Dining Outside the Home: Felicia Suzanne’s in Memphis, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Felicia Suzanne’s in Memphis, Tennessee! Tucked comfortably at a corner table is like feeling on the edge of a party, in my opinion. The intimate atmosphere at Felicia Suzanne’s feels festive as distant conversations emit a slow buzz. This is Friday lunchtime, when 25-cent martinis set the stage for an unforgettable weekend prelude. Order it your way: shaken, stirred, or slightly dirty. No matter the choice, it all works well with the specialized menu of southern cuisine from local sources. I guess you could describe it as farm-to-table, with a white linen finish. Fresh lump crabmeat boulettes tempt the palate with a saucy kick of pepper jelly. In a word, delectable. Coming from a seafood lover, the BBQ Gulf Shrimp was a no-brainer as well. Every item has the stamp of Project Green Fork on it, but one visit doesn’t begin to complete the truly southern experience.

Memphis is Aglow with Holiday Spirit

Memphis is Aglow With Holiday Spirit! Take a romantic stroll down historic Beale Street where twinkling lights of towering Christmas trees become the backdrop for ancient evenings and distant music. The clip-clop prancing of horse-drawn carriages fulfill childhood dreams with fairytale endings. If you’re lucky, you may sneak a peak at whimsical gingerbread displays where marching ducks waddle in tune down gilded staircases lined with curiosity seekers. How do they do that? Outside again, parades abound. Holiday happenings and light shows illuminate the night with plenty of fanfare. Soak up the allure before checking out live entertainment in open-air courtyards filled with soulful blues. Dance a little. Laugh out loud. These are memories that linger on. Well done, Memphis, Tennessee.

Dining Outside the Home: Gibson’s Donuts in Memphis, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Gibson’s Donuts in Memphis, Tennessee! Who is obsessed with donuts? Anyone? Glazed. Cake. Chocolate. Powdered Sugar. Cream-filled. Sprinkles. Jelly. Bacon. Fritters. The list goes on and on. We like donuts for breakfast, snack, parties, celebrations, dessert, just about any time of day or night. That is the reason Gibson’s Donuts is such a landmark on Mt. Moriah Road in Memphis, Tennessee. Their reputation for 24-hour service requires no advertising. It’s all word-of-mouth, if you catch my drift. And they’ve been going strong for over 50 years. The donut-filled display cases keep customers pretty satisfied. You may drop by for a donut break and find yourself walking out with a boxed dozen…or two. The aromas are so amazing due to an energetic staff who work round the clock. In the end, it means the freshest donuts around.

Dining Outside the Home: Central BBQ in Memphis, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Central BBQ in Memphis, Tennessee! Mention great southern barbecue on the streets of Memphis and you’ll find devoted fans spouting accolades for Central BBQ. Perhaps it’s the secret recipe of premium herbs and spices. It might be the meticulous preparation of slowly smoked marinated meats over seasoned hickory wood. Whether you prefer “wet” chicken, “dry” pork, “jerk” turkey, or “sweet heat” beef, slather on the sauce nice and thick. There’s no such thing as too much barbecue sauce. Pile on the slaw for a traditional topping. Life doesn’t get any better than this.

Dining Outside the Home: Rum Boogie Cafe in Memphis, Tennessee!

Dining Outside the Home: Rum Boogie Café in Memphis, Tennessee! Take a stroll down Beale Street for smooth drinks, southern food, and toe-tappin’ Memphis blues. Try not to cause a gaper’s block as you walk through the door of the Rum Boogie Cafe. More than 200 autographed guitars are displayed in plain sight from a horde of living legends. But that’s not all. Notice memorabilia connecting the past to the present appears at every turn. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat before the live entertainment shuffles in. My recommendation? The farm-raised Catfish Fillet sandwich. The waitress swears by it. This two-handed southern specialty is dredged in breading and fried to a golden brown. One bite and you’ll find yourself hooked on a local favorite.

Dining Outside the Home: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Memphis, Tennessee!

Dining Outside the Home: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Memphis, Tennessee! Everyone loves fried chicken, right? Families harbor secret recipes to keep traditions alive. However, no matter where you go, southern fried chicken is considered the best in the nation. Is it because the chicken is bathed in buttermilk? Or perhaps, it’s the herbs and spices in the crispy, crunchy outer crust. Personally, I think it all boils down to frying batter-dipped tender poultry in hot oil to seal in the fat. At Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, where golden brown chicken is served on a slice of white bread, every customer shares the love of eating southern fried chicken.

Historic Jam Session Puts Recording Studio on the Charts

Anyone who visits Memphis, Tennessee makes an extra effort to visit Sun Studios, the most famous recording studio in the world. And it’s not just Baby Boomers who relate to this iconic landmark. After all, the birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll was home to the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’, a group of guys known as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. This is where it all began. Dreams come true, even now, when the tour buses have left for the day and the doors close so dedicated musicians can book the studio for private sessions. Yes, the same setup, even the same vintage microphone and an “x” on the floor where Elvis stood, becomes the inspiration. Go ahead, stand in awe. Close your eyes and imagine the best music you ever heard.

Dining Outside the Home: Ernestine and Hazel’s in Memphis, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Ernestine and Hazel’s in Memphis, Tennessee! Housed in a building steeped with southern history lies a gathering place where the burgers are greasy, the music is hypnotic, and the liquor is smooth. People connect with the heart and soul at the mere thought of Chuck Berry or Ray Charles, listening as the jukebox plays on. Upstairs an aura of mystique practically oozes from the heavily color-draped walls. That’s no coincidence, especially after hearing murmurings of shadowy figures and other unexplained phenomenon based on the dozen or so tragic deaths that occurred there. Perhaps that is why the seasoned bartender keeps his head down, humming under his breath, and serves up a stiff one.

Elvis is Alive and Well

“We’re going through the gates!”  People flock to Graceland year-round in Memphis, Tennessee. Some men appear wearing blue suede shoes while others comb their slick black hair into the legendary upswept pompadour.  An Elvis-wanna-be directs his attention to a crowd exiting a tour bus, smiling that sexy half smirk that causes women to swoon.  His sultry wink is cast from hooded baby blues, and you find yourself wondering, “Is The King of Rock and Roll still alive?”.  Inside the modest home, framed gold records and platinum albums hang in hallways proving this was a man who sold more than any other artist in history.  If you look closely, a vulnerable side is visible in the life of this immortal rock star.  Just when you begin to wonder if it is all an illusion, another slender, handsome stranger approaches wearing a blue silk scarf draped around his neck.  The mob goes crazy snapping photos with their cell phones.  He stops for moment when a young blonde beauty calls out the cherished name of “Elvis”.   He strums his guitar and swivels his hips to a rhythm and blues tune hypnotically causing her to feel giddy and lightheaded before turning on his heels to disappear.  “Thank you, thank you very much.”  

Every August thousands of fans descend to this remote area of Memphis and stand in line for hours waiting to pay tribute to the ghost who wanders around Graceland.  Passing the gravesite in a candlelight vigil the sound of a pin drop can be heard. Glancing about, some devoted fans are sniffling shamelessly while others openly dab a tear.  It seems no matter the age, everyone is touched with a special memory of the King.  At the end of the day, Elvis has left the building. The experience is timeless.