| When I learned that the company I worked for | | | | seated. |
| would be sending me to Memphis, TN for two weeks | | | | The decor can best be described as cluttered, with |
| of training one thought popped into my mind before | | | | historical political and entertainment relics spread |
| any other -- BARBEQUE! | | | | throughout the rooms. The guests were a mixture of |
| I'm not kidding. Ask my old boss. | | | | obviously locals and obviously tourists. Most of the |
| The first thing I did is go to the internet and look up | | | | waiters looked like they had been around since the |
| the location of my hotel (the Marriott) which proved | | | | restaurant opened. |
| to be downtown. This gave me a reference for my | | | | I would like to tell you that we tried everything on |
| next stop -- | | | | the menu like you should if you are reviewing a |
| I printed out all of the restaurants that Jane and | | | | restaurant. But I can't. We all had the ribs. How could |
| Michael Stern recommended that were within walking | | | | we not? Five half slabs and one full slab. Me, of |
| distance of the Marriott (I wouldn't have a car) and | | | | course. |
| started to dream of 'Que. The trip was still four | | | | I was not surprised when the ribs arrived without |
| months away. | | | | sauce as I know this restaurant is famous for its dry |
| Finally we headed to Memphis and the first night I | | | | ribs, but I did wonder how I would like them. I'm |
| headed to Charlie Vergos Rendezvous along with 5 | | | | definitely a barbeque sauce guy. I love bbq sauce so |
| of my new friends. | | | | much that I don't just save it for actual bbq, I slather |
| The first thing you notice when approaching Charlie | | | | it on most every meat. |
| Vergo's Rendezvous is, like all good BBQ restaurants, | | | | I needn't have worried. The pork ribs were delicious. |
| the aroma of charcoal-cooking meat that wafts to | | | | Smokey sweet with a hint of pepper. The thick rub |
| meet you. The next thing is the large number of | | | | turns to a sauce as soon as you start to chew and |
| people waiting in the alley to be seated. Yes, you | | | | release the juices of the meat. A cold beer helps this, |
| enter the restaurant from an alley. How can you not | | | | too. The full slab of ribs was the size of a |
| love a barbeque joint that has its front door in an | | | | skateboard and cooked perfectly. |
| alley? | | | | The side of vinegary cole slaw was good but barely |
| I had flown down to Memphis for a week of | | | | more than a spoonful. Miniscule side dishes, I would |
| management training in a former job. Truthfully, I | | | | discover, are apparently a Memphis tradition. The star |
| didn't give one whit about the training but knew that | | | | is the BBQ and side dishes afterthoughts. |
| I had to eat the famous Memphis barbecue as often | | | | The only bad part of the night was the attitude of |
| as possible. | | | | our waiter. He started off surly and I assumed that it |
| The first day I told some of my classmates that I | | | | was just local flavor (like the waiters at Mike Linnings |
| was going to eat barbeque that night and they were | | | | in my hometown of Louisville) or an act (as at Ed |
| welcome to join me. Five of my new friends did. | | | | Debevic's in Chicago). But no, unfortunately, he was |
| The restaurant is in the basement of the building. | | | | just plain rude. And he got worse as the meal went |
| Legend has it that the restaurant was started in | | | | on. This was surprising to me since every review I |
| 1948 when Charles Vergo discovered a coal chute in | | | | had read prior to visiting had praised the wait staff. It |
| the basement of his diner. The chute acted as a | | | | was a sad sour note to an otherwise wonderful meal. |
| vent, enabling him to set up a grill. After he perfected | | | | The service notwithstanding, the ribs carried the night |
| his BBQ the diner closed up and almost sixty years | | | | into BBQ heaven and I rate Charlie Vergo's |
| later the barbeque is still smoking. The alley and | | | | Rendezvous... |
| restaurant were packed on this Tuesday night so we | | | | As Good as I've Ever Had |
| enjoyed beers and that wonderful bbq smell in the | | | | I must try the BBQ Nachos next time I go. |
| bar upstairs for about 45 minutes until we were | | | | There will be a next time -- trust me! |