Monday update: News and congratulations to local BBQ teams and the Redbirds

Congratulations are in order for two of our local BBQ teams. There was a regional BBQ competition at Goat Days in Millington this past weekend, and our friends Victory Lane BBQ took home the Grand Champion trophy. In addition, our friends Porkosaurus took second place in Sauce. Both teams sell their sauces and rubs to the public. Follow the links to shop online.

Congratulations as well to the Memphis Redbirds, who came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the Pacific Coast League American conference championship. The PCL Championship Series versus the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, begins at AutoZone Park Tuesday and Wednesday. Field Box, Dugout, and Club Level seats cost $10, and each comes with a hot dog/soda voucher. First 5000 each night will receive a new-logo Redbirds hat. There will be a specialty all-you-can-eat buffet ticket each night and $2 beers throughout the park. First pitch is 7:05 for both games.

Burger King is offering a value-priced mystery burger in France. When I first saw the headline, I thought, le chat, le chien, le cheval… but no, that’s not it. You get a container and you don’t know what sandwich is in it until you’ve paid two euros and you open the container. You could get any one of 10 sandwiches on the menu, including the Whopper, Big King, or chicken sandwich.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Irma will hit the Mid-South Tuesday and Wednesday. MemphisWeather.net has the details.

I had burgers and fries from the Flying Saucer for dinner both Saturday and yesterday. Sunday I had a good conversation with one of the Saucer managers about plans for Burger Fest, the local craft breweries (except Meddlesome which is too new for me to have an opinion), Harvey donations, lots of good stuff. Never in my life did I think I’d be saying the Saucer has the best fries Downtown, but here I am saying it. The managers there have really done an excellent job bringing the place back since the renovation.

Testing will soon begin of the Memphis trolleys. After two fires in 2013-14, MATA wants to do months of testing to ensure passenger safety. The trolleys will not be available to the public during this testing phase.

My job helped my friends complete a crossword this weekend. They were doing the New York Times crossword at Blind Bear and one commented, “Common bridge opening bid. I have no clue.” I reminded them that I work for the organization that promotes and sanctions bridge in North America. “Five letters, begins with O-N,” my friend said.

“O-N-E-N-T. One notrump,” I replied. Happy to be helpful!

Thank you to all firefighters, police officers, and other first responders out there, on the 16th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

All my Monday bartenders are leaving me! First Melissa left Bardog, so no more Melissa Monday there. Now today and tomorrow are Hanin’s last shifts at the Silly Goose. So I guess I will lead off there this evening. Probably over to the Flying Saucer for Pint Nite afterward to see if they have that keg of Meddlesome Blonde tapped yet. Back tomorrow with more news.