Our Story

One of America’s famous restaurants. Leonard’s Pit Barbecue opened in 1922 when founder Leonard Heuberger bartered a Model T Ford for a 7-stool sandwich stand in South Memphis. In 1932, he moved to his 1140 S. Bellevue location, which he enlarged several times over the years as demand grew for his barbecue food specialties.

In the 30’s, he offered food delivery by bicycle, and pioneered today’s popular take-out, and catering services. In the 40’s and 50’s, Leonard’s was the world’s largest barbecue drive-in restaurant with 20 car-hops serving the daily parade of patrons who parked under the canopies. The photographs on our walls give you a look at the yester years at Leonard’s…and Memphis…where Leonard’s has, since 1922, been the symbol of the highest quality standards of food and service in the pork barbecue capital of the world.