Memphis Part III: Eli vs The Rib

First I have to set the record straight Their has been some boasting by Molly that is to be polite, overstated. Molly  boasts she ate more ribs at our fantastic lunch at Cozy Corner BBQ. What Molly fails to mention is that I had half her breakfast at Gus' chicken and that that meal was only 3 hours before lunch The fact that I had any lunch flies in the face of modern science

Cozy Corner was my favorite BBQ joint in Memphis. As we pulled in I saw the smoke billowing out of the roof. We entered the modest restaurant and the smoker is right behind the counter where skilled pit masters tend to the que carefully turning. The pit had a lower level where it speared the meat got crisped up before being raised to the upper level where the smoke flavor sinks in.

These ribs were perfect, The perfect balance of chew, smoke, and texture. I think the crispness of the rib's crust set these ribs apart and make them not good but great.  We also tried another Memphis BBQ oddity BBQ Spaghetti. This is simply soft spaghetti covered in BBQ sauce. Like white bread, spaghetti makes a pleasant palate for highlighting the slightly spicy and acidic sauce. It is a fun alternative to the typical baked beans.

For dinner we headed to Payne's for a pig sandwich (pulled pork). This was one of the best pulled pork's I've ever had in the least charismatic space ever. Payne's is a dim dark room with no windows. Like all BBQ sandwiches in Memphis Payne's pork is topped with slaw It is a mustardy slaw and sweeter than other slaws we had in town (but still less sweet than most coleslaw).   Part of what makes BBQ so brilliant and this sandwich in particular is the combination of flavors an textures The pork has crispy pieces from the crust of the shoulder but soft moist pieces from within. Combined with the sweet and spicy flavors of the sauces and slaw it is a complicated and explosive taste.

Final thought on Memphis: Excellent town for BBQ and also some incredible history and culture I look forward to going back for a more extensive visit.