Friday update

A few minutes after 11 AM yesterday, I wandered over to the food truck rodeo in Court Square. I had my eye on a shawarma truck but it hadn’t opened its window yet. I surveyed the other trucks in the park, and a line on the Smokey Baby Eatery food truck’s menu caught my eye:

“Jumbo turkey leg $13”

I hadn’t had a turkey leg in a few years, and I’d been craving one. But then a thought crossed my mind.

“It doesn’t come with 2 sides like a lot of the other entrees. If I get it, I’ll be missing out on beans and fries.”

But then another thought crossed my mind:

“MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT”

I stepped up to the window and ordered a jumbo turkey leg. The lady asked if I wanted sauce. I said yes, and she ran my card. About 4 minutes later she bagged up the leg, which was wrapped in foil, and I carried it home. When I got there I made two strategic decisions:

  1. I brought the entire roll of paper towels over to my writing desk. I knew from prior experience with turkey legs that they are not one-paper-towel jobs.
  2. I went and changed into a T-shirt that I didn’t care if it got ruined by sauce.

Those precautions in place., I unwrapped the leg and got it onto a paper plate:

For reference, that’s one of the large 10-inch radius Dixie paper plates. You can’t tell because the photo got cut off, but the leg was almost too large to fit on the plate.

I quickly realized there was no chance in hell I’d be able to pick this thing up and eat it with my hands. I only had 6 additional rolls of paper towels in the apartment and that would not be enough. I retrieved a fork and knife from the kitchen and dug in.

The verdict? Smoky and meaty and delicious. The sauce added to the flavor. I was full after half the leg, so I wrapped it up in foil and had the other half for dinner.

The Daily Memphian has big news to report: After closing March 19, 2020 as restaurants shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic, McEwen’s on Monroe will reopen on December 20. They’ve added additional space, expanding into the building next door. The menu will still have classic McEwen’s favorites, but due to soaring inventory costs and supply chain issues, it will be pared down a bit.

The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team hosts Murray State at FedExForum tonight. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Before and after the game, Tin Roof on Beale will have pre- and post-game specials for college students. Just show your student ID.

The Memphis Grizzlies Claw Crew will be out on street corners today and tomorrow giving out free tickets to tomorrow’s home game featuring Zach Randolph’s jersey retirement. Follow @memgrizz on Twitter to learn where to find the crew. During tomorrow’s game, there will be musical tributes to Z-bo by the Royal Studios All-Star Band, AL Kapone, DJ Paul, Young Buck, 8-Ball and MJG, and Moneybagg Yo. On hand for the retirement ceremony will be Lionel Hollins, Chris Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Bonzi Wells.

Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration returns to Beale Street this evening from 5-7. Get your kid’s photo with Santa, enjoy holiday music, and have some free hot chocolate.

South Main will have a Tacky Sweater Pub Crawl tonight. Participating venues will be Wiseacre Brewing Company, Rumba Room, The Green Beetle, Barware, Slider Inn, Max’s Sports Bar, South Main Sushi, Paramount, Earnestine & Hazels, Vault, Eight & Sand, Longshot, and Bar Hustle.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is looking to hire a Staff Accountant.

Felicia Suzanne Restaurant’s last day in Brinkley Plaza will be Saturday, December 18. They’ll reopen in the former Spindini space in 2022.

If you’re a paid South Main Association member, you’re invited to their annual holiday party Wednesday, December 15 from 6-9 PM at 409 S. Main.

Christmas’ most annoying and unnecessary character, The Elf on the Shelf, is now a musical. You can catch it Tuesday at the Cannon Center.

Communications consulting firm DCA has several positions open at their 11 W. Huling office: Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, Account Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator.

Interesting link I found yesterday: Publishing company Scribe Media will e-mail you copies of books they publish every month. It’s free to sign up and there doesn’t seem to be a catch.

Today is National Lager Day if you’re looking for an excuse to drink some beer.

Fire Pit Friday with free S’mores and holiday lights and tunes returns to River Garden Park this evening.

Reminder to those attending the Memphis Holiday Parade on Beale Street Saturday – if you intend to buy a beer, ask how much it is before you order it. Some bars on Beale are known to put ridiculous upcharges in place (like, double-digit prices for a 32 oz. PBR) for special events.

From the Memphis Flyer: Supply chain issues will delay South Point Grocery’s opening to early 2022. COVID has caused delays getting needed supplies and equipment to the space. McEwen’s, by the way, had its reopening delayed for months for very similar reasons.

The Grizzlies got a 108-95 win over the L.A. Lakers last night at FedExForum. The Grizzlies remain in 4th place in the West with a 1-game lead over 5th-place L.A. Clippers.

Keep an eye on the weather tonight. Severe weather including wind gusts to 60+ MPH with the possibility of tornadoes is expected. MemphisWeather.net predicts a high of 76 degrees this afternoon, 22 degrees above normal.

That’s it for today. Going to write until noon and then get out. I found a new Medium-based publication called “Fuck Niches” and asked to write for them and was accepted. Seems like a good personality fit. Back tomorrow with more news.