Corky's is the place we take tourists... along with The Rendezvous. Both places are visitor's favorites, but we locals tend to stay away from them unless there's someone we want to introduce to Memphis BBQ.
After that introduction, you might find that some have better meat, some have better sauce, some have better slaw, some have better beans, some have better ribs (dry isn't as Memphis-style as people think... everyone I know that cooks them in the backyard do 'em wet), some have a fairly acceptable balance of ALL. And even then, it's all personal taste and preference anyway right?
Top's and Corky's are really the most generic "you'll always get a good meal here" type places. Nothing real fancy, but you can bet it'll be acceptable.
A friend has been doing a BBQ Blog for the last month or so, trying to visit as many off the beaten path BBQ restaurants in the area.
http://memphisque.blogspot.com/
Had Top's BBQ last Friday night at our Lodge's 50th Birthday / 25yr / 50yr / Widow's Dinner. Same as always; good. Not one complaint from anyone.
NOW, we'll talk about fried chicken later... or just say, you gotta try the grammatically incorrectly named Gus's Fried Chicken.
Once you have a piece of Gus' fried chicken... well, let's just say it's on the Top Ten places to eat in the World for a reason.