BBQ Road Trip

[Rich Parker]

My wife and I are traveling from Grand Rapids to -> Cincinnati Ohio -> Memphis Tennessee -> Nashville Tennessee -> St. Louis Missouri -> Then back home through Chicago.

Where should a BBQ enthusiast eat in these towns?

I was thinking about hitting Corky's Bar-BQ in Memphis but Google only helps so much, and I don't want to miss any good places.

[sfisch]

Corkys is a chain. I'd pick out mom and pop places along the way.

[Bbq Bubba]

I'd scrap the whole trip and drive out to New Baltimore if you want some good BBQ. :rolleyes:

[michiana mark]

I'd scrap the whole trip and drive out to New Baltimore if you want some good BBQ. :rolleyes:

Is it true that all roads lead to New Baltimore?

[michiana mark]

My wife and I are traveling from Grand Rapids to -> Cincinnati Ohio -> Memphis Tennessee -> Nashville Tennessee -> St. Louis Missouri -> Then back home through Chicago.

Where should a BBQ enthusiast eat in these towns?

I was thinking about hitting Corky's Bar-BQ in Memphis but Google only helps so much, and I don't want to miss any good places.

Have fun on your trip. Rub elbows with the locals, they know where the best of everything is.

[Rich Parker]

Corkys is a chain. I'd pick out mom and pop places along the way.

Well that sucks!! I don't want to eat at any chain restaurants.

[Rich Parker]

I'd scrap the whole trip and drive out to New Baltimore if you want some good BBQ. :rolleyes:

I don't know about scrapping the whole trip, but I might be returning home in that direction. And if I am not sick from eating BBQ for 6 straight days, I may stop in. :D

[tmogg]

i was just in memphis - in may.... you have to stop at the rendezvous, different because they are grilled ribs over charcoal. get there early as the line is way out in the alley. (its near a holiday inn.) interstate bbq is another we tried, good, but not favorite, still a must stop, they are not too far from graceland. there is always neelys bbq ( nephew of the interstate people ) and i hear the Germantown Commissary is also a must stop but we ran out of time. beale street is a nice party place for walking and drinking. (just watch the beggars) a couple places on the "strip" sell bbq but some were just baked in an oven. that is about all i can comment on unless your headed to N.C.
some say the rendezvous is a tourist trap, but i would make a trip from here just to stop there. different is good. (space out your stops, i was getting over bbq'd after a while and then its no longer fun to try them) report back when you return. i will be headed to some of your other stops soon also. oh, the bbq sauce at interstate was the best! (beggar tip: we pretended we didnt speak english and they left us alone;)

[Bbq Bubba]

Is it true that all roads lead to New Baltimore?


Obviously all of them except yours. :rolleyes:

[michiana mark]

Obviously all of them except yours. :rolleyes:

Only 3 hrs away, I could do that in my sleep, if need be. Can I be the next celebrity pit boss at the roadside?

Can you say "hijack"

[BruceB]

Only 3 hrs away, I could do that in my sleep, if need be. Can I be the next celebrity pit boss at the roadside?

Can you say "hijack"

Is there a roadside "Q" place near New Baltimore???????:eek:

[Rich Parker]

Is there a roadside "Q" place near New Baltimore???????:eek:

I don't mind a little hijack.

I thought the HD shut that place down for keeping its food warm in oil drums?

[spydermike72]

Only 3 hrs away, I could do that in my sleep, if need be. Can I be the next celebrity pit boss at the roadside?

Can you say "hijack"

Same thing applies to you as Scott, you need to be a celebrity or a pit boss to participate... :p:D

[Bbq Bubba]

HIJACK. :cool:

[Rich Parker]

HIJACK. :cool:

I sure am glad I posted this question on that other site or the closest I will get to BBQ down there will be a MicRib.:eek:

[Rich Parker]

Our first BBQ meal was at RK Bar-B-Q in Shepherdsville Kentucky. I order some ribs with a side of cole slaw and beans while my wife ordered a pulled pork sandwhich with a side of fried pickels.

The ribs were served dry and had a very sweet taste which I found out later from the owner that he rubs them with brown sugar before he smokes them. My wife enjoyed the pulled pork sandwhich, but we did notice that no bark was included in the meat. The coleslaw and beans were uneventful. My wife and I liked the fried pickles.

http://www.richardmparker.com/storage/08_05_09_bbq_restaurant/RKBarBQue.JPG

Our next meal was at Jacks Bar-B-Que, and I order a rack of ribs and my wife ordered the smoked sausage plate with the sides coleslaw, baked beans, macroni and cheese.

The ribs were served dry and were quite tasty. My wife enjoyed her smoked sausage plate and the sides were also good.

http://www.richardmparker.com/storage/08_05_09_bbq_restaurant/JacksBarBQue.JPG

Our next meal was in Memphis at Charles Vergos' Rendezvous. I ordered ribs and my wife ordered the pulled pork sandwhich both with coleslaw and baked beans for side items.

I really liked the seasoning on the ribs and didn't think it was a bad rib considered it had no smoke flavor from the grill. We didn't like the coleslaw and beans at all and Maddy actually started crying after trying the coleslaw. I didn't get a pic of the place but you have all seen it on the Travel channel.

Our next meal was at the Natural Born Grillers in Southaven Mississippi. I ordered the ribs with a side of rice dressing and baked beans and my wife ordered the smoked chicken thighs with a side of macaroni and cheese and fries.

The ribs were served wet, and I really was hoping for a good seasoning but could only taste the sauce. They weren't bad just not very rememberable. The smoked chicken thighs were tasty but the skin was rubbery and inedible. The best part of the whole meal was the side of rice dressing that was absolutely delicious.

http://www.richardmparker.com/storage/08_05_09_bbq_restaurant/NaturalBornGrillers.JPG

I probably would have been just as happy to drive to New Baltimore and eat at Bubba's. All in all it was a good family road trip. We are expecting another baby next Spring, so we might not get another vacation for a while.

[sfisch]

Rich
glad you were able to have a good family trip and enjoy some good Q. Gonna do that myself someday.

Scott