Memphis

If you go out to the burb's, I suggest Jim N Nicks!

http://www.jimnnicks.com/

The Gibson guitar factory has a pretty neat tour as well if you're into that sort of thing.
BTW...I don't want to rankle any feathers but a good portion of Downtown Memphis and the immediate surrounding area is would I would describe as kind of "sketchy". Get a block or two off of Beale and it can be interesting. There are some VERY aggressive pan handlers. Be aware of your surroundings! You may want to think about where you are parking your car as well!

BTW...I don't want to rankle any feathers but a good portion of Downtown Memphis and the immediate surrounding area is would I would describe as kind of "sketchy". Get a block or two off of Beale and it can be interesting. There are some VERY aggressive pan handlers. Be aware of your surroundings! You may want to think about where you are parking your car as well!

TOTALLY agree! Thus the recommendation for Gus's for lunch - and Rendezvous for dinner (walking up and down Beale St after dinner or while waiting for a table). Don't not see it - if the sun is out and/or you're on a main street there are lots of cops & it's safe - but Dan is very right after the sun goes down and you're on a side street.

BTW...I don't want to rankle any feathers but a good portion of Downtown Memphis and the immediate surrounding area is would I would describe as kind of "sketchy". Get a block or two off of Beale and it can be interesting. There are some VERY aggressive pan handlers. Be aware of your surroundings! You may want to think about where you are parking your car as well!

Dan's advice is good, but downtown Memphis has gotten a lot better, more developed, and safer over the past 10 years. There are certainly areas you don't want to be, and the panhandlers can be aggressive, but this is true in most larger cities. The areas around Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, and generally where the streetcars run are fine.

My husband and I went to Memphis 5 yrs ago for part of our Honeymoon. Everyone told us how much fun they had there..we didn't have so much fun. We stayed in Germantown at the Hilton which was beautiful and the people were very friendly. However, I found it to be one of the rudest cities I've ever been to. I agree with the Beale Street area being rather safe and tons of people around, but it is definitely a rougher town. And yes, we were suckers and saw Graceland. It's scary how many people may think that Elvis is still alive, or that his ghost walks the halls (true quote from someone on our shuttle). The house stinks like mold and costs and arm and a leg to see.

Graceland can take anywhere from 90 minutes to a full day, depending (1) on your relationship with Elvis and (2) how many of the souvenier shops, mini-museums, et al you want to see.

My favorite part (which I don't think is there anymore) was the swimming pool, at which Elvis and his twin brother were buried, totally surrounded with literally thousands and thousands of PLASTIC floral displays!

The house stinks like mold and costs and arm and a leg to see.

Yeah...but the carpeted ceilings in the "Jungle" room are still the bomb...

Interstate BBQ is awesome, but I remain a fan of Corky's...

Interstate BBQ is awesome, but I remain a fan of Corky's...

Corky's is way overrated IMHO... GO to Jim N Nicks down the road on Germantown and you wont be disappointed.
I do like Rendezvous as well. It's just a neat place however the food can be inconsistent. I 've eaten there about five times and it has never been the same.

The house stinks like mold and costs and arm and a leg to see.

Yeah...but the carpeted ceilings in the "Jungle" room are still the bomb...

I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but the tour is still worth $35.

The house stinks like mold and costs and arm and a leg to see.

Yeah...but the carpeted ceilings in the "Jungle" room are still the bomb...

I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but the tour is still worth $35.

Don't get me wrong..it was one of those things you had to see because you were there. But for $35 a person, couldn't they afford some glade stick ups or something???

One of the best meals we ate while we were there was at Corkys. And we had the best service there too!

Thanks again for the Advice in finding good food in Memphis!! Dan, thanks for the concern with aggressive pan-handlers-we are most likely going to valet our car at the hotel and leave it there in safety and just walk all over downtown. WE do plan to hit the Peabody @ 5 to view the ducks, listen to the piano music and hopefully Ava will have the opportunity to ride the elevator to view even more ducks! I have visited Memphis many years ago, but most of the time spent was at St. Jude's...
Not to worried about mold or smells when visiting Elvis-he simply ROCKS!! I love the fact that people still believe he walks the halls and hope to meet plenty of characters who will share their stories!
I have heard amazing things about the Little Tea Shop but not many on the forum have recommended? Thanks again for all the super comments and food hot spots! Will post when we return.
Thanks so much and Happy Easter!

Personally, I LOVE Rendezvous ribs. I love them so much that I had them shipped in when I was pregnant. Nothing compares to their dry rubbed ribs. Unfortunately, their sides are disgusting and tiny. That's why I always get a sausage and cheese app platter then a full rack.

WE are back from our fast two-day getaway. I highly suggest NOT going to Memphis on a Sunday or Monday since most restaurants are closed--Rendezvous being one of them! Plus most of the dive BBQ's are ONLY open from 11-2. We ate at Blues City Cafe which for a late lunch--sausage and cheese plate and Michael had the ribs and catfish-not impressed. . We walked and walked trying to locate a gem and viewed many menu's. We ran into the Owner of the Little Tea Shop and her husband outside their cute place and they said Neely's is about the main BBQ open until 8pm for dinner-I had a chopped BBC pork, which was just good and Michael had sliced beef-not pleased. We went Elvisland in the AM and did not make it back for the 2pm deadline for most spots including the Tea Shop-we drove to Germantown and ate at the Commissary-all was good but not what we thought! It WAS a very CUTE place though! Walked again ALL over Memphis in search of a great spot for dinner-ended up at an Italian place-PaPa Pia-not good at all!! Did not know it was a chain until reading about it on their menu-already to late to get up and leave..oh well.
ELVIS was our Highlight-Food not so much. Before hitting the road, we visited The Tea Shop for a last shot at liking Memphis food-we LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Michael had fried chicken- and I the Tea Plate-lentil, rice, spinach with greens and creole eggplant-WOW!!!
Thanks again for all input!!!

Walked again ALL over Memphis in search of a great spot for dinner-ended up at an Italian place-PaPa Pia-not good at all!! Did not know it was a chain until reading about it on their menu-already to late to get up and leave..oh well.

If you go back and want Italian, hit up Ronnie Grisanti's (http://www.ronniegrisantiandsons.com/). I have no idea if there is any relation to the Louisville Grisantis, but the food is great.

[Robin Garr]

If you go back and want Italian, hit up Ronnie Grisanti's (http://www.ronniegrisantiandsons.com/). I have no idea if there is any relation to the Louisville Grisantis, but the food is great.

Not trying to be snarky, but I seem to recall from covering this stuff back in the day that the Louisville Grisantis hinted "yes," but the Memphis Grisantis said "no."