Paul Ryburn's Journal

I had lunch at Local on Main yesterday. On weekdays, they have a $10 plate at lunchtime. There’s a different special each day and you get to pair it with two sides. The specials are:

• Monday – Chicken legs
• Tuesday – Meatloaf
• Wednesday – Chicken breast
• Thursday – Brisket
• Friday – Catfish

I got the catfish, blackened (you can get it fried if you prefer). For my two sides, I selected corn and greens.

The catfish was delicious and perfectly seasoned, but I gotta tell you, the star of the show was those greens! They added just the right amount of fatback to bring out the flavor. 10 out of 10!

Watch out for that corn, though. It was Local’s chef’s take on Mexican street corn, and the spice packs a mighty punch. Don’t get me wrong, it was yummy, and I love spicy foods. But to use the words of a member of a Bananas Foster team that used to compete in Shoulder at BBQ Fest, “That’s gonna be a bit rough on the back nine tomorrow.”

Overall, delicious lunch, and good value. I will be back next week to try the turkey or the brisket.

Now, let me say a few words about Local on Main. You may have noticed, over the years, that I have blogged about it considerably less than the other Downtown locals’ bars – ironic given the name.

For years, I tried to like Local but just couldn’t. Part of the reason stems from the 2008 college basketball game when #1 Memphis lost to #2 Tennessee, its only loss that year until the finals of the NCAA tournament. The former owner of Local, a UT fan, let someone plug in her phone to the jukebox and play “Rocky Top” on the speaker system. This isn’t Knoxville. It was an insult to the many Memphians who bleed Tiger blue.

It was more than just that, though. On New Year’s Day 2008, I stepped into Calhoun’s – now Max’s Sports Bar – for the first time. I immediately got a feeling that I had found a new home, a place where I would enjoy merry times. And indeed I did.

Later that year I stepped into Bardog Tavern for the first time. Once again, within the first minute, I knew I had found a home. I knew I had found a place where I’d spend a considerable amount of time.

For years, though, I didn’t get that feeling when I visited the Local location on Main Street. People tried to get me to like it. My friend Courtney who bartended there coaxed me in a few times. My buddy Uncle Ray, may he rest in peace, convinced me to come in for a couple of beers.

It felt like merely a place where I conducted a transaction, a place where I exchanged money for beer and food and which had no value to me beyond that. “That place has all the appeal of a bar & grill on Germantown Parkway, or Goodman Road,” I commented to friends.

The bar came under new ownership a year or two ago, and I thought, “Someday I’ll give that place another chance.” Someday didn’t come quickly, though. As things reopened post-pandemic, I clung to what was familiar more than ever.

Things changed this week when one of my favorite bartenders of all time got hired there. For her, I’d give it a try. I got there right when the place opened on Wednesday and…

It didn’t feel like Germantown Parkway.

It didn’t feel like Goodman Road.

I got the vibe I did at Max’s in January 2008. Or Bardog later that year.

I was home.

Of course, it helped that my friend of 13 years was behind the bar. It helped that I was one of about 20 regulars who followed her over from the old place, so I had lots of friends to talk to.

But still, the vibe was way different than previous times I’ve been in Local on Main. I’ve seen the new owners around but haven’t had a chance to officially meet them yet. However, knowing that bars tend to be extensions of their owners’ personalities, I have a feeling the new owners are good people.

On to the news… Steve Lockwood & Old Dogs play South Point Grocery’s front porch today at noon.

Today is International Bacon Day. My recommendation would be to celebrate it with a breakfast shot – Jameson and butterscotch schnapps, chased by orange juice, chased by a piece of bacon.

There’s a Main Street Festival, a small business expo, happening in Court Square today from 3 to 8.

The River City Jazz & Music Festival happens tonight at the Cannon Center.

DJ Superbrad plays the Blind Bear tonight beginning at 9.

Darian Roe plays the King’s Palace Cafe Tap Room tonight from 8 to midnight.

Go Tigers and Woo Pig Sooiee! Back tomorrow with more news.

Happy 9/01 Day! For those of you unfamiliar, today is an unofficial holiday celebrating all things Memphis. Why today? It’s September 1 (9/01) and 901 is the Memphis area code.

Belle Tavern is having a 9/01 Day special today: El Tigre Azul for $9.01, today only. It’s made with Lunazul Blanco, Blue Curacao, lime, pineapple, Triple Sec, and Demerara.

The Daily Memphian has an updated list of 9/01 Day gatherings. WREG has a list of 9/01 Day deals.

A 901 Mane Street trolley tour today at noon will honor Black male business owners.

Tonight we are all Ball State fans as the Cardinals take on the Tennessee Vols. SEC Network, 6:00. Loflin Yard will have a watch party.

There’s free comedy tonight at Local on Main.

Happy birthday to Memphis restaurateur Aldo (Bardog/Slider Inn/Aldo’s Pizza Pies/Momma’s), who hit the big FIVE-O earlier this week.

River Time Market & Deli is closed today for health reasons. Hope you get well soon Pam!

The building at 44 S. Front (southeast corner of Front and Monroe) is for sale. It is right across the street from the future Brooks Museum.

A Gallup poll shows that for the first time in U.S. history, more people smoke weed than cigarettes.

A man has been arrested for recent break-ins at the Parking Can Be Fun garage.

WOOOHOOO! Perjorie T. Roll just told me I could have today off for 901 Day. Heading to Bardog as soon as the phone charges a bit. After that I’ll go see Jessica at Local (I hear they have a brisket meat-and-three special – Local opens at noon today). Back tomorrow with more news.

Memphis 901 FC has a home match tonight against Loudoun United FC. Tickets start at $10 and there will be $2 beers.

Here’s some updated info about the free yoga classes to be held in Health Sciences Park in September and October:

• Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 PM
• All-levels classes – beginners welcome
• Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle
• September classes led by Camille Potter
• October classes led by Miranda Kennedy

YOGA!

Great news! The dew point, which was at 75 when I started typing this post early in the morning, is projected to drop into the 50s by early afternoon today. Perhaps you’ve seen the “Muggy Meter” on the TV weather. When it’s warm outside (temperature is in the 80s or higher), the dew point makes a big difference in how it feels to be outside. Temp of 80+ and a dew point

• 76+: feels miserable
• 71-75: feels oppressive
• 66-70: feels uncomfortable
• 61-65: getting sticky
• 56-60: feels comfortable
• 55 or below: feels pleasant

A big part of the reason this summer has felt so nasty hot is that dew points have been in the 70s (and sometimes even 80 or 81) for long periods of time.

$3 tickets at all Memphis Malco theaters except drive-ins this Saturday. That offer would include the Powerhouse at Front and G.E. Patterson.

Here’s a story that is totally Memphis: A local singer will miss her performance at the Halloran Centre Saturday because she’s been charged with attempted murder.

Bravo to the DM’s Chris Herrington on his subscriber-only opinion piece that maybe it’s time for Memphis in May to embrace change. If you want to know how I feel about the Memphis in May/Tom Lee Park controversy, Chris more or less nails it.

Lonely Planet has some good tips on how to enjoy Memphis without breaking the bank.

STIX Downtown will have $9.01 specials for 901 Day this Thursday: sushi rolls, sushi burritos, and sake slushies.

The CA reports that a new dining club is coming to Memphis and its first gathering will be in the historic Downtown building The Commonwealth. The series will be quarterly. Although it will feature guest chefs from around the country, the first dinner will be prepared by Downtown chef Cole Jeanes.

An alfredo sauce spill closed I-55 northbound to traffic just south of Downtown yesterday.

A casting call is going out for extras for the TV show Young Rock, which will be filmed in Memphis.

Doing something different today – going to Local on Main for happy hour. I haven’t been to Local much over the years, but I hear it has new owners who are really nice, and my friend Jessica is bartending happy hour there from noon to 7:30 Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. That’s it for today. Back tomorrow with more news.

My A/C is running out of Freon again. I’m putting in a service request and heading to Bardog. Back tomorrow.

For the first time since signage appeared, I saw someone inside the Fat Tuesday location coming to 8 S. Main. The daiquiri bar was supposed to open this summer, but I peeked inside and it looks nowhere near ready. Lots of exposed beams and construction materials inside.

The DM has an article about yesterday’s reggae show at Carolina Watershed. The venue features stuffed turkey legs from Red Bones. Watershed’s manager said he hopes to add more events with “soul” to the weekly lineup.

River Time Market & Deli is closed today due to an illness.

Police say an attempted carjacking preceded the shooting near the Hyatt Centric early Sunday morning.

Today is a holiday rarely celebrated in Memphis, Motorist Consideration Day.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Bobby Durango Saturday, September 3 at 4 PM at the Peabody. 2022 is the 10th anniversary of his passing. Bobby was a member of ’80s band the Rock City Angels. Later in life, he was a beloved server at Sleep Out Louie’s. The celebration is being organized by Bobby’s mother.

The Craft Axe Throwing in The Edge District will have Glow Throw all weekend long for Labor Day weekend.

Let’s have a look at college football games coming up this week that are of interest to local Memphians:

Thursday, September 1:

• Ball State at Tennessee, 6 PM, SEC Network

Saturday, September 3:

• 11 Oregon at 3 Georgia, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 23 Cincinnati at 19 Arkansas, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Troy at 21 Ole Miss, 3:00 PM, SEC Network
• 7 Utah at Florida, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• 5 Notre Dame at 2 Ohio State, 6:30 PM, ABC
• Memphis at Mississippi State. 6:30 PM, ESPNU

Sunday, September 4:

• Florida State at LSU, 6:30 PM, ABC

Labor Day:

• 4 Clemson at Georgia Tech, 7:00 PM, ESPN

One interesting note: There are no NFL games until September 8, so you can watch college football Week 1 in peace at the bars without anyone trying to change the channel to the NFL.

Ball State strikes me as exactly the kind of team that could hand Tennessee a Week 1 loss. Then the conversation in Knoxville will turn to “NEEEXXXT YEEEAAARRR”

That Cincinnati-Arkansas game is going to be a battle. If Cincy loses, any hope of making the College Playoff would be dashed. Arkansas could lose and still have a chance at the CFP – but they’d have to win every game after that, including Texas A&M, Alabama, and tfhe SEC Championship game. That would be a longshot indeed.

Not thrilled that the Oregon-Georgia game is at the same time as the Hogs. That’s gonna make it a bit hard to get Arkansas on at my usual Saturday bar. The Arkansas game will be competing with not only another Top 25 vs. Top 25 game but also that stupid horse racing channel for a spot on one of the TVs.

ESPN FPI only gives Memphis a 22.7% chance of beating Mississippi State. Wow, I thought it’d be considerably higher. Memphis needs to look at every game as an audition for conference realignment.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out at Jeannette’s happy hour at the Blind Bear later today. Back tomorrow with more news.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (top right) trained behind the bar at Bardog yesterday. As his baseball career winds down, he is looking forward to exciting new adventures bartending.

If you want to keep up with updates on Birdie’s, South Main’s news virtual golf bar, as it gets close to opening, you can follow Birdie’s on Instagram at @birdies901. Birdie’s is not a corporate chain. It is owned by people who live and play in South Main. It will open this fall.

The DM has a roundup of 901 Day parties happening this Thursday. Four of those parties will happen Downtown: Choose901 at the Ravine, Edge District party at Edge Triangle, Memphis Tigers Athletics at Grind City Brewing, and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum Plaza. Note that if you’re one of the first 50 guests 21 and up at the Grind City party, you get a free beer.

The first Oktoberfest party of the season has been announced. Soul & Spirits Oktoberfest will happen Saturday, September 17. German food specials by Albees, stein holding and dog costume contest, a special release of Danke, brewery vs. brewery crosscut saw competition.

ABC 24 has a look at Inches, Harbor Town’s new Mexican restaurant. Its owners are from Guanajuato, Mexico, a couple of hours northwest of Mexico City.

The Pyramid was lit up in orange Doritos light Thursday. It’s part of a promotion called Triangle Tracker.

Folks at ABC 24 recently took a sunset kayak ride in Wolf River Harbor.

AutoZone Park facilities manager Spencer Shields was recently recognized for 20 years of service.

Today is Red Wine Day.

Shots were fired outside the Hyatt Centric Hotel on Beale this morning.

Mayor Jimbo from Mempho said he will not be getting involved in the kerfluffle between Memphis River Parks Partnership and Memphis in May over Tom Lee Park. MRPP wants a damage deposit of roughly ONE ZILLION DOLLARS for Memphis in May to use the park for Music Fest and BBQ Fest in 2023.

That’s it for today’s post. Heading to Hung Over Like a Bear brunch at the Blind Bear. Back tomorrow.

In February of 2020, a teammate who competed in many more of Memphis in May’s BBQ Fests than I had told me, “Paul, this is going to be the last BBQ Fest as we’ve known it – the last fun, normal, not over-the-top-corporate BBQ Fest.” (He didn’t know COVID was right around the corner, and that 2019 would actually be the last “normal” BBQ Fest.)

“They’re redesigning Tom Lee Park, adding in all kinds of trees and hills and features that take up space,” he continued. “So there will be less room for BBQ teams to compete. Yet Memphis in May’s operating expenses will be at least the same, or more likely, higher.”

“Memphis in May will have no choice but to pass on those operating costs to team members,” my teammate said. “The teams that have avoided recruiting large, presenting, corporate sponsors will have no choice but to go find one.”

A quick explainer about large, “presenting” corporate sponsors: They give a sizable amount (usually $7500 or more) to a BBQ team. Deals vary from team to team, but generally, in return, they get a “sponsor night,” a night when they can invite their employees and clients to come to the river and enjoy some BBQ and drinks. BBQ team members cook for and serve the corporate sponsor, and team members usually are not allowed to bring guests of their own that night. Sponsor Night is usually done on Thursday, considered by many (myself included) the best night of BBQ Fest.

The team I was on in 2012-2019 managed to dodge having a night where we waited on a large, presenting sponsor hand and foot. We did this by working with awesome companies who wanted to party with us, not order us around – WordPress in 2012-2013, and Start Co. in 2014. Starting in 2015, we found ways to structure team dues and expenses so that we could get by without a presenting sponsor.

Jim Holt, President and CEO of Memphis in May, said at a dinner for board members and volunteers that the festival is negotiating a new lease for Tom Lee Park. He expects that the non-refundable damage deposit each team will be required to pay will rise from $300 to $7900. No I did not type an extra zero. SEVENTY-NINE HUNDRED.

And that’s just ONE of the many, many, many expenses teams have to pay. Holt said the number of competing teams will have to be reduced from about 230 to 150. Probably most Memphis-in-May-related team expenses will go up by 50% or more to make up for having fewer teams to charge.

On the plus side, Holt, as well as Mayor Strickland, seems committed to having BBQ Fest, as well as Music Fest, on the river rather than Tiger Lane. Read more of what Holt had to say:

• Action News 5
• Daily Memphian

Music Fest, by the way, will lose the Blues Tent due to space limitations. That is such a shame. That tent kept the festival connected to Memphis’ musical roots.

On to the news. Apologies, by the way, for no post yesterday. I had to run down the street and have a conversation mid-morning.

New Wing Order is hiring a line cook for its restaurant inside the Ghost River taproom on Beale. The position is part-time with the potential to become full-time.

The DM’s Chris Herrington has a look at the biscuits and other fare at Kinfolk, the restaurant inside Comeback Coffee at 356 N. Main.

MLGW will reopen its Downtown lobby on October 3.

Don’t forget that tonight is Trolley Night! On the last Friday of every month, the shops of South Main stay open until 9 or later, many of them serving up appetizers, drinks, and special deals.

Tonight is also the Yadier Molina bobblehead giveaway at the Redbirds. Be one of the first 1500 in the park to get one. FIrst pitch vs. Charlotte is at 7:05.

There’s also a specialty ticket to tonight’s Redbirds game that gets you a buffet of all-you-can-eat wings with BBQ, Buffalo, and ranch dressing, celery, carrots, hot dogs, chips, soda, and water.

The Musical History of Royal Studios, narrated by Boo Mitchell, is at the Halloran Centre tonight. Tickets are $37.50.

CrossFit Hit and Run at 574 S. Main will host a free Community Workout this Saturday at 10 AM.

Today is National Toilet Paper Day and National Dog Day.

From WREG: Couple gets engaged after meeting as St. Jude volunteers

30 cars were broken into at the Riverset apartment complex on Mud Island.

Fox 13 and ABC 24 webmasters: Are y’all having some kind of competition to see whose website has the most annoying pop-up ads?

Black Cream will play Wiseacre Downtown tonight from 6:30 to 9:00 as part of the brewery’s 9th birthday celebration.

A suspect has been caught on camera running from the scene of a shooting at Front and Huling just before 1 AM Sunday.

Charges have been filed in the shooting of a woman in the 600 block of Madison earlier this month.

Let’s have a look at all the college football games being played tomorrow that are of interest locally:

• NONE

Seriously, the slate of about 12 games is all nobody vs. nobody or Power Five vs. cream puff. You’ll have to wait until next Thursday to find anything worth watching.

That’s it for now. I’ve got several things to catch up on before I get out early- to mid-afternoon. Back tomorrow.

The Thomas Edison of beer drinking:

The Memphis Tigers will hold a 901 Day celebration next Thursday, September 1, at Grind City Brewing. The U of M athletics office is billing it as “Tigers on Tour.”

Cat’s Ballroom will host a free cha cha class at Fourth Bluff Park on Saturday, September 24 from 6 to 7 PM. You don’t need a partner or dance experience.

DJP, originally from Springfield, Missouri, comes to Eight & Sand for a guest DJ session Friday night. He is the 2011 winner of BET/Smirnoff’s Master of the Mix reality show. He’s toured with Jazzy Jeff, 311, Garbage, and Lit.

The DM has a preview of this weekend’s Grind City Fest, to be held Friday and Saturday at Grind City Brewing.

The dream of Kevin Durant in a Grizzlies uniform appears to have come to an end. He’s rescinded his trade request away from the Brooklyn Nets.

It’s Can Opener Day and I will celebrate by opening some cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Attention WREG: Third and Mallory is NOT Downtown

The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival happens Saturday at the National Civil Rights Museum. Free books for kids, along with magic, storytelling, music, and more fun.

Action News 5 has a behind-the-scenes look at the Peabody Duckmaster.

Check out these new pictures of Jupiter taken with the super-hi-res James Webb telescope.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

When the going gets tough, apparently the county clerk goes to Jamaica.

County clerk Wanda Halbert announced that her offices would be closed to the public this week so her staff could catch up on a backlog of work. However, Halbert is not at the forefront of this effort, fearlessly leading her team in the charge up a mountain of tasks to tackle.

She told WREG that she was on vacation. According to sources, she went to Jamaica.

She was evasive, saying she was “working from home” and when asked where “home” is, she said she could have a home anywhere she wanted.

The state comptroller commented that Halbert going on the trip shows “a complete lack of awareness” and “a lack of leadership and concern for her staff.” He also said it shows a lack of respect for the citizens who elected her and now find themselves without the services of the clerk’s office this week.

County Commissioner Mark Billingsley has consulted with the county attorney’s office to ask what would have to be done to recall Halbert.

The next two items are from The Vitals, Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s monthly newsletter. Sign up to receive The Vitals here.

If you work at ALSAC, LeBonheur, Regional One, or Southern College of Optometry, check out MMDC’s Live Local program. It can provide up to $2000 toward a new lease in the Medical Center District or one of its surrounding neighborhoods.

The MMDC will hold a Fall Fitness Series in Health Sciences Park:

• There will be Zumba in the Park with David Quarles Saturday, September 24 and October 29
• Yoga in the Park will happen Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in September and October

YOGA!

A woman was shot to death on Madison Avenue in The Edge District yesterday.

The Redbirds host the Charlotte Knight tonight and it’s Nacho Average Tuesday. Every ticket includes a complimentary order of ballpark nachos. The first pitch is set for 7:05.

The Southern Lodging Summit comes to the Renasant Convention Center today and tomorrow.

Wyly Bigger plays the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 AM.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out playing trivia at the Blind Bear tonight at 7:30. Back tomorrow with more news.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies are the latest team interested in a trade for Kevin Durant. Durant let the Brooklyn Nets’ front office know last month that he wants to be dealt to another team. Memphis has an attractive assortment of draft picks to offer, including 6 first-rounders in the next 5 years. The Memphis front office is said to be reluctant to include Desmond Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. in such a trade, but if they want Durant here they may have no choice.

-Rant Brothers “Mo” and “Du” in Beale Street Blue has a nice ring to it.

Floyd Mayweather partied in Downtown Memphis at The Cadre Building Friday night.

Today is National Eat a Peach Day.  I celebrated a day early with a Razzle-Dazzle shot at the Blind Bear last night. That’s a fresh peach slice in a shot glass full of blue raspberry moonshine.

WREG reports that more than a dozen cars were broken into on the Sheraton Hotel’s lot last night.

That’s it. Not a terribly newsy Monday. Back tomorrow with more.