Paul Ryburn's Journal

If you decide to put on a tube top and come Downtown to Tom Lee Park to watch tonight’s fireworks, you can come to the park but you’ll have to park your car somewhere else. The newly two-lane Riverside Drive will be closed to traffic tonight. Even when Riverside was four lanes, there were traffic problems. With two lanes, the drive just can’t handle it. Traffic will be re-routed to other streets.

More details here.

I slept in a bit this morning, getting up about an hour and 15 minutes later than usual. I got on Facebook and one of my friends on there shared a video with the comment, “I had to delete old and repost PG13 version.” Dammit! I’m never sleeping late again.

If you’re coming Downtown for the fireworks today, don’t depend on the green buses that are trolley substitutes to get you around the area. In a typically stupid move, MATA has the buses running a Sunday schedule today, with the Main Street Trolley running 10 to 10, the Riverfront trolley running 10 to 6, and the Madison line not running at all. MATA just doesn’t seem to care about its customers one bit. Sometimes I think the city should de-fund MATA and instead use the money as seed money for private companies who could do bus and trolley service better. They sure couldn’t do it any worse!

Geez… I kinda sounded like a Republican in that last paragraph… pretty scary.

Getting back to political views you’re more accustomed to seeing on this blog: From the Daily Beast: Hillary Clinton’s golden ticket to the White House is paid family leave. Totally agree. It’s not something I will ever have to worry about, but I have seen female friends of mine put themselves through financial hardship because they had to take unpaid leave to have a baby. It seems really unfair. As the article points out, France mandates 16 paid weeks leave and Germany 14.

Work let us go early yesterday, so I stopped by Bardog for some bonus Panda time. They just got a pasta-making machine in the kitchen and were trying all kinds of things out. They brought me a sample of what I guess was ravioli with one of Aldo’s grandma’s meatballs inside. Needless to say, it was delicious. Chef John is going to have fun with his new toy.

Facebook tip: If you “like” your favorite restaurants on Facebook and they post daily specials, you might not see them because not everything a page posts gets in everyone’s news feed. However, what you can do is visit the page, mouse over “Liked,” and click “Get Notifications” from the menu that appears. Then you will get a notification every time the restaurant posts. I have used this lately to keep up with the Slice of the Day at Aldo’s Pizza Pies.

A few days ago I took a “What career SHOULD you have?” quiz on Facebook, and got fashion designer. I got a good laugh out of that, but then I realized it does make a little sense. After all, from Memorial Day weekend through July 4 weekend every year I write the #1 fashion blog in Memphis. Yesterday one of our favorite bartenders got invited to the same July 4 event I will be attending today, and was told “dress appropriately.” She asked, “So I should wear a tube top then?” I’m glad to have such a positive influence on the city’s fashion.

I can’t post my exact plans for this evening because we don’t want a turd in the punch bowl, but if you’re curious hit me up on text or Facebook. If you come Downtown for fireworks tonight, be safe. Walk where it’s well lit, walk in groups, and don’t take shortcuts down alleys. Time to hit Publish and do a little day drinking at the Saucer and the ‘dog in preparation for tonight.

My friend and former student Craig David Meek was kind enough to give me a copy of his new book, Memphis Barbecue: A Succulent History of Smoke, Sauce, and Soul, to review prior to a booksigning and tasting event he is holding at the Cotton Museum on Thursday, July 10. All right, everyone. I am by no means a professional book reviewer. I can’t promise that this review is going to be any good.

But Craig’s book is. In fact, it is excellent.

Anyone who cooks BBQ, either professionally or as a hobby, needs to buy a copy of this book. You will learn something, I promise. There is no one “correct” way to make BBQ and Craig’s book pretty much runs the table of all the different ways it is done in Memphis.

Anyone who is on a Memphis in May BBQ team needs to buy a copy of this book for the same reason. It could very well put a few ideas in your head for the preparation of next year’s competition entry.

Anyone who lives in the greater Memphis area who likes to eat BBQ needs to buy a copy of this book. You will discover new places to try, and you will learn how your favorite restaurants prepare your food.

Anyone who likes to read about the history of Memphis needs to buy a copy of this book. The history of Memphis and its BBQ over the past 90 or so years are tightly intertwined. You will learn things about Memphis you didn’t know.

Craig starts out with a discussion of the origins of barbecue and the first restaurants that appeared in or near Memphis in the 1920s, including Leonard’s and Pig-N-Whistle in Memphis and Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q down highway 70 in Mason. The chapter also touches on the history of the Memphis tradition of putting cole slaw on BBQ pork sandwiches.

The book then goes on to discuss BBQ as history moved into the blues and rock’n’roll eras. I had no idea West Memphis was so prominent in the development of blues and ‘cue. Then Craig progresses into the 1960s with a look at the early days of The Rendezvous, which is still around, and Loeb’s and Coleman’s, popular chain eateries that have since gone away. He also gives a tip on the one place in town where you can still get an experience much like eating at an early ’60s Loeb’s. Sorry, you’ll have to buy the book to find out. (Hint: It has the only surviving Loeb’s pig-shaped sign with the pig painting preserved.)

Next Craig discusses Tops, and the decadence of topping a burger with BBQ pork. Tops’ Bellevue location had a very famous regular customer in the ’60s.

Next Craig moves into the decline of Memphis, with the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the demise of STAX. Craig points out that the restaurant that is now The Bar-B-Q Shop opened during this period under another name, and BBQ spaghetti is discussed.

The book then moves on to the late ’70s and ’80s, and the rise of Gridley’s, Corky’s, and the Neely family restaurants. Craig has a tip on how to feel like a caveman at Cozy Corner, and talks about Payne’s.

The origins of BBQ Fest and the rebirth of Beale Street are discussed next, as is the birth of BBQ nachos at Germantown Commissary.

Restaurants with their own smokehouses/pits are discussed next in a fascinating chapter. BBQ team pitmasters will love this part of the book.

The book then comes back to BBQ Fest, which by the 1980s was drawing hundreds of teams. Craig interviews several teams, with discussions of budgets, serious competitor teams vs. hobbyists, how teams find members, and many other insights into how BBQ teams work. He also talks about restaurants that have been opened by people who are were on BBQ teams, including Central BBQ. The next chapter goes on to discuss cooking techniques at BBQ Fest, and again is excellent reading for pitmasters. The only thing Craig didn’t mention about BBQ Fest that I would have included is that it is a great place for tube top watching.

Chapter 11 opens with a look at the Moody Ques team (!!!!!!!!!!! hey Squeal Street, I don’t see YOU mentioned in here) and a discussion with David Scott Walker about soon-to-open restaurant Schweinehaus, then segues into a discussion of Memphis music, and then a look at Alex’s Tavern on Jackson Avenue. There are many other tips for good places to eat as well. Find out where to get rib tip fried rice! Many “secrets to the perfect barbecue” are shared, and they’re all different.

Memphis Barbecue Co. in Horn Lake is one of my favorite places to eat lunch. It’s owned by BBQ Fest Grand Champions. I love what Craig had to say about the restaurant: “Despite its location flanked by national chains like Applebee’s and Cracker Barrel in an overdeveloped suburban commercial center off Goodman Road next to I-55, it represents an oasis of quality and service in a desert of corporate mediocrity.” Craig absolutely NAILED it there.

Later in the book, learn which well-known Memphis rapper wants to own his own BBQ joint. He already has sauce and rub in stores.

Craig goes on to discuss a one-page pamphlet called How to Clean Your Smokers and Grills for Dummies. You can get it at the corner of Macon and Oakland.

In short, this book is well worth the money. I wish I could buy a copy for every member of my BBQ team. The book is available at Booksellers at Laurelwood, the former Davis-Kidd bookstore in East Memphis. Craig is working to get it in other local booksellers as well. (In case anyone from Center for Southern Folklore is reading this: The book would be a great fit for your store.)

The book will also be available Downtown at a reception at the Cotton Museum on Thursday, July 10, in the evening. Craig will sign copies of the book and talk BBQ with guests. BBQ will be served to eat, naturally. I will post more details about this event as I get them.

Five stars out of five for the book, which Craig clearly put months and months of research into. Check out his Memphis Que blog as well.

UPDATE: Here is more information on the Cotton Museum event. The book is available at Burke’s and Barnes and Noble as well.

For thirty years, guests at Graceland have been able to see two jets that were once owned by Elvis, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II. However, Graceland plans to remove the planes by spring and a lot of people are not happy. There’s a Keep Elvis’s The Lisa Marie at Graceland Facebook page you can “like” for updates.

Possible good news: Brewery Untapped may be back this fall. Keep in mind that this is a big MAYBE. A Halloween event there would be very cool.

A building I’m less happy to see occupied again is 380 Beale. The space formerly occupied by Club Crave is being redeveloped as, you guessed it, another nightclub. It’s said to be “a very different type of club” than what Crave was, but haven’t we heard that before? I think a wrecking ball and some bulldozers would do a fantastic job remodeling 380 Beale.

WWE is sending a film crew to Memphis on Thursday, July 10. They plan to film a day in the life of Jerry “The King” Lawler, probably for content on their new WWE Network. Lawler will be main-eventing Memphis Wildfire Wrestling that night at Minglewood Hall, facing opponent “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner. I’m a big fan of “The King” and he and I share an appreciation of 20-year-olds in tube tops.

I’ll have the review of Craig David Meek’s book up tomorrow, so check back.

The weekend is drawing closer. Friday-Sunday three-day weekends are much more rare than Saturday-Monday. I’m getting excited although I don’t yet have much of the weekend planned out… perfectly okay with that, because the spontaneous weekends are often the best. The one thing I do have planned is finding out if some friends of mine cook burgers as well as they cook grilled ribs with mustard sauce.

I polled my Facebook friends on whether they thought locals will go to Hard Rock Cafe more often once it opens in its new location at Second and Beale (former EP Delta Kitchen building). The response was a resounding YES. Downtowners seem to be very excited about Hard Rock. The times I went to the old location, the food and service were both well above average.

You probably already know that there will be fireworks following the July 4 Redbirds game. However, a lot else will be going on too. The first 1000 fans in the park will get a red rally towel. Before the game (4:00 to 6:00) there will be a block party in the plaza with live music and $2 Coors Light. There will be an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet ticket package, and there will also be baby races sponsored by Fertility Associates of Memphis.

There’s a Groupon for Sunset Walking Tours’ Historic Downtown Memphis Walking Tour. $29 for two ($58 value) or $49 for four ($116 value).

From Gizmodo: Why countdown clocks for pedestrians cause more car crashes. You may have seen the newly upgraded crosswalk signals Downtown, which tell pedestrians how many seconds they have left to get across the street. These signals also tell drivers how long they have, which can lead to tailgating as drivers try to make it through. I have to admit I’m guilty of this at the last light before I get home from work, the one at Second and Madison.

High Cotton has announced its plans for the weekend for its taproom at 598 Monroe. On Thursday, Taco Shack will be there. On Friday, there will be special Fourth of July hours of noon to 7, with fresh gulf shrimp. Saturday the taproom will once again open at noon, with food trucks in the afternoon, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Sun Studio around the corner.

From Lifehacker: Use Google Image search to match unmatchable clothing. Of course, you don’t have this problem if you wear tube tops. Tube tops match everything!

The Brooklyn Nets are said to be close to signing a deal with Lionel Hollins to make him head coach. It didn’t work out with the Grizzlies but I’m happy to see Hollins get another opportunity to be a head coach. He’s a fine coach and a fine man.

Way too much news to post in a lunch break, so check back. There will be an evening post. Topics will include Graceland, the possible return of a beloved social space, the possible return of a not-so-beloved social space, Jerry “The King” Lawler and possibly more.

Good news for South Mainers: Paul Morris who runs DMC tweeted “I love the smell of a new sidewalk in the morning,” along with a photo of the Main Street sidewalk between Butler and G.E. Patterson being reconstructed. I know a lot of South Mainers had complained about the raggedy condition of the sidewalks for a while. This should make them happy.

For those of you into soccer: FiveThirtyEight’s crib notes for World Cup Day 19. The statistics are not looking good for the USA team. Also from FiveThirtyEight: Chart to predict winner of penalty-kick shootouts

Hard Rock Cafe opens to the public in its new 126 Beale location Thursday. The MBJ has video of the new location.

The FuzzyBrew beer blog has a good post about High Cotton’s new taproom.

The Nuh-Uh Brother is in town speaking to the startups of our BBQ team sponsor Start Co. today. When you’re starting up a business, money is tight. I’m sure the Nuh-Uh Brother will have many valuable tips on how his sister the Nuh-Uh Girl saves money by bumming free food from grocery store samplings, tastings, and friends’ plates all over Silicon Valley. He will also speak on his time at Facebook and the current startup scene.

Speaking of tastings: City Market is having tastings for gourmet salad dressings for its new salad bar that is coming very soon. Stop by today, tomorrow, or Thursday and have a taste.

In case you missed my earlier post: Here’s a link to the cooking application for this year’s Best Memphis Burger Fest.

Melissa had a tube top on last night at happy hour at Bardog, but I didn’t get a pic. Sorry.

I’ll be out at the usual places after work. If more news comes in I’ll do a second post.

The Blind Bear will open at 1 PM today for people who want to watch the USA-Belgium soccer thingy. There will be a food special: A $4 Nathan’s hot dog on a toasted Belgian waffle. They will also have $3 moonshine/Fireball and $2 Bud and Bud Light.

If you’re looking for an outfit to wear to support the USA, here you go. Let’s all hope our soccer people kick the ball down the field and into the net at least one more time than Belgium’s soccer people. Because that would be awesome.

The Memphis Police Association and fire union have advertised a peaceful rally for tomorrow. They are asking those who support Memphis police and firefighters to gather at City Hall from noon to 3 PM tomorrow, before the City Council meeting.

USA Today has an article called Romantic Memphis, discussing all the romantic things there are to do in our fair city. Almost all of the locations mentioned were Downtown, including Paulette’s, Chez Philippe, and Itta Bena. PRO TIP for the ladies: Make your date extra romantic by wearing a tube top.

MemphisWeather.net has a blog post recapping Sunday’s flooding, calling it a “once-in-a-generation rainfall event.”

Do you drive a GM car? Better click this link. Over 7.6 million of their cars have been recalled due to faulty ignition switches, dating back as far as 1997 and including discontinued brands Oldsmobile and Pontiac as well as current brands.

Former Memphis Tiger Joe Jackson will play for the Grizzlies in Orlando Summer League starting next week. Nice pickup by the Grizzlies.

In other Tigers news: Current Tiger basketball player Dominic Woodson was involved in an altercation with a football player. Memphis AD Tom Bowen is addressing the situation with coaches Pastner and Fuente.

Grabbing a wooden nickel (to cash in for 5 cent PBR) and heading to Bardog for Melissa Monday. Pint Nite at Saucer still my planned second stop.

Days like yesterday make me think I live a sheltered life in my Downtown high-rise apartment building. I woke up yesterday morning, did a blog post, looked out the window and thought, “Oh, it rained?” I didn’t know how bad it rained until I got to Bloom’s bar at Bardog, got bored, and started surfing Twitter and Facebook on my phone. Several of my friends posted images of their flooded houses, and MemphisWeather.net posted that we got more rain Saturday-Sunday than we normally get in the entire month of June. Yikes! My sincerest sympathy to those of you dealing with water damage or who were otherwise affected by the flooding yesterday.

The Peabody is having a special edition of its weekly rooftop party this Thursday, July 3 to kick off the long July 4 weekend. A popular band on the college party circuit, The 17th Floor, will play high-energy dance music, hip-hop, and R&B. The party lasts from 6 to 11 that evening, and your $15 admission includes a buffet that is a tribute to the all-American backyard barbecue, with fried chicken, hamburgers, potato salad, deviled eggs, pasta salad, and potato chips.

From AP News: The Liberty Bowl is moving up to December 29 this year. For the past four years it had been played on December 31.

There’s an excellent Thrillist article about BBQ Fest. It’s a very detailed look at how a hog team competes, and it’s a fun read too.

The Silly Goose has announced an early opening time for tomorrow’s USA vs. Belgium soccer match. The match begins at 3:00. I would imagine that all the other Downtown bars that opened early for last week’s USA-GER game will follow suit. In case you haven’t heard the breaking news, Jozy Altidore will be available for tomorrow’s match.

You know, I watched soccer both Saturday and yesterday, with temps in the 80s and heat indexes in the 90s, and I did not see even one tube top in the stands. What’s wrong with Brazilians? Go to an NFL game at similar temperatures and I guarantee you will see some tube tops. One more reason why American football is better than soccer football.

Holly has a really good post about The Ernest Withers Museum and Dorothy Mae’s on Beale Street between Third and Fourth.

I had a good time watching WWE Money in the Bank on the WWE Network last night. Here’s a fun fact for you wrestling fans: Terry Funk turned 70 today. I was too young to be watching wrestling during his NWA championship reign, but I saw his feud with Ric Flair in 1989 which was one of the best ever, and he went on to be ECW World Champion in his mid-50s. He was also a mentor to an up-and-coming Cactus Jack/Mick Foley.

That’s all for now. I will be bringing my wooden nickel to Melissa Monday tonight at Bardog after work, followed by Pint Nite at the Saucer.

We’re in the middle of a rarely-issued flash flood emergency this morning. If you don’t have to drive, don’t. Quick reminder of a couple of things going on today: Canada Day at Kooky Canuck, all day long. Canadian beer and whisky specials, Canadian menu, and a $100 gift card to the person who dresses the most Canadian. This is always a fun, fun day at Kooky. Crawfish boil at the Green Beetle. Crawfish will be out about 3. $10 per pound and they come with corn and taters. Live music.