Burgers, Booze, BBQ and Blues

Monday evening, Jaclyn and I returned from the river city, the queen of the Delta, the big eggplant Memphis Tennessee. Ok, we actually stayed in Southaven Mississippi with my parents but noone really knows where that is and I find it much easier to say Memphis than trying to explain that Southaven is just across the state line.

It was a nice little four-day visit albeit very hot. The events of the plane ride there would make a nice blog entry by itself, but I think I will take this opportunity to document the places we visited and the food we enjoyed.

My parents greeted us at Memphis International Airport (where the big jet engines roar) late Thursday afternoon. After enjoying a delicious meal consisting of pork loins, peas, mashed potatoes and corn bread, we headed down to Hernando to enjoy some bluegrass and gospel music at a small church. How's that for Southern?

After enjoying bacon, biscuits and molasses for breakfast, Friday morning found us headed to the Pink Palace Museum for a little culture. After absorbing as much as we could in a few hours, our growling stomachs got the better of us. Luckily, Central BBQ was just around the corner and we each filled up with a delicious BBQ sandwich.

Friday evening, we met up with my friends Tommy Coleman and Tommy Jones for the world's finest hamburgers at Huey's. What better way to wash down such a culinary delight than with an adult beverage and popcorn at Zinnie's.

After a visit with my sister Susan and family, Jaclyn and I spent time Saturday evening enjoying a glass of wine at Le Chardonnay in midtown. We are both quite found of this dark, intimate lounge. Using our reserve strength, we headed over to Murphy's to visit with Tommy Jones and friends in the sweltering heat.

Sunday afternoon, the whole family gathered at my parents' home for hamburgers and grilled chicken.We also all took turns admiring this huge spider that had built himself a web in the back door to the garage.

Sunday evening, we ventured downtown and enjoyed some delicious cajun cuisine at King's Palace Cafe on world famous Beale Street.

To complete our culinary tour of the mid-south, we had Monday morning breakfast at Cracker Barrel restaurant. Afterwards, we scoured the streets of Southaven in search of Moon Pies so I could bring some back to my co-workers at Tugboat Software.

Even though temperatures hovered in the high 90's, we had a nice visit. It is always nice to get back to the south in the summertime. The heat can be unbearable, but the sounds of tree frogs and crickets in the evening, make it all worthwhile.