DoRag Does Memphis Part 1
How It Started….
I was having a few adult beverages
(nothing new there) & watching Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives reruns when
the Memphis BBQ Tour episode aired. I
had caught it before (season 3 episode 9) but it sparked an idea. I realized that I had only eaten Memphis BBQ once
back in the early 80’s at the Rendezvous.
With Memphis just a little over 3 hours West I decided I was gonna take my own Memphis BBQ Tour. Naturally
I posted my idea on Facebook…I have been told I’m an “over-poster” but hey…we
all have our issues right? Soon after my
post several FB Friends commented they wanted to go too! So faster than green grass through a goose…..
the DoRag Does Memphis BBQ Tour was born!
The DDD episode included Leonard's
Pit Barbecue, Marlowe's Ribs, Tom's Bar-B-Q . Cozy Corner, Central BBQ, & the Germantown Commissary. I also added my friend & fellow
Competition Cook Melissa Cookston’s restaurant The Memphis BBQ Company. After all Melissa is a multi-time World
Champion! I checked my “social calendar”
& came up with a date that did not conflict with any BBQ events in the area
February 7-8. My next move was to
contact each of the restaurants & discuss our visit. I was wanting to give them a heads up on us
coming & arrange to meet the Owner, Manager, or Pitmaster. I wanted to understand more about their history,
cooking techniques, & philosophies & hopefully score a tour of the “Pit”. I sent out emails to each restaurant introducing
the group & our purpose. Being it
was Thanksgiving week I did not get any immediate responses until the first of
December. Over the next few weeks I
received email replies & even a few phone calls welcoming us to pay them a
visit. Sadly Cozy Corner informed me
they had a bad fire & were not sure when they were going to reopen. It became apparent that some peeps would
arrive on Friday so I added a Friday night stop at….wait for it….yes the
Rendezvous! Hey…you gotta pay respect! I then looked at the logistics to plan out
the schedule & route. With the help
of several locals here’s what I came up with:
Saturday
11:00AM Leonard's Barbecue
1:30PM Tom's BBQ
4:00PM Marlow's BBQ
8:00PM Memphis BBQ Co.
11:00PM Gibson's Donuts (added during another “drankin & watchin Food Porn” night!)
1:30PM Tom's BBQ
4:00PM Marlow's BBQ
8:00PM Memphis BBQ Co.
11:00PM Gibson's Donuts (added during another “drankin & watchin Food Porn” night!)
Sunday
11:00AM The Commissary
1:30PM Central BBQ
4:00PM Morris Grocery
1:30PM Central BBQ
4:00PM Morris Grocery
A base hotel was chosen,
reservations were made.... all we had to do was wait until February! Stay tuned for Part 2.
