Yesterday I got to enjoy one of the great smells of Memphis.
I was on my way to the Farmers Market when I noticed the door to Earnestine & Hazel’s was ajar and onions were on the grill. Clarence was preparing onions for the day’s Soul Burgers. I decided to move the Farmers Market back on the agenda and lead off at E&H. Once I had a PBR in my hand, I turned my attention to the bar’s legendary jukebox.
You know, the jukebox has 100 CDs which means there are about 1200-1300 songs to choose from, but it seems that the same tired old songs get played over and over again. I was determined to pick something different. The first CD I saw was Donna Summer’s Endless Summer, and I decided it was time for a disco party!
From the Summer album I played “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” (RIP Eddie Gilbert), and “Bad Girls.” I played “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, “Dancing Machine” by Michael Jackson, and “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5. From the Kool & the Gang CD I played “Fresh” and “It’s Too Hot” (a very appropriate song given yesterday’s blazing heat). I played some Aretha too although that technically doesn’t count as disco. A great Saturday morning! I still plan on Bardog being my main spot on Saturdays, but maybe once a month I’ll do the south loop and hit Earnestine and Hazel’s. Maybe the last Saturday of every month while the Farmers Market is in season.
Stop number two was Max’s Sports Bar, but I could only stay for a couple of PBRs. The Farmers Market was set to close at 1 and I had to get by there and check in on Swarm to defend my mayorship.
With an hour to kill before the BBQ meeting, I decided it was time to get something to eat. I walked south to Loflin Yard, where this happened.
“Can I go stand under the bridge, Paul?”
I should have known better than to take a troll to Loflin Yard. It’s her instinct to want to go do that. I wouldn’t let her though.
Her day improved when the salmon croquettes I ordered came out.
The troll likes foods that are the same color as her hair, so she was really excited about the greens. The salmon croquettes, available on Loflin’s brunch menu 10 to 3 and Saturday and Sunday, were excellent. They had my food out fast. I ordered a PBR and handed the bartender a 5 and he gave me three quarters back. $4.25 for a PBR?
After Loflin I walked over to South End for our BBQ debriefing meeting.
This was a wrap-up session, going over what worked and what did not. Of course, when you win 7th in Shoulder, you’re mostly going over what worked! We changed a board member’s title from Bar Manager to Quartermaster, but other than that there was no major news to report.
In the news: RAWK’n Grub has a new burger for the Memphis Flyer. RAWK’n Grub has moved their operation inside the Citgo at 630 N. Highland, but don’t let the location stop you from trying their outstanding food.
Time for D-RANKS with B-RAD at Pontotoc Lounge. Back tomorrow with more news.