Long awaited updates.... Part the First
Today we shall read from the Book of Travels
2 And so the Chef did take the rib and place it on the rack to be slow cooked by the smoldering coals. 3 The assistant chefs did watch diligently for the meet to be cooked and did prepare the meat with a blend of spices and sauce which shall be held sacred. 4 The chef informed all present, "This is my barbecue, with which I am well pleased. I have prepared this meal with many secrets, and they shall be held closely and sacred for all time." 5 The hostess did seat the Badger and the Ferret, and they were hosted with mounds of meat and drinks. 6 The Badger looked at the plates empty of food and began to try and dissect the culinary secrets of the establishment. 7 Ferret burped.
So was the scene, repeated again and again through many cities and restaurants. I tell you brothers and sisters of the forest, there have been many things said regarding the styles, taste and tenacity of that most treasured of sacraments, Barbecue. Everyone has their favorite style, place, and setting. For me the true champion is inarguably Memphis. At this, I believe that the Badger and the ferret can agree. The true argument between the two of us comes when it boils down to a decision of Wet or Dry Ribs.
I personally loved Rendezvous Barbecue. It was a righteous BITCH to find, being located in an alley behind the street where it's address is listed, but it turned out to be well worth the scavenger hunt. The first thing I noticed was that the hours of operation begin at 4:30. It was 2:30. That's right boys and girls, no lunch hours, and we had not eaten since a 6:30 McDonald breakfast in Carrolton, GA (other than road snack grazing). The second thing I noticed was the sign just above the place advertising a real German establishment. It was closed. In this city, if you are not part and parcel bbq, you had best be a chain restaurant or you just might need to reevaluate your business plan. That being said, we took the Ferret and Badger traveling road show down the street to a bar to while away the time to opening.
Being much more sated by liquid refreshment, we returned to the scene 15 minutes early in order to wait for the doors to open. The brave Badger weaseled his way inside and after talking to the hostess, procured early seating for our road weary travelers. Up until this point, I believe that both the Badger and Ferret will agree to the facts of our tale. This is where our views begin to diverge.
As soon as we were seated, our host for the afternoon, a large man who's known on theirstaff page as Big Jack (He was also staring at me off their menu, he's been around since 1969) came up and took our drink orders. The Badger orders tea, unsweet. Big Jack looks at him and says, "We ain't got unsweet, just sweet". It was at this point I knew I was in heaven. "And we don't open for 15 minutes, so alls we gots is ribs". Big Jack for the win, Flawless Victory. I would go into the tastes and pleasures that are the dry ribs at Rendezvous, but it would bore you to tears, and would not be believed until you experienced it for yourself.
People have told me that the taste and quality of Rendezvous' ribs has gone down in the past decade or so. All I can say in response to that is Good god, you mean it used to be better?.
I will have to hold off on Neeley's Interstate BBQ for now as we went to one of Mr Neeley's nephews chain stores and had takeout, thus missing out on the true experience of Interstate BBQ. I will say that the takeout was delicious, but Just not on par with the dry ribs mentioned above. But this is where I disagree with Mr Badger.
But on this, both Ferret and Badger do agree, Memphis BBQ is an art form not to be missed if at all possible.
So it is written, so it shall be.
2 And so the Chef did take the rib and place it on the rack to be slow cooked by the smoldering coals. 3 The assistant chefs did watch diligently for the meet to be cooked and did prepare the meat with a blend of spices and sauce which shall be held sacred. 4 The chef informed all present, "This is my barbecue, with which I am well pleased. I have prepared this meal with many secrets, and they shall be held closely and sacred for all time." 5 The hostess did seat the Badger and the Ferret, and they were hosted with mounds of meat and drinks. 6 The Badger looked at the plates empty of food and began to try and dissect the culinary secrets of the establishment. 7 Ferret burped.
So was the scene, repeated again and again through many cities and restaurants. I tell you brothers and sisters of the forest, there have been many things said regarding the styles, taste and tenacity of that most treasured of sacraments, Barbecue. Everyone has their favorite style, place, and setting. For me the true champion is inarguably Memphis. At this, I believe that the Badger and the ferret can agree. The true argument between the two of us comes when it boils down to a decision of Wet or Dry Ribs.
I personally loved Rendezvous Barbecue. It was a righteous BITCH to find, being located in an alley behind the street where it's address is listed, but it turned out to be well worth the scavenger hunt. The first thing I noticed was that the hours of operation begin at 4:30. It was 2:30. That's right boys and girls, no lunch hours, and we had not eaten since a 6:30 McDonald breakfast in Carrolton, GA (other than road snack grazing). The second thing I noticed was the sign just above the place advertising a real German establishment. It was closed. In this city, if you are not part and parcel bbq, you had best be a chain restaurant or you just might need to reevaluate your business plan. That being said, we took the Ferret and Badger traveling road show down the street to a bar to while away the time to opening.
Being much more sated by liquid refreshment, we returned to the scene 15 minutes early in order to wait for the doors to open. The brave Badger weaseled his way inside and after talking to the hostess, procured early seating for our road weary travelers. Up until this point, I believe that both the Badger and Ferret will agree to the facts of our tale. This is where our views begin to diverge.
As soon as we were seated, our host for the afternoon, a large man who's known on theirstaff page as Big Jack (He was also staring at me off their menu, he's been around since 1969) came up and took our drink orders. The Badger orders tea, unsweet. Big Jack looks at him and says, "We ain't got unsweet, just sweet". It was at this point I knew I was in heaven. "And we don't open for 15 minutes, so alls we gots is ribs". Big Jack for the win, Flawless Victory. I would go into the tastes and pleasures that are the dry ribs at Rendezvous, but it would bore you to tears, and would not be believed until you experienced it for yourself.
People have told me that the taste and quality of Rendezvous' ribs has gone down in the past decade or so. All I can say in response to that is Good god, you mean it used to be better?.
I will have to hold off on Neeley's Interstate BBQ for now as we went to one of Mr Neeley's nephews chain stores and had takeout, thus missing out on the true experience of Interstate BBQ. I will say that the takeout was delicious, but Just not on par with the dry ribs mentioned above. But this is where I disagree with Mr Badger.
But on this, both Ferret and Badger do agree, Memphis BBQ is an art form not to be missed if at all possible.
So it is written, so it shall be.