Memphis BBQ Cubed!
When I went out to dinner the other night, little did I know that the next few days would turn into a bar-b-que festival. And not just any bar-b-que, but specifically, Memphis bar-b-que.
The BBQ festival started at Red, Hot & Blue (pictured at right), a local Arlington spot (with a few other locations) that was originally created by a former governor of Tennesee and George H.W. Bush's hatchetman, Lee Atwater. Say what you want about Lee (and many did!) he knew a bit about blues and BBQ! Since the it's start 20 odd years ago, it's now turned into a nationwide chain.
A few days later, I found myself on the way to Minneapolis. Through a series of events I won't go into, I ended up in Memphis instead (the plane turned left at the Mississipi instead of right).
So, I ended up with a six hour layover at the Memphis International Airport. Only two things to do with that much time on your hands at MEM, eat BBQ and go to Graceland.
So I did.
Started off with a pulled pork sandwich at Interstate Bar-B-Que, took a quick taxi ride to Graceland to pay my respects to Elvis, and then back to MEM to catch a BBQ dinner at Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que.
So, how does Memphis International Airport BBQ compare to Arlington restaurant style? See below!
Red, Hot & Blue: Memphis Pit Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled chicken BBQ platter with beans, slaw, and cornbread. Salad, Sierra Nevada seasonal. RH&B is a local place with a nice comfy feel. The service is always friendly and helpful. This night, I was in the mood for chicken, so I went with the pulled chicken dinner. The BBQ comes with a dash or so of the RH&B sauce, but at your table, you get a choice of the regular, a hot and tangy sauce, and a mustard/vinegar option. I love to mix and match, starting with a milder sauce and then working up to the mouth burning hot. The sides are good. The beans are pretty basic, but the slaw is just like I love it, wet and sweet.
Red, Hot & Blue
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209
Website: http://www.redhotandblue.com/
Interstate Bar-B-Que (Memphis International Airport)
Meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. A very nice and very messy sandwich. Pork was served on a nice squishy roll with the sauce and slaw on the side. I let it sit for a bit wrapped in the paper and foil to get even squishier. Got nice and messy eating it and then picking up the dropped pieces with a fork! Pork done just right with just enough crispy bits to add to the texture. Excellent!
Interstate Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (mostly because it's the airport version)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled pork dinner platter with beans, slaw, roll and Sam Adams seasonal beer. Since it was diner time, thought I would go for the platter this time. Is pulled pork twice in a day decadent or am I just getting used to the South? Corky's pork dinner was a nice big serving for around $10. The pork, like at Interstate, was well done and just a bit smoky. It came with a sauce that was not too hot and just about right. At the table, you only had a choice of more of the same. The slaw was wet and sweet and quite good. The beans, however, were excellent. Just a little thicker and with a touch more brown sugar they topped off the platter!
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (again, because it was the airport location)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.corkysbbq.com/
So, what's the final vote? Well, they were all pretty darn good. Hard to compare a nice little old sit down BBQ place with one in a food court at an airport (Interstate) or even a nice sitdown in an airport (Corky's). I will say, however, that the two Memphis airport spots were very tasty and made me want to explore some real Memphis BBQ places (including those of Corky's and Interstate)!
More BBQ photos here.
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