Paul Ryburn's Journal

I’m building a list of Downtown bars & restaurants that are opening early and/or doing something special for the St. Jude Marathon this coming Saturday, December 2. Email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or message me on Facebook with your information.

If your Downtown bar/restaurant is doing anything special for Conference Championship Saturday, let me know that too.

The folks at Local on Main have told me they’ll have an IV station for runners, but I need to confirm the time and details.

Memphis basketball this week:

• Sunday, November 26: Grizzlies at home vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 5:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Wednesday, November 29: Grizzlies at home vs. Utah Jazz, 7:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Friday, December 1: Grizzlies on the road at Dallas Mavericks, 6:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Saturday, December 2: Tigers on the road at Ole Miss, 1:30 PM. TV: ESPN2
• Saturday, December 2: Grizzlies on the road at Phoenix Suns, 8:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports

Note that there are NO Grizzlies games the following week as the NBA in-season tournament wraps up. Anyone besides me think the in-season tournament is kinda boring and pointless?

The Grizzlies have signed guards Jaylen Nowell and Shaquille Harrison to 10-day contracts.

Nurse Blake SHOCK ADVISED Comedy Tour comes to the Orpheum Thursday at 8 PM. Tickets are $39.50-$79.50 and there’s a VIP meet & greet ticket for $189.

Today is Small Brewery Sunday.

A man was found shot to death on the I-55 bridge this morning.

Memphis Music Initiative seeks a manager of fundraising and special projects.

I’ll be at Butt Slut #1’s bar in the Underdog Room at Bardog this evening if anyone wants to hang out. She ended up not being able to come to our Thanksgiving in Eads because she had to work her other job. While in Eads, I made a liquor discovery I wanted to share with my readers:

Chocolate peanut butter whiskey creme! This was so good! I would recommend stopping at a grocery store on the way home from picking this up to get a banana. Slices of banana would make an ideal garnish. Elvis would approve. So would monkeys.

Considering a trip to Memphis? Tomorrow would be a good day to book a room at the Peabody, because from 6 AM to 8 PM they will have a Cyber Monday special: 40% off the Best Available Rate for bookings now through March 31.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra will present Magic of Memphis Saturday at the Cannon Center.

The Renasant Convention Center will host the 2023 St. Jude Marathon Health and Fitness Expo Thursday and Friday. Floor plan

Storyboard Memphis has a history of Union Avenue.

The Cossitt Library will host a pottery party this Wednesday at 1 PM. All supplies are provided, but wear clothing you don’t mind getting paint on.

The big news during my 5 days away from blogging is that Memphis River Parks Partnership is going to allow the organizers of the Mempho music festival – moving to Tom Lee Park the first weekend of May, 2024 – to also hold a BBQ festival in Tom Lee.

And the new BBQ festival will be held the third weekend of May. The same weekend Memphis in May holds its World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (abbreviated WCBCC but usually referred to as “BBQ Fest” by Memphians) at Liberty Park/Tiger Lane.

Daaaaaaamn. The BBQ teams are gonna have to choose which festival to compete in.

Stick with tradition, or go with an unproven upstart which has no legit claim to call itself the world championship of BBQ?

or, if you look at it from a different point of view…

Cook BBQ on a shitty parking lot, or in a park with beautiful river views?

I have such mixed feelings about this. My heart is with the Memphis in May organization… but a festival that could have “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot” as its theme song does not have the appeal of one whose theme song could be “Ol’ Man River.”

I’m glad I’m no longer on a BBQ team and therefore don’t have a difficult decision to participate in/argue about.

All right, that’s enough for today’s post. I’m probably making a mistake telling my readers that a cute, popular girl will be behind a bar that seats maybe 4 or 5. I better get there well before 7 PM to claim one of those seats. Back tomorrow or Tuesday with more news.

I had so much information packed into yesterday’s post that I forgot to post pics from my birthday! I only have a couple.

My birthday cake, which my friend Theresa had ordered from the bakery at Whole Foods where she works. You may remember I had a PBR-themed cake last year too. The can was new for 2023. Apparently there’s gonna be a new addition to the basic design every year.

We gathered at Bardog, where we routinely meet at 11 on Saturdays. One of my very few gripes with our neighborhood bar over the past year has been the weekend brunch specials. The daily lunch/dinner specials at the ‘dog tend to be creative and different each day. The brunch specials, however, tend to be repetitive, almost always consisting of

• Strawberry or blueberry pancakes
• Grilled or fried pork chop
• Chicken-n-waffles
• Some variety of blackened fish
• Lobster omelette

“If they’re going to have the same stuff EVERY WEEK, why not just go ahead and put it on the regular menu?” I would say. “If it’s always available during weekend brunch, IT’S NOT A SPECIAL!!!”

This past Saturday, I held out a little hope as I made my walk to the ‘dog. “There’s a new man in the kitchen,” I thought. “Perhaps he’ll put his own creative stamp on the specials.”

For the most part, the same specials were still there – the pancakes, the omelette, chicken and waffles.

But there was something different!

CHILAQUILES!!!

Chilaquiles could be thought of as breakfast nachos of a sort. Warm soft tortilla pieces are a base, topped with cheddar, scallions, crunchy pieces of pork belly, and a LOVELY big scoop of guacamole. There’s normally an egg on there too, but I asked them to leave it off.

It was so yummy!

Bardog’s cooks are mostly Mexican and I’ve long wondered why they didn’t lean into their heritage just a little bit more. I’m not saying, go all out and compete with Maciel’s around the corner. But why not capitalize on a little of that culinary background now and then?

If Bardog would just put one “unexpected and different” item on its brunch special board each week, I could live with it being alongside four of the “same old, same old.” The 80/20 rule, applied to brunch.

And now let’s get on to the news…

As a lover of historical fiction, I can appreciate SIX, the Broadway musical playing at the Orpheum today through Sunday. The “six” refer to the 6 wives of English king Henry III (1491-1547; reigned from 1509). He was the king who had 6 wives and 5 annulments/divorces, causing him to leave the Catholic Church and form the Church of England. The show transforms the women from Tudor queens into pop queens. Tickets are $35-$150.

It’s National Stuffing Day and Pumpkin Pie Day.

Bardog is back with more news… not only will they be open at 5 on Thursday, but they’ll have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner as their special.

As for their sibling restaurant, Slider Inn Downtown, they too will open at 5 with a slider special called The Gobbler. It will have turkey, gravy, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted bun.

I got a preview of Blind Bear’s Thanksgiving dinner, offered as a special anytime they’re open through Saturday, last night.

From lower left: Turkey, cornbread dressing with cranberry sauce, dinner roll, Tony’s greens, three-cheese mac & cheese, mashed potatoes.

Do you notice what I allowed to happen here, that I’m normally NEVER okay with?

I allowed cranberry sauce to touch my other food items. Normally that is a GIANT party foul.

Believe me, I thought about ordering the meal with no cranberries. But Tony posted a pic of the food with the cranberries on top of the dressing. And Tony has tremendous culinary credibility. He makes combinations work that I never would expect – see the coffee-encrusted ribeye from a few weeks ago.

So I ordered the dinner as-is, without mods.

The mac & cheese turned out to be the star of the show, followed closely by Tony’s greens and the turkey. But the dressing soaked in cranberry juice was not bad!

Tony is the Ric Flair of food. He could cook a broomstick and turn it into a five-star meal.

Deep Roots plays The Central BBQ Sessions at Central BBQ Downtown Saturday at 6.

The M-town Funk and Blues Fest comes to the Cannon Center Saturday, featuring Midnight Star, Original Lakeside, Larry Dodson and Band , OB Buchana, and Bobby Rush.

J Buck plays 507 Lux Lounge (150 Monroe) Saturday night.

J Buck is practically a one man show chock full of explosive energy everytime he hits the stage- think Marvin Gaye meets James Brown! Audiences can’t get enough of Buck’s massively enchanting stage presence

Momma’s may be getting a popcorn machine. I remember a bar in the Downtown core once having a popcorn machine. They had to get rid of it once Steve the Squirrel’s cousin Rick showed up.

Grizzlies Cyber Monday news:

Eggnog slushies have returned to Max’s Sports Bar.

Typing this at Bardog. Jukebox Repair Guy is installing Google speakers. Sesame salmon and a grilled buffalo chicken wrap are the specials.

Sugar Grits is hosting Brunch with Santa Saturday, December 16.

One of my favorite website developers, Flavio Copes, launched a new tutorial site The Valley of Code this week.

Anita Baker comes to FedExForum Wednesday night.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has a blog.

That’ll cover it for today. Reminder – posts will be hit or miss the next 5 days because I want to get out and enjoy the holiday weekend without hauling a computer around.

It’s time to look ahead to college football games of interest to Memphis this Thanksgiving weekend. Because of the time of year, I’m expanding my definition of “of interest” to include

1. Memphis
2. Teams with a strong regional following – SEC and Arkansas State
3. Major rivalry games
4. Games in which a team has a reasonable chance of making the College Football Playoff
5. Teams which could end up in the Liberty Bowl – so, unranked Big 12 and SEC teams that will likely finish the season with between 6 and 8 wins
6. Teams that are potential bowl opponents for the Memphis Tigers

Rankings are as of Tuesday evening, November 14.

Thanksgiving Day

• 13 Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Egg Bowl, 6:30 PM, ESPN

Friday

• Memphis at. Temple, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• UTSA at 24 Tulane, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 9 Missouri at Arkansas, Battle Line Rivalry, 3:00 PM, CBS
• Texas Tech at 7 Texas, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 11 Oregon State at 6 Oregon, 7:30 PM, FOX

Saturday

• 2 Ohio State at 3 Michigan, 11:00 AM, FOX
• Kentucky at 10 Louisville, Governor’s Cup game, 11:00 AM, ABC
• Texas A&M at 15 LSU, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• Navy at SMU, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• 8 Alabama at Auburn, Iron Bowl, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 17 Arizona at Arizona State, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Vanderbilt at 13 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• Washington State at 5 Washington, Apple Cup, 3:00 PM, FOX
• 4 Florida State at Florida, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• 1 Georgia at Georgia Tech, “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate,” 6:30 PM, ABC
• Iowa State at 21 Kansas State, 7:00 PM, FOX

It looks like the SEC isn’t going to have enough 6-plus-win teams to fill all of its bowl slots. In that case, the Liberty Bowl would become Big 12 vs. wild card and the spot could possibly go to Memphis. That would be bad news for our local hotel and restaurant industries but great news for Tigers fans.

The Downtown Memphis Commission will hold a public safety meeting at its office (N. Main at Adams) 10:30-11:30 AM Tuesday, November 28. Most likely this will be a final presentation of street closings and related plans for Saturday, December 2’s St. Jude Marathon. If you own a business Downtown that opens before noon that day, you should attend or send a rep in order to understand what your employees will need to do to get to work.

Any restaurants/bars opening early for the marathon? Let me know. paul.ryburn@gmail.com or hit me up on social media.

It’s National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. That’s an item I believe Bass Pro at the Pyramid carries. I think that the new sweets shop in the 99 N. Main apartment building. might have it too.

Blind Bear’s specials for this week:

• Thanksgiving dinner – slow roasted turkey breast smothered with brown turkey gravy, cornbread dressing, Tony’s greens, three-cheese mac & cheese, rosemary mashed potatoes, cinnamon & orange cranberry sauce, dinner roll – 22
• Sweet potato pie – sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger with a golden flaky crust – 8
• Individual cup/bowl of Tony’s greens – 6/10

Blind Bear will open at 6 PM on Thanksgiving. Bardog will open at 5. I will expand this list as more info comes my way.

The DM reports that Rock ‘n Dough Pizza will open a location at 704 Madison after the first of the year. It will have a 4-lane duckpin bowling alley. Don’t know what duckpin bowling is? Wikipedia to the rescue.

The men’s basketball Tigers will face some quality competition this week in the Battle 4 Atlantis invitational tournament in beautiful Nassau, Bahamas. The Tigers kick things off with a 5 PM battle vs. the Wolverines of Michigan Wednesday. On Thanksgiving Day Memphis plays either Arkansas or Stanford, with tip time at 5 PM if they win Wednesday’s game or 7:30 if they lose.

I’ll be out in Eads with my friends Randy & Theresa for Thanksgiving dinner. Randy says he’ll pick me up around noon, along with Butt Slut #2 who also lives Downtown. Butt Slut #1 has to work at her dad’s liquor store (in Mississippi those can be open on Turkey Day) until about 3 then will drive up to Eads.

But here’s the thing – Randy promised Butt Slut #1 he’d put her Dallas Cowboys at 3:25. If the basketball Tigers play at 5, that will be a problem. Hey Randy, perhaps Butt Slut #1 would like to dine al fresco on the bench on your patio while the grownups occupy the dining room. The forecast is for a balmy 55 and besides, she’ll have soup to keep her warm.

I’m typing this from Bardog so I might as well inform you of today’s specials:

• Blackened mahi mahi over penne with Alfredo
• Fried chicken sandwich – cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, BBQ
• Soup: French onion
• Dog: Breakfast dog – 2 eggs, bacon, hash, cheddar, mustard, ketchup (EDIT 2:18 PM): Changed to chili, cheese, onion
• Mussels: Garlic butter, white wine, tomato
• Pecan pie
• Caramel cake

OMG there’s an I Got That Dog in Me shirt. I need to get that for the butt sluts to wear to work so they can promote the Daily Dog.

PRO TIP: If you order urinal mats, yellow is not a good choice. They make it look like the person before you didn’t flush.

Boston came away with a 102-100 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum yesterday. The Grizz fall to 3-10, tied with Portland and San Antonio for the worst record in the West. The good news? Memphis is only 6.5 games out of first.

Next up, the Grizz head to Houston where they’ll tussle with our old buddy Dillon Wednesday at 7. Except, knowing him, he won’t be satisfied with a tussle and will try to turn it into a kerfluffle.

Even college presidents aren’t safe from being carjacked in Memphis. Crooks got his Porsche while pumping gas at Murphy USA on Winchester near Bill Morris Parkway.

Heavy rain is expected this afternoon in Memphis.

RIP Rosalynn Carter, First Lady of the United States 1977-1981.

From Storyboard Memphis: The Hidden History of the Orpheum, Part II: When it Was the Malco. M.A. Lightman, namesake of a bridge club here in town, bought the theater in 1940 and changed its name.

Memphis magazine recently profiled bartender Melicia Coleman, who makes drinks at trucker bar Momma’s on Crump. (The Dirty Crow Inn that preceded Momma’s was a “chicken bar”? Wow.)

President Biden turns 81 today.

ALSAC (fundraising arm of St. Jude) is hiring a Senior Data Analyst – Workforce Planning & Analytics. It looks like this job can be done remotely.

According to this website, I will die on June 17, 2053. I am currently older than 79% of the world’s population.

Hotel Indigo is hiring a guest services manager.

PROGRAMMING NOTE – My posts this week (through Sunday) may be sparse. I want to be out among friends during this holiday week, not sitting in front of a laptop all day. However, at least for tomorrow I expect to be back with more news.

 

From Bleacher Report: Dillon Brooks didn’t like how his tenure with the Grizzlies ended: “I was the scapegoat of it all”

Also from Bleacher Report: Problems every NBA team didn’t see coming. “Memphis Grizzlies: ‘Just, Well, Everything'”

Memphis Tigers vs. Alabama State @ FedExForum, 7:00 tonight. TV: ESPN+ Here are some facts you may not know about Alabama State:

• Located in Alabama’s capital, Montgomery
• HBCU
• 5475 enrolled
• Founded 1867
• Plays in the SWAC
• Nickname: Hornets

Today is Homemade Bread Day and National Butter Day, two great tastes that taste great together.

If you’re trying to come up with a dish to take to a Friendsgiving potluck, may I recommend potatoes gratin with Boursin. Butt Slut #1 requested them at our 2022 holiday dinner (can’t remember if it was Thanksgiving or Christmas) and they were a big hit.

Southern Living has a list of 62 Thanksgiving casseroles. Shall I do a “Paul’s Picks” like I do for Downtown Dining Week?

• Old-school green bean casserole
• Meringue-topped sweet potato casserole
• Creamy whipped potato casserole
• Buttermilk spoon bread
• Bacon-Brussels sprout green bean casserole
• Spicy cornbread dressing with chorizo
• Scalloped oysters
• Pimiento cheese creamed spinach
• Tasty Tex-Mex mashed potato bake

Sky King plays Momma’s tonight at 8.

Max Kaplan plays Slider Inn Downtown tonight at 7.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies is having a 50% off gift card sale through November 30 at both its Downtown and Midtown locations. Minimum $25 purchase and the gift cards can be used beginning January 1, 2024. The gift cards have no expiration date.

Don’t forget, the Downtown Christmas tree lighting is this Saturday at South Main and Peabody Place. The party begins at 4:30 with free hot chocolate from Margie’s 901 and photos with Santa. That start time is 4:30 PM – not to be confused with 4:30 AM, 12 hours later, which is “drunk people climb the Downtown Christmas tree” time.

There’s a “Mommy & Me” event, a Barbie & Me Body Butter making class, happening at Oh Sweets! Skin Care, 65 Monroe, from 1 to 3 PM Saturday. Dress in your best Barbie outfit, walk the pink carpet, and… oh, I can’t do this. Click the link if you want to read more.

Then at 5:30 Saturday, Oh Sweets! is hosting an Adult Sip & Whip Class, You get to make body butter and some other stuff and you get wine & candy & store discounts. Again, click the link if you want full details. This is an adults-only class.

Bardog has created an official Facebook event listing for its December 6 Hampline beer dinner it’s hosting in the Underdog Room. With minor revisions, the menu is what I posted on Tuesday:

Starter:
Tuna Carpaccio with Handlebar Haze New England IPA

First Course:
Asparagus Bisque with Natch Lager

Second Course:
Beet Salad with Cherry Bomb Cherry Amaretto Sour Gose

Third Course:
Beef Wellington with Hoot & Haller Pilsner

Dessert:
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Dunk Tank Oktoberfest

The major change is the listed price. It had previously been reported as $60 + added fees; now, the charge is said to be $97.42 including tax and gratuity. At least the pours of each beer are generous 8 oz. pours instead of the dribbles you get at the average beer sampling.

The DMC has issued a report on revenues generated by the new Mobility Center and other transportation initiatives. Most of those initiatives are beating expectations. The same report notes that interior demolition will begin soon on the 100 N. Main building, an early step in its repurposing.

Memphis’ Finest Comedy Show, scheduled for Sunday, has been canceled. Also, tonight’s Orpheum Soiree is sold out.

This week Pretty Taco has $3 Red Flag shots during Power Hour 9-10 PM Friday and Saturday.

Why is every light out on this side street in downtown ? Gayoso between Front and Main… @MLGW pic.twitter.com/TC2hL6DJX0

— Jessica Gertler (@jgertler_WREG3) November 17, 2023

That’s it for now. I will be at Bardog Saturday at 11 AM to celebrate my birthday. Rest of day/weekend plans TBA.

 

Memphis Farmers Market has announced its annual Turkey Day Market for this Saturday, November 18 (my birthday!!!) from 9 AM to 1 PM. Not only will you be able to buy Thanksgiving dinner fixings from area farmers, but you’ll also be able to start early on your Christmas shopping. Local artisans will be on hand with crafts, art, and jewelry to sell.

Folks from the Cossitt Library will be at the Market for Story Time from 11 AM to 1 PM Saturday. The Market is at the corner of Front and G.E. Patterson under the pavilion, behind the Power House movie theater.

Action News 5 interviewed the Cossitt Library’s Chef Eli about this Saturday’s Eat This Book Festival.

A mixed-use 8-story high rise has been proposed for 500 Beale. That would be between Danny Thomas and Lauderdale. The location is currently a vacant lot.

It’s Red Cup Day at Starbucks. Order a handcrafted holiday beverage and get the 2023 edition reusable cup. Order in person, on the Starbucks app, or through DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Marathonfoto seeks a photographer for the upcoming St. Jude Marathon.

Megabus has discontinued its service from other cities to Memphis.

Today is Nouveau Beaujolais Day.

Also it’s Have a Party with Your Bear Day.

And it’s National Fast Food Day.  I recommend a 6-pack of Chili Cheese Pups from Krystal to celebrate.

Ugh.. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn has been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential pick alongside the Trumpster for 2024.

That’s it. Fairly short post today. Back tomorrow.

An anonymous person arranged for baby goats for Jess to hang out with prior to the start of her shift.

The goats are from 901 Goats, a farm in Fayette County. The one Jessica is holding is about 4 weeks old. The goats on leashes are 10-11 months. Their caretakers were feeding them Cheerios.

The goats can be booked for goat yoga classes – at your place – for around $600, I’m told. We’re talking about getting a group together. If we got 30 people that’d be only $20 each.

Specials at Local on Main today:

Mississippi pot roast with stewed okra

Gumbo hash

Let’s have a look at college football games this weekend of interest to Memphians:

Friday

• Colorado at Washington State, 9:30 PM, FS1

Saturday

• Chattanooga at 8 Alabama, 11:00 AM, ESPN+
• UL Monroe at 13 Ole Miss, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
• 24 Tulane at Florida Atlantic, 11:00 AM, ESPN+
• Southern Miss at Mississippi State, 11:00 AM,  SEC Network
• Abilene Christian at Texas A&M, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
• SMU at Memphis, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• 22 Utah at 17 Arizona, 1:30 PM, Pac-12 Network
• Texas State at Arkansas State, 2:00 PM, ESPN+
• 1 Georgia at 18 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, CBS
• New Mexico State at Auburn, 3:00 PM, SEC Network
• 21 Kansas State at 25 Kansas, 6:00 PM, FS1
• 5 Washington at 11 Oregon State, 6:30 PM, ABC
• Florida at 9 Missouri, 6:30 PM, ESPN
• Florida International at Arkansas, 6:30 PM, ESPNU
• Kentucky at South Carolina, 6:30 PM, SEC Network
• Georgia State at 15 LSU, 7:00 PM, ESPN2

My thoughts on this week’s schedule, summed up in one photo?

More teams playing cream puff opponents than we’ve seen since Week 3. I guess this is a safety valve adopted by many teams to ensure that 6th win – and bowl eligibility. Although, it looks like a few teams may get waivers to sneak into a bowl with a 5-7 record this year.

Today is National Zinfandel Day.

New Ballet Ensemble School’s NutRemix comes to the Cannon Center this weekend. Imagine The Nutcracker, but on Beale Street.

Cheers to my friend Bill who moves to Illinois today. It’s been a pleasure hanging out with you in Downtown Memphis, sir. Please come back and visit.

Experimenting with NOISY and CRATE as my starter words in Wordle. Results are pretty good so far.

Hmmm. LOUSY and IRATE might be even better…

The MOXY Memphis hotel is organizing a New Year’s Eve bar crawl. I normally hate NYE but this is not a bad list of stops. NYE is on a Sunday this year. Note that you’d be back at the hotel partying with fellow pub crawlers rather than a bunch of random drunk yahoos at midnight.

Any locals been to Bar Moxy in the hotel? Is it worth checking out on a normal, non-holiday evening? The hotel promotes it like it’s a destination for non-guests.

The Grizzlies lost to the L.A. Lakers last night, effectively reducing Memphis’ chance of winning the NBA in-season tournament to zero. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard went down to injuries. The Grizzlies drop to 2-9. Is it too early to consider tanking for the season?

Bishop, the French restaurant in Central Station Hotel, seeks a sous chef.

Not Downtown but worth a Lyft or Uber: Pho pop-up event this Sunday

507 Lux Lounge, in the basement of Curry N Jerk at 150 Monroe, will host Cocktails & Conversations tonight at 7. This is a place for adult topics we’re usually conditioned to avoid. Tonight’s topic: How do we reach our youth?

Texan Marcia Bell comes to the Halloran Centre this Saturday. Tickets are $39.50.

A bridal & wedding expo comes to the Renasant Convention Center Sunday.

Fish & chips and a fried pork chop sandwich are the specials today at Bardog.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

Last week I mentioned a December 6 beer dinner at Bardog. I now have more information about that event.

It’ll be a joint venture with Hampline Brewing in Bardog’s Underdog Room called Bear of the Dog. This will be Hampline’s debut on the Memphis beer dinner scene. The menu:

Starter:
Tuna Carpaccio with Handlebar Haze New England IPA

First Course:
Asparagus Bisque with Natch Lager

Second Course:
Beet Salad with Cherry Bomb Cherry Amaretto Sour Gose

Third Course:
Beef Wellington with a pilsner to be announced

Dessert:
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Dunk Tank Oktoberfest

Tickets are $60 plus tax and grat. Wednesday, December 6 at 6 PM.

Today is National Pickle Day. Kooky Canuck and Local on Main are two Downtown restaurants with excellent fried pickles.

Pedestrian safety is being cited as the reason why a section of Riverside Drive will remain closed on the weekends.

Electronic dance music legend Larry Heard performs with DJ Spinna Saturday night 9-1 in Eight & Sand Lounge at Central Station Hotel.

A workshop called Unlocking Your Stories: Finding Our Voice in Poetry happens Wednesday from 4 to 6 at the Cossitt Library. Ally Smith will be your presenter.

The basketball Memphis Tigers just missed the AP Top 25 this week. With 53 votes, Memphis came in 26th, just behind #25 Colorado (78 votes).

There are a couple of events coming up at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, this weekend. Friday from 7 to 9, there will be performances by Zoe Dominguez, Victoria Dowdy, and Sandy Lollis. Saturday from 7 to 9, Jim Lauderdale will take the stage.

Pantera with special guest Lamb of God has announced a Saturday, February 10 date at FedExForum.

The man killed in a Sunday night shooting on the riverwalk near the Butler Avenue entrance was a St. Jude employee. (Update: Two suspects have been charged.)

COGIC lost one of its leaders while its Holy Convocation was going on in Memphis. Bishop Sedgwick C. Daniels passed away on Sunday.

Iceland may be due for a volcanic eruption.

Redneck trivia at Momma’s was decided by an arm wrestling match last night. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Paul, nobody cares” – but my former student Zach insists I put it in the blog.

By the way – I’ve never been to redneck trivia, but I heard more about it yesterday. It sounds like the TOPICS are redneck more so than the individual QUESTIONS. For example, “beer” might be a topic – rednecks like beer – but a question might be, “Which state has the most breweries in New England?”

Classic Blind Bear T-shirts are back in stock and for sale:

The Hyatt Centric seeks an assistant food & beverage manager. The hotel is also looking for a bartender for CIMAS Lounge.

Former Memphis head coach Mike Norvell has been linked to the open head coach position at Texas A&M. Norvell is currently the HC at Florida State.

The Grizzlies have an in-season tournament game tonight at 9:30, an away game at the L.A. Lakers. TV will be Bally Sports.

The updated college football playoff rankings come out tonight at 8 on ESPN.

The Sheraton seeks a director of sales and marketing.

The CA’s Jennifer Chandler has 5 spots to find a pie for Thanksgiving dinner. Notable Downtown: Makeda’s Cookies at 301 Jefferson. Makeda’s pies feature a “butterific” cookie crust.

The CA has a preview of Adam Sandler’s show at FedExForum this Thursday.

Online sportsbook ESPN BET launches today.

That’ll do it. Back tomorrow with college football and more news.

 

 

I want to start off by mentioning a yummy brunch pic posted by Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55:”

First off, cheers to Momma’s on having REAL hash browns. I HATE it when breakfast/brunch restaurants advertise having “hash browns” – but then you get there and find out they’re actually “breakfast potatoes.” NOT THE SAME THING!!!!!

Chili-smothered hash browns with eggs and a choice of meat? Sounds like Momma’s may have “borrowed” that idea from Waffle House. And I have no problem with that at all! Waffle House had years to open a restaurant on Crump and capture that market, and they didn’t do it.

I’m sure many of you are designing your King Louis breakfast in your head right now. As am I! My eggs would have to be scrambled. I can’t stand any kind of eggs with runny yolk, especially touching other food. I’d sooner eat pineapple on pizza. I’d sooner eat tofu.

As for meat: I suppose sausage would work best with Momma’s Smokestack chili. Although, since this is an obvious copy of what Waffle House does, I might be tempted to get country ham since that’s what I get there. Bacon, of course, is a universal ingredient that is always welcome on my plate. I’ve never understood chicken as a breakfast food.

The real question, though, is: Which King Louis are you going to be as you eat your King Louis breakfast? You have many choices. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Louis the 9th  – The namesake of St. Louis, Missouri, making this a good choice for Cardinals fans.
• Louis the 11th – Your kids will want to be him. He was the Spider King.
• Louis the 13th – Has a high-dollar cognac (I’m talking, like, $250 a shot) named after him.
• Louis the 14th – Has a Beatles song (“Sun King”) written about him; reigned for 72 years, longer than England’s Elizabeth II.
• Louis the 16th – His wife was a bitch. He inherited a treasury depleted by his grandfather, the extravagant Louis the 15th. Beheaded at age 38 by revolutionaries. His son never reigned and only lived to age 10.

Forecast this week looks beautiful!

A fairly mild week is ahead as we plow into mid-November! If you liked Sunday’s weather, we’ll have a few more days like it! Rain will be limited; chances will pop up on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and possibly Friday. Plan accordingly! #memwx pic.twitter.com/YkUbXDzxGY

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) November 13, 2023

I had Bardog’s corn dog “Daily Dog” special for the second time in 2 days yesterday. That thing is seriously good enough to be a regular menu item. Mama Aldo, can you mention this to your son? EDIT: New Daily Dog today. Bacon-wrapped with sauteed onions, ketchup, and mustard.

I made Emily put The Price Is Right on. A contestant has a “The Wife Is Right” shirt on. This is why I’m single.

A fellow Scorpio (Wednesday birthday) bought me 2 Rumples and left me a full beer and half a Rumple. I’m buzzed and it’s 10:19 AM. And MEDICARE MARTHA is on TV. THE CALL IS FREE!

Congrats to the Grizzlies, who improved to 2-8 with a road win over the L.A. Clippers yesterday. Next up: at L.A. Lakers on Tuesday at 9:30 PM (TV: Bally Sports)

Tony posted a preview of a couple of the Blind Bear’s dinner specials for this week:

• House-made chicken noodle soup
• Pan-seared red snapper with sauteed green beans

There’s usually a dessert too. I’ll find out what that is and post a follow-up.

One more piece of Blind Bear news: Normally there’s a cover charge for admission Friday and Saturday nights. However, on Saturday, November 18, you can get in for FREE if you tell the door person, “Paul sent me.”

Grizzlies HC Taylor Jenkins has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for pointing out the incompetence of the referees working Friday’s Grizzlies-Utah Jazz game.

Today is World Orphans Day. There’s a street just north of Jackson running from Manassas to Ayers named Orphanage Ave. So I guess there used to be an orphanage just northeast of Downtown. That street was probably laid out in 1860. I don’t think there’s an orphanage on Orphanage Ave. anymore. I bet you can buy some weed there though. Probably not good weed.

The Price Is Right is giving away a hammock that will keep you warm at a temperature as low as 32 degrees outside.

A man was shot to death at Tennessee and Butler yesterday.

Drake and J. Cole will play FedExForum March 5.

The U.S. government is set to run out of money and shut down at midnight Friday.

Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher but will have to pay him $75 million according to the terms of his contract. Must be nice.

Here’s a TikTok about The Wingman, a new restaurant at 143 Madison.

It took me 4 hours to type this post. Back tomorrow with more news.

My birthday week has begun! However, the actual day is not until Saturday.

My friend Randy returned from a business trip from Ireland, and as often is the case, he came bearing gifts. The butt sluts and I got matching hoodies.

The hoodies read, “Irish Originals Vintage Collection.” The new hoodie will be good to wear to Silky’s St. Patrick’s Day parade next March.

There were candy bars too!

This Irish whiskey milk chocolate bar was delicious! I ate the entire thing this morning. I tried a little of this dark chocolate bar too:

This a dark chocolate bar with nuts and sea salt. The inside wrapper reads,

Right now there is slavery on cocoa farms in West Africa. This is a result of the unequally divided food chain. Tony’s Chocolonely exists to change that.

Our vision is 100% slave-free chocolate. Not just our chocolate, but all chocolate worldwide.

With incredibly tasty chocolate we lead by example and show the world that chocolate can be made differently, in taste, packaging, and the way we do business with cocoa farmers.

Alone we’ll make slave-free chocolate but together as can make all chocolate 100% slave free. So we ask you to join us.

The more people who join our mission and share our story, the sooner 100% slave free becomes the norm in chocolate.

The choice is yours. Are you in?

From Food & Wine: DiGiorno has a Thanksgiving pizza out. It’s topped with turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, crispy onions, and two kinds of cheese. You have to visit the DiGiorno website to get these and they’re only available on Wednesdays.

I tried the corn dog which has been the Daily Dog special last night at Bardog.

The batter is light and fluffy, more closely resembling a Pronto Pup than a state fair corn dog. There is no stick, so you have to eat it with a fork & knife. I don’t recommend trying to eat it with your hands – the batter will fall off. Daily Dogs are usually on special for several consecutive days, so you may still be able to get the corn dog today.

Random fact I learned at one of the other Downtown bars yesterday: If a female bartender sends you to DGX for tampons, Tampax Pearls are a good choice. They’re not the cheap brand and accomplish, um, whatever is needed in a tampon.

The bourbon slushie is back in the rotation at Max’s Sports Bar.

Charlotte took the Memphis Tigers football team to overtime yesterday, but the Tigers prevailed, 44-38. Could Memphis be in line for double-digit wins this season? They’re 8-2 right now. Remaining:

• Saturday, November 18 vs. SMU (11:00 AM, ESPN2): Memphis is a 25.2% underdog according to ESPN FPI
• Friday, November 24 at Temple (11:00 AM, ESPN): Memphis is an 89% favorite according to ESPN FPI
• AAC Championship: The Tigers have an in-conference loss and three other teams don’t, so Memphis is unlikely to be in this game
• Bowl game: Projected by CBS Sports to be in the Military Bowl on December 27 vs. Virginia Tech (currently 5-5, 4-3 ACC)

So most likely the Tigers are looking at 9 to 10 wins this season.

And then there was this LOVELY result from yesterday:

The Tennessee Vols can kiss their hopes of a New Year’s Day bowl goodbye. CBS Sports now has them projected in the Gator Bowl on December 29 vs. North Carolina.

As for Memphis’ very own Liberty Bowl, CBS Sports is now projecting Kansas State vs. Mississippi State. That game is also December 29.

The Woodruff-Fontaine House will have a Yuletide Open House the evening of Friday, December 1. Free and open to the public.

The basketball Memphis Tigers improved to 2-0 with a win over Missouri on Friday night. Next up: Friday at 7 PM, home game vs. Alabama State, TV: ESPN+.

The Grizzlies have an away game vs. the L.A. Clippers at 2:30. TV: Bally Sports

Since the Grizzlies-Clips game is time-sensitive, I’ll stop here and hit Publish. Back soon with more news.

Regulars of Max’s Sports Bar on G.E. Patterson Ave. got a rather unpleasant surprise when they showed up at their favorite watering hole Thursday afternoon. A tall green fence had been installed in front of Max’s, blocking its entrance.”I do not like this fence,” stated one regular of almost 16 years.

There is good news, though – Max posted,

We had a surprise this afternoon – a beautiful enclosed front patio! But don’t worry, we’re still here and excited to share an evening of football, dinner, and drinks with all of you. And in case you are wondering, there’s no construction and everything is completely safe!

Today is Sesame Street Day. 54 years ago today, the children’s show starring Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Mr. Hooper, Gordon, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch (who was orange at the time!), Kermit the Frog, and Grover premiered on PBS.

There will be an International Food Tasting at Maria Montessori School on Mud Island this Saturday. The cuisine will represent international home cooking and restaurant fare. There will be a silent auction as well, and live music. $35 single, $50 double. 6-10 PM. They ask that you represent your birthplace with your attire. (Note to self: Toss “Arkansas Razorbacks – Defending the Turf Since 1871” shirt in the washer)

Riverside Drive will reopen Monday. Through traffic on the street will be allowed between Union and Georgia Avenues Monday at 5 AM to Friday at 7 PM.

The DM looks at Cocozza’s aperitivo happy hour in this week’s $10 Deal. Small plates in the $3-$10 range are available weekdays from 4 to 6 PM.

Ashley McBryde brings The Devil I Know Tour featuring JD Clayton to the Orpheum Saturday night. Tickets are $32-$75.

Catch The Magic of Rob Lake at the Halloran Centre Saturday night. Tickets are $39.50.

A Chick-Fil-A is coming to Uptown. It’ll be at the corner of Thomas and A.W. Willis. The location will be convenient to the St. Jude campus.

There will be a Latte Art Throwdown at Comeback Coffee Saturday evening. Prizes for first, second, and third. $5 entry for latte competitors. Free for spectators.

Chef Jimmy Gentry will present Vintage901 Perfect Pairings Brunch at The Lobbyist in the Chisca Apartments building this Sunday. The 3-course dinner will feature pastries perfectly paired with wine. Proceeds help fund the new Vintage901 Food + Wine Scholarship.

Campbell Clinic physicians will provide foot and ankle care for our homeless friends at Our Hearts to Your Soles at the Union Mission Tuesday, November 14. Clinic employees will pass out shoes, socks, toiletries, and snacks.

Rumors of Fleetwood Mac, a cover band personally endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, plays the Orpheum Tuesday night. Tickets are $30 to $165.

French Truck Coffee has opened a location in The Edge at Orleans Station.

All U.S. National Parks will be free to visit Saturday.

It’s possible I may take the weekend off from blogging to catch up with both friends and sleep. In case I do, let’s cover the minor holidays that will occur during my hiatus.

Saturday is National Sundae Day. Margie’s 901 is the place to celebrate.

Saturday is also National Metal Day. I recommend you stop by River City Records and add to your metal collection.

Saturday is Wine Tourism Day. I recommend a visit to Rootstock Wine Merchants out in The Edge District.

Sunday is Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. Normally I’d recommend the caldo tlalpeno at Maciel’s on Main, but you’ll have to wait until Monday to get it.

Sunday is also Happy Hour Day but good luck finding one of those until Monday.

Joe Manchin, Democratic Senator from good ole West Virginny, is retiring. That’s gonna make it easier for Republicans to flip the Senate in the 2024 general election.

That’s it for now. Back when I get the urge to post more. Could be Monday. Could be 30 minutes from now.