I only did a Memphis drive-by. I had intended in spending three days in Memphis and the blues highway. However, I knew I had some friends so close in New Orleans and if I rushed I’d have one night with them. So, that’s exactly what I did.
One of my goals on this trip was to taste all the different styles of BBQ. Memphis was an important one and I skidded into the place I chose (Payne’s) at 4pm in the afternoon thinking it would be slow before dinner. It was closed. I was the last customer – which embarrassed me to no end. That being said, I bought a regular sized chopped pork sandwich for $4.75 to go.
I didn’t eat it until I stopped for the night but it weighed a couple pounds – I swear. When I did get to it….what a treat! The slaw had pickles in it and was very tangy. They had chopped crunchy bits of skin into it. It was really, really good. This place was run by generations of the same family – you could tell. BBQ outside and a regular kitchen stove inside. Real old stove. This place looked like it’d been around for 70 years.
I did a quick drive by of downtown. It looked really fun. Then I sped by Graceland, twice. That was the extent of my Memphis/Blues Highway experience.
I did continue on down the blues highway but was in a rush. I pulled into New Orleans at 4pm!
Onward ♋
The Lolo Down 