South of Beale is coming up on its 10th anniversary, and on August 10 they will have a party called SOB Fest to celebrate. It will happen in their parking lot and there will be live music by the Memphis Shake, Shuffle Grit, Bailey Bigger, Amber Rae Dunn and the Mulberries, The Skitch, Lydia Waldrop, and more. There will be drink and food specials all day long, and they may even un-retire a few of their past menu items for this event. A photo wall will span the lot where you can take pictures with different kinds of backgrounds. There will be cornhole and other games. This celebration will be free to attend.
Tug’s Casual Grill will get in the spirit of Independence Day with a special all-American menu next week, July 1-7. On the menu will be
- Appetizers: BBQ pork nachos, chicken wings
- BBQ plates: Pulled pork, beef brisket, BBQ half chicken
- Sandwiches: Pulled pork, beef brisket
- Dessert: Red, white & blue shortcake with strawberries and blueberries
- Cocktails: Mud Island Fusion, Harbor Town Mojito
Yesterday I was thinking about something… the Downtown Olympics logo is the five interlocking Olympic rings floating in a cup of beer. How do they get away with that? Isn’t using the rings a trademark violation? I mean, if they called the event “The Super Bowl of Drinking” and used any part of the official Super Bowl logo, the NFL’s lawyers would be all over them.
Come to think about it, the name might be a trademark violation too. When I was in 10th grade, us kids were invited to enter a competition called Olympics of the Mind. When I was in 11th grade, we were again invited. The teachers explained to us that the name had changed to Odyssey of the Mind, because lawyers.
Going to the Redbirds game tonight? Get there early! The first 800 fans through the turnstiles (gate opens 6:00, first pitch 7:05) will get a green Redbirds hat. It’s Silky O’ Sullivan’s Irish Heritage Night and there will be Irish music, games, and giveaways throughout the evening. Thanks to Polk’s Meat Products, fans can enjoy throwback prices of $2 domestic drafts and $1 Polk’s hot dogs tonight. College students can get a $5 bluff ticket with valid ID.
The Redbirds have debuted the Left Field Loonies access pass for Throwback Thursday games, when they wear their Memphis Chicks uniforms. The pass includes one ticket to each Thursday game, two draft beers or bottled waters for each Thursday game, and an exclusive Loonies shirt.
To join the Loonies, the exclusive cheering section for the 2019 Memphis Redbirds/Chicks, sign up here. Are they trying to make the Loonies to the Redbirds what the Bluff City Mafia is to Memphis 901 FC?
Listening to the Daily Memphian’s weekly Grizzlies podcast, with Chris Herrington and special guest Peter Edmiston, as I type this. They’re talking about how front office executives like Zach Kleiman rose to their positions starting off in internships. Kleiman’s internship was paid, but many of these front office internships are poorly paid or unpaid. That, says Edmiston, limits diversity in the front office because there are a lot of people who can’t afford to operate on very little or no pay for a year. Very good point.
One of the local bars is considering selling frozen Pedialyte pops to cure hangovers. Those will be great on Sunday mornings. I will let you know if it happens.
As your #1 source of news and information about The Edge District, it’s my pleasure to tell you about a couple of new specials at the Caribbean restaurant Evelyn & Olive. On Wednesdays children under 11 eat free – you get one free child’s meal with purchase of an adult’s meal 3-8 PM. This deal is dine in only. They’re also doing Couple Wednesday, where couples get one free appetizer or two free glasses of wine with purchase of two entrees. This deal is also dine in only.
Yeah I know Thursday isn’t the best day to tell you about Wednesday’s deals, but I can’t disseminate the information any quicker than I get it…
Venezuelan restaurant Sabor Caribe was polling its Facebook followers yesterday, asking if there would be interest in a daily delivery to Cordova.
Congratulations to former Grizzly Mike Conley, the first player in history to win the Teammate of the Year and NBA Sportsmanship Award in the same year.
In other news about former Grizzlies, Marc Gasol has picked up his $25.6 million player option and will be a Toronto Raptor again next year. Good for you Marc! Get paid and get a second ring!
Edible Memphis has launched some really handy Memphis guides. There’s a coffee guide and also a farmer’s market guide.
The Soul Shockers headline tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. $10 to get in, $20 VIP. Admission includes a buffet of smoked chicken legs and jalapeno dip with Ritz crackers. If you’re in VIP you get a second buffet of BBQ smoked sausage on a stick, bacon beef sliders, and Peabody fried chips and dip chow.
Got another Negroni Week specialty cocktail menu for you, this one from Belle Tavern:
Are you going to the Beale Street Cigar Festival, presented by Robusto by Havana Mix? A Robusto Gold Ticket to the event guarantees you one entry into a drawing for a fully loaded Toyota RAV-4. If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can upgrade to a Robusto Platinum Ticket, which includes two entries into the drawing. Proceeds from the festival benefit LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.
A friend of mine who recently returned from a trip told me that stitches from a recent surgery set off the metal detectors at the airport, and the TSA subjected him to a “deep crotch inspection.” Oh my. That sounds like fun.
Who says the storms always take a detour around Memphis? Got a particularly nasty one rotating over the city right now, and it doesn’t seem in any hurry to leave. It’s been thundering since I woke up. This may affect my Food Truck Thursday plans. I want some fried rice from Rice Burner…
The Memphis Flyer’s Memphis Bacon and Bourbon Festival will make its return Saturday, August 24 from 6 to 9 PM at the Beale Street Landing site. Your ticket, benefiting the Memphis Farmers Market, includes 15 bourbon tastings and a variety of pork dishes from some of Memphis’ best restaurants. For more information visit the festival’s website.
Bardog Tavern is seeking a delivery driver who can deliver food orders within the 38103 zip code. Must be 21 with a current driver’s license and valid insurance. Must be able to work nights and weekends. Come to Bardog in person (73 Monroe) to apply.
The Memphis Flyer has more information on catfish at Cozy Corner on Sundays. Did you know that from 1986 to 1988, there was a second location, called Cozy Corner Catfish and Ribs? Catfish has never before been sold at the North Parkway location, however. They are firm that this will be a Sunday-only menu item, and say they don’t want to become a fish restaurant.
Lew’s Blue Note Bar & Grill at 341 Beale is throwing a Blue Note Block Party on Saturday, July 6. There will be a $6 burger combo and other food and drink specials. They’ll have a DJ on the patio and a cornhole tournament. Admission is $5 and includes a Jello shot.
Comedian Chris d’Elia, star of NBC series Undateable, performs at the Orpheum tonight. Tickets are $28-58.
There’s a free Tai Chi on the River class tonight at River Garden, 51 N. Riverside Drive.
KIX on Beale returns tonight at 7:30 in Handy Park with a free show by Aaron Watson and Matt Stell.
Not a Downtown event but I find it very cool that a bar is hosting a Democratic debate watch party (RP Tracks). Encourage bar patrons to make informed decisions rather than just mindlessly sit there and watch sports all day. I hate it that the DSA endorsed Bernie, though. He’s too soft on Russia.
Long post today… and it’s still thundering outside. However, if I wait until 1 for lunch, the skies may clear and I may get my fried rice. Back tomorrow with more news.