Hits and Misses on the Mississippi

We often relay on locals we meet options and tips when making our dinning chooses. Always asking for local specialties and where we would find them eating on their lunch hour, we want to get a true taste for the area. Some time this works out really well,, other times, well we miss the ball and chalk it up to different tastes.

In Clarksdale, Mississippi, home of the famous Blues “Cross Road” we were sent to Abe’s BBQ .  A receptionist at the business/visitor center was adamant that we us trying Abe’s during our short time there. With a passionate recommendation like that we knew it would be good.

In front of Abe’s place newly poured cement walk ways were receiving inscriptions by Abe’s grandchildren of the family member names and the name of the long time cook. Right upon arrival we got the strong sense of family that pules through Abe’s BBQ.

We took at a seat in a booth across from the dinning counter as the cook/waiter was pouring us sweet tea. Brian ordered the pulled beef sandwich while I got the recommended pulled pork burnt ends sandwich.

On soft potato buns our smoky hot meat arrived with cold crisp coleslaw on top. The paper plate bent under the weight of my brunt end pork  that was full of smoke flavor and caramelized charred crunchy tips mixed with softer tender meat. The tangy tomato style barbecue sauce perfectly complements the tender meat.

A lightly vinegar and peppered cabbage adds a fresh taste to pair with the heavy dense pork. The church is very satisfying.

The robust beef’s intense flavor was exactly what Brian wanted for lunch. Both the pork and beef are smoked a day before then cools over night. The meat is sliced and heated on the grill with some of Abe’s sauce before taking its place on a bun. Brian was impressed with the care put in to each sandwich.

All severed up with pork flavored beans and I was as happy as I could be.

In Memphis, we found it to be a mix of party and tourist town to down home real people live, work, and eat here. We were excited to get our hands on some true sweet Memphis cue.

Our T.O. Fuller Park ranger sent us to what he thought would be a must have experience in Memphis, Jim Neely’s. We were a bit hasten but thought, if a locals like it we should give it a try.

We were ushered to a booth, we seemed to be dining with a mix to businessman, workers, and Food Network fans.

As we waited for our food and sweet tea we took in all the Neely family photographs. Jim and his wife and children have been part of the community for forty years, the time is documented in each frame on the wall. Pat and Gina may now be better known for the families famous sweet Memishis meat.

We shared a plate loaded with pork ribs all served up with coleslaw and baked beans. The baby back ribs where severed in Jim Neely’s signature sauce. The meat was statemented with smoke and coated in sauce.

We found that this Memphis style is not our favorite. The sauce is complex in its sweetness mixed with thick flavor of smoke. The meat wasn’t as fatty and tender as we tend to enjoy our pork.

Though our friendly park ranger put us in the right direction it just turned out not to be our taste. It was a great opportunity for us to try a local staple.

We had got great advice that lead to some memorable meals.  Abe’s and Jim Neely’s are great examples of family business that inbeded in their communities to get the enthusiastic recommendations we received. This commitment to severing fantastic food is what led us to their table!