One Day in Memphis and Little Rock

[ExtraMSG]

Okay, I'm coming to Memphis through Little Rock and driving back home (to Oregon) on Sunday the 22nd. Give me the best that I can get in an afternoon, especially BBQ. I will hit multiple places and certainly overeat. I will have a friend with me, so that helps.

Is Sunday a problem in Memphis and Little Rock?

[Gifted Gourmet]

you might wish to begin here and check out the many links

[Mayhaw Man]

If you are in Little Rock and feel like dropping a little dough, you will not find a better piece of meat than the one that will grace your table at Doe's Eat Place. Sure Luger's has a storied past and lots of fans among our Eastern Friends (see, I'm learning, I did not use the "Y" word ), but Doe's is really great. Plus, while you are waiting on your big hunk of perfectly cooked meat, you can enjoy a few Tamales (I mean, really, how many salads can you eat?).

If you are going to be in Little Rock overnight might I suggest Vino's Brewpub? They have great food and really, really good beer. If you happen to run into Henry Lee(look for the guy who is clearly suffering from arrested development-he looks 40 but is actually a happy 16 year old ) tell him I said hello and that he can give you the beer that he owes me.

[hollis]

Hey ExtraMSG--

Memphis is my hometown and for the best pulled pork sandwich ever, go to Payne's on Lamar. Neely's is also good, but Payne's is the best for the sandwich. I am not a rib girl but hear that Interstate on Third is the place for this. DON'T fall into the trap of the Rendezvous---big hype, not all that.

[fierydrunk]

Ooops! above post by fierydrunk, not hollis.

You should do a little BBQ tour but yep, Sunday may indeed be a problem. The only breakfast place we found on a Sunday morning when we were there was Taqueria Guadalapana on Summer Ave...pretty good, but no great shakes to those used to the West Coast.

Payne's is in a semi-dicey hood and I am sure it is a lunch only spot. Interstate is bigger and busier... lunch and dinner on Sunday likely won't be a problem.

[fierydrunk]

OOOPS! Forgot Cozy Corner on North Parkway...amazing BBQ Cornish Game Hens. Again, Sunday may be a problem.

If you wanna eat "fine", I have heard Aubergine is excellent...it is "Out East", far from the good BBQ.

[mikey]

Sorry, but Sunday is a problem in Little Rock. Doe's is closed, and so are all the local barbeque joints. The local branch of Corky's is open, but so is the original in Memphis. I can't speak for Memphis. You might want to try Craig's, in Devall's Bluff, a short detour off I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis on Hwy 70, apparently open on Sundays. I haven't been there in years, but it maintains a good reputation. Also Murray's Catfish also on Hwy 70, toward Hazen. What else might you be interested in?

[fierydrunk]

This place is a must---about a 40 minute drive NE from Downtown Memphis.

Gus's Fried Chicken

Address: 520 U.S. 70, Mason, TN, USA

Phone: 901/294-2028 Location: Mason Price range: Under $20

Cuisine: Southern

From Fodors.com: In a humble small-town setting 30 minutes northeast of Memphis, this family-owned joint serves up some of the region's best crisp fried chicken with cole slaw and baked beans. It's not for the timid -- the seasoning includes spicy red pepper. Guests sit in booths and blues plays in the background. No credit cards.

[slessman]

Gus's Fried Chicken

There's a Gus's Fried Chicken in downtown Memphis, too. It's not quite as good as the one in Mason, but it's pretty close. Probably closed on Sunday.

I'm with fierydrunk, Payne's has excellent pulled shoulder sandwiches. They're not going to be open on Sunday though. I like Interstate, which is on south 3rd street and is fairly close to downtown. I've been there on a Sunday. I like their beef BBQ sandwiches and their BBQ bologna sandwiches particularly. Hands down the best beef BBQ in town. Their pork is pretty good, too.

Aubergine's is gone, unfortunately. There is a nice french bistro type restaurant there now called Le Petit Bistro that I've heard is very nice. I don't think they are open on Sunday. There's not really a lot of decent restaurants unique to Memphis open on Sundays. There's some good indian and asian places open, but that's about it.

I love La Guadalapana. It's about 2 minutes away from me, I eat there about once a week. Sundays are the best day to go there. Menudo and Tacos de Lengua. Yum!