Memphis Beat: The Rendezvous

By Julie

On our recent road trip across the south, my husband and I stopped first in Memphis, Tennessee, which probably has 1.2 barbecue joints per person, or something insane like that. But the one we kept hearing about over and over, as in, “You HAVE to go here, “ was the Rendezvous. And so as not to offend any of the 2 trillion people advising us, we went.

The Rendezvous, as I recalled from a very quick walking tour of Memphis back at least a decade ago, is in a basement in an alley just off Beale Street. You can smell it from blocks away, but it’s not so easy to locate if you don’t know where you’re going. So your mouth will be watering by the time you find the place. They are known for their dry-rubbed pork ribs, and for good reason. They are juicy and spicy and sweet and flavorful and just a mouth full of yum. The beans and cole slaw (vinegar style – this is Tennessee after all) pack just as much of a punch and really stand up next to the ribs. And the sauce ties it all together. We split a full rack, but I’m pretty sure we could have eaten another rack or two, easy.

And they ship. I’m just sayin’.

In a city where barbecue can be found on every corner, The Rendezvous stands out as the granddaddy of them all. Make sure you have enough beer for sipping and enough napkins to wipe your face.

{Photo Credit: the aptly named hogsfly.com}

Comments

[Jen L.]

My parents live right outside Memphis, so I grew up on "the vous" as we call it. And I've had their ribs shipped for special occasions. It's THE BEST BBQ ever. Their iced tea, however, is horrible. (Just FYI) :) Glad you enjoyed it!

[Kelly]

I live in Memphis, and work in the building right next to the Rendezvous. I am not a big ribs fan, but their pork shoulder and their pulled chicken are fabulous too. I don't go often, because too much of a good thing is sometimes too much. However the waiters there have been there for years, and are really good at remembering your name and what you like to eat. I have gone years between visits, and "my" waiter will remember me, and ask me if I want my usual, and then tell me what it was. I have worked down here for 20 years, and I still have requests from friends and family to go there to eat when they come into town.