the restaurant and the delta. It is very cozy and welcoming. I got the rib plate with no sauce. The ribs were great. They were hot, fresh, smokey and moist. They had a good pull and taste to them. The sides were good to. The beans did taste like pork and beans but the potato salad was great. It was cold and creamy. Over all my experiences was great and I will be coming back next time I am in the delta. Don't forget to pick up a bottle of BBQ sauce for home. read more

Yes yes yes!! Thank you!! We have been driving all over looking for some bbq and I'm so glad we came here to give it a try. Really really good stuff. Very satisfying! read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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Huge portions. Good BBQ. And friendly staff. Picked up a to-go order and it was ready before I even arrived. The baked beans were some of the best I've had. Only disappointment was that they were out of pecan pie, which I assume means it too is good. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - BBQ Rib Plate with Fries and Baked Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

This burger did not disappoint. I went easy on the chili but this burger was cooked when ordered and it was very tasty. Definitely coming back soon to try something else or another burger. You can't go wrong!! read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Big Abe Chili cheese burger did not disappoint!!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

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This place is kick-a$$. Tamales and BBQ. Loved it. The wait staff was very friendly and fun. The tameales with chili ... trust me... eat the crackers with it. So good. Potato salad like mamas. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

Wow! Friend took me here for lunch. New to MS and it was fantastic! I got the rib tip meal and the meat was flavorful and juicy. Baked beans were great too. Can not wait to bring the family. Been in business since 1924! read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Sign - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

Wasn't headed to Clarksdale but ended up there an was looking for a lunch spot. Always like to try BBQ places and it happened to be at the Robert Johnson Crossroads spot so that was a surprise. There were 2 of us and we ordered tamales with chili and cheese, a beef sandwich, a pork sandwich, and some fries with a sweet and unsweet tea (sweet isn't Tennessee sweet but it is close). They tamales were delicious. Perfect southern beef tamales covered in beef chili and cheese. Some of the reviews say the pork is sliced and other pulled, but I think it is more of a shaved pork but it had a good bun and the sauce/slaw ratio was also good. The beef sandwich was also good - same bun and sauce/slaw ratio. The slaw is just cabbage and and some salt/pepper/vinegar (and atiny bit of sugar we think). The crunch is good and I don't usually like the vinegar but I did it this slaw. If you need it drowned mayo/carrots/sugar and much less cabbage crunch this is not for you. Much like a review I wrote including potato salad, slaw is something that seems to be really personal when it comes to flavor preference - just ask them to keep it off the sandwich. The waitress was really nice and we had a good time eating in the restaurant. If we are ever back that way we will definitely stop in. read more

Abel's is a landmark in Clarksdale located right at the world famous crossroads. We had the tamales which were very good! The BBQ sandwich was good as well. The ribs were okay and the slaw was a tangy as opposed to the normal creamy but I really liked it. The atmosphere is very old school which I live. I found the staff to be super nice as well. read more

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Biggest damn half rack of ribs I'd ever had. Vinegar based sauce was great. So much fun visiting this historic establishment.

Abe's has by far the best bar b q in the South. I always get the bar b sandwich with a side of bar bq beans or fries. Clarksdale was where I was born and now I live in Tennessee. I have eaten at a lot of bar b q restaurants in the south like in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. However, none of them comes close to Abe's. When I go home to see my parents in Cleveland, ms I will stop by Abe's to buy their bar b q sauce. I will even go by my local bar b q restaurant and order a bar b q sandwich to pick up. When they ask what kind of sauce, I say none but when I get home, I put Abe's bar b q sauce on it, ha ha. This closely reminds me of this Abe's restaurant. They have great friendly service too as they never let you see the bottom of your drink. If you are a tourist, stop by here. read more

Abe's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Clarksdale, Mississippi

You know I'm the guy who usually passes on "local legends" as far as restaurants; too many seem to be resting on their laurels of decades ago, and I'm usually disappointed. Like Stanich's in Portland, or Dick's Hamburgers in the Seattle area. Happy to report that's not the case with Abe's Bar-B-Q in Clarksdale, MS, dishing out smoked grub and other eats for the past 90 years. Located at the famous "crossroads" immortalized in song by Eric Clapton, it's the location where blues guitarist Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to give him history changing talent. Abe's has a relatively short menu of BBQ sandwiches, including pork, beef, and ham. A few other things like burgers and fried chicken round out the menu, with sides of beans, fries, and slaw. Sandwiches are offered in regular and large size, and usually served with a dab of sauce and a mount of cole slaw on flattened version of a hamburger bun. The slaw is a simple affair, but very tasty, with only cabbage, salt, pepper, vinegar and corn oil as ingredients, so sez the cook. I rolled through Clarksdale on a recent expedition, and was sad to note that I arrived at the restaurant an hour prior to opening. Seeing my salivating face peering in the window, though, they opened up and said they'd serve me. (Southern hospitality). Went with the large BBQ ham sandwich; my navigator grabbed a half a chicken. We both opted for a side of possibly the best baked beans on the planet, and our entrees were superb, of course. There's a ton to do and see in this part of Mississippi, including many stops if you're a blues fan, or are curious about the birthplace of Kermit the Frog. But be sure to have at least one meal at Abe's to make your trip a truly memorable experience. (Scroll down to see their menu). read more

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Excelent BBQ Sandwiches...and tamales to die for. My wife ended here while attending a blues festival in Clarksdale. I am glad we stopped. The place was clean and the service was good. The food was the star tough, as it should! read more

Visited during covid and only take away was available. Orders needed to be called in in advance. We didn't know, but the number was posted on the door. As we were in the process of calling, a staff member came out to deliver somebody else's order to their car and offered to take our order. Staff was nice. Free parking on site. There are two picnic tables for you to sit outside with a view of the famous crossroads. However, you do sit right by a busy street. The BBQ sandwiches were really tasty and came out fast. I wouldn't call it the best BBQ I ever had, but I would definitely recommend it as an authentic local place with good food. read more