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July 14, 2010

Eating Adventure in Memphis, TN

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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