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Tags: Celeb Travel / Isaac Hayes / Memphis-Shelby County International Airport / → All Tags

Shut Yo Mouth! Isaac Hayes to Be Honored with Airport

Coolest airport ever: A Tennessee representative has put forth the proposal to remember musician Isaac Hayes by naming Memphis-Shelby County International Airport after him.

Normally we scoff at celebrity-airport monikers -- fifty years from now some comedian will still be dining out on D.C.'s transit hub named for Ronald Reagan -- but it sounds like Steve Cohen, D-TN, was truly moved by Hayes' memorial in Cordova, near his birthplace of Covington. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton also came to the memorial service, while Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington paid a visit to Hayes' private burial over the weekend.

We'll gladly fly in to Isaac Hayes International if every airline will play the "Shaft" theme upon landing in Memphis.

Related Stories:
· Memphis: Airport Eats [Jaunted]
· Isaac Hayes to Get an Airport Named after Him [ICYDK]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: E! Online]

Tags: Music Travel / Festivals / Beale Street Music Festival / Music Festivals / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: The Beale Street Music Festival

The Beale Street Music Festival, a three-day open-air music bash that bills itself as the "Mardi Gras of the Mid-South," starts May 2. The event kicks off the month-long Memphis in May Festival, which features a BBQ cook-off and the Sunset Symphony in addition to all the pop music.

Headlining this year's fest is an eclectic mix of performers, including My Chemical Romance, The Roots and Sheryl Crow, whose hometown of Kennett, Missouri is just two hours north of Memphis. On day two, Santana, Matisyahu and Lou Reed are slated to perform. If you buy it before April 30, a three-day pass is just $63.50.

Related Stories:
· The Beale Street Music Festival [Official Site]
· Memphis in May Festival [Official Site]
· Beale Street Music Fest Lineup [Memphis Flyer]
· Memphis in May Update [GoGirlfriend]
· Music Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Adam Duritz at BSMF 2007: theogeo]

Tags: Elvis Travel / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: Long Live The King

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, and as far as we can tell, business at Graceland has never been better. If visits by American Idol and the thousands of fans who stop by The King's estate are any guide, the one thing that hasn't died in the last 30 years is love for Mr. Presley.

We've spent our share of time in Memphis, and there's plenty to do besides tour the mansion. But on a day like today, we have to give Elvis the spotlight one more time:

· Dying Young: A "Good Career Move" [Time]
· World's Best Impersonators Descend on Graceland [Guardian]
· But That's Not the Only Place to Find Them [KC Star]
· Guide to Graceland [Seattle Times]
· Graceland [Official Site]

[Photo: theogeo]

Tags: The Best Minor League Ballparks / Sports / Road Trips / best-minor-league-ballparks / → All Tags

Best Minor League Ballparks: AutoZone Park

What's not to love about Minor League Baseball? It's got easier parking, cheaper food, wackier traditions, contests and great deals on last-minute seats. Seats that are close enough to the action that the visiting team can hear your heckling loud and clear. This week, we'll be guiding you around the country to play ball with the stars of tomorrow and the washed up heroes of yesterday on a Bull Durham-style road trip. We've even got the whole thing all mapped out for you.

Best Minor League Ballparks ::: Map

The Memphis Redbirds
This relatively new behemoth is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals farm club, the Memphis Redbirds. And last night was the home opener. The home team lost to the Oklahoma Redhawks, it's true, but it could still be a big season for the Redbirds. After all, they're affiliated with last year's World Series victors. (Then again, maybe that isn't such a good thing.)

Post-season or not, the Redbirds should be happy to call AutoZone Park home. One of the largest parks in the minors, it has a major league feel. The concourse that wraps around the diamond has an unobstructed view of the field, so when you're hiking to find a hot dog, you won't have to miss a pitch.

If you scoured the city, you'd probably find some Memphis fans who think the park is a little too major league. And it does have lots of party suites and boxes and other elitist doodads that don't have much to do with playin' ball. But hey, less than $10 for field level seats? Nothing major about that.

Getting There:
AutoZone Park is in downtown Memphis, which means it's surrounded by thousands of parking spots. If you go for a night game, it shouldn't be too hard to find a place. Check our
map or the official guide to plot your strategy.

Insider's Tip:
You also don't want to miss the cheerleaders. That's right. Baseball cheerleaders--after the jump.

more ›

Tags: WiFi / Free WiFi / Coffee Shops / Coffee / → All Tags

Coffee & WiFi Options in Memphis

High Point Coffee is a Southern minichain that's not only good if you're boycotting the 'Bucks, but better when you take the internet perk into account. Besides free WiFi, High Point offers the usually coffee chain fare, including but not limited to: scones, bagels, and triple-half-caf-mocha-whip-whip-deluxe lattes. For some odd reason, however, High Point's two Memphis locations lost to Starbucks in the Memphis Flyer's 2006 Best Of Food and Drink list. Sacrilege!

If you need some complimentary WiFi with your caffeine and desire a bit less detachment and a bit more coziness, consider Geekers Gourmet Coffee Bar a stand-alone location with all the drinks and snacks you'd expect. Geekers runs a happy hour on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m., when all mochas and lattes are $1. Thus we learn that much like the hotel WiFi scale (upon which a super-luxury lodge will ream you for even ethernet, while a $40 motel offers free WiFi), a connection isn't hard to find if you just follow the cheap coffee trail.

We're sad to report that the lovely Madison Hotel in Downtown does not offer in-room WiFi, but at least the wired internet was complimentary. And the free coffee in the lobby wasn't bad, either.

[Photo: miltoncat]

Related Stories:
· The Madison Hotel Tour With Added Bonus Booking Tip [HotelChatter]

Tags: Restaurants / Food / Barbeque / Food Porn / → All Tags

Finger Lickin' Memphis: Central BBQ

If you're a Yankee who has read and watched a lot about southern barbecue but never actually experienced it, you could likely be scared shitless. The prospect of diving face-first into the big bad world of Q is daunting. Like ordering coffee the wrong way in Vienna, or a cheesesteak the wrong way in Philly (you get the idea), one just expects to be yelled at, spit on, or both. Fear comes with the territory when you're a newbie, especially a newbie to such a huge culinary establishment.

So imagine our surprise at Central BBQ, a low-key Memphis joint with nary a chip on its pork shoulder: the place attracts normal people, it's staffed by normal people, and you won't get stampeded if you actually have to, like, stand and study the menu for a second. We parked, entered, contemplated, ordered, and carried out without incident. And the food rocks.

We chose a turkey sandwich, no slaw, with mild sauce and a side of greens. The sandwich is classic no-frills fare: just good ol' turkey slathered with sauce (which, by the way, has quite a bit of zip even in the "mild" variety) and served up on a white hamburger bun. It was slippery, messy, and addictive. Also, by the time you read this, we'll probably still be smelling like barbecue sauce--a true mark of quality.

A look at the rest of Central's menu reveals an irresistible selection for all palates: pork ribs, chicken, pulled pork and even portabella mushroom sandwiches. The pulled pork especially is notoriously delicious.

Related Stories:
· Central BBQ - Memphis [Official Site]
· Jaunted in Memphis (July) [Jaunted]

Tags: Music / Record Stores / → All Tags

Memphis Record Shopping Double-Up

Memphis and Elvis: they go together like bananas and peanut butter. In a city renowned for music tourism, you'd think it all revolves around Presley. But there's another side to Tennessee's second city.

Memphis has (or had; he moved to North Carolina) another king: Greg Cartwright. The local legend, Reigning Sound rocker and garage superproducer is an icon here. He's not the only player in Memphis's modern rock 'n' roll history, but his name is surely synonymous--at least to those in the know--with it. Basically, if you're looking for the "indie" rock, you'll be experiencing Greg's Memphis (as opposed to Elvis's).

There's certainly no escaping his recordings (with the Reigning Sound, Oblivians and Compulsive Gamblers, to name a few, plus those he's produced) at stores like Goner Records and Shangri-La Records.

The former, located in Cooper-Young, even put out a live album of Cartwright's, appropriately titled Live at Goner Records, that was recorded in the store. Goner's a gem that has been around for about three years. The selection is roughly half vinyl and half CD, with the requisite local music section up front (in fact, it's the first thing you'll see upon entering the store).

Shangri-La puts out its own Memphis rock compilations, and, of course, carries all the Cartwright records you'll ever need; there's also a healthy mix of vinyl and compact discs here. Come by on Fridays at 5 p.m. for the beginning of "happy hour" for discounts and live performances. The store is just blocks away from Memphis's legendary Ardent Studios, meaning the additional 3-minute pilgrimage is compulsory if you actually dig music.

Related Stories:
· Tokyo Record Stores [Jaunted]

Tags: Memphis / → All Tags

Memphis: Getting Barbeque to Your Door

All this barbeque coverage may be well and good, but you may ask, how does this help me, the barbeque lover that doesn’t have any nearby options? Well, thanks to FedEx—which is based out of Memphis—BBQ can be at your door as soon as tomorrow. We’ve put together a little chart for you, to give you a taste of your options, but remember than many other places in Memphis are happy to ship as well. New Yorkers take note: This may be the most enjoyable food delivery you’ll ever receive.

	Rendezvous	Corky's BBQ	Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ
Potential Order:	2 Slabs of Ribs, with options for additional sauce, coleslaw, or pork shoulder	Ultimate Taste of Corky's: 1 Slab Ribs, 1 lb. Pork Shoulder, 1 pint Baked Beans, 1 bottle BBQ Sauce, 1 Bottle BBQ seasoning, 1 pecan or fudge pie	Pork Ribs: 3 Slabs with 1 bottle of sauce and 1 bottle of seasoning. BBQ spaghetti, baked beans, and BBQ Chicken are all optional additions.
How Much:	$89, shipping included	$84, shipping included	$89, shipping included
Shipping:	Order by noon CST to get it by FedEx Overnight	Order by 2pm CST to get it via FedEx 2-day shipping	Order by 1pm CST to get it via FedEx 2-day shipping

Related Stories:
·   Jaunted in Memphis [Jaunted]

Tags: Memphis / Barbeque / Jaunted Field Trip / → All Tags

Memphis: Airport Eats

How long does it take to figure out that Memphis is fixated on barbeque? You won't even have time to get to the baggage claim upon arrival in the airport; there are two separate BBQ establishments in the terminal itself. Trust us, you'll smell them, even at 930am.

One is an outpost of Jim Neely's Interstate Barbeque (near gate B14), and is the one we'd recommend visiting on your way home. The other is Corky's, (near gate B36) which is to BBQ as Taco Bell is to Mexican food, and is looked down upon by locals. Corky's uses smoke flavoring, instead of actually smoking their meats. Shocking. We won't stop you, however--sometimes highly processed foods hit the stop before you fly. The question remains: Why isn't the pizza at New York's airports as good as the BBQ in Memphis?

[Image via abbyladybug/Flickr]

Tags: Memphis / Barbeque / Jaunted Field Trip / → All Tags

Memphis: Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ

They take their barbeque very seriously in Memphis, and you'll be hearing plenty about it in the next couple of days. While the Rendezvous--the BBQ joint of choice for the President when he came to town last week--is the most famous of Memphis' smoked meat options and the home of dry-rub ribs, it has plenty of company in the BBQ pantheon. Among them is Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ, conveniently located on the way to the airport, and among the best of the BBQ giants in town.

A "small" order of pork ribs gets you two sides and some white bread. Sides include classics like baked beans and cole slaw, but another option is the BBQ spaghetti. It tastes pretty much like it sounds, although the sauce is more tomato-based than what goes on the ribs and pulled pork, both of which are smoky and tender. The sauce is definitely wet without getting too sloppy, with a slightly sweet finish. Polishing off that small order was enough to give us the meat sweats, so unless you're a member of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, it should be more than enough for a meal.

We especially liked Neely's logo: The interstate springs forth from the pigs neck, as if his aorta has been severed and his lifeblood is the interstate itself. For a barbeque restaurant, that's pretty darn profound.

Related Stories:
·   Jaunted in Memphis [Jaunted]

Tags: Jaunted Field Trip / Memphis / → All Tags

Hot to Tot

Tots Ahoy! Frank Bruni may always be the man everyone loves to hate (or at least Democrats and restaurateurs do), but we're tempted to heed his advice from time to time. During his fast-food road trip, Lil' Frankie said the following about the tater tots at Sonic:

The tots at Sonic, a chain prevalent in the South, were the sultans of spuds. Since all of these potato variants are about exterior crackle, not interior vegetable, the tot configuration, with more crests and buttes and ridges, won the day.

Truly, the best fast-food potato product around? This we had to try. Departing a Memphis-area Sonic, (which features a drive-up, not a drive-thru) we found their tots are indeed impressive. Tater tots have a reputation as soggy cafeteria fare, but these were 90% crunchiness and 10% potato interior, an ideal ratio for any snack food.

Can they compare with the reigning champ, McDonald's fries? We're not so sure. They're harder to wedge into the odd spaces in your car during a road trip, and don't come with that same rush of saltiness and Fry-o-lator magic that is so addictive. If you're driving past, it's worth a visit, but don't change your itineraries just yet, tot fans.

Tags: Jaunted Field Trip / Memphis / → All Tags

Hi-Tone in Memphis has New Grit, True Grit

Your intrepid editor spent the nation's birthday in Memphis, TN. While we'll get to the smoked and grilled meat later in the week, including a comparison of what's available at the airport, but we'll start things off with a nod to the Hi-Tone.

Memphis is famous for music, of course, and there are plenty of swank clubs on Beale Street, but our favorite venue remains the Hi-Tone. Housed in a small, boxy building in Memphis' Midtown with tables practically on the stage, the Hi-Tone plays host to locals and heavyweights alike, including Cat Power and Elvis Costello.

Although it only opened in 1998, it's dirty and authentic enough to feel much older. The Hi-Tone was voted the #1 place to see live music by locals 6 times since it opened, impressive for a city with no shortage of venues. Sometimes the sound of beer bottles being tossed in the trash can disrupt the more intimate performances, but it's still worth checking out who's playing the next time you swing through town.

[Image via Chucktm/Flickr]