(Please read our Covid 19 Statement first - Ed) Now that we're properly settled in to our comfy room at the Springhill Suites in downtown Memphis, it's time to do a little exploring.
Tonight, we're catching the old, wheelchair accessible trolley from the front of our hotel and heading to Beale Street.
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Actually, we could have walked. It's only six blocks but being after dark in a strange city, it seemed prudent to take transportation instead.
Beale Street is justifiably world famous for all the bars and nightclubs lining a three-block stretch in downtown. Live music is the norm here and each club has speakers out front so you can hear what the band sounds like before you go in. It's like auditioning each club before you commit.
First, we need to eat. Tim had heard about Dyer's and stipulated we must eat at least one meal there.
Dyer's is your basic diner. Although they sell balogna sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and more, it's the burgers that are their claim to fame.
Actually, strike that...it's their grease that is their claim to fame.
Open 101 years at the time of this visit in 2013, they have never thrown away the grease and continue to use it each day. At the end of the evening, the grease is filtered, put in a metal can, and locked in a safe. The next day, it is taken out, put in a large frying pan, and put to use frying the different meats here.
The burgers are deep fried in that grease. Yes, its sounds gross and is not the healthiest thing you can put in your body but this will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for us.
The patties are small so Tim and I double up and get double cheeseburgers. I opt for some deep-fried onions on mine also.
They are very juicy or greasy, depending on your view, but they are also very delicious. We have some fries on the side, which are not cooked in the old grease, and they were just mediocre.
Two doors down is Alfred's on Beale where we drink a few brews and listen to some great, classic rock and roll from a duo that is part of a larger group, Freeworld. I throw some requests and tips their way which they handle with great musical aplomb.
Between sets, one of the musicians...his name is Andy...comes over and sits at our table. We talk Memphis and Los Angeles music with him for the entire break before he goes up for the next set.
Leaving Alfred's and Freeworld, we cross the corner and end up at Rum Boogie, which has hosted the likes of Billy Joel, AC/DC, Kenny Loggins, Marty Stuart, and many more. Tonight, it's Darren Jay and the Delta Souls pumping out some great blues while we sip some more of Beale's finest.
As we watch til the end of the set, it's a great night of greasy burgers, rock 'n roll, and some great Delta blues.
Darryl
Copyright 2013 - Darryl Musick
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