When I walk to the new job in the mornings, I usually take Madison east to B.B. King, then south on B.B. King to Beale where I work. So, every day I walk past the storefront at 149 Madison, most recently home to “fam,” a fast-casual Asian & sushi restaurant.
I hadn’t been to fam since before the pandemic. “Is it open?” I wondered as I walked by last week. “It sure looks dark in there.”
Yesterday I got my answer when I saw two new signs in the window.
This is fantastic news for those who live and work in the Downtown core!! Smurfey’s is a BBQ joint that has operated out of a food truck for years. The truck was a fixture at Thursday Court Square food truck rodeos.
The first Thursday of 2019, I walked over to Court Square. I was in the mood for BBQ, but I wanted something different. I was burned out on pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos.
Smurfey’s had the answer.
I got a jumbo baked potato topped with slow-smoked pulled pork, cheese sauce, and Smurfey sauce. I added veggies, which were optional, for a couple of dollars more.
That baked potato was one of the BEST things I have ever put in my mouth! The flavor profile of the pork along with the sauces was out of this world. I am so excited I’ll be able to get Smurfey’s pulled pork any day I want it, not just Thursday lunch.
By the way, if you don’t eat pork, you can get your potato topped with brisket or chicken. I think turkey may be an option too.
The sign in the window says Smurfey’s will be open for breakfast too. I’ll be excited to see what they come up with there. With the demise of Blue Plate Cafe and River Tine Deli, the city center is in need of more breakfast spots.
A Chancery Court judge has issued a ruling that could stop the construction of the Brooks Museum of Art at Front and Monroe. Friends for Our Riverfront, which asked for the ruling, will have to post a bond covering the costs of stopping construction.
Today is Circle K Day. The convenience store will offer discounts on in-store items as well as on gas and EV charging.
Memphis Beer Blog has a look back at 10 years of Wiseacre beer.
They’re setting up tents in Handy Park for the annual Beale Street Cigar Festival this weekend.
Lenny’s at Main and Peabody Place is finally back open a full complement of hours: 10:30 AM to 8 PM Monday-Saturday. They are also available for catering.
Use promo code PBR to buy a Throwback Thursday ticket to see the Redbirds tonight and receive a PBR T-shirt and 2 beers for free. There are throwback prices of $2 PBRs and $1 hot dogs. The ‘birds take the field in their Memphis Chicks uniforms to play Gwinnett at 6:45.
YUMMY special at Local on Main this week: Cheesy Collard Greens dip. I didn’t get a photo but it’s collards topped with 3 kinds of melted cheese and bread crumbs, with house-made chips for dipping. I had some and it was so good.
Another shooting Downtown: A 15-year-old boy was shot near Union and Wagner Place, half a block east of Riverside Drive, at 5:20 yesterday morning. UPDATE: The 15-year-old may have been breaking into cars
I received a beer + shot mixer suggestion yesterday that sounded worth passing on to my readers: Wiseacre Gotta Get Up to Get Down + Skrewball peanut butter whiskey
Montenegro and Lithuania are the next two opponents for Team USA in FIBA World Cup action. Montenegro has NBA All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, while Lithuania has a center Memphians are familiar with: Jonas Valanciunas. Game times:
- vs. Montenegro Friday 3:40 AM
- vs. Lithuania Sunday 7:40 AM
France will be Memphis In May’s 2024 honored country.
We will soon have a NERF theme park a day’s drive from Memphis.
Downtown’s Hilton Garden Inn has a temporary food & beverage director position open. The position runs through October.
Whet Thursday returns to the Metal Museum tonight. Smithing demos, live music, a food truck on site, yard games. Admission is free.
Jad Tariq plays the final Summer Acoustic Concert in the courtyard of Caption by Hyatt tonight.
Sunset Skate returns to River Garden tonight from 6 to 9. “Groove and glide down Riverside Drive.”
Goodlife DJs play Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel Friday night.
That’ll do it for today. I’m about to get out in this beautiful weather. Back tomorrow.