TV Restaurants

Who Runs Interstate Bar-B-Que Now? Food Paradise Update (Memphis, TN)

Food Paradise, Season 1 Memphis, Tennessee

Current status

New owners

As of October 2026, Interstate Bar-B-Que operates under new ownership — confirmed via fox13memphis.com, August 6, 2026.

What the source shows: Fox13 Memphis reported on 2026-08-06 that founder Jim Neely sold Interstate Bar-B-Que to Brothers Real Estate, LLC after more than 40 years, with the new owners continuing to use the Interstate Bar-B-Q name; Google Places listed the business as operational when checked 2026-09-08. How we decide a status →

What happened after Food Paradise?

"Barbecue Paradise" (S1E6) featured Interstate Bar-B-Que, spotlighting its dry-rub ribs and pulled-pork sandwiches at founder Jim Neely's original South Third Street restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. Neely opened the barbecue restaurant in a former grocery store after buying the South Third Street property in 1979, according to Fox13 Memphis. Fox13 Memphis reported on 2026-08-06 that Neely retired after more than 40 years running the business, citing age and family hardship, and sold the restaurant to Brothers Real Estate, LLC, which will keep operating it. Neely told Fox13 Memphis the new owners "will continue to use the Interstate Bar-B-Q name," and said of the recipes, "the food must remain the same." Google Places listed the restaurant as operational when checked 2026-09-08, with no indication of a change in address.

The episode Food Paradise, Season 1

Episode 6
Air date not confirmed
Title: Barbecue Paradise · What was featured: Interstate Bar-B-Que's dry-rub ribs and Jim Neely's 40-year Memphis legacy
How Food Paradise restaurants have fared: 27% closed →

Also in Season 1 Food Paradise

Season 1: 85 of 114 still open · 3 renamed, moved or under new owners

All 15 Season 1 episodes →

Nearest restaurants By distance from 2265 S Third St

All 129 TV restaurants in Tennessee →

Before you go: Businesses change fast. Always confirm directly with the restaurant — call ahead, or check its own current website or social media — before making plans around anything on this page.

Sources we checked 2 references

  1. fox13memphis.com https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/new-future-for-neelys-interstate-bbq/article_1013554d-939c-4367-b7fb-ad371c1a51a3.html
  2. interstatebarbecue.com http://interstatebarbecue.com/
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Record fp-0044 · checked by Cal Marchetti.