Daily Archives: March 11, 2022
4 Q’s . . .
Following up on yesterday’s blog:
If I didn’t stir people up enough with Beans or No Beans controversy, how about the 26 best BBQ places in Memphis, TN?
And Jan and I have eaten at 3 of them, numbers 8, 5, and 2.
Starting out, #8 was kind of a surprise to us, in that it’s a chain.
We eaten at Jim ‘N Nick’s locations, not only in Memphis, but also in Birmingham at two locations, and in Montgomery, too. Plus they have 36 other locations in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Their BBQ is more north Alabama-Carolinas style, with both Alabama White Sauce, and a vinegar-based Carolina sauce, as well as a traditional tomato-based sauce.
Here’s a repost of our Memphis visit to Jim ‘N Nick’s.
But looking over several lists, I came across a name I was really familiar with – Jim & Nick’s BBQ. I’ve eaten at their original Birmingham AL location a number of times back in the 90’s, and knew they had started to spread out in Alabama, but I didn’t know they had gone further. In fact they’re now in 7 states as far west as Colorado.
So off we went to Jim & Nick’s out in Cordova, a Memphis suburb about 30 minutes away on the east side of the city. And it was well worth the trip.
We started off with their Sausage Plate, with a link of their home-made sausage, served with pimento cheese and BBQ sauce. So good that Jan, who doesn’t really care for sausage, loved this.
Then they brought out a basket of their Cheese Biscuits which we devoured pretty quickly.
They’re delicious, and so well-loved, they even sell the mix so you can make your own at home.
Jan got their Pig on a Bun pulled pork sandwich topped with Cole slaw, while I again went with a Combo Plate with Ribs and Pulled Pork.
And it was like I was back in Alabama again, with the spare ribs and the pork, all slathered in their sauce, especially their Hot Habanero sauce. Like being back home.
Next up is # 5 which is located in a downtown Memphis alley.
We ate here on our visit before last, and loved it. But when we were here last time, it was a Sunday and Rendezvous was closed. So we ate there last night so we wouldn’t miss it this time.
Rendezvous is known for their ribs, and one taste shows why.
These ribs are different. They’re grilled over charcoal, not wood, and not slow smoked, or anything like that. They’re grilled 30 minutes on a side about 18 inches above a blazing charcoal fire.
This produces a delicious crust on the ribs that is then mopped with a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, and barbecue spices. Then before serving, the ribs are sprinkled with the secret Rendezvous seasoning.
I got the combo platter with ribs and their pulled pork, all juicy and delicious, while Jan just had ribs.
But another real standout here are their beans. They’re almost as good as the ribs. They have a delicate burnt caramel taste that I’ve never encountered before, but it adds such a flavor bonus, it’s hard to describe.
Finally we headed for The BBQ Shop, a place that showed up on pretty much every “Best BBQ in Memphis” list I found.
And they were right !
Like most good BBQ places, it looks pretty nondescript on the outside, but the food inside was another story.
Jan had pulled pork sandwich piled high with meat and coleslaw. Once again, I had the Combo Platter with ribs and pulled pork. It was smaller than the one last night, but not by much. At least it only had two sides instead of tour.
The ribs are what they refer to as “half & half”. Memphis BBQ is usually cooked with just a dry rub, and not with sauce. You can add the sauce later if you want.
The BBQ was delicious, but what really set it apart was their sauce, or at least their hot sauce. We never even tried the regular one.
Their hot sauce was very, very, hot. But along with being very, very hot, it was very tasty and flavorful, maybe one of the best sauces I’ve ever had.
All in all, it was a great meal !
And though it’s not actually in Memphis, TN, but in West Memphis, AR right across the Mississippi River, Ray’s World-Famous BBQ is at the top of a lot of people’s lists, including ours.
About 6 pm we headed out to a BBQ place we heard about near here, Ray’s World Famous BBQ. It’s a small place, only about 6 tables. But they have 4 delivery guys on the go constantly, so it’s certainly popular.
And here’ the big man himself, Ray of Ray’s World Famous BBQ.
Jan got a pork sandwich with two sides. I got the rib and pork combo plate, but I wasn’t expecting this!
No, this is not TWO orders. This is just one dinner.
Two meats and four sides, potato salad, BBQ beans, coleslaw, and BBQ spaghetti.
OMG!!
On checking the menu again, I found it also called “The Trucker’s Special”.
Maybe I need to read a little closer next time!
Thought For The Day:
The essential toolbox:
WD-40, duct tape, a wrench, and a hammer.
You can fix almost anything.
.
