Month: October 2023

Today is National Chicken & Waffles Day. Now, if this were a Saturday or a Sunday, I’d have a long list of Downtown restaurants where you could celebrate with this soul food favorite. On a weekday, though? That’s a tough one. Looks like I’m gonna have to send you to a hotel.

• Capriccio inside the Peabody
• King & Union Bar Grocery in the Doubletree

Wait, I just found a non-hotel restaurant:

• Fannie Lou’s Chicken & Waffles at 500 Tennessee Street

Fannie Lou’s is run by the guy who operated Cheesecake Corner for years. According to Facebook, Fannie Lou’s now has cheesecake.

One more…

• Sugar Grits has “Bird in the Bed,” Southern fried chicken atop a Belgian waffle topped with spicy maple syrup

And now I have a message from the folks at Local on Main:

• Local on Main will run a special today: A Nashville hot chicken breast with house-made slaw between two waffles. A pic is below:

Make that two pics:

Would you believe I’ve NEVER tried chicken & waffles before? Maybe today will be the day. I plan on stopping by Local on Main this morning around 11.

A word of warning if you go out for brunch in Downtown Memphis this Sunday: The person pictured below may show up at your table and ask, “CAN I HAVE A BIIIIIIIITE?”

The Nuh-Uh Girl

This person is known as The Nuh-Uh Girl and she was famous on this blog from 2006 to 2013. Her favorite thing to eat is OPF – Other People’s Food. She moved out west about 10 years ago and she’s now a wine sommelier in Park City, Utah. She’s been on Facebook this week asking where in Downtown Memphis has a good Sunday brunch, and she’s been spotted not far away in New Orleans.

Mud Island readers: On Wednesday, October 25 – the day of the Grizzlies’ first regular-season home game – be on the lookout for the Memphis Grizzlies Claw Crew as you drive to work. They’ll be at the roundabout at Island Drive and A.W. Willis Ave. with swag and ticket giveaways.

Memphis 901 FC hosts Louisville City FC at 5:30 Saturday in the first round of the USL playoffs.

TheBigWe Foundation will present A Creative Play Date Sunday in Tom Lee Park (at the park’s Monument to Listening) from 3 to 5 PM. All are welcome for an afternoon of art and painting, family-friendly games, and a musical petting zoo.

The city has an opening for an animal services officer.

The ShotGunBillys play Momma’s at 8.

Deep Roots plays Slider Inn Downtown at 8.

Bronx-based rapper and record producer Lord Finesse plays Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel tonight from 9 PM to 1 AM. Lord Finesse is known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. Crew (“Diggin’ in the Crates”).

The Mullet Bros, spreading awareness of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), paid a visit to Downtown Memphis this week.

And that’ll wrap it up. Possibly back later today with more news.

The special at Local on Main today: Chili cheese fries with house-made chili

Also, some guy is standing on the Main Street Mall selling COVID tests.

I’d like to offer a reminder to those who walk the pedestrian Main Street Mall: MOST MEMPHIS DRIVERS ARE IDIOTS. Just because the driver at the intersection you’re crossing has a red light doesn’t mean they’re going to stop. Just because you’re in a well-marked crosswalk doesn’t mean they’re going to stop.

Always be prepared to make a run for it, or a leap, or to stop in your tracks.

Look, I’m not trying to imply that your life is not important. I’m just saying, to the driver of the lime green Infiniti with drive-out tags, your life is not as important as the Snapchat app on their phone.

You can score some $9.01 tickets to the Grizzlies’ Wednesday, October 25 home opener by coming to their Plaza Party at FedExForum lunchtime Monday. Limit 2 tix per person while supplies last. El Mero, Frozen Spoon, MemPops, and Stickem food trucks will be at the party along with a live DJ and the Grizzlies’ Claw Crew.

Harbor Town Pharmacy will be closed today. The business was burglarized overnight. The back doors were smashed and more than $100 was taken from the register.

AL.com has a position-by-position breakdown of Saturday’s UAB vs. Memphis football game.

All right, gonna go ahead and hit Publish so I can get the word out about this Local special. This is my second post today, so make sure you don’t miss the first one.

Those of you going to FedExForum for All Elite Wrestling’s live broadcast of their Collision TV show this Saturday, you have a bonus coming. After Collision wraps, a special – AEW’s Battle of the Belts VIII – will be broadcast live from Memphis. The belts to be battled for will be the AEW Trios (six-man tag team) championships and the match will be

Daddy Ass (Billy Gunn) & The Acclaimed (champions) vs. Daniel Garcia, Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang

So, Memphis, I must ask you this…

WHO’S….. YOUR….. DADDY?????

Cocozza will be open 12 to 4 this Sunday for Harbor Town’s Fall Fest with sausage & pepper subs, meatball subs, and chicken parm subs as specials. They’ll also have spritzes, their full menu, and candy for the kids.

Anyone got more info on this Fall Fest? Send info/links to paul.ryburn@gmail.com or hit me up on social media.

Today is International Gin and Tonic Day.

It’s also National Seafood Bisque Day. I recommend celebrating with a cup of the lobster bisque at Slider Inn Downtown. Or you could do the red pepper & blue crab bisque at Fancy’s Fish House (pro tip: If you go to Fancy’s, ask for Maddie as your server).

Attention Westy’s: Please fix your menu on your website! I shouldn’t have to pick up my MacBook and tilt the screen sideways to be able to read it. Open it in a PDF editor, select “Rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise,” and save. If you’re not tech-savvy enough to do this, I can do it for dinner and a piece of hot fudge pie.

The Memphis Flyer has a look at the treats offered by Carrington’s Catering, one of the vendors at the Memphis Farmers Market. I’ve had their tarts before. Really good.

By the way – only 2 markets left in Memphis Farmers Market’s regular season. The markets run every Saturday through the end of October under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind the Power House movie theater. 8 AM to 1 PM. Get there early (as the local chefs do) to have your pick of the best stuff.

Amber Rae Dunn Trio plays Live at the Tracks at Central Station tonight from 6:30 to 9:30.

Tonight in the Filmmaker’s Workshop series at the Cossitt Library: Acting 101 with Raven Martin. “Develop acting skills, explore character development, and practice on-camera performances.” 5-7 PM.

RuPaul’s Drag Race – Night of the Living Drag comes to the Orpheum Wednesday at 8 PM. Tickets are $41-$121.

Something called Balkan Night is happening Saturday night at Silly Goose starting at 9 PM. I have no idea what that is but the owners are from that part of the world – Serbia (Boba) and Bosnia (Anja). Edible Memphis, by the way, recently had a nice post about the Goose and Boba & Anja on their Facebook page.

Andrew Cabigao Duo plays Momma’s tonight from 7 to 10. It’s Ladies Night with ladies receiving 20% off their tab during those hours.

A must-read (but not a pleasant read) for Grizzlies fans from ESPN: “Then the alligators got him”: Inside Ja Morant’s 18-month downfall

Another long but interesting read: The Downtown Safety Plan developed for the Downtown Memphis Commission by consultants

Congratulations to Downtown business owner Cristina McCarter (Feast & Graze) on being named to Mayor-elect Paul Young’s transition team. Cristina will be one of three co-chairs of economic development. View the entire transition team list

There’s going to be a “Save Beale Street Music Fest” rally outside City Hall on Tuesday. Jerred Price is organizing it. The rally will last from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Let me say it once again… living Downtown is like watching a soap opera, except that YOU are a character in the soap opera.

The company that runs Central Station seeks a shift engineer for the hotel.

It’s Wednesday night as I type this and I’m at the Blind Bear. A large group came in and had a reception, complete with food buffet. I eavesdropped and heard several of them introduce themselves to each other. “I bet they came from all over to attend a conference here,” I thought. Possibly the Global Industrial National Trade Show happening at the Renasant Convention Center.

About 8:30 they tabbed out, and I noticed half their food still remained. “If they’re staying in hotels, they’re not going to have anywhere to put their leftovers,” I thought. “I wonder if they’re going to leave them?”

A minute later, as the last of the big group walked out the door, Chico, the bartender, said, “Hey, Paul,” and gestured in the direction of the buffet.

OH HELL YEAH!!! Not only had I not eaten all day Wednesday, I hadn’t eaten the day before either! I got a chicken taco and two chicken egg rolls. Thank you, trade show people! Or whoever you are!

Then it was karaoke time. First up, we had a guy who did “Monster Mash” PERFECTLY. I actually applauded, and I almost never do that.

Next was a quartet… Hershell, Phoenix, Michael, and Chance singing… something. They reminded me of the way I sounded when I was fifteen. Except, back then I wasn’t singing. I was crying out in pain because I had kidney stones.

And now the butt sluts are here… #2 singing in my left ear and #1 in my right ear.

And now the clock has struck 12. Thursday morning is here. Possibly back later today with a second post.

Chef Eli of Dos Hermanos Kitchen at the Cossitt Library will host a cooking demo tonight. On the menu: A hearty cornbread dressing with cranberry compote. 6:30-8:00 PM.

It’s Whiskey Wednesday at Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel tonight from 6 to 9. Memphis’ very own Blue Note Bourbon is this week’s featured distiller.

Bardog Tavern has announced its annual Halloween costume contest, to be held the night of the 31st.

• First place: $200
• Second place: $100
• Third place: $50

Audience response will be the judge and the winner will be crowned at the stroke of midnight.

Stacked & Packed play Momma’s tonight. It’s Bike Night there with the following specials:

• $15 domestic buckets
• $17 import buckets
• $2 off appetizers

It’s The Office trivia night tonight at 6:30 at the Grind City taproom.

From Bleacher Report: Which high-profile moves from the 2023 NBA offseason will backfire? Read what they have to say about Dillon Brooks’ new contract with Houston.

From Action News 5: Beginning November 1, food truck vendors in Memphis will need to pay $50 for a permit and will be required to undergo an inspection by MFD

And now, it’s time for a recommendation by assistant blog writer Perjorie T. Roll:

Although it isn’t even a Downtown event, Perjorie feels strongly that you should take a Lyft or an Uber out to Black Lodge in Crosstown Thursday evening for Dinner and a Bad Horror Movie. Now, I’m not much of a movie person myself, but Perjorie tells me the movie to be shown Thursday, TROLL 2, is widely considered “the best horror film of all time.” As for dinner, I’m gonna just copy and paste the menu:

First Course: “Welcome to Nilbog Cake”
(Cupcake with green frosting)

Second Course: “The Fruit Belt”
(To tighten when the hunger pains set in)
Mint Green tea palate cleanser

Third Course: “Troll’s Curry”
(Thai green curry with tofu, potatoes, and
carrots, on a bed of rice with soft boiled egg)

There will be drink specials available to pair with each course. $35 per person for dinner & the movie; free to just show up and watch the movie. Get tickets

Saturday will be Family Fun Day at the Metal Museum. Families will be able to tour the museum for free, watch an iron pour, and take part in a variety of hands-on activities including bracelet and ring making and sculpture design.

Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart has promised fans he will make his preseason debut Friday in Memphis’ road game at Milwaukee.

The Department of Justice is considering going after real estate brokers who earn 6% commissions. I personally know at least four real estate agents. If I had homebuying/selling needs, I would gladly pay any of them 6% to make sure my transaction proceeds without difficulty.

There’s Double Dutch jump rope in Tom Lee Park every Saturday in Tom Lee Park at 11 AM. An exact location was not given, but I am assuming under the pavilion.

If any of you use the compression & archiving tool WinRAR, you need to update your software right now. Note that WinRAR doesn’t auto-download and apply the fic. You have to do it yourself.

A pedestrian was hit by a car at Main and Union about 3 yesterday afternoon.

A pork chop, grilled or fried, is the daily lunch special at Local on Main today. It comes with two sides.

That’ll do it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

RiverArtsFest, the region’s largest arts festival, happens on the river this coming weekend. Its centerpiece is a juried market featuring the creations of 150 artists. This is a great opportunity to pick up Christmas/holiday presents for the art lover in your life or some new conversation pieces for your home.

However, the festival affords you the opportunity to not only consume the art of others, but to create your own. Kids of all ages can come to the free interactive art station, sponsored by Art Center Supply Store, and create their own masterpiece.

There will be live music too. Here’s the lineup:

Saturday

• 11:00-12:15 – Jeff Hulett Trio
• 12:30-1:45 – Graham Winchester
• 2:00-3:15 – Rachel Maxann
• 3:30-5:00 – Alexis Jade & The Gemstones
• Throughout Saturday: Strolling performances by Jeff Hulett

Sunday

• 11:00-12:15 – Beth Luscombe String Trio
• 12:30-1:45 – Jeremy Stanfill
• 2:00-3:15 – Loveland Duren
• 3:30-5;00 – Tennessee Mass Choir
• Throughout Sunday: Strolling performances by Brad Fielder

There will be a performing arts stage as well. Its schedule:

Saturday

• 10:45-11:30 – Tennessee Shakespeare Company
• 12:00-12:45 – Harmonic South String Orchestra
• 1:15-2;00 – Memphis ChoralArts
• 2:30-3:15 – Hot Foot Honeys Tap Dance Company
• 3:45-4:30 – Hatiloo Theatre

Sunday

• 10:45-11:30 – Memphis Youth Symphony Program
• 12:00-12:45 – Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group
• 1:15-2:00 – PRIZM Ensemble
• 2:30-3:15 – Opera Memphis
• 3:45-4:30 – SubRoy Movement

The festival also tends to have well-above-average food vendors, so come hungry!

The men’s college basketball preseason AP Top 25 poll is out and the Memphis Tigers didn’t make it. With 7 total votes, Memphis finished 37th in the voting. Memphis would have needed another 97 votes to tie for 25th.

The blue bloods dominated as usual, with Kansas 1st, Duke 2nd, and Michigan State 4th.

Memphis’ conference foe Florida Atlantic, predicted to win the AAC, came in ranked 10th.

SEC teams in the rankings: 9 Tennessee, 14 Arkansas, 15 Texas A&M, 16 Kentucky, 24 Alabama. Auburn, Mississippi State, Missouri, and Florida got votes but finished outside the top 25.

From Tiger Blueprint: Why Memphis is underrated in the preseason AP poll

Cactus chili is one of the weekly specials at the Blind Bear. There are little pieces of cactus in it – not the prickly parts, though. The chili is slightly sweet, possibly because cactus contains sugar.

According to a Facebook post by Tony, in addition to the cactus chili, the other specials this week at the Bear are

• Mushroom Velouté herb chicken – I had never heard of Velouté sauce before. Wikipedia to the rescue – velouté is French for “velvety.”
• Homemade brownies with vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry and caramel syrup

In other Blind Bear news: For a Halloween one-night-only special, they’re bringing back Velvetina’s Speakeasy Burlesque this Friday at 10 PM, with live music provided by James and the Ultrasounds.

Smart City Memphis says that the lawless behavior allowed by police officers – for example. people literally hanging out off car windows – is making consumers and companies reconsider doing business Downtown. If you are a Downtown stakeholder or a government official, this is well worth a few minutes of your time to read.

Silky’s will have a Nightmare on Beale Street Halloween party beginning at 7 PM on Tuesday the 31st. There will be a DJ and a costume contest.

Today is Edge Day. To celebrate, I recommend visiting Sun Studio, then a Venezuelan dinner st Sabor Caribe, then a nightcap at cocktail bar Inkwell. All of those businesses are in Memphis’ Edge District.

It’s also National Pasta Day. Celebrate with spaghetti & Grandma’s NJ meatballs at Bardog.

Celebrate Spreadsheet Day by watching the Microsoft Excel World Championship:

Coyote Ugly is hiring for all positions.

MATA is proposing the suspension of all services after 7 PM. I assume that would include the Main Street trolleys, which run until 11 weeknights and 1 Friday and Saturday. It’s also proposing eliminating lesser-used bus routes around the city, including the buses that run the former Riverfront and Madison Avenue trolley lines.

Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Andres Fox will be suspended for the first half of the UAB game on Saturday. Fox was ejected for a nasty hir to a Tulane player in last week’s game, and his actions exasperated head coach Ryan Silverfield to the point that Silverfield felt the need to apologize.

From ABC 24: Local entrepreneurs with dreams of a retail location, learn how the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Open on Main project can help you.

That’s it for today. Back with more news tomorrow.

Don’t forget, folks – there’s redneck trivia at Momma’s tonight at 7. Come display your knowledge of hunting, fishing, county music, car repairs, etc. and win some bar cash.

I wonder if anyone from the exurbs of Memphis has heard about this trivia night? Seems like people from Millington and Munford would have a natural advantage, as would people from Hernando, Mississippi.

Also people from West Texas.

But wait, that’s not all… it’s also Free Burger Night at Momma’s. Every 7th burger to come out of the kitchen at Momma’s will be FREE.

There will be Jack Daniel’s and Budweiser specials as well. Momma’s is at 855 Kentucky (at the intersection with Crump). It’s “the diner and dive off 55.”

The DM reports that Ziaire was looking good in last night’s preseason game against Miami. He may be in line for the starting small forward spot that came open when Memphis refused to extend Dillon “I Poke Bears” Brooks. Next up: preseason finale at Milwaukee, Friday at 7. DM writer Drew Hill thinks that game may be something of a full dress rehearsal for the Grizz, and we could see Marcus Smart on the court for the first time this preseason.

It’s fall bingo night at the Grind City taproom tonight from 6 to 9. The night will be co-hosted by Varsity Spirit and will be a fundraiser to support the inclusion of young people with disabilities in activities. The theme will be Fall Festival and will include

• Traditional bingo
• Fall activities for kids
• A silent auction
• Food trucks
• Prizes for each bingo round winner, and the winners will be entered into a raffle for the evening’s grand prize

It’s National Liqueur Day.

Go Chargers! Beat those Dallas Cowgirls on MNF! ESPN FPI has L.A. as a 56-to-44-percent favorite.

Sound Mixing with Ben Brown is the latest seminar in the Cossitt Library’s filmmakers’ series, tonight from 5 to 7.  “Explore the importance of audio in filmmaking, including recording, editing, and sound design.”

Cheers to my buddy Keith! He employed a great strategy to get extra chips at Sunday night Blind Bear poker: He told the server, “Get Paul a couple of PBRs on my tab.” And Keith ended up winning! He created good karma for himself.

Keith told me he’s been eating breakfast a lot at Momma’s, which opens at 6:30 AM. Chocolate chip pancakes and chicken biscuits are his go-tos. He’s gonna investigate the cheese dip at Pretty Taco based on my post yesterday.

Let’s have a look at college football games of interest this Saturday:

• 7 Penn State at 3 Ohio State, 11:00 AM, FOX
• 22 Air Force at Navy, 11:00 AM, CBS
• Mississippi State at Arkansas, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• Memphis at UAB, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• 17 Tennessee at 11 Alabama, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 13 Ole Miss at Auburn, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• Coastal Carolina at Arkansas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 2 Michigan at Michigan State, Paul Bunyan Trophy game, 6:30 PM, NBC
• 16 Duke vs. 4 Florida State, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 14 Utah at 18 USC, 7:00 PM, FOX

Wathing the TV news this morning, I learned that there’s a website called WikiFeet where users rate celebrities’ feet.

The DM looks at the fact that more restaurants are adding auto-gratuities to customer bills. (Premium article – you may not be able to access it if not a DM subscriber) Mike from Blue Monkey and Nikki from Ben-Yay’s were interviewed. I 100% support auto-gratting – in a city like Memphis, servers are unlikely to get a fair wage without it. As Nikki mentions, the customers who complain about auto-gratting are the ones who wouldn’t have tipped anyway.

Congrats to FedExForum, whose main kitchen and LIT Lounge Bar scored 100s on recent health inspections.  Also scoring 100s were FedExForum concession vendors Griz Grub Asian/Taco, Wing Guru, and Rendezvous.

MATA is holding public meetings concerning its winter ride service. The Downtown meeting will be Tuesday, October 24 at the One Commerce Square auditorium, 40 S. Main, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.

Early-bird tickets are now on sale for Memphis Tigers home basketball games: You can get $5 Terrace Level tickets for Memphis vs.

• Jackson State – November 6
• Alabama State – November 17
• Austin Peay – December 30

and $15 Terrace Level tickets for Memphis vs.

• Clemson – December 16
• Virginia – December 19
• Vanderbilt – December 23

South Point Grocery will host a free Downtown Sounds concert featuring Rachel Maxann this Thursday from 5 to 7 PM. Feel free to grab a bite or a beer inside then join the party on the porch.

The CA has a photo gallery: The Rendezvous at 75

South Bluffs residents: According to Nextdoor posts, some delivery drivers are leaving packages at the back (Nottoway) gate.

Happy 100th birthday to Disney.

RIP Suzanne Somers AKA Chrissy from Three’s Company.

Guitar god Joe Bonamassa is coming to the Cannon Center next Monday.

Kids’ show Bluey’s Big Play has four performances at the Orpheum this weekend.

Cocozza, the red sauce Italian restaurant on the Island, is hiring front-of-house positions.  These are the same folks who own the Majestic Grille (Patrick and Deni) and by all accounts, they are wonderful people to work for.

The Green Beetle is hiring servers.

That’s all I’ve got for now. RiverArtsFest preview and more news coming tomorrow.

Last night brought back an unexpected happy memory from my childhood.

I grew up in the Kingwood area of Little Rock. In the early 1980s, when we wanted something good to eat, we’d go to “the top of the hill.” That was the section of Cantrell Road bounded by North McKinley Street to the east, stretching through the intersection at Mississippi Avenue all the way west to Foxcroft Road.

The top of the hill was lined with restaurants. Whatever type of food you were hungry for, you’d likely find it on that stretch of Cantrell.

Including Mexican. Specifically, Taco Kid at the corner of Cantrell and Kingsrow.

Now, Taco Kid wasn’t the BEST Mexican restaurant in Little Rock. That honor went to Casa Bonita several miles to the south, with its strolling guitar player and prize room for kids and its all-you-can-eat deluxe dinners.

But Taco Kid was quite good. It appealed to a younger audience. Taco Kid had a rockin’ jukebox. “Burn Rubber” by The Gap Band and “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel are two songs I distinctly remember hearing for the first time there.

Taco Kid also appealed to the younger crowd by serving (as the local arts & entertainment paper put it) big ol’ plates of brown-and-yellow food at reasonable prices. For $3.95 you could get a beef enchilada in red sauce, a cheese enchilada in chili con carne, a taco, rice, and beans.

The REAL reason to go to Taco Kid, though, was what you ate while waiting for your dinner to come out: Tasty cheese dip, golden in color. There were no bits of peppers or onions or tomatoes in the cheese dip; it didn’t need them. The “chips” for dipping were nothing but taco shells cut in half. Totally unpretentious. Also, totally delicious.

Taco Kid closed around 1985, probably the victim of fast-food chain Taco Bell which had entered the Little Rock market.  Ever since then, I’ve tried to find cheese dip that approximates Taco Kid’s.

I sure haven’t found it in Memphis. Not until yesterday.

The problem is that most Mexican restaurants in the Memphis metro are owned by actual Mexicans. They serve cheese dip as they knew it growing up – white queso, bland and flavorless. To get any kind of yellow cheese dip, I have to go to chain restaurants like On the Border, and their stuff doesn’t hold a candle to my memories of Taco Kid.

I think it’s that Memphis is too far removed from Texas, yellow queso being more of a Tex-Mex thing. Little Rock is two hours closer to Texas, so Tex-Mex food is more prevalent there. I bet there’s excellent yellow queso everywhere in Dallas or Houston or San Antonio – but I have no interest in visiting those cities because they’re in Texas, and therefore they suck.

So anyway, last night was my friend Neal’s 60th birthday party at Pretty Taco. Pretty Taco is a relatively new Mexican restaurant at the corner of Front and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. They’re known for many different types of tacos and for staying open late with a nightclub vibe on the weekends.

I didn’t get to try any of the on-menu items last night. Being the host with the most that Neal is, he arranged for a build-your-own taco bar to ensure no guest would go hungry.

I had just had 3 sliders at Bardog. Also, I had on a Lansky sport shirt that you have to hand-wash. “If a taco breaks apart and gets on this shirt, that’s going to be a total pain to wash out,” I thought.

So I decided to skip the tacos and just eat some chips and cheese dip.

The queso was a lovely shade of golden yellow.

I took a bite.

That FLAVOR!!! I was instantly taken back 40 years. I can’t say for sure that was the exact recipe Taco Kid used, but it’s really close. DO NOT MISS OUT on the cheese dip there!!!

There was a lot to love about Pretty Taco. It’s a big, open space with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out upon Downtown. Halsey Werlein, for years the GM at Silly Goose, operates Pretty Taco. I’ve been told a lot of the Taco’s crowd are people who hung out at the Goose prior to the pandemic. That seems pretty consistent with the people I saw there last night. Fun crowd, indeed.

Thanks to Neal for the invite, and to my newly-married friends Luke and Sheryll for letting me hang out with them for much of the evening. The atmosphere reminded me of a really awesome high school prom.

On to the rest of the news…

The DM has a look back at Edge Motorfest, which happened yesterday.

It’s National Red Wine Day.

A man was assaulted on the east end of the Beale Street entertainment district at about 3:00 this morning. He’s in Regional One in critical condition.

Three men were caught with burglary tools on the fourth floor of the Parking Can Be Fun garage Friday just after midnight. Police also found a gun and some weed.

The next total eclipse of the sun will be on April 8. The Eclipse Company has everything you need to know.

Elmwood Cemetery will show the movie Psycho at 6 PM Friday. Tickets are $15.

The Metal Museum will hold Repair Days Thursday through Sunday. Bring your metal items for the museum’s metalsmiths to restore.

There will be a beginner cha cha class at Fourth Bluff on Saturday from 6 to 7 PM.

That’s it for today. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

There will be a music festival in Tom Lee Park the first weekend in May, after all – it just won’t be put on by Memphis in May. The group that produces Mempho Fest, the very successful event that happens out east every October, will put on the new event by the river.

Fizz the Season, a 4-course dinner exploring bubbles at Chez Philippe in the Peabody, will be served on Thursday, December 7.  Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and some other sparking surprises will be poured. Following a welcome reception, four courses by Keith Clinton, Chef de Cuisine, and Konrad Spitzbart, Executive Pastry Chef, will be expertly paired with sparkling wines. $200 per person includes taxes, service charge, and valet parking. Reserve your spot

The first Rock-n-Romps hit the music scene about 15 years ago. They allowed parents to keep on rocking to some great Memphis bands, without having to stay out until the wee hours, and in an environment in which they’d be comfortable bringing their kids…

… And now, Rock-n-Romp is returning. The next one, a Halloween-themed extravaganza, will happen from 1 to 5 PM Saturday, October 28 in The Ravine at 571 Marshall in The Edge/Medical District. Live music by Kitty Pool, Above Jupiter, and Tamar Love. Costume contest with prizes. Arts & crafts. Fuel Cafe food. Memphis Made beer. MemPops. Free for kids, $5 for adults. Visit the Memphis Rock-n-Romp Facebook page for more info.

The Memphis Made taproom in the concourse of Memphis International Airport has made a list of the best airport bars in the U.S. as ranked by USA TODAY.

Some California restaurants are imposing $50 vomit fees on customers who can’t keep their alcohol down.

Today is National Dessert Day. My recommendation would be Wonky’s Not So Famous Treats at 315 N. Main next to Alcenia’s.

Tickets for March 22 and 24 March Madness games at FedExForum are now on sale.

It’s Old Fashioned Week at the Blind Bear through Sunday, October 22.

Order an Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig bourbon and $1 of your purchase will be donated to Southern Smoke Foundation, supporting food and beverage industry workers in need.

For the first time in two months, the Blind Bear has a brunch menu Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM and 5 PM. On the menu:

• Biscuits & gravy
• Mac’s Big Vols breakfast
• Salmon hash
• Breakfast burrito
• Breakfast sandwich
• Early rise hibernation fries

The Game Day Menu with items like party wings, school lunchroom pizza, and an appetizer sampler will continue to be offered as well during those hours.

From High Ground News: How a grant for budding retailers is helping populate empty storefronts in Downtown Memphis. Thanks to one of these grants, Midsouth Coffee and Tea Company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at 20 Mina Avenue between Front and Tennessee Streets.

News from Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55” at Crump and Kentucky:

The MOMMA’S MARY arrives this weekend (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, signature Bloody Mary mix, dry rub-seasoned rim, Memphis Mojo wing, cheese curd, bacon, olive, celery)

Join us for brunch items Saturday – including Grandma’s French Toast & the King Louis Plate – plus live music from 30 Minute Ego starting at 8 PM.

The Memphis Tigers couldn’t get it done vs. Tulane last night, losing 31-21. That removes just about any hope of a New Year’s Six bowl. Memphis will probably finish with 8 or 9 wins and play in a December 22 bowl vs. a service academy or a 7-5 or 6-6 SEC or ACC team. Next up for the Tigers: at UAB, 11 AM a week from today.

Want to head the Downtown Memphis Commission, succeeding Paul Young as he moves into the mayor’s office? Applications open Tuesday.

I get to go to Pretty Taco tonight to celebrate the 60th birthday of a man who likes pretty birds. Back tomorrow or Monday with more news.

Yesterday I was reading Quora, the website where anyone can ask a question and anyone can answer a question. Somebody posted this:

“Is there any sugar daddies in Memphis, TN? If so, where can I find them and how would they want me to present myself?”

Memphis never stops being ratchet, even on a lesser-used social media platform.

The big news yesterday came in a press release from Memphis in May, stating that

• Music Fest is “paused” for 2024
• BBQ Fest will be May 15-18 in Liberty Park

Here’s what MiM posted to social media:

Beale Street Music Festival will pause for 2024

With a heavy heart, we share the news of the Beale Street Music Festival’s hiatus in 2024.

Last year the Beale Street Music Festival suffered a significant financial loss due to soaring expenses and a decline in attendance. In addition, our organization is navigating a legal matter with the Memphis River Parks Partnership, centered on a disagreement regarding a claim of $1.4 million dollars in damages related to our use of Tom Lee Park in 2023.

The Beale Street Music Festival is being paused in 2024 to explore all options to present an event in the future that meets the standards and authenticity expected of the brand.

As we navigate these uncharted waters, we can’t help but reflect on the 46 incredible years of the Beale Street Music Festival and your unwavering support. The future holds possibilities, and we hope to return stronger than ever, eager to continue the tradition of the Beale Street Music Festival.

That sucks for everyone, but most of all the Downtown hotels and restaurants that normally have their biggest weekend of the year the first weekend in May. AirBNB owners too. Lyft drivers. Souvenir shop owners. Lots of people.

From FOX 13: Local rap legend Al Kapone reacts to the news about Memphis in May

The restaurant inside Hotel Indigo, most recently Clover Club, is for lease. The owner will consider renting the upstairs (diner) and downstairs (lounge/nightclub) spaces separately.

Downtown agency Red Deluxe Brand Development seeks a media strategist/buyer.

The Grizzlies have announced their 2023-24 promotional schedule. Highlights:

• October 25: Opening Night – free Grizzlies shirt to the first 10,000 fans
• November 10: Military Appreciation Night – free Grizzlies camo bucket hat to the first 5000 fans
• December 15 – free Grizzlies wrapping paper to the first 5000 fans
• January 12 – free Jaren Jackson Jr. growth chart to the first 5000 fans
• January 13: Social Media Night – free Marcus Smart phone (get it? smartphone?) stand to the first 5000 fans
• January 15 – MLK Day Game vs. Golden State Warriors
• February 2 – free Desmond Bane mini-hoop to the first 5000 fans
• February 12 – free Derrick Rose travel chess set to the first 5000 fans
• February 15: Adoptable Pet Night – free 2024 player pet calendar to the first 5000 fans
• March 1: Grizz’ Birthday – free Lil’ Grizz in a Box to the first 5000 fans
• March 2 – free Ja Morant “Ja-waiian” shirt to the first 3000 fans
• March 16:: Wrestling Night – free Grizzlies luchador mask for the first 5000 fans. (Wonder how many of those will be used in summer 2024 robberies?)
• April 5: Superhero Night – free Steven Adams “Aquamane” slides to the first 5000 fans

Miz Stefani and the Variants play Momma’s tonight at 8.

30 Minute Ego plays Slider Inn Downtown tonight at 8.

Today is National No Bra Day.

It’s also World Egg Day. I recommend you celebrate by taking some hard-boiled eggs to Jessica who works Wed-Thur-Fri 11 AM-6 PM shifts at Local on Main. She loooooooves hard-boiled eggs.

This Saturday, as part of the Frame by Frame: Filmmaker’s Workshop series at the Cossitt Library, Michael Butler Jr. will give a presentation, Creating Content, from noon to 2 PM. “Discover strategies for creating engaging digital content, including vlogs, web series, and social media content. ”

Bluegrass group The Travelin’ McCourys play the Halloran Centre tonight. $39.50 to attend.

The Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump will show the movie Practical Magic from 8 to 10 tonight as part of its Fright Night October movie series. There will be drinking games too. You’re invited to bring your dog and/or a picnic basket, so this must be an outdoor movie. Don’t feel like preparing a picnic? No problem, a food truck will be on site.

Former Memphis Grizzly, now a Houston Rocket, Dillon Brooks, hit an opponent below the belt in a preseason game. Brooks was hit with a Flagrant 2 call, ejected, and fined $25,000.

The laughingstocks of the British royal family, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, have lost their $20 million deal to produce content for Spotify. It’s too bad Red Forman isn’t Harry’s dad. You know what Red would say to Harry? “You know why you lost the deal? Because you’re a dumbass!”

The campaign managers for Mayor-elect Paul Young appear on the DM’s On the Record podcast this week. They discuss elements of a successful mayoral campaign.

Attention Bardog/Blind Bear people who have Monday night off and all go out together that night: You’re gonna have to go somewhere with big-screen TVs. The Dallas Cowgirls play the L.A. Chargers on Monday Night Football and you know Butt Slut #1 will want to watch her stupid, underachieving team.

Atlanta Hawks 113, Memphis Grizzlies 112 last night – of course, it doesn’t count, it’s still the preseason. Coach gave Des and Triple J the night off to see who else would step up. Derrick Rose had the night off as well. Next up for Memphis: A visit to Jimmy Butler, Jimmy’s new emo hair, and the Miami Heat Sunday at 5.

Once again I’m pre-staging as much of my daily update post as I can the night before at the Blind Bear. My buddy Dennis (the one who’s related to one of the New Orleans Saints) just bought me a shot. This is called a Wet Pussy and it’s from the same family of drinks as Sex with an Alligator.

From FOX 13; Sunset dance and dining event raises funds for mothers with breast cancer.  Dining & Dancing on the River happens Saturday at Tom Lee Park  beginning at 6 PM. Pink & black is the attire and there will be live music and upscale bites.

Did you know the CIA has an official podcast?

Get out on a patio this afternoon! The forecast is low 80s for this afternoon and then a cold front moves through overnight. Tomorrow it will barely make it to 70, and it won’t be a fun 70 – north wind at 15 gusting to 25 with a low of 55. After that we won’t be near 80 for a long time.

Let’s go Tigers! Beat Tulane! A win puts Memphis in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl bid. 6 PM, ESPN. Crescent City Sports notes that Tulane hasn’t won on the road at Memphis since 1998. The Green Wave comes into tonight’s game a 3-point favorite, though.

Looks like the Philly cheesesteak flatbread is the special at Local on Main again. If I get updated info I’ll edit this post.

Back tomorrow.

I’ve had many a Green Tea Shot at my favorite Downtown bars… this was the first one served in the proper china, though.

The Thursday night poetry event that had been happening at Memphis Clover Club will be moving to Local on Main effective tonight. I think they said 7:00 start time but I’m not 100% on that. It’ll be downstairs after the law school happy hour concludes. More info

In other Local on Main news, the Philly cheesesteak flatbread is back as today’s special:

I hear that “Oh Sweets!” gift shop at 65 Monroe has bath bombs. We haven’t had a shop that sells bath bombs down here since Bluff City Soaps closed several years ago. Not that I use bath bombs, but ladies seem to love them.

Rootstock Wine Merchants out in The Edge has only 20 (of 150) spots remaining in its wine club. This is the club to join if you want to learn about wine from small, independent wineries.

Tonya Dyson & The Ainitmanes play 507 Lux Lounge in the basement of Curry N Jerk, 150 Monroe, Saturday at 9.

There will be a Cinematography 101 workshop at the Cossitt Library tonight at 6. You’ll get to work on camera operation, lighting, composition, and editing.

Blind Bear specials for this week:

• Stuffed bell pepper soup – seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes & onions – cup 6 / bowl 10
• Lasagna, salad, and garlic bread – ground beef, peppers, onions, celery, tomatoes, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan – 18
• Cheesecake – strawberry puree topping – 8

Today is National Gumbo Day. Ben-Yay’s would be my top recommendation to celebrate. If you want something shareable, the cheese fries covered in gumbo at Blues City Cafe kick more than just a bit of ass.

It’s also Pulled Pork Day. Central BBQ Downtown is your go-to for this holiday. I like my pulled pork atop nachos at Central, but if you prefer yours on a sandwich, that’s all good, you do you.

Sampling a Grind City Poppy’s Pils as I type the first part of this post Wednesday afternoon… this is a damn fine beer. I’ve been told it’s often compared to Wiseacre’s Tiny Bomb but Poppy’s Pils is much smoother and not hoppy. Would drink again.

Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55,” is hiring for the following positions:

• PM manager
• PM bartenders
• Kitchen and back-of-house

Send resumes to info@mommasbar.com and apply in person at 855 Kentucky (at Crump Blvd.)

There are plans for a fine-dining restaurant called Fable to go into the former Puck Food Hall space at 409 S. Main.

A Memphis legend will “release the Tigers” prior to Friday night’s football game vs. Tulane: Jerry “The King” Lawler. Releasing the Tigers is a new tradition that began this year. Lawler will be part of Wrestling Night, with two matches taking place at Tiger Lane before football. There will be a Meet & Greet with Lawler, Jimmy Hart, Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, Reggie B. Fine (my favorite!), and other Memphis wrestlers.

The Daily Memphian sat down and talked with Mayor-elect Paul Young this week. Young discussed plans for his transition team, whether he intends to retain Memphis police chief C.J. Davis and MLGW CEO Doug McGowen, and his vision for reducing crime in our city. Young wants to adopt the same sense of urgency to reduce crime that we had when fighting the COVID pandemic.

Sabor Caribe will show the Venezuela vs. Brazil World Cup qualifying match tonight at 7:30. $5 margaritas, $8 mojitos.

The Grizzlies are hiring a manager of event security.

That’s the news for now. Back tomorrow with more.