Before our visit, I asked my friends on Twitter and Facebook for suggestions about what we should do while we were in Memphis. Apparently they thought I was underfed, because over and over again the response I got was a list of places to eat rather than things to do. Specifically, I was told repeatedly where to go to get “the best barbecue in Memphis.”

After spending two weeks elbow-deep in barbecue sauce, I won’t tell you where to get the best barbecue in town, but I can tell you what to order if you find yourself at one of these favorite places.

The Rendezvous – famous for inventing dry ribs, you need to order the dry ribs here and nowhere else. Only at The Rendezvous will you get dry ribs that are just as flavorful as any sauce-soaked rack you’ve ever eaten. Also worth trying: the sausage and cheese appetizer plate.

Blues City Cafe – while Rendezvous gets a bad name for being too “touristy”, this Beale Street restaurant is much more worthy of that criticism. That being said, the tamales are both unique and delicious. Skip the barbecue here.

A&R BBQ - there are multiple locations around town, all of which serve up pulled pork sandwiches topped with coleslaw. It sounds a little crazy, but it’s a whole lot of flavor and texture between two white buns.

Interstate BBQ – this is where you go for the best wet ribs. The sauce is available in mild or spicy and both varieties are worth licking a few fingers. The ribs themselves are thick and tender. The dry version, however, is exactly that – dry and bland. Pass on the famous BBQ spaghetti.

Central BBQ - do not look at anything on the menu but the BBQ pork nachos. Nothing else compares to this powerhouse of flavor and textural perfection. Get the large size – not because you’ll need it, but because you’ll be craving another bite as soon as you’ve finished.

Photo:Britt Reints

The Circus roundabout in downtown Basseterre

As a small volcanic  island in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts offers 69 sq. miles of rain forest, mountains and beaches to explore.  With  scenery so lush and varied, the most engaging way to explore this lovely island  is by bike.  Most  St. Kitts resorts offer bike tours and I quickly signed up for the two-hour tour of Basseterre, the charming capitol of St. Kitts, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Read More »

Wilbur the pig

If you’re a beach person like I am, nothing beats a lovely stretch of sand with the salt water kissing your skin and a sea breeze ruffling your hair. I’ve visited lots of beaches during my travels but I’ve never experienced one quite as interesting as Reggae Beach on the  Eastern Caribbean island of St. Kitts.  With a stunning coastline lined with mountains and a dormant volcano, St. Kitts boasts lots of attractive beaches but none are as memorable as Reggae Beach, located on Cockleshell Bay. Read More »

Mustard, please.

The Fourth of July is right around the corner and the food is right on the grill! Also, beer. The night may belong to fireworks, but the day belongs to friends, family and fun in the sun.

This post is a Wordless Wednesday entry with some words right beneath it. It happens.

Photo: Mike Johnson – TheBusyBrain.com