Happy 70th to Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous

Iconic Downtown BBQ destination Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous celebrated its 70th birthday yesterday with a huge party. My troll received an invitation and I was lucky enough to tag along as her +1.

The event started off with a reception upstairs, with a buffet of cheese, sausage, pepperoncini peppers, and pickles.

Love that famous Rendezvous rub on the cheese. My troll liked the pepper the best because it was the same color as her hair. The sausage and cheese plate, by the way, is in my opinion the sleeper menu item at the Rendezvous. Even if you don’t have time for dinner, stop by for some sausage and cheese and a local craft beer. I had a Wiseacre Tiny Bomb that paired perfectly.

They had a prayer, a quick memorial to Charlie Vergos, and a video tribute to the restaurant.

A big part of the video tribute was the servers whose personalities have made the Rendezvous a place that is talked about around the world. Work 30 years at the Rendezvous and you’re still considered a newcomer. Mention was made of the recently-retired Big Robert and Percy, who combined have put in 101 years at the restaurant.

Afterward it was time to eat! We went downstairs where there were multiple stations serving the very best the Rendezvous had to offer.

I started off with some pulled pork. While not normally a slaw person, their slaw was amazing. Definitely do not pass it up when you dine at the Rendezvous. The pulled pork was so good that I went back for an extra serving to take to my friend Jessica who was working down the street.

The Rendezvous’ legendary ribs and sauce were a can’t-miss item at the birthday party.

Two shrimp, five napkins. This is another hidden secret of the Rendezvous… they have a five-pound BBQ shrimp skillet that you have to call and order a day in advance. Two of my BBQ teammates have been talking about getting a group together for this for a while.

The list of people who have been to the Rendezvous is endless. Peyton Manning had his rehearsal dinner there. The Rolling Stones came there in 1964 and liked the place so much that they’ve returned every time they’ve been in Memphis. Prince William and Prince Harry have been there. President George W. Bush treated the prime minister of Japan to lunch there and my friends The Dempseys performed.

The Rendezvous is remarkable in that it survived, and indeed thrived, in a period when Downtown was struggling. Although there are many great BBQ restaurants in Memphis, it can be argued that the Rendezvous was responsible for putting Memphis on the map as the premier BBQ city. In fact, had the Rendezvous not come before us, it’s possible I might not spend 1 of my 52 weeks of the year in a muddy park competing for a trophy in pork shoulder.

Cheers to the Rendezvous! Happy birthday and thank you for having me yesterday.