The only problem I saw with enjoying barbeque on my two week stay in downtown Memphis was that there were so many choices. Even without a car (which forced me to skip Cozy Corner and Interstate — Next Time, for sure!) I still had more restaurants than days. Having already enjoyed Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous, Silky O’Sullivan’s and BB Kings for my next choice I consulted the most knowledgeable source in any town — the bellhop. He didn’t hesitate a second.
“Blues City Cafe,” he said. “Catch the Trolley right outside the door and get off on Beale Street.” And after tipping him that’s exactly what we did.
Setting at the corner of Beale and 2nd Streets, the Blues City Cafe is right across the street from BB Kings (where we had eaten the night before) and one of the first things you see when you enter the heart of the famous party area of Beale Street. The inside has a forced 1950’s diner look to it with vintage signs, neon and the fenders of Chevys stuck to the walls.
The menu has only a handful of items but they are wide ranging including tamales, catfish, sausage and crab. I started with a bowl of unremarkable seafood gumbo. The menu describes it as “Very spicy! Made with tomato base.” Unfortunately that’s exactly what I tasted — spicy tomato base. I had higher hopes for the rest of the dinner.
Unlike the Rendezvous of a few nights earlier where we all ordered the slab of ribs, at Blues City Cafe my eight companions went for many other dinners including catfish, tamales, chicken and shrimp. I, of course, had the full slab of ribs.
Also unlike the Rendezvous and Silky O’Sullivan’s, these were the traditional wet ribs painted with a maple barbecue sauce. The meat was tender enough to slip off the bone and very juicy. The ribs were accompanied by a generous helping of steak fries and the Memphis traditional condiment-sized cup of cole slaw and baked beans. A couple of cold pieces of Texas Toast were easily discarded.
The service was prompt and excellent and the band performing in the bar was very interesting. Throughout the meal the singer would talk for five minutes about Memphis Native Son Elvis but then sing a Johnny Cash song. Then five more minutes about Elvis, followed by another Johnny Cash song. Over and over the entire meal. Talk Elvis. Sing Johnny. Talk Elvis. Sing Johnny. This was very strange but the crowd seemed to love it and he did had a very good voice.
Most of my companions were happy with their food choices but I don’t think any of us left feeling like we had just eaten at the best place in Memphis. We weren’t mad at the bellhop when we returned to the hotel but I think he could have done better. We did enjoy Johnny Presley though.
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