Yesterday I was sitting around the apartment, trying to figure out how to take maximum advantage of a rare Downtown lunch hour. “Where have I not been? What’s a new place to try?” Then I thought, “What about that new restaurant that’s in the space that used to be Leonard’s BBQ?” I knew it was called Willie Moore’s, and that it was a continuation of a famous South Memphis restaurant, but I didn’t know much about it beyond that. Google led me to the Memphis Que blog post on Willie Moore’s.
Memphis Que is written by a former student of mine, Craig, who does a really excellent job uncovering BBQ and soul food joints in the Memphis area that may have flown under the radar. From Craig’s post I learned that Willie Moore’s had been a famous soul food joint on Third south of Crump for years, and when it burned down Mr. Moore relocated to the Main Street Mall. Craig posted a pic of the neckbones he had, and they looked delicious. He said the serving portions are huge. I’d never thought of trying neckbones before – in fact, until yesterday I thought “neckbones” meant chicken rather than pork. After reading Craig’s post, however, my lunch plans were set. Neckbones at Willie Moore’s…
… but it was not to be. I hate long lines, so I never go to lunch right at noon when restaurants are busy. Seeing that Willie Moore’s is open until 5 on weekdays, I waited until 2 PM. I walked up there and what did I find? Super long lines. The Progressive National Baptist Convention is in town and they discovered Willie Moore’s before I did. So I decided to wait for another day to try neckbones for the first time. Willie Moore’s is open 11 to 4 Saturday, so this is a lunch-only spot I can try without burning a future vacation day.
(By the way, to the convention attendees: Welcome to Memphis. I hope you enjoy your stay here.)
I’d been checking Facebook and Twitter to see what restaurants were doing for specials, and I saw that the Brass Door’s Slider of the Day was a green chile slider. That sounded interesting, so I walked down to the Irish pub on Madison, running the gauntlet of bums in Court Square on the way. I ordered the sliders, and about 10 minutes later they came out, three of them, with a side of the best fries in Memphis.
The sliders came topped with green chiles and Swiss cheese. The bartender told me that they are very popular in New Mexico, and that food topped with green chiles is as common in that state as BBQ is here. They aren’t on the regular menu but I’ve seen them as a special several times, so watch Brass Door’s Facebook page to see when they’re on the menu.
Here’s a good list of Facebook and Twitter feeds to follow to learn about daily specials Downtown:
- Brass Door
- Majestic Grille
- Trolley Stop Market
- Rizzos Diner
- Bardog Tavern
- Local Gastropub
- Green Beetle
- South of Beale
- City Market
- LUNCHBOXeats
- Double J Smokehouse
All of these restaurants are very consistent about posting daily specials. I linked to the social medium on which each restaurant is most active. “Like” them or follow them to get specials in your news feed.
There’s a special event called “Elvis a la Mode” at the Center for Southern Folklore tonight from 6-9 PM. Artist Betty Harper will display 50 years of art she has created in honor of The King. Rockabilly player Smoochy Smith will be on hand to provide live music. Maggie Moo’s will serve up flavors of ice cream designed specially for this event, including peanut butter and banana. Your purchases of ice cream at the event will go toward support of the Center’s Memphis Music and Heritage Festival, September 1-2.
The Peabody’s second-to-last rooftop party of the season is tonight. Gary Escoe & The Atomic Dance Machine will perform. 6-11 PM, $10 cover includes your first drink, ladies free before 7.
The King Beez will play Sunset Atop the Madison tonight. 7-11 PM, $7 cover, cash bar and small plates available.
The Redbirds will be back in town tomorrow night, and Friday’s game will be a big one. It will be Elvis Night, with Brad Birkedahl performing before the game and Ted Torres after the game. The first 5000 fans will receive an Elvis bobblehead, and there will be Elvis music and video throughout the game. Also, the Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance. That is a pretty stacked night of entertainment.
The Sunflower Blues Festival happens this weekend in Clarksdale. Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant will headline the event, Saturday at 10 PM. The Memphis Flyer has details. Note to one of my readers: THIS is what a valid reason for a Downtown Memphian to spend weekend time in Mississippi looks like.
I just wasted 30 minutes of my life watching rhythmic gymnastics. You know it’s a bullshit sport when they call it gymnastics and there are no Romanians.
There will be samplings of Jimmy’s Crazy Good Sauces and Spices today at City Market during lunchtime. I wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will be there… hang on, let me check.
Time to hit Publish and figure out a plan for lunch. Possibly another post later today.