| The only problem I saw with enjoying barbeque on my | | | | we all ordered the slab of ribs, at Blues City Cafe my |
| two week stay in downtown Memphis was that there | | | | eight companions went for many other dinners |
| were so many choices. Even without a car (which | | | | including catfish, tamales, chicken and shrimp. I, of |
| forced me to skip Cozy Corner and Interstate -- Next | | | | course, had the full slab of ribs. |
| Time, for sure!) I still had more restaurants than days. | | | | Also unlike the Rendezvous and Silky O'Sullivan's, |
| Having already enjoyed Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous, | | | | these were the traditional wet ribs painted with a |
| Silky O'Sullivan's and BB Kings for my next choice I | | | | maple barbecue sauce. The meat was tender enough |
| consulted the most knowledgeable source in any town | | | | to slip off the bone and very juicy. The ribs were |
| -- the bellhop. He didn't hesitate a second. | | | | accompanied by a generous helping of steak fries and |
| "Blues City Cafe," he said. "Catch the Trolley right | | | | the Memphis traditional condiment-sized cup of cole |
| outside the door and get off on Beale Street." And | | | | slaw and baked beans. A couple of cold pieces of |
| after tipping him that's exactly what we did. | | | | Texas Toast were easily discarded. |
| Setting at the corner of Beale and 2nd Streets, the | | | | The service was prompt and excellent and the band |
| Blues City Cafe is right across the street from BB | | | | performing in the bar was very interesting. Throughout |
| Kings (where we had eaten the night before) and one | | | | the meal the singer would talk for five minutes about |
| of the first things you see when you enter the heart of | | | | Memphis Native Son Elvis but then sing a Johnny Cash |
| the famous party area of Beale Street. The inside has | | | | song. Then five more minutes about Elvis, followed by |
| a forced 1950's diner look to it with vintage signs, neon | | | | another Johnny Cash song. Over and over the entire |
| and the fenders of Chevys stuck to the walls. | | | | meal. Talk Elvis. Sing Johnny. Talk Elvis. Sing Johnny. |
| The menu has only a handful of items but they are | | | | This was very strange but the crowd seemed to love |
| wide ranging including tamales, catfish, sausage and | | | | it and he did had a very good voice. |
| crab. I started with a bowl of unremarkable seafood | | | | Most of my companions were happy with their food |
| gumbo. The menu describes it as "Very spicy! Made | | | | choices but I don't think any of us left feeling like we |
| with tomato base." Unfortunately that's exactly what I | | | | had just eaten at the best place in Memphis. We |
| tasted -- spicy tomato base. I had higher hopes for the | | | | weren't mad at the bellhop when we returned to the |
| rest of the dinner. | | | | hotel but I think he could have done better. We did |
| Unlike the Rendezvous of a few nights earlier where | | | | enjoy Johnny Presley though. |