129 replies to this topic

[jmduke]

Hilton kept a significant IT group in Memphis and the operational HQ of Hampton Inn/Embassy Suites/Doubletree division (essentially the old Promus group).  You know, it could be an evolution similar to ServiceMaster and International Paper as they maintained significant operational/divisional HQ here years before moving the final top executives here in a final corporate HQ move.  Hilton has enough of a base here that a corp. HQ relocation in the long term wouldn't be out of the question.

[crossroad]

A hospitality company headquartered in Memphis would be ideal since they tend to treat their employees well (no offense to other industries!  

Attracting Hilton back to Memphis would probably call for a different strategy than winning ServiceMasters.  Two totally different companies with unique cultures.  Besides all the tax breaks and all that, it's also about the people: would the people want to make that move and be immersed in the lifestyle that memphis has to offer?  Some stats show that cities with more artsy scenes tend to do well economically and I think Memphis is on that track!

Edited by crossroad, 18 November 2006 - 12:27 PM.

[Rardy]

Rising Roll, Atlanta-based "fast casual", opened first location in Memphis metro on Wolf River in Germantown, per MBJ.  Looks like it's only open for lunch.

Anybody been?

[Rardy]

Lenny's moving into Atlanta metro MBJ

They're now up to 700 franchises in 18 states.  That's quite a large franchise my friend.

[Clobber]

Rardy, on Dec 4 2006, 05:43 PM, said:

Lenny's moving into Atlanta metro MBJ

They're now up to 700 franchises in 18 states.  That's quite a large franchise my friend.

awesome

[Ema Nresu]

Best barbecue in town?

I'm visiting Memphis on 12/28 - 1/01 and want to know where the best places are for barbecue.  You always hear about Corky's and Redezvous, but are they any good?  It sound like they might be overexposed and touristy.  I'd prefer places where the locals eat.

I'm visiting from Columbia, SC for the Liberty Bowl.  Watch out for all of the Gamecocks - there will be about 20,000 of us.

Edited by Ema Nresu, 08 December 2006 - 09:52 AM.

[Rardy]

Ema Nresu, on Dec 8 2006, 09:50 AM, said:

Best barbecue in town?

I'm visiting Memphis on 12/28 - 1/01 and want to know where the best places are for barbecue.  You always hear about Corky's and Redezvous, but are they any good?  It sound like they might be overexposed and touristy.  I'd prefer places where the locals eat.

I'm visiting from Columbia, SC for the Liberty Bowl.  Watch out for all of the Gamecocks - there will be about 20,000 of us.

Welcome to Memphis!  20,000?  Wow.  

IMO, Corky's and Rendezvous are famous for a reason.  Definitely great.  So is the Butcher Shoppe (DT) and Neely's.  I'm sure other forumers have their favorites, but mine is Rendezvous.  It's definitely a cultural experience too.

[DoctorGonzo]

I think people are sometimes a bit wary of Corky's just because it has that "chain" appearance. It is a chain of course, but I'm talking of the negative connotations: low quality, by-the-numbers crap.

The reality of course, is that it is absolutely fantastic barbecue that I miss whenever I'm not in town (like now, for example).

Nothing is more depressing than seeing a sign in Boston claiming "Memphis-style BBQ". You couldn't over-promise more if you tried. That being said, what passes for pizza in Memphis is a sad, pathetic joke. Sometimes I'm not sure what I'd rather have. Good pizza, bad BBQ or vice versa.

At least you can ship Corky's - though it's a bit pricey.

[Fellowmann20]

How about Interstate Barbeque on South 3rd right North of I-55, or the Barbeque Shoppe on Madison.  I've been to both and they are both great, and definitly represent Memphis style barbeque.

[northernbizzkit1]

DoctorGonzo, on Dec 8 2006, 10:05 AM, said:

I think people are sometimes a bit wary of Corky's just because it has that "chain" appearance. It is a chain of course, but I'm talking of the negative connotations: low quality, by-the-numbers crap.

What's sad with the Corky's chain is that I think they use a different meat vendor than the Memphis restaurants use because I've been to the Corky's in Murfreesboro and the one in Biloxi, MS (before Katrina), and both were so HORRIBLE!!!!!

Edited by northernbizzkit1, 08 December 2006 - 02:49 PM.

[Rardy]

northernbizzkit1, on Dec 8 2006, 02:49 PM, said:

What's sad with the Corky's chain is that I think they use a different meat vendor than the Memphis restaurants use because I've been to the Corky's in Murfreesboro and the one in Biloxi, MS (before Katrina), and both were so HORRIBLE!!!!!

Yeah...we had them in Louisiana too and I never liked them till I moved here.

[Clobber]

Ema Nresu, on Dec 8 2006, 10:50 AM, said:

Best barbecue in town?

I'm visiting Memphis on 12/28 - 1/01 and want to know where the best places are for barbecue.  You always hear about Corky's and Redezvous, but are they any good?  It sound like they might be overexposed and touristy.  I'd prefer places where the locals eat.

I'm visiting from Columbia, SC for the Liberty Bowl.  Watch out for all of the Gamecocks - there will be about 20,000 of us.

Tops BBQ is nice.  So is a container of Three Little Pigs' pulled pork.

[hgupta]

DoctorGonzo, on Dec 8 2006, 11:05 AM, said:

Nothing is more depressing than seeing a sign in Boston claiming "Memphis-style BBQ". You couldn't over-promise more if you tried. That being said, what passes for pizza in Memphis is a sad, pathetic joke. Sometimes I'm not sure what I'd rather have. Good pizza, bad BBQ or vice versa.

Or you could go to Coletta's on S. Parkway and get the barbque pizza.  It was the only restaurant in Memphis that made it into a book about the best pizzas in the country.  

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8514122/



I find Corky's and rendevous a bit overrated.  The barbque is still delicious, but the environment is approaching touristy.   My favorites are Paynes and Cozy Corner.  Pure deliciousness.  But when they're not open, BBQ shop on madison wins.

[HOME_TOWN_GUY2]

I recently tried Jim and Nick's Buckingham BBQ on Germantown Pwky & I-40. They got good stuff on the menu. Nice location (for a burb) & ambience.

[jmduke]

Other BBQ choices:  Germantown Commissary, Captain John's in Collierville and Showboat BBQ at Lamar/Knight Arnold.  Showboat's pulled pork sandwich plate (slaw on sandwich, fries and beans on side with drink) is my favorite inexpensive BBQ in town.

[Fellowmann20]

All this talk about barbeque is making me hungry.....    I haven't been to a lot of these places, and I didn't even know half of these existed.

[Rardy]

Popeye's is launching a new, larger format called Louisiana Kitchen.  It will have Popeye's normal fare plus BBQ shrimp, burgers, red beans & rice, and other New Orleans favorites.  It will be a step below a full-service fast-casual, but a step above fast-food Popeye's.  The first two open in Atlanta, with a third in either Memphis or Nashville.  Article here

memphis memphis memphis

[Rardy]

Crepe Maker is opening downtown in the new Hampton Inn across from Peabody Place.  

It's a really cool concept where they put everything in crepes.  Their first store in Memphis metro is in Carriage Crossing.  MBJ story here.

[tennreb]

Rardy, on Jan 2 2007, 08:59 AM, said:

Crepe Maker is opening downtown in the new Hampton Inn across from Peabody Place.  

It's a really cool concept where they put everything in crepehttp://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/style_images/UP2005B/folder_rte_images/textcolor.gif
Text Colors.  Their first store in Memphis metro is in Carriage Crossing.  MBJ story here.

They've been open for a couple of weeks.  It's really good.  The other day I passed by and it was packed.  Also,      a new restaurant called Sauces opened on main street.  It's great and very inexpensive for what you get.

[mapdude]

I have heard that Copeland's is looking for locations in the Memphis area.  They are already in Nashville and I eat at their location in Bentonville, AR every time I visit my son.  

Anyone know anything about this eatery?