alicembk

Believe it or not, if you don't mind the cafeteria thing, the breakfasts at Rhodes College are really, really good... I kid you not. I'm a total food snob, traveled to 5 continents, hate fast-food (usually), mother teaches cooking classes, etc., and I wouldn't get paid to eat any other meals at what we affectionally call "The Rat" cafeteria, but the breakfasts rock... Two kinds of grits, hash browns, biscuits, sausages, bacon, etc. for $5 as much as you can eat. Plus our main dining hall is big and dark and wooden and quite impressive. Just a thought.

Can anybody name some other restaurants where you can get out for less than $20 per person? I'm a student foodie, and anything more than $15 pp is too much. I'll get my parents to take me to Cielo's when they're in town, though.

Oh yeah, and in the ongoing debate about BBQ joints... My advice is to skip the Rendezvous (expensive, rushed, sucky ambience) and go over to Corky's.

Welcome to Memphis! I've been at school here for a year and a half. Congratulations on your new job. I'm a die-hard foodie, and my FAVORITE restaurants are: ALL IN MIDTOWN: 1. BOSCO'S SQUARED (in a very charming area in Midtown, which has many lovely little places to eat and shop). I recommend going for dinner and ordering the stuffed mushroom appetizer and the pear/gorgonzola/walnut salad, and the gorgonzola chicken 2. Fino's is an old-school Italian lunch spot. Sandwiches and pastas are especially good, but be prepared for the huge portions. 3. Squared Foods is an greatplace to get your favorite obscure/organic goodies. Go to the deli behind it and in front of the movie theater (I can't think of the name right now) for an excellent muffeletta. 4. Memphis pizza cafe: not a must-see, but they have some good stuff. DOWNTOWN: 5. Sawadii: inexpensive yet elegant Thai food. 6. Huey's (also a location in Midtown) for your burger and toothpick tossing needs. 7. And, of course, any of the restaurants within the Peabody. Stop by Isaac Hayes in the Peabody Place sometime and say hi... I bartend there!

How about a Hurricane? You can add pretty much any juices to rum, especially tropical ones.

Wasabi peas...

I read Gary's reply with interest. As a bartender, I think that once you have the skills, you need only the most basic knowledge of drink recipes. Here are the bare bones (as taught to me by the Texas School of Bartenders; quantities often differ.) Martinis: 2 oz. gin/vodka, sweet/dry vermouth depending on the boozer's preference. Short Sours: 9 oz. rocks glass, 1.5 oz. of the base liquor, fill the rest with Sweet and Sour. (Many, many drinks such as a Cape Cod or Screwdriver start with 1.5 oz. of liquor... vodka in this case... and fill the rest with the mixer) Whenever somebody orders a liquor straight up, it's 1.5 oz. (anybody else have thoughts on that?) Your teas (the most famous being the Long Island, which you top with Sweet and Sour and a splash of Coke in a highball glass): 1/2 oz. each of Vodka, Gin, Rum Tequila, Triple Sec. Margaritas: most basically, 1.5 oz. tequila, Fill with Sweet and Sour, float some Grand Mariner or some other orange liqueur on top. Your Collins', which are essentially whatever alcohol (gin for Tom, vodka for Sally, bourbon for John, etc) and fill with Sweet and Sour. White/Black Russians and Irish Coffee. Bloody Mary's, Cosmopolitans, Sour Apple Martinis... Don't bother with memorizing shooters, unless it's something very popular where you are (such as Sex on the Beach). I recommend using anagrams to remember (VMCOP). And, as always, keep that bartending cheat book handy. I strongly reccommend one that lists the drinks alphabetically instead of by liquors; it's faster than looking it up in the index. I'm at Isaac Hayes' restaurant and club in Memphis. Stop by some time. Happy drinking!

I'm an Austinite attending Rhodes College here in Memphis. My all-time favorite ribs are at Corky's (which, interestingly enough, is owned by a prominent Jewish family). People talk about the Rendez-vous all the time, but I don't care for it. The ribs are good, but the atmosphere is terrible: very impersonal, very rushed. Extremely rushed. Also overpriced, in my opinion. Meanwhile, the ribs at Corky's are just as good, and the servers are extremely friendly and helpful. Plus they bring you as many hot garlic biscuits as you can eat before you even order. I've heard many, many good things about Neely's but haven't made my way over there yet. I'd also suggest a trip to Isaac Hayes, in Peabody Place (next to Beale Street). Make sure to go on a night when they have live music, which is always fantastic (http://www.clubisaachayes.com for the schedule). The collard greens are amazing. I've just started bartending there (*please* come over and say Hi! I love my fellow e-gulleteers!) and it's a fun place. Outside of Barbeque? My all-time favorite restaurant in Memphis (which says a lot; we've got some terrific places) is Bosco's Squared on Union (midtown). They have this stuffed portabella appetizer... and their pear gorgonzola salad... big treats ($20 or less for entrees). Sawadii on Union (downtown) is a lovely Thai restaurant. It has a very upscale setting, but is very reasonably priced (12$ or less for entrees). I love the Masaman. Try the Thai tea as well. Happy eating!

I'll be moving to Memphis in January for college. I'm in the process of getting a certification from the Texas School of Bartenders, and have some impressive recommendations from several local and national chefs- I've worked in a large cooking school for some time. I'm concerned because I know how very important it is to have previous experience, and I have no connections in the Memphis restaurant industry at all. I'm 19 years old, very cute and personable, and extremely competent and professional. What do I need to do to get a job? Does anyone know of any places in Memphis that might be able to use me?

OK, I've read everything you've said about bartending and still plan on going to school. I'm a 19 year old college student, no bartending experience, and it seems like it would be important to have something on my app, even if it's not much. The TSOB (Texas School of Bartenders, oldest and most "established" bartending school in TX with affiliates all over the US) guarantees 85-97% job placement for their graduates... I really hope that I'm not being taken in . So I'll graduate from a Texas school but plan to try and find a job in Memphis when I move back there shortly. Can anybody give me advice? Does anyone know of likely places to work in Memphis? By the way, I'm not blonde, but very cute , and personable, and more than able to deal with the various stresses and horrible customers that may cross my path. I have several years of experience working in a cooking school (from prep to waitressing to teaching) and I'm ready to try something new within the restaurant.

Chez Nous has never disappointed me, but once: when they changed their Salade Lyonnaise (took out the bacon and poached egg and put in celery- a CRIME). And do NOT miss the cheese enchiladas at Casita Jorge's on North Loop. Driskill's makes great appetizers (everything's good): I like the duck tacos.

Here's the poor college student's 2 cents: St. Genevieve Merlot ain't that bad for everyday.

I've been transplanted to Memphis from Austin for the year (going to school) and I have to say, I'm really unimpressed with the Rendezvous. The ribs are good, but hey, it's Memphis. I've had a lot more luck at other places where the surly wait staff won't keep you at the bar for an hour before rushing you in and out with the tourists. My friends and I infinitely prefer Corky's (yes, it's an expanding chain). They ship, though I've never done it, and their dry ribs are almost always fabulous. Plus, they bring out lots of delicious buttered biscuits, and the staff always treats us like family, even if we are a bunch of starving college students. I've also had Neely's suggested, but I'll have to get back to you on that...