This week the BBQ Fest teams received their team packets with rule book, forms to sign, and most importantly the booth number and park map. Yesterday I met with the Moody Ques team president to find out our location in the park. Here’s a map of the south end of Tom Lee Park, with the south entrance at the top of the image (click to view in a larger size):
The Moody Ques’ booth is highlighted in yellow. It is approximately where we were last year, near the far south of the bluff side (as opposed to the river side) of Tom Lee Park. Competing in shoulder means being far south in the park, which is something of a trade-off. Most of the team members and their guests enter the park from the north, which means they will have farther to walk to get to the booth. On the other hand, the farther south you are, the easier it is to load in. In my opinion, it’s best to do whatever is most convenient for the team cooks unless there is a compelling reason otherwise.
Many of us are friends with Squeal Street BBQ, a patio porker team that moved up to the shoulder division this year. Bones from Squeal Street posted their location last night – S-305, fourteen doors down from us on the sidewalk side. That’s less than a one-minute walk, closer than we have ever been to Squeal Street before. I am delighted that I will be able to spend more time in their booth, and that it will be more convenient for them to come visit us. We can be all neighborly and stop by to borrow a cup of sugar… or a bag of charcoal.
On to the news… Mud Island River Park is hiring bartenders for their up-and-coming concert and banquet season. Must have valid ABC card. Fill out the form here if you want to be part of the park’s special events team.
The Green Beetle presents Blues, Burgers, Beer, and Basketball with Davis Coen tomorrow night, Saturday, September 19, from 6 to 10:30 PM. Davis Coen will bring his brand of the blues before, after, and during the half of the Grizzlies game.
Fall Out Boy brings their Wintour is Coming Out tour to FedExForum tonight, in support of their album American Beauty/American Psycho. Show at 7 PM.
What a fantastic win by University of Arkansas – Little Rock over #5 seed Purdue last night. The Trojans may very well be the 12-seed Cinderella story of 2016.
Plans for after work: One of the other Downtowners learned that I have been going to the Brass Door. “I’ve always wanted to try that place,” he said, and today I will give him the excuse and meet him there for happy hour. Plans after that to be determined. Possibly another post at lunchtime or after work, so check back.
When I work from home, I usually go to Court House Deli and get lunch to go and bring it back to my apartment. However, today I discovered that there was a food truck rodeo a block away from me, in Court Square. I walked over there and walked around the food trucks. Eventually I stopped at the Moe’s Southwest Grill truck, ordering the Billy Barou Nachos.
After placing my order, I stepped back to get out of the next customer’s way, and backed up to get a photo of the Moe’s truck and the park full of trucks. I didn’t have time! By the time I unlocked my phone and got ready to open the Camera app, my nachos were ready. That was speedy!
Yeah I know I am blogging about chain restaurant food, but Moe’s is not an option Downtown normally, nor in Horn Lake where I work. If you are ever unexpectedly Downtown the third Thursday of the month, go to Court Square for lunch!
The Peabody announced the first half of its Thursday night rooftop party schedule. Here are the acts that will appear:
April 14: The Molly Ringwalds with special guest performance by David Cook *
April 21: Hollywood
April 28: Cruisin’ Heavy
May 5: Frankie Hollie and the Noise
May 12: The M-80s
May 19: Twin Soul
May 26: Fifth Kind with special guest performance by Shawn Hook *
June 2: The Dantones
June 9: Swingin Leroys
June 16: Seeing Red
Most weeks admission is $10; where you see an asterisk above, $15. Doors open at 6 and music begins at 7, with the first 200 ladies free each week. Every week this is a snack buffet and drink specials with a weekly theme (for example German, Mexican, beach food, seafood, All-American food, and expect a Canadian buffet in May because of the Memphis in May honored country). I haven’t been in a few years but these parties have a reputation of being one of the top places in Memphis for singles to meet and mingle.
There’s a VIP pass for $150 that gets you into all 19 parties, a T-shirt, and a discount in all the Peabody restaurants. There is also a special VIP area with an additional chef-prepared buffet each week. You can buy VIP passes at the door.
Memphis in May has announced its international programming for the year. The headliner is Traces, a contemporary circus show, as well as When it Rains, a play in the form of a live-action existential graphic novel, lit by projector.
Want to find out what is happening in the Medical Center district, bounded by Poplar, Vance, Danny Thomas, and I-240 (and therefore including Victorian Village and The Edge which are usually considered Downtown neighborhoods)? Come to the Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday, March 22 at High Point Pinch at 111 Jackson. Tommy Pacello, president of the district’s collaborative, will offer an update.
Time to go celebrate the Irish holiday. Happy St. Patrick’s everyone!
Yesterday I posed the question, will a Lyft/Uber driver be willing to take you through a drive-thru? Based on the responses I’ve received, it seems that while it is up to the driver, generally yes they are willing to do it. Of course, it’s always nice if you tip them a bit more or ask if they want something to eat.
I have a follow-up question. Can Lyft/Uber drivers pick people up from North Mississippi (Horn Lake/Southaven/Olive Branch) and take them into the Memphis area? And if there is no regulation against it, how willing are they to drive that far? Since I work in Horn Lake this is probably a question worth knowing the answer. Shoot me an email at paul@paulryburn.com if you have information. Of course I will share the answer with my readers.
One more that was just announced today: St. Patrick’s at the Blind Bear. Specials will include $4 Guinness, $5 car bombs, and two Irish whiskeys at $4 and $5. Stacey, Lacey, and Jeannette will be dressed as Irish lasses. 8 PM start time.
Congratulations to former Tigers and Grizzlies assistant Damon Stoudamire on his new job as head coach at Pacific. Stoudamire had a 13-year NBA career as a player. This is an absolute must-read: Damon’s letter to his younger self
The MBJ has a list of the most expensive apartments in Memphis and not surprisingly, they’re almost all Downtown. Topping the list is the Lincoln-American Tower where a 2BR can run you as much as $3200 a month.
A planning meeting will be held for the Pinch District on Thursday, March 31. The public is invited to stop by the Balinese Ballroom anytime between 4 and 7 PM. There won’t be a formal presentation, but there will be an opportunity for those who feel they have a stake in the neighborhood to offer their input.
The Facebook event page is up for Memphis Farmers Market Opening Day on Saturday, April 2. Only 16 days away! I like fresh produce almost as much as Garfield likes lasagna!
Educators: Teach901 has launched a new newsletter.
Geeked Memphis is a new network for women and minority tech innovators in our city.
A computer has been mining drunk tweets in New York City. From those tweets, it can tell where a user lives and other important information. Yikes, this is a bit scary.
The first Memphis City Football Club exhibition game is Friday at 6 PM. It’s waaaaayyyyy out east though, at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex at 9000 E. Shelby Drive. If you’re a season ticket holder, you can pick up your MCFC scarf.
Max’s Sports Bar is open (opened at 11) for your March Madness watching.
A few of my friends went to Book of Mormon at the Orpheum last night and gave it rave reviews. They said the couldn’t stop laughing and compared it to a live edition of South Park. The show is in town through Sunday. Warning: If you are easily offended by religious jokes (and they joke on everybody, not just Mormons) or bad language (the c-word was used multiple times), this might not be the show for you.
You old-schoolers who went clubbing in the 1990s will appreciate this: Last night I was at the bar at the Brass Door, getting ready for British Bingo, when a man came in and took the seat to my left. “You remember me, Paul? Nathan.” It was Nathan who was the lead singer of the Six Million Dollar Band, the disco band that performed live at Six-1-Six and other venues around town in the mid-90s. They were not a cover band like Dr. Zarr and other disco bands you see around the region; Six Million performed mostly originals and released at least one CD. Nathan is a regular at the Brass Door, so I am sure I will see him again.
This is great: Anonymous hacked Donald Trump and revealed his Social Security number and personal cell phone number. They say it is only the beginning and although they have many projects, they are going to focus in on Trump.
Normally my first stop on St. Patrick’s Day would be the Erin Go Braghless party at Bardog, and I am sure I will make it there at some point tonight. However, with our team packet having just arrived and with the cookout happening in two days, I need to lead off at Silly Goose and catch up with the Moody Ques team president on some stuff. Plans TBD after that. I will possibly do another post before going out, so check back.
Got a question for my readers: Has anyone ordered a Lyft or Uber to take them through a drive-thru and then bring them back home? Yesterday I was seriously thinking about calling a Lyft and seeing if they would be willing to take me to the drive-through at the nearest Jack Pirtle’s, at 890 Thomas, then bring me back home. You think if I offered to buy them a two-piece for the time lost waiting in line, they’d be willing to do it? I’d still tip as I normally would. If anyone has done something like this, shoot me an email at paul@paulryburn.com and tell me your experience.
Speaking of Trump, Mashable reports that the earliest he can win the nomination is late May. The earliest Ted Cruz can win is early June. The fact that the Republicans may make it through primary season without a candidate winning the necessary delegates is good news for their party, for perhaps they can then broker a nominee who is not a total ass clown like these two.
The stats are in for Black Restaurant Week in Memphis. 8 restaurants participated, there were 3135 patrons, sales were $85,000, and 8 jobs were created. Very well done indeed, and I bet those numbers grow in 2017.
Bleu is having an Easter Champagne Brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM Sunday, March 27. There will be a special holiday buffet created by chef Ana Gonzalez. Adults $49 + tax & gratuity includes mimosas or champagne, fountain drinks, coffee, milk, juice and brewed iced tea. Children 6 – 12 years old $12.95 + tax and gratuity, Children 5 and under eat free with adult buffet purchase. 901-334-5950 for reservations.
Moody Ques: We have been officially accepted into the Atoka regional BBQ festival the first weekend in April. Also, Memphis in May mailed out team packets this week. These packets contain booth location and other pertinent information; I will get my eyes on the packet as soon as possible and share information on the team website.
That’s it for now. I’m going to lead off at the Silly Goose tonight if anyone wants to talk BBQ. Second stop undecided, either trivia at the Blind Bear or bingo at the Brass Door. That will be a game-time decision.
Yesterday the City Council gave the green light to two hotels to be built across from AutoZone Park on Union Avenue, on a vacant lot currently used for parking. There will be a six-story Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and a seven-story Hilton Garden for a total of 260 new hotel rooms Downtown. That will probably push ticket sales up at Redbirds games a bit.
The Grizzlies host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at FedExForum at 7 PM.
I previously mentioned that The Smashing Pumpkins will play the Orpheum on April 24. I have since learned that they will have Liz Phair with them as the opening act.
Keep an eye on the news this morning. President Obama will fulfill his Constitutional responsibility and nominate a Supreme Court justice. Now will Congress fulfill their Constitutional responsibility and vote?
The Memphis Daily News reports that the RDC has hinted at an expansion of Beale Street Landing that will cost 3 to 5 million dollars. River cruises that dock at the landing generate millions of tax dollars every year, and the expansion would allow Viking cruises to dock at least two more boats there every year. The river cruise business has really been on fire the past few years and that means tourism dollars for Memphis.
I once again did happy hour at the Brass Door yesterday. That place is really starting to feel as much of a home away from home as my other homes like Bardog and Max’s. I also like it how so much light gets in during the daytime, making it a bright, sunshiny place. The bartender is going to bring me some chocolate from Romania next time I come in. She told me about the Romanian diet and how it includes lots of pork. I will have to invite her to the Moody Ques booth at BBQ Fest.
Speaking of the Moody Ques… we have quite a few RSVPs for Saturday for our MEAT & Greet at Holliday Flowers at 444 Monroe. Team members who are planning on coming but haven’t RSVP’d yet, please send moodyques@gmail.com an email and let us know. Drinks at 4:30, shoulder and ribs at 6.
That’s all for now. I may do a second post at lunchtime or after work.
We’ve had a couple of announcements from the Orpheum the past few days. First of all, Smashing Pumpkins will play a show at the theater on Sunday, April 24. Tickets go on sale this coming Friday at 10 AM.
Furthermore, the Orpheum announced its 2016-17 Broadway schedule. It will include Dirty Dancing, Annie, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, and The Sound of Music. Options for season ticket holders include a return of The Jersey Boys, and a weekend-only engagement of Rent the 20th Anniversary tour.
Sunday, Mary substituted for B-RAD at D-RANKS with B-RAD. Here is how she did.
So, tonight Chicken Fried Steak Rodger and I got a ride in Mary’s Riviera out to The Pumping Station to see her boyfriend who was bartending. It was my first time in a gay bar in 16 years and I failed to see what the big deal was. Those dudes sit at the bar and watch TV and talk to the other people at the bar just like I do. They like men and I like women and they understand that. What’s the deal? How is that different from “straight” bars?
Mary was so excited that Chicken Fried Steak Rodger and I made the trip with her, and apparently it was completely unexpected that I would come. You know your regulars love you right Mary? Alex, great meeting you (again), we will be back.
Earlier in the evening, Rodger picked up a roach and chased Mary and Feeny, screaming, down the Main Street Mall. Afterward he wiped roach juice on my shirt. Thanks dude.
So, Mary drove us to the Pumping Station and it was next to Jack Pirtle’s. I told Mary we just used her so I could get a steak sandwich with gravy, and afterward we would be getting a Lyft home. Unfortunately they closed two hours before. The Pumping Station had a deep-fried hot dog in The Backdoor Room where Alex bartended but I wasn’t hungry.
Chicken Fried Steak Rodger played Miley Cyrus on the jukebox. You go dude.
Earlier that evening: Shepherd’s Pie special at the Brass Door!
This was a treat to the senses, with mashed potatoes covering ground beef with peas and carrots, all topped with cheese. A pleasure to eat and Diamond Dave was talking to exec chef KO about having it all week.
My friend Feeny who hangs out at the Brass Door says the Irish Stew (with lamb) needs to be next on my list.
Earlier in the evening, because heaven forbid there be any actual news in this post, my favorite pair of librarian glasses was working the Blind Bear. She just got back from a meditation/mindfulness class and wanted to do bar yoga. Here’s the warrior pose:
She wanted to do the downward-facing dog pose next. I wanted to do it with her but she was standing in front of me, and I decided I could learn more from observing her form than trying to it with her.
My fav pair of librarian glasses is willing to teach a bar yoga class if there’s interest. I asked, “Will you wear yoga pants?” and she said that can happen. Then we did the tree pose and I fell down a lot.
Now that we’re done with my personal BS (after what, 9 paragraphs?) it’s time for the news. Run with the Grizzlies Saturday, April 9. Your $45+ fee guarantees you a race entry and T-shirt, plus a ticket to the game that night or a 2016 home game.
Yesterday we were sitting around the Blind Bear discussing what we want done with our bodies after we die. “I don’t want a funeral, a casket, none of that,” one of my friends said. “Take what you want for science and then burn the rest.” I agreed, that was the way I feel about it too.
“Instead of an urn, they should put your ashes in a PBR can and put it behind the bar,” my friend said. “That way, we could say, ‘Paul is still here with us.'” He thought for a minute and then said, “But… which bar? There are so many of them. We’d have to pass your ashes around. We’d have to say, the Silly Goose has Paul this week, then Max gets him the next, then Blind Bear…” LOL! That would absolutely be a proper way to remember me!
I blogged earlier today about the Monday Pie Day specials at the Brass Door… Diamond Dave emailed me the schedule for the entire week, so here’s the rest of it. On Tuesday, the Fleet Feet Sports Pub Run departs from the Brass Door at 6 PM, and it’s 2 for 1 fish and chips day (dine-in only).
Wednesday is British Bingo at the Brass Door, 7:30 start time, with a Guinness clock giveaway.
Thursday is the Brass Door’s St. Patrick’s Day party! This weekend I was talking to Seamus and commented that I liked it that he has his party on the proper day, not five days before because that happens to be a Saturday. There will be a $5 cover after 5 PM and things will kick off with the Sergeant Singleton Pipe Band. After that there will be live music by Memphis Ukulele, the Mason Jar Fireflies and Ringos. DJ Sounds by Pounds will also provide the music.
The Brass Door also has an ongoing Bud Light cooler giveaway. Order a Bud Light for a chance to enter.
The Book of Mormon will be in town at the Orpheum this week Tuesday through Sunday.
Yesterday I posted that I was going to D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear. Well, it turned out that Brad was out of town, and Stacey and Mary were there. “Are you going to post a correction to your blog?” the same friend who recommended the PBR urn asked.
“I better not,” I replied. “Brad has a very loyal following. If I put it out there that he’s not working, people might not come and it will cost the Bear money.” I am really not kidding about this. There are people who call the Bear on Sundays and verify that Brad is working before they venture out. (In some cases they ask if I’m there too.) I thought to myself, “This has to be the only Sunday brunch in the world where the dude bartender takes a day off and two hot girls fill in for him, and the bar makes less money.”
Hey y’all, crazy morning around here so I am going to have to delay most of my Monday news until this evening or possibly tomorrow.
I do have one time-sensitive item: Today is National Pi (Pie) Day, 3/14. The Brass Door is celebrating with two savory pie specials: They have a Steak Pie and salad for $10, as well as a Shepherd’s Pie and salad for $11.50.
I haven’t been to the Brass Door happy hour in a while, so I will swing by there today and check it out. Check back at 5:30 or so… I can’t promise a news post, but maybe.
Memphis is still alive in the American Conference tournament, having beaten Tulane 74-54 in the semifinals yesterday. Once again, the Tigers looked like a team who belong in the NCAA tournament. There is only one obstacle standing in their way now: The Tigers play UConn at 2:15 on ESPN in the American Conference finals. Winner gets an automatic bid to the Big Dance.
Jimmy Ogle leads a free Bridge Walk tour, walking the Memphis-Arkansas (I-55) bridge. Meet at Crump Park (exit 12C, Metal Museum Drive) at 2 this afternoon.
Seen on Facebook yesterday: A receipt signed by a woman who left a decent tip on an $18 tab. However, the decent tip was then scratched out and $1 tip was left instead, along with a note “I’m her aunt I can’t let her spend like this.” To the woman who had the tab: Next time, don’t bring Aunt Cheap Ass with you.
Wine lovers: Food & Wine has a great article on how to talk to your sommelier. It lists five questions that could lead to the unexpected discovery of wines you will love, and five questions that really don’t lead to much value at all.
I made it to the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade yesterday, at least for a while. I got a spot outside the Tap Room, and met up with friends.
I can always find some good people to watch a parade with at the Tap Room.
I saw a family walk by with an Aldo’s Pizza box and thought, “Those are the smartest people here.” I didn’t catch any beads, but thanks to my friend Michael I got beads earlier in the day at Bardog, shamrocks with a green shot glass. Due to being on call for work I had to refuse several offers to fill that shot glass.
I kept an eye on the radar on my phone, and about 3:30 I knew it was time to head for the hills before the rain moved in. I considered where to go… Blind Bear is the default, but I have had bad luck being at Blind Bear during parades. Max’s to watch the Tigers play was an obvious choice, but then I would have to deal with getting back to the Downtown core in possibly heavy rain. Diamond Dave put on Facebook that he and Seamus were bartending the Brass Door. I asked if they would have the Tigers on and Dave replied “Yes sir!” Having had such a good experience Wednesday night, I decided it was time for another Brass Door visit.
While the place had been packed Wednesday, it was relatively empty yesterday… which made sense, everybody was at the parade. Of course, it got full afterward. I stayed through the end of the Tigers game. I asked for a menu, but Dave advised me that I should try the chef’s daily special, the corned beef with cabbage. That’s a dish I love, so I was happy to take Dave’s suggestion.
This was some of the best corned beef and cabbage I have ever had. After I finished eating I shook the executive chef’s hand and thanked him for a delicious meal. If corned beef and cabbage ever shows up as the chef’s special again, get it; you will not be disappointed. “Like” the Brass Door on Facebook to keep up with specials and other things going on. They open early (like, sometimes as early as 6 AM) when there are important soccer matches on TV.
They are giving away a cooler:
Drink a Bud Light to enter to win. I decided not to enter because 1) I already have a similar Dos Equis cooler at home that just sits around and takes up space; and 2) Bud Light kinda sucks.
I am just heartwarmed by the respect Seamus has shown me the times I have gone in there this week – and really, every time I have ever been in the Brass Door. It makes me think, I may have to evaluate the list of bars I call my “Big Five” and determine whether the Brass Door should be in that list. More and more I think it should.
“Paul, I want to get you re-introduced to the staff here,” Seamus told me. Of course, I already know Diamond Dave, and I am friends with one of the servers there who I know from other Downtown bars. The Romanian bartender who served me Wednesday came in for the night shift, and I got to talk to her a bit. For those of you who remember the Romanians who were here for the summers of 2003-2006, she is from the same city they were – Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania.
Seamus, Dave and the staff at the Brass Door gave me plenty of reasons this week to keep coming back. However, Swarm by Foursquare gave me one more. I have a new mayorship to defend.
I’ve held three Foursquare bar mayorships simultaneously before, but never this combination: Brass Door, Bardog, and Blind Bear.
I gave Seamus my phone number so he can let me know about upcoming events. Expect to hear more about what’s going on at the Brass Door in this blog.
I am pleased to announce that the Moody Ques have acquired a partial sponsor. I will make an official announcement this week on the team website. The sponsor will help us with liquor and beer as well as a small amount of cash. I had a beer with him at the Blind Bear yesterday and he asked me who was the distributor for PBR in Memphis, because he wanted to talk to them. Things continue to move in a positive direction for the BBQ team. We still have room for another sponsor; if your company would be interested, send us an email at moodyques@gmail.com.
Yesterday I commented that it would be a fantastic civics lesson for the kids if the Republican convention became contested. On that note, I want to give some advice for my readers who have children: Watch the news with your kids. Part of the reason I am the person I have become is because my mother and grandmother had the news on all the time as I was growing up.
I remember when I was a toddler, sitting in my high chair eating Gerber’s beef stew and watching TV. I wasn’t watching The Bozo Show or Sesame Street; I was watching a bunch of men in suits having a hearing of some sort. It didn’t make sense to me, but my grandmother explained that the president did something really bad, and the hearing, called Watergate, was to determine if he should still be president any more. If he left office, my grandmother told me, it would be the first time in the history of the United States something like that had happened, and the vice-president, a man name Ford, would become president.
Because my mother and grandmother had the news on all the time, I understood what was happening when Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin signed their peace treaty. I learned what inflation was. I watched news of the Shah being overthrown and Ayatollah Khomeini taking power. I watched the 1980 Democratic and Republican conventions all the way through. That fall, my elementary school held a mock presidential election. I voted for Carter and he won my school, but lost the real election.
Of course, when I was little the news was subject to the interpretation of adults. I remember running into my grandmother’s room to tell her that a special report was on TV, and that Elvis Presley had died. “Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s just a drug addict,” she said. Well, while that was technically true, he was also the most important figure of a major genre of music. Three years later, that genre’s second most important figure, John Lennon, was shot and killed and my grandmother made a similar comment. (She liked Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr though. If she had an opinion on George, she never shared it with me.)
Watching the news as a little boy probably aided in a few of my trivia team’s victories over the past decade. So, if for no other reason than that, I urge you to watch the news with your kids (and please, not Fox News) and if they have questions, explain to them what’s going on.
I will lead off at D-RANKS with B-RAD today at the Blind Bear. About half an hour before the Tigers play, I will make a decision whether to stay there for the game or walk down Main to my home away from home on the south side, Max’s, which will open at 12:30 and will have the patio open as well. Go Tigers! An NCAA tournament bid could be just hours away.
