Sunday, November 2, 2008

So, we were thinking up excuses to have beer and BBQ and found one. Nephew and wife in Memphis, friends from Dallas with free tickets, a restaurant in southern Illinois. The stars had aligned and the Beer, Blues and BBQ Tour of 2008 became a reality.

So right after Labor Day, we hit the road to Marion Illinois. The original plan was to go to the 17th Street Bar & Grill in Murphysboro, IL (http://www.17thstreetbarbecue.com/), but the rain and my bad estimate of forward motion meant we would be getting there pretty late on the first night of our adventure. Well, lo and behold, there was a back up plan - the 17th Street had also opened up a location in Marion Illinois about 4 years ago and was conveniently located next to the hotel where Kathy had a free room - Beer, BBQ and hotel across the parking lot - doesn't get better than that - at least by much.

I had picked up a book called Peace, Love and Barbeque (http://www.peaceloveandbarbecue.com/) by Mike Mills, the owner and creator of this chain of BBQ restaurants, real live smoked food. The Marion edition was new, open, smelled wonderfully smoked and had a bar that was up there with the best stocked I had seen in a restaurant. The waitress was surly and nice (BBQ joint requirement). She was helpful and Kathy ended up with a sampler platter. The beer for me was Schafly (http://www.schlafly.com/beers.shtml#regulars) and we were off on a taste adventure. Sour cream potato salad - what a wonderful invention.

BBQ came to us from my brother-in-law Mike who spent years perfecting his craft. His pulled pork, ribs and brisket are to die for - best around these parts and served in their restaurant, The Pines (http://thepinesonline.com/) and at their various catering adventures. I have always tried to learn from Mike and that led me to the book above and now we're all caught up.

The 17th Street pulled pork was very good, the ribs were close to as good as Mike's, served dry with a squeeze of sauce - the brisket was the best I've had (sorry Mike). An hour and a clean platter later (and maybe a few beers, too), well fed and in need of a bigger belt, we headed back to the hotel and prepared for day two of our road trip.



Day two - off to Memphis, land of the Delta Blues. We stayed at the Memphis Marriott (I really like this discount thing Kathy has going). Nice hotel (convention hotel) at the top of the Trolley Car line. Trolley drops us off 2 blocks from Beale Street - another great invention (trolley & Beale St). We meet Denny and Michelle at the hotel (she's on the discount program too) and then Bradley drives in to join us and we head for Beale Street.



First stop - a better bar, the Flying Saucer. Yes a great invention and YES - a great bar. They have this program, you drink 200 different beers and you get a platter on the wall with your name on it and anything smart (or stupid) you care to share. And get this - you can only count 2 beers per day. Lot of beer you say - the place had over 50 different beers ON TAP and a 4 page menu of the bottled beer - I HAD FOUND THE RIGHT PLACE.



Here is Bradley and I enjoying a cold one - with the platters and part of the bar in the background. (http://www.beerknurd.com/) And get this, they are willing to franchise - so I have the choice - move to Memphis or bring one to Greensburg...hmmmm.

Well - enough for this post. Time for a beer and Colts vs New England. Next post, the famous Rendevouz and rack two of three in 3 days.

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