• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
July 14, 2010

Eating Adventure in Memphis, TN

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

We’ve been on the road for almost a week and a half now and I have barely touched on the amount of awesome food that we have had since we set off on this amazing Summer adventure.

After our wonderful experience with the discovery of The Cupcake Collection, we moved on to Memphis, TN. Before we even set off on this trip my husband had been talking about eating at Memphis non-stop.

“We will eat here and then there, and then there,” he would say.

“But that’s three meals, and we’re only planning on being in Memphis for a few hours and a night,” I would argue.

“So?”

And thus the eating adventure in Memphis began, even before we hit the hotel, at Interstate Bar-B-Que. A couple of people suggested I stop at The Neely’s. And if you watch Food Network you would know that The Neely’s have a very popular, very successful cooking show, Down Home with The Neely’s featuring some of the best Memphis-style BBQ and soul food recipes.

I had every intention of going except we wanted to first taste it from the original Neely himself, their uncle Jim Neely. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que has been in business for over 15 years and there is for good reason. The food, especially if you’re going for the pulled pork or beef dishes, is good.

The location, 2265 S. Third in Memphis, is kind of rough around the edges, but I will also say that I thought most places in Memphis, even the more “touristy” parts of town were, though less so. And don’t expect much in terms of service when you get there either. We walked in and no one so much as greeted us. Our server, an older lady, never once cracked a smile or seemed at all that friendly. But the food was good…and really inexpensive! The right wall of the restaurant is covered with photos of celebrities and other people I didn’t know.

The ambiance was casual, the location really not posh at all, and it seemed everyone in there was quiet and really busy digging in and then leaving shortly after.

Worth a try if you’re in Memphis, and if you don’t mind the lackluster in ambiance and service, but can appreciate some awesome ribs!

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Here is another spot that my husband just really, really, really needed to try.

Like with Interstate, this location was in the more “shady” part of Downtown Memphis. How shady you ask? Enough that they feel the need to have a security guard outside of the restaurant in broad daylight. But still the crowds came. Black, White, big and small, people were lining up for Gus’ chicken.

We arrived and there was a crowd waiting outside. An hour and a half wait for a table inside and 30-minute wait for take out.  We chose take out and it was way more than 30 minutes.

But the chicken was delicious. A spicy, fried batter coated the juicy, flavorful chicken pieces, and the gallon of sweet tea that my husband ordered seemed to really compliment it all well. For $21.00 we walked away with enough chicken to last us two days. This is also the first time I tried fried pickles. Proof that you can fry anything!

It was pretty good chicken for sure and totally worth a trip into the more shadier part of town to get it! We were ridiculously full after those two meals. I felt so terribly stuffed that I ran to the hotel gym for an intense workout!

Like I said, neither place mentioned above is much to talk about in terms of looks, ambiance, or even service…but we weren’t disappointed with the price or the food.

Other places recommended to me by friends both locals and visitors alike but that we just were to stuffed to try were:

The Rendezvous, Cozy Corner, and Payne’s BBQ. Hope to check those out next time!

This time, I was willing to sacrifice a little to get good food and I am happy. Next time, I’ll go for the full experience…but not all at once.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
8 Comments
  • Erica
    July 13, 2010

    *tummy grumble*

    I. LOVE. BBQ.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Erica
      July 13, 2010

      I'm with ya!!

      Reply
  • Florinda
    July 14, 2010

    I lived in Memphis for 10 years – I've been gone for eight, and STILL miss the food. I'd have gone for Corky's over Interstate BBQ, personally, but it is nearly impossible to eat a bad meal in the Bluff City!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Florinda
      July 14, 2010

      I will have to make note of that for next time! Thanks Florinda!

      Reply
  • Mommy on the Spot
    July 16, 2010

    Looks delish'!

    Reply
  • sylamore
    July 23, 2010

    All Memphians have their faves when it comes to BBQ. Mine is the Bar-B-Que Shop on Madison. It's also the spot that wins Best of Memphis most years. Interstate's a little played out, IMO. Also, Gus's isn't in a bad part of town at all. The security guy's there to keep folks in line outside when it gets crowded.

    Glad you had fun in funky Memphis. Come back and stay longer next time.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      sylamore
      July 25, 2010

      Good to know Bruce! Thanks!

      Reply
  • Harlem's Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: Best Ribs in Town | NYCity Mama
    February 2, 2011

    […] one of the best meals you will have of its kind here in the city. Their sweet tea took me back to Memphis in one sip and their collard greens are done to […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
A Night at the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Memphis
Next Post
Living it up in Austin, TX Family Style

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Are you a MacKenzie-Childs fan? I only heard about Are you a MacKenzie-Childs fan? I only heard about @mackenziechilds after moving to the Finger Lakes, as did my husband. But my MIL is very well-versed in all things MC and is a massive fan. We were so pleased to have learned that her visit coincided with their Artisan Crafts Festival (going on through today, Oct 1, 2023), featuring regional artisans and craft makers, as well as tons of discounted MC items! We thought for sure this would be fun FOR HER and that was the goal. Little did WE ALL expect - including the teens - to enjoy it so much and get caught up in the excitement of finding items we also wanted (the pumpkins and Xmas decor were a huge hit)! Plus the festival has several delicious food trucks and beautiful grounds to explore, as well as this whimsical farmhouse to tour - seen here. 

So we walked away with several goodies (not just for grandma) and a lesson on not making assumptions because we actually really loved it. In the end, it was such a fun day and we all agreed we would return, even without grandma in tow!

To learn more about the artists who founded MacKenzie-Childs and the fun festivals they host throughout the year, visit their website.

#mackenziechilds #aurorany #fingerlakes #artsandcrafts
The only place I happily wake up before the sun is The only place I happily wake up before the sun is in the country because it is absolutely magical. ✨

#fingerlakes #countryside #myflx #countryliving
There’s so much to see, pick, eat, and enjoy dur There’s so much to see, pick, eat, and enjoy during harvest season in the Finger Lakes! The lakes are a bit colder but still so beautiful, our favorite wineries are busy harvesting grapes (thanks to our friends at @wagnervineyards for taking me along for the ride!), and there is so much abundance from our local farmers to enjoy!

Here’s a glimpse of life in wine country! 🍁🍂🍎🍏🎃

#myflx #flxwinecountry #harvest #citygirlgonecountry #countrylife
My awesome babes. Love them so much. #NationalSons My awesome babes. Love them so much. #NationalSonsDay
The early morning fog is my favorite view of the s The early morning fog is my favorite view of the season. If by the lake it dances over the vineyards, water, and hills. If in the valleys, like Corning, it sits like a blanket cuddling the streets and homes while everyone slowly starts their day.

The runners at this weekend’s @wgmarathon might get to enjoy a glimpse of it as they start their race (I will be up early to cheer my girl @thereshegoesagn on! 🙌🏾). But even if you don’t get up early enough to enjoy this sight, the fall colors are here to take your breath away too. 🍁🍂 

#myflx #flxwinecountry #corningny #flxfall #bestfallgetaways #fallvibes #autmnseason
Yay! It’s officially autumn, my absolute favorit Yay! It’s officially autumn, my absolute favorite season especially since moving to the Finger Lakes! Harvest has already started and soon everything will be colorful with a warm glow. 🍂🍁🎃 Have you visited the region in the fall?

#myflx #fingerlakes #flxwinecountry #flxfall

Copyright © 2023 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice