Tank House BBQ and Bar, Sacramento, California

Let me introduce you to Tony Brown of the Tank House BBQ and Bar in Sacramento. My limited experience with barbecue in California had not been positive, and I didn’t plan on eating any barbecue while we were in Sacramento.   While Nancy and I were on our 10k state capital walk, we passed this lovely sight in front of the Tank House.  Actually, when we … Continue reading Tank House BBQ and Bar, Sacramento, California

Petra, Sacramento, California

After our trip to hot and humid Oxford, Mississippi, for David and Taylor’s wedding (and for the Great Memphis Region Barbecue Sandwich Tour), we returned to Washington and asked, “Where can we go that’s even hotter than Oxford — and than here in DC?”  Why, Sacramento, of course. Nancy and I took an afternoon flight to Sacramento, and, with the time change, arrived in the … Continue reading Petra, Sacramento, California

Fleur de Lys, Gruyères, Switzerland

The blog relies heavily on our Senior Correspondents, and perhaps the most faithful are our Senior France correspondents, Barbara Somson and Ross Eisenbrey.  Ross surfaced recently across the border in Switzerland in the medieval village of Gruyères, which, of course, is most famous for the cheese.  The Gruyerois started making cheese there in the 12th century, and after 1,000 years or so of practice, they’ve … Continue reading Fleur de Lys, Gruyères, Switzerland

Corky’s Bar-B-Q, Memphis, Tennessee

I had my final barbecue sandwich of the Great Memphis Region Barbecue Sandwich Tour at the Corky’s on Poplar.  After a lovely brunch on the big patio at Harrison’s —  a very new place and another Chef Bubba Gross triumph — we bade farewell to the other guests after David and Taylor’s wedding and dragged ourselves to the Memphis airport.  But first, one last stop for barbecue. It … Continue reading Corky’s Bar-B-Q, Memphis, Tennessee

The Rebel Barn, Water Valley, Mississippi

UPDATE:  Alas, the Rebel Barn has closed.  The COVID restrictions have killed scores of barbecue places.  This is another.  Was hoping to swing by for more barbecue and some tamales during an Ole Miss football trip.  It will be missed. When you think of Water Valley, Mississippi, and I grant that you may not think of it often, you probably think of Casey Jones, the … Continue reading The Rebel Barn, Water Valley, Mississippi

Lindsey’s Chevron, Oxford, Mississippi

I’ve never reviewed a gas station.  I visit gas stations fairly often, but I do so to get gas, use the restroom and, if I do the latter without the former, buy two packs of two-for-a-dollar peanuts or some local specialty.  Many gas stations also sell food, usually hot dogs and the like.  Some also sell fried chicken.  I try to stay away from those foods, … Continue reading Lindsey’s Chevron, Oxford, Mississippi

The Montague-Tanner Rehearsal Dinner at Southern Craft Stove + Tap, Oxford, Mississippi

The reason we were in Oxford, Mississippi, was the wedding of my youngest nephew, David Tanner, to the lovely Taylor Montague.  The bride and groom to be had reserved Southern Craft Stove + Tap for their rehearsal dinner.  I’ve written about Southern Craft as a restaurant, and just loved it, especially the turnip green and artichoke dip and what I have decided is the World’s … Continue reading The Montague-Tanner Rehearsal Dinner at Southern Craft Stove + Tap, Oxford, Mississippi

Bouré, Oxford, Mississippi

Back to Memphis…and then to Oxford. After the three days of the Great Memphis Region Barbecue Sandwich Tour, I headed to the Memphis Airport to pick up Liza, Michael, Ella, and Lily, and headed to Oxford, Mississippi, for the David Tanner-Taylor Montague wedding.  I’m an easy-going guy, and I didn’t want to insist on a continuous diet of barbecue places for everyone else.  Also, or perhaps … Continue reading Bouré, Oxford, Mississippi

Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

We pause at the close of the intensive period of the Great Memphis Barbecue Sandwich Tour for a Special Report from our Senior New Mexico correspondent, Jon Berry.  Jon is Nancy’s nephew.  He works in Los Alamos or somewhere like that — I’m not sure exactly where.  If he were more specific, he’d have to kill me.  And if I told you … Jon was willing … Continue reading Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Payne’s Bar-B-Que, Memphis, Tennessee

After my whole hog lunches at the very good B.E. Scott’s and spectacular Ramey’s, I was thinking of going on to Nashville — actually Murfreesboro — to try Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, another whole hog place, chain, actually.  (The original is in Murfreesboro.)  But that would mean a lot more driving and the danger of  not getting back to Payne’s Bar-B-Que, the one spot in Memphis proper that I … Continue reading Payne’s Bar-B-Que, Memphis, Tennessee