Harrah’s is providing shuttles from Downtown to BBQ Fest. What’s in it for them?

Harrah’s is providing the shuttles that will take people to and from BBQ Fest at the fairgrounds. Shuttles will run every 15 minutes, making five stops on Second Street between Exchange and Beale, and then heading directly to the festival.

You may wonder, what is Harrah’s getting out of it? Yeah, the casinos are closed so their buses aren’t being used, but they still cost money to run.

Here’s the deal: It’s an incredible opportunity for Harrah’s to promote a regional BBQ championship that happens on the grounds of their hotel and casino: The Smokin’ Aces BBQ Championship, which will happen September 16-17 in Tunica.

The Ques Brothers didn’t participate in Smokin’ Aces last year, but our friends at Squeal Street did. They told us that Harrah’s was a VERY generous host. “Each morning, they’d come by with a gallon of coffee and two dozen donuts,” Squeal Street captain Bicycle Bobby told me. “We’d go, ‘What’s this for? We didn’t order this,’ and they’d say, ‘It’s free! Let us know if you want more.’

“And then around 2 PM they showed up with four large pizzas. We said, ‘What’s this for?’ and they told us, ‘We thought you might be tired of BBQ. Let us know if you want more pizzas!'”

Smokin’ Aces is a small BBQ championship with a lot of room to grow. Only about 500 people attended last year. However, those in the region should take note – the grand champion team receives a whopping $12,500 in prize money, and total prize money is over $40,000. Unlike BBQ Fest, the public does not have to pay to attend. It’s free. Booth sizes are bigger too – 40 x 40 for regular teams, and 20 x 20 for patio porker teams.

If one barbecue fest a year is not enough for you, Smokin’ Aces is your option to have a second one.

Chili cheeseburger and tater tots @ Westy’s

Yesterday about 3:00, my friend Clay and I were sitting in our usual spots at the Saucer, trying to figure out where to eat lunch. “Majestic? Kooky Canuck? Happy Mexican? Blues City?” Those are the spots our group visits frequently when we’re hungry. We wanted something different.

Then Clay had a capital idea. “Let’s get on the trolley and ride to Westy’s.” So we did. I got the chili cheeseburger. This is probably not the healthiest item on the menu, but it sure was good. It was served open-faced and smothered in chili, with a choice of fries or tater tots on the side. I went with the tots. I wolfed down most of the cheeseburger, but was too full for the restaurant’s legendary hot fudge pie.

Westy’s has such a huge menu that you can eat there every day for a month and still not get bored with the food. They also deliver to Downtown. I need to spend more time going through Westy’s menu.

Pre-BBQ Fest cookout

Yesterday a few of us were hanging out at the Saucer as usual on Tuesday. We thought about heading north to trivia at Ferraro’s, but I pointed out, “I want to hang out with the out-of-town members of the BBQ team. They have arrived in town, and they don’t know to go to Ferraro’s.” We texted around, and an impromptu cookout on the rooftop of Barton Flats happened. Here are a few pics.

River view from the rooftop
Susan, Mikey and Uncle Paul discuss Mikey’s dog and her 10 puppies.
Nikki, Chad, team cook Willie, and team captain Chuck. Nikki told me, “I was first attracted to Chad when he ordered PBR.” I think that relationship is going to work.
Chad tells Clay, “You’ve got to try this curry with a bit of this hot lime pickle sauce.”
I had a bite of curry too and agree, it was pretty amazing. Here’s a pic of the lime pickle sauce in case anyone wants to try it at home.
A chicken in every pot
Willie Jr. throwing darts

The fun officially kicks off today at Friends & Family Night. I’ll start the afternoon at the Saucer as usual, then about 5 I’ll hop aboard one of Harrah’s shuttles and head to the fairgrounds.

Up early and nothing to do today except wash my team shirt and Grizzlies growl towel, so there will probably be more posts.

When you’re on a BBQ team, the work is never done

Today I volunteered to go over and help the BBQ team load tables and chairs. The Center for Southern Folklore was nice enough to let us borrow tables and chairs for the booth.

We had a heck of a time getting the trailer backed into Gayoso Alley.

After the loading was done, I went over to Barton Flats and helped stuff the team “swag bags” containing our T-shirts, wristbands, and guest passes.

Uncle Paul and Susan stuffing the bags
Swag bags
T-shirts and golf shirts waiting to be distributed

They’ll be taking the swag bags over to Bar None between 4 and 5 today. Team members can pick them up there.

Plans for tonight are to be determined. I’ll text people and figure out what’s going on; don’t want to post plans here since we have a pest who follows us. All I know is, I’ll be out late, hopefully I’ll be out with the BBQ team, and if anything interesting happens I’ll take pics.

Ever had your phone stolen and then had someone try to charge you to get it back? Take a good look at this guy

According the the crime report in the Commercial Appeal today, a man is in jail on felony extortion charges. A woman had a phone stolen out of her purse about 8:15 last night. When she called her phone from another phone, she was told she’d need to pay $200 to get it back. She met Justin Cathey, whose mug shot is pictured here, at an ATM, where he assumed she would withdraw the $200. Instead, the police showed up and arrested him. Great job MPD.

I know these phone-snatchings happen all the time. One of my friends had the exact thing happen. Her iPhone was taken out of her purse at a club on Beale, and a week later she met someone and paid $100 to get her phone back. If you’ve had your phone snatched and then someone has demanded money, take a good hard look at this guy. If he looks familiar you need to talk to MPD while they have him in custody.

Ladies, a reminder – be very careful about leaving your phone in an open purse as you walk through crowded areas. I know it’s inconvenient to zip and unzip your purses, but it keeps your valuables safe.

BBQ Fest shuttle service announced

Memphis in May has announced the shuttle service from Downtown to BBQ Fest and back. Complete details are here. To quickly sum it up, the shuttle will make 5 stops on Second between Exchange and Beale and then will head straight to the fairgrounds. Shuttles will run every 15 minutes, and it looks like they will generally run from an hour before BBQ Fest opens to an hour after it closes. Shuttles are open to both team members and guests.

Harrah’s is providing the transportation, a real win for everyone since its buses can’t take people to the casinos right now. Thanks to Memphis in May and Harrah’s for taking care of us.

Tue update: Dream Berry, TNA autograph session at AutoZone Park, Grizzlies Game 6 tickets, beauties atop the Madison

Dream Berry, the new frozen yogurt shop on the Main Street Mall, has announced an event discount. Bring in your ticket for any Downtown event and get 15% off. Pretty sweet deal that will get customers in the door. I need to give Dream Berry a try today or tomorrow while I’m on vacation.

Some of the wrestlers from TNA will be at AutoZone Park Thursday night for an autograph session. They’ll be promoting their BaseBrawl event coming up in June. Eric Young will throw out the first pitch. I wonder if Velvet Sky, one of TNA’s female wrestlers and possibly the hottest woman ever, will be there. Oh well, doesn’t matter, I’ll be at BBQ Fest.

Game 6 tickets for Grizzlies vs. Thunder go on sale at noon. Get them before the scalpers do! You better log on to Ticketmaster no later than 12:02 if you want to go. Well, you know, if there’s a game Friday, I guess that means some people will have to work and miss BBQ Fest.

The Miss USA contestants from Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi will be at the Madison Hotel’s “Sunset Atop the Madison” rooftop party Thursday night. Deering & Down will perform. $7 cover, doors open at 5:30, music starts at 6.

The BBQ team captain just texted me. They need help moving tables and chairs at the Center for Southern Folklore at 11, and they knew they could count on their hardest-working team member. Someone needs to get a photo of this. May blog more this afternoon, plans TBD, but I’m sure I’ll end up at the Saucer at some point. May check out those $5 PBR pitchers at the Fish too.