Party Like A Pirate

Pirate's In Memphis

The Mid South Pyrate Fair

A pair of public events bring unique fun to Memphis this weekend, celebrating two rather different pillars of human culture: delicious hamburgers and scurvy dog pirates.

The Mid-South Pyrate Faire packs Mud Island River park with plank-walking, merchant ship-pillaging fun Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30, while the Best Memphis Burger Fest will send glorious clouds of smells into the air from the Minglewood Hall parking lot Sunday, September 30.
Hosted by the Mid-South Buccaneers, the Pyrate Faire is a free event that brings three days of high seas action to Mud Island River Park. Organizers promise it will be packed with “all things swashbuckling”, with a heavy emphasis on family fun.

While you are in Memphis I recommend that you visit the Rendevous BBQ. I had the pleasure of going there back in 1988 while on my way to see the Liberty Bowl and while the line was long (around the block) to this day I have never had better barbecue ribs...

The Rendezvous, founded by Charlie Vergos in 1948, started out as an 80 seat tavern serving ham and cheese sandwiches. When Charlie cleaned out the basement beneath his diner, he discovered a coal chute and started a barbecue legend. The coal chute gave Mr. Charlie a vent for his considerable talent over the grill. He developed a unique seasoning fusing his Greek heritage with spices he enjoyed from New Orleans. Mr. Charlie was a collector and hung antiques, memorabilia, and artwork on the walls. This, along with a soulful jukebox, lively waiters, and aromas from the kitchen helped him to create an atmosphere unequalled in the city of Memphis. Today, the restaurant is run by Mr. Charlie's three kids, but the ribs still taste the same as they did in the beginning.

Ribs are the Rendezvous' specialty. Years ago, people started calling them "dry ribs" which is a terrible misnomer. The ribs are neither "wet" nor "dry." They are moist and juicy and come heavily basted in a vinegar solution that should be used for dipping, and they are sprinkled with our unique Rendezvous seasoning. Any use of sauce should be on the side.

Many of the wait staff has been there for over forty years.

Most of the main dishes come with a 4 oz side of baked beans and a unique mustard/vinegar based cole slaw. Should you want additional sides, they may be purchased for only $1.

Here's a picture of the Rolling Stones having a private jam session at the Rendezvous back in 1999. This was the days before cell phones and cameras were restricted so we had no idea there was photographs from this night until this one recently surfaced. Rolling Stones insiders told us this is something they've never done before and haven't done since. — with Robyn Bernstein Cottrell.

While Rendezvous is famous for its ribs, don't overlook the other items on the menu. From the beef brisket to the pulled pork shoulder sandwich to grilled chicken everything is excellent and well seasoned. The newest item, the greek salad, is a recipe that comes all the way from the Vergos' village back in Greece. On your way out, pick up a bag of BBQ popcorn!