Paul Ryburn's Journal

As I was walking this morning, I noticed that the TacoNganas food truck trailer has been pulled onto the parking lot of the future location at Danny Thomas and Adams.

They’ve already resurfaced the lot, fenced it in, and landscaped around the edges. But renovating the building on that lot, a 60s-style gas/service station, into a restaurant is going to be a major undertaking. I wonder if the trailer is a sign they plan to start serving food sooner rather than later?

Further along my walk, I discovered this flyer. Looks like Happy Mexican has a new sister bar/restaurant.

STIX, the fast casual Asian restaurant on Second, posted that they now have their Endless Sake deal all the time.

Ephraim Urevbu,, who owns an art gallery at South Main and Huling, is opening a gallery in Smokey City.

Momma’s, the “diner and dive off 55” on Crump, is giving 15% off to industry on Tuesday nights. What’s more, truck drivers get the discount too with presentation of a valid CDL.

The DM reports that the Green Beetle is expanding into breakfast. They’ll put a new concept in the old Bedrock Eats space next door: Frank’s Biscuits and Briskets. It’ll be named after a liquor store that once sat in that location.

Mayor Young will meet with COGIC leaders to try to convince them to keep their annual convocation in Memphis. They’re said to have offers from other cities.

Today is National Farm Animals Day.

The Grizzlies play at Cleveland tonight at 6. TV: Bally Sports

Bardog specials for today:

• Grilled shrimp pasta with pesto cream sauce over spaghetti – 19
• Grilled buffalo chicken sandwich on Texas toast- lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, bacon, ranch, American cheese-18
• Soup: creamy chicken and veggie
• Dog: red onion, red pepper, pepperoncini, spicy mayo
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake

Advance Memphis is hiring a part-time communications coordinator.

Global Cafe is hiring for part-time front of house to work Thursday-Friday-Saturday.

The Daily Memphian seeks a director of fundraising and development.

The official announcement has been made: John Calipari is the new head basketball coach of Arkansas.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

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The Grizzlies host rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7. TV: Bally Sports

Today is National Gin and Tonic Day.

It’s also Pimiento Cheese Day. I recommend celebrating with a Cheese Wagon Burger at Momma’s bar on Crump.

There was a shooting Monday at Danny Thomas and Mississippi.

Birdie’s, the virtual golf bar on South Main,, will give away a one-year membership this weekend in a Closest to the Pin contest. There will also be some other sweet prizes given away. $3 Mich Ultra drafts this weekend and they’ll open at 9 Thursday and Friday for early-round Masters viewing.

A deal has been struck that would fully fund FedExForum renovations. Keeping the arena up to date is necessary to keep the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Downtown Hooters will show UFC 300 Saturday night.

It was amazing how bright it was outside yesterday with the moon blocking 95 percent of the sun. I loved the temporary drop in temperature, though.

The annual Hopped festival happens at Memphis Made on S. Cooper this Saturday. Live music, food trucks, limited-edition beers, comedy.

Friends for Life Corp. seeks a Development Manager.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I feel like there should be a Pink Floyd soundtrack to today’s post.

BUT… Eclipse Day is not the only holiday we celebrate today… it’s also Dog Farting Awareness Day. Put a couple of hard-boiled eggs in your dog’s bowl and you’ll be plenty aware.

I’m seeing rumors all over the Internet that John Calipari to Arkansas is basically a done deal. Bleacher Report says Cal and the Hogs are close to finalizing a five-year deal. Wow I have mixed feelings about this. Calipari is the very essence of the word “slimy,” but Arkansas hasn’t been highly relevant basketball-wise since the Nolan Richardson days.

If Frank Broyles were alive and still Arkansas AD, would Cal have a job offer? Methinks no. But it’s a different world out there now that we have NIL and Cal knows how to navigate it.

Something called The Thorn is coming to the Cannon Center Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s said to be a cross between the passion of Jesus and a cirque performance.

Bardog specials for today:

• Blackened mahi mahi salad with red onion, tomato, blueberries, carrots, Gorgonzola, balsamic reduction – 19
• Country fried chicken with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and asparagus – 18
• Soup: Italian sausage and veggie
• Dog: Bacon-wrapped with BBQ and coleslaw
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake
• Bourbon pecan pie

The Memphis Redbirds will be in town this week for a 6-game homestand vs. the Nashville Sounds.

• Tuesday: 6:45 PM
• Wednesday: 12:05 PM
• Thursday: 6:45 PM. It’ll be Throwback Thursday, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with the team in throwback Memphis Chicks uniforms and $2 beers.
• Friday: 7:05 PM. No special promotion on a FRIDAY??? Redbirds marketing team, you’re slacking!
• Saturday: 3:05 PM. It’ll be Star Wars Day with your favorite character roaming the concourse and the Redbirds in Star Wars-themed jerseys. The first 1500 fans get a 2003 Grizzlies replica jersey. It’ll also be Bark in the Park, with a specialty ticket that’ll admit you and your dog to the game.
• Sunday: 1:05 PM. Kids receive a Prairie Farms ice cream treat upon entering. After the game, they can run the bases.

Almost Elton John will perform on the Hyatt Centric rooftop Saturday.

There’s a free beginner salsa class Saturday evening at Fourth Bluff.

Bass Pro will have a hiring event for a number of positions Thursday.

Rock ’n Dough Pizza at 704 Madison in The Edge will have its grand opening celebration Saturday. From 5 to 10: $2 off draft beers, $1 off wine and well drinks, DJ Alpha Whiskey, DJ Capital A, and duckpin bowling. Can’t wait until Saturday? They’re officially open as of today.

Time to put on my eclipse glasses and look up. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Memphis Farmers Market was back and in full bloom yesterday morning. They had a number of new vendors as well as some returning favorites. Live musicians entertained the crowd. Food trucks were parked in the back. 

There was a Japanese bakery but they’d sold out by the time I got there around 10:15. 

There was also a booth selling yummy-looking chocolate parfaits. I’d already had breakfast, so I didn’t buy one, but I will check those out in future weeks. 

The Market used to send out an e-newsletter on Thursday mornings listing happenings that Saturday: special events and presentations, food trucks planning to be there. They’d also profile a featured vendor each week. I miss the newsletter.

Bardog changed up its brunch specials yesterday. They had

• A Monte Cristo sandwich 
• Chicken & waffles 
• Overnight French toast with berry compote and whipped cream 
• Southern fried pork chop with brown gravy 
• Classic Eggs Benedict 

We got to try the French toast and it was delicious. Also, Butt Slut #1 said she tried the Monte Cristo last week and it was very good. Cheers to Bardog for a very-much-needed freshening-up of their brunch specials. 

For those of you lamenting the lack of Butt Slut #1 news on the blog lately, she’s getting a Buick SUV this week. My mother would have approved; she drove a LeSabre from 1990 to 1995.

Bronny James, LeBron’s son, has declared for the NBA draft.  It’s been speculated that LeBron will decline his player option with the Lakers and sign for the veteran’s minimum salary with whatever team drafts Bronny. Bleacher Report has a list of Bronny’s top landing spots.

It isn’t certain Bronny will go pro in 2024.  He’s retaining his college eligibility. However, he’s entered the transfer portal, so he’s probably done at USC. 

Imagine this: Bronny transfers to the University of Memphis to play for Penny. LeBron signs a one-year contract with the Grizzlies to be near his son. There’s about a 1 in 10,000 chance it’ll happen, but it’s fun to dream about. 

Iowa (with Caitlin Clark) vs. South Carolina (undefeated) for the NCAA women’s basketball championship is today at 2 on ABC. 

Willie Moore’s soul food restaurant on N. Main is hiring. It’s said to be steady but not extremely hard work. 7 AM to 4 PM in the ground floor of the Claridge House. 

The DM has a look back at Grind City Music Fest. 

The DM visited Max’s Sports Bar yesterday for a look at spring crawfish. There is a shortage this year, making it hard for boils to turn a profit. Glaze Hardage’s crawfish at Max’s on Saturday and Loflin Yard on Sunday are the tastiest in town. 

Marc Gasol got his jersey retired but the Grizzlies lost to Philly by 20 yesterday. TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES 

Memphis 901 FC went down 2-0 in a home loss to Orange County yesterday. 

Shots were fired near FrdExForum Friday night. Two men were detained. 

Be sure to pet a beaver tonight. It’s International Beaver Day.

The city seeks a development manager for Memphis parks. 

There’s a Self Care Sunday event at South Main Artspace Lofts today.

You almost didn’t get a post today. The Wi-Fi was down where I am, but rebooting the router fixed it. Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

There was a fire thid morning at The WL apartment building (once known as The Adler) at South Main and MLK Avenue. That concerned me because a number of my service industry friends live in that building. However, one of them posted to Facebook that everyone is safe and the fire was put out relatively quickly.

The Grizzlies are back home tonight, hosting the Detroit Pistons at 7. It will be Super Hero Night with Hero Slides for the first 5000 fans. TV: Bally Sports

Songbird Jones with special guest Sara Jean Kelley will play South Main Sounds tonight from 7 to 9.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has proposed a traffic plan for Riverside Drive that will double the number of parking spaces adjacent to Tom Lee Park.

The DM has a look at the newly reopened Front Street Deli. Its hours are 6:45 AM to 2:30 PM, seven days a week.

Saturday will be a big day for the following reasons:

• Memphis Farmers Market kicks off for the season. It will happen every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind Malco Powerhouse. Offering far more than just produce, this is one of the best farmers’ markets in the U.S. Local chefs are known to stop by and do some shopping.
• The Memphis Tattoo Festival will be going on all weekend at the Renasant Convention Center.
• Grind City Music Festival will be happening on the grounds of Grind City Brewing Co. at Second and Waterworks.
• Memphis 901 FC will host Orange County FC for a 3 PM match at AutoZone Park.
• There will be 2:00 and 7:30 performances of WICKED at the Orpheum.
• It will be Marc Gasol’s number 33 jersey retirement at FedExForum, where the Grizzlies will host the Philadelphia 76ers. TV: Bally Sports
• On pay-per-view, it’ll be the first of two nights of Wrestlemania 40, headlined by WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his cousin The Rock vs. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and WWE World Champion Seth Rollins.

That’s it for now. I’ll be short on time tomorrow, so I can’t promise a post.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Blast it all, the Cossitt Library is closed AGAIN today. All branches are closed for the anniversary of Dr. King’s death. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for all the branches to be open, so we could read what he had to say?

So once again I’m Wi-Fiing at the Saucer. A generous soul handed me a full lunch punch card – eat lunch 7 times, get the 8th free – so I’m cashing it in on a burger and fries. I’m getting one of the specials, the Grateful Shroom, with truffle aioli, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and Swiss. It comes with arugula too but I had them leave it off – makes everything else on the burger slide around too much.

Eye to Eye Band plays The Brass Door this Friday 6-9 PM. Dance hits, rock, country. No cover. Drink specials. 

The DM reports that Ja Morant has split from his agent. 

Jaren (who my phone autocorrects to Karen) dropped 35 on Milwaukee last night as the Grizzlies won 111-101. 

Former Grizzlies player Vince Carter and executive Jerry West are going into the NBA’s Naismith Hall of Fame.

Martin Luther King III will speak about his father at the National Civil Rights Museum today at 1. 

It’s National Burrito Day. Maciel’s would be my recommendation to celebrate. 

It’s also National Ramen Day. I bet Good Fortune Co. on South Main willl be packed tonight. 

And it’s World Rat Day. Celebrate after dark on the Main Street Mall.  

Hard Times Deli is coming to The Edge. The restaurant’s operators previously ran Secret Smash Society, a burger pop-up. The new deli will be at 655 Marshall. 

Downtown Huey’s will close for about 10 days for renovations. 

Not Downtown news but significant: Bounty on Broad has announced its closure. 

From MR Magazine: Lansky’s still rock & rollin’ in Memphis

Food Truck Thursdays return to Court Square next Thursday, April 11.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow I hope.

I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Dog doo golf. You can choose a little, average-sized, or large dog.

I have a beer recommendation, and it comes from a man who knows a few things about that topic: Gary “G-Rock”/“Mr. Value Drinking” Smith, holder of 60 plates, soon to be 61 at the Flying Saucer. That means he’s consumed at least 12,200 beers there.

Gary says Goldcrest 51 is one of the best beers the Saucer offers. That was the beer the old Tennessee Brewery made, one of the top sellers in the country in the 1940s. About 10 years ago, the family that had owned the brewery found the Goldcrest 51 recipe and started brewing new batches.

“But, Gary,” I protested. “I tried a can before the pandemic. I didn’t think it was that good.” As a PBR drinker, I have very high standards for beer taste.

“Try it again,” Gary advised. “They had the recipe messed up at first. The adjusted recipe is one of the smoothest-drinking beers I’ve ever had.”

I didn’t get a chance to try a Goldcrest 51 yesterday but will soon. The Saucer and Westy’s have it in cans.

The Saucer has announced a new giveaway for the month. Drink Memphis Made products to win a chance to take this beautiful sign home:

Saturday two important soccer matches happen at the same time, but The Brass Door will be equipped to handle it. They’ll havr

• Arsenal vs. Brighton on the main floor TVs
• USWNT vs. Japan in the mezzanine

11:30 is when things kick off.

Soccer is also a big deal at virtual golf bar Birdie’s on South Main. When matches are on, they have $5 local pints and $4 local cans.

Memphis Tigers head football coach Ryan Silverfield has a new 5-year, $12.25 million extension that’ll keep him here through 2028. Numerous bonuses are possible.

The Grizzlies will be in Milwaukee for a 7:00 game tonight. TV: Bally Sports

On CNN’s website: Enter your address and see what you’ll see for Monday’s solar eclipse

Help make sure seniors get enough to eat by participating in MIFA Restaurant Week April 5-14. Participating Downtown restaurants include

• Bogie’s
• Central BBQ
• Gus’s
• Huey’s
• Kooky Canuck
• Sunrise Memphis

HEART has been announced for Thursday, November 14 at FedExForum.

Not Downtown but getting closer: Midtown may get a Whataburger. The site being considered is the old police station at 1925 Union.

DJ Taz will go old school at the Blind Bear Friday night.

Hustle & Flow Step (hip-hop step aerobics) happens tonight and every Wednesday in April 6:00-7:00 in Tom Lee Park. Classes are free. Borrow a stepper (first come, first served) or bring your own.

DJ Flame plays Eight & Sand Lounge at Central Station Hotel Saturday night.

One11 Madison is having a cognac tasting and orientation to membership on its 3rd-floor level Friday.

There will be Yoga in the Park in Health Sciences Park today and every Wednesday in April 5:30-6:15 PM. Bring your water bottle and a mat. YOGA!

Sorry for the test posts yesterday. The WordPress app for iPhone seems to be picking up the wrong numeric ID for some posts, messing things up. Today I’m bypassing the app and posting from my MacBook. Back tomorrow with more news.

The head librarian came by and told the guy playing rap videos on his phone to use earphones.

The guy waited for the head librarian to go away then went right back to playing videos with sound, no earphones.

I hate people

The Fire Sale at the Saucer today is Barrique Tnave 10.

I’m extremely frustrated and am done posting today. We’ll try again tomorrow.

I had a 10 item post I typed on my phone but the WordPress app is messing up

At the Cossitt Library. The guy across the table from me is playing rap videos on his phone, with sound.

When the clock strikes 11 I’m about to say “F this” and go get a beer.

Having trouble posting today