DAY 8 - Walking in Memphis

Thursday started like most of the other days of this trip, Zena giving me sloppy wet licks on my face and Mom wanting to go to Starbucks.

With Starbucks in hand we made our way south along the Mississippi River to the world famous Graceland Mansion, home of Elvis Presley. It’s run like an amusement park complete with ticket booths, gift shops, shuttles, massive parking lots, and corny photos in front of a faux Graceland mansion gate. We took the tour and saw all the studded outfits, endless gold records, crazy decor and awestruck fans.

Front of Graceland Mansion in Memphis, TN

Elvis' grave site on the premisis of Graceland

The infamous jungle room inside the Graceland Mansion

The TV room inside Graceland Mansion

After the Elvis overload, we headed off to Cozy Corner for lunch (see review below), one of Memphis’ most talked about bbq joints.

The big lunch required a healthy walk so Mom, me and the pups took an hour stroll along the Mississippi River and through the South Bluffs neighborhood, a high-end part of town overlooking the riverfront park.

A view of the River Walk Park and the Mississippi River

Tug boats were going up and down the Mississippi while we walked along the shore

Scenic shots from South Bluffs neighborhood, just south of downtown Memphis

The pups were worn out after the long walk

After USC laid down a whooping on Penn State, Mom and I headed to dinner at the Mesquite Chophouse in downtown Memphis - www.mesquitechophouse.com. Being a non-bbq meal, I took the opportunity to have a spinach salad and some soup. While at dinner, we noticed Anthony Hopkins was at the table next to us. No clue what Dr. Lector was doing in Memphis and I could not tell if he was having liver with fava beans and a glass of Chianti.

After dinner, we walked up and down the famous Beale St. and downtown. The crazy New Year’s Eve crowd was gone and the streets were packed with East Carolina and Kentucky fans in town for Friday’s Liberty Bowl.

Mama D. and I having a laugh as we walk around Beale St.

Mama D. got exercise by kicking around an oversize soccer ball around Memphis

Beale St. was crowded on Thursday with ECU and UK fans

After exploring Memphis we can now say we’ve seen several of the sites mentioned in Marc Cohn’s 1991 song “Walking in Memphis” – Beale St, Union Ave., Gates of Graceland, Elvis’ tomb, and Graceland’s infamous jungle room.

On Friday we’re sticking around Memphis to grab an early lunch at Rendezvous, one of Memphis’ most famous bbq joints (it was closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day). Memphis is the furthest east we go, so after lunch on Friday we start heading back west.

Remaining itinerary:

Jan.2 – Memphis to Dallas
Jan. 3 – Dallas to Austin
Jan.4 – In Austin
Jan. 5 – Austin to El Paso
Jan.6 – El Paso to Phoenix
Jan.7 – Phoenix to Los Angeles

THE REVIEW - Cozy Corner BBQ, Memphis, TN.

Cozy Corner BBQ – www.cozycornerbbq.com – in Memphis, TN. defines Mom & Pop shop and southern hospitality. It’s 10 minutes outside Memphis and it’s a step or two above a hole-in-the-wall. It’s in a nearly empty strip mall with a weathered sign; it has dated décor including old wood paneling on the walls. But the second you walk in and see the smiling faces of the family that’s been running it since 1977, you feel comfortable and at home. The reason for that is owner Desiree Robinson. She was the sweetness, nicest lady with such a contagious kindness. She spoke with us for about 10-15 minutes while we waited for our food and she gave us the background on Cozy Corner. She started it with her late husband in 1977, the same month and year Elvis died (ironic because Mom and I had just come from touring Graceland). They’ve never advertised; their success comes from word of mouth and publicity from the various magazines and shows that have covered the place. She, along with her son, daughter and grand kids, run the place. Together they give Cozy Corner a fantastic southern feel that keeps you coming back. If that wasn’t enough, the sandwiches, ribs and sweet tea will keep you coming back.

Mama D. outside Cozy Corner BBQ in Memphis, TN.

Mom and I with Cozy Corner owner Desiree Robinson

Cozy Corner had a moderate interior, but the food and staff bring a terrific vibe and character to the place

Footage of the feast we had at Cozy Corner in Memphis, TN

Sauce – 3 – Cozy Corner had a mild and a hot sauce. Mild was simple with a touch of tang and heat, not sweet at all. The hot sauce had a bit more kick of heat, but still manageable. Both were thin and light, not thick and heavy (for those Arby’s fans, it was similar to their bbq sauce).

Sides – 2 – We had four sides – bbq corn, bbq beans, coleslaw and a unique bbq spaghetti (yep, you read right). Unfortunately, as a whole they were average. The corn was the best of the bunch with a nice grilled flavor and a touch of bbq seasoning. The beans were bland, no sweet or spice. The slaw was standard as well, but did have a nice dill flavor. And finally, the bbq spaghetti was exactly what it sounds like – spaghetti with bbq sauce. I wanted to like it, but it just tasted a bit odd.

Slabs – 3 – The ribs were good, not great. The dry rub ribs had a great crusty skin with a salty and spicy flavor. We also had the wet ribs which had a nice glazed skin. The problem with both was the meat; it was tough and well done, not moist and falling off the bone.

Cozy Corner's dry rub ribs

Cozy Corner's wet ribs

Steaks – See beef sandwich below.

Sandwiches – 4 – The best item of the whole meal was the beef sandwich on a sesame seed roll. It had tasty beef strips covered in coleslaw and squirted with mild bbq sauce. The beef strips were well cooked with a nice glazed skin. We also had a sliced pork sandwich; it was served the same way as the beef sandwich, but the pork lacked the flavor the beef had.

The BBQ beef sandwich was my favorite thing on the menu

Me enjoying the delicious beef sandwich which had beef strips, coleslaw and bbq sauce

Honorable mention – A southern tradition is sweet tea and when they say sweet they mean SWEET!! It’s refreshing to the taste buds and compliments the spicy and tangy bbq food.