Monday update

Early this morning I was in Bardog getting caffeinated and checking my sources for this blog. An old friend whom I had not seen since the Blind Bear days came in. We chatted and caught up. “I had some really good pizza at the Peabody this weekend,” he told me.

“Wait, WHAT?” I replied. I associate the South’s grand hotel with fine dining and afternoon high tea. Not pizza!

He pulled up Capriccio Grill’s menu on his phone. Sure enough, there was a 12″ wood-fired pizza on there, topped with short rib, gorgonzola, balsamic-onion, arugula, and forest mushroom. So there’s your Downtown dining hidden gem of the day.

Another day, another far-above-average meal at the Union Mission. Last night LaBelle Haven Church brought Salisbury steak with onions, mashed potatoes, green beans, and their signature banana pudding. As Pastor Jeff likes to say, “You know what would go well with that bowl of ‘naner puddin’? Another bowl just like it.”

By the way, THANK YOU to the readers of this blog who tipped me last week, giving me the $6 nightly cover charge at the Mission. As you can see, I spent the money wisely!

Memphis Tigers football fell completely out of the AP poll thanks to its bad loss to UAB. Memphis failed to get even a single vote!

It’s homecoming week for the Tigers as they prepare to host the South Florida Bulls Saturday at 11 AM.

There’s been some confusion as to whether you have to be present to win the hearse parked outside Bardog, to be raffled off at 11:59 PM on October 31 (give or take – you know how bar time works). The answer is NO but you better have your phone’s ringer turned up all the way. If you win but you don’t pick up when they call, they re-draw and you lose.

Kids can trick-or-treat at participating South Main businesses 5-7 PM on the 31st. The final Trolley Night of 2025 will be a haunted one.

Comedian Katt Williams will bring the Golden Age Tour to FedExForum March 6.

It’s Make it a Dozen Monday at Butterific Cafe. Get 12 cookies for $20.25.

WhatNow Memphis has the info on Gussied Up, a new dive bar to open soon in The Edge adjacent to Hard Times Deli. “Our cult favorite burger pop up, Secret Smash Society, will serve from a hidden drive thru window inside the bar,” the owners wrote. Owners, I have a question for you – you gonna have PBR?

Big River Crossing is temporarily closed due to a malfunctioning gate on the Memphis side.

Cordelia’s Market hot lunch specials (11-2) this week

  • Today: Shepherd’s pie
  • Tue: Cabbage soup and penne
  • Wed: No lunch, but they’ll have a holiday tasting 5-9
  • Thur: Crawfish Monica
  • Fri: Fish and chips

Today is National Mozzarella Stick Day. Huey’s would be my recommendation to celebrate.

Peter Frampton plays the Orpheum Saturday night.

Back tomorrow with more news and a look at weekend college football games.

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