is cocoons bbq good? is somewhere else better?
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A question and a thought:
QUESTION: Is Gridley's still in Memphis? When I went to school in Memphis (25 years ago) I used to love to eat their ribs. And, they had the best biscuits and unbelievable pecan pie.
THOUGHT: My brother-in-law manages a very successful restaurant in middle Florida, but has always wanted to have his own. He grew up in the catering business and entered the Memphis-in-May contest a few times. Do people think there's enough year round demand here to support a barbeque shack? He'd pack up and move in a heart beat if he thought there was a good opportunity.
I'm thinking a casual restaurant (is there such a thing as an upscale barbeque place?) with a big smokin' shack off to the side. Where I grew up there was a barbeque place that had a 25 foot square cinderblock outdoor barbeque shack with screened sides and about 250 sq ft of hip high barbeque pits. Hickory only. So much smoke that even with an industrial exhaust fan at the top of the roof of the shack, the whites of the main barbequer's eyes were smoked golden yellow! And of course outdoor dining under the trees with hanging strings of bulbs and lots of cold beer, corn-on-the-cob, cole slaw, baked beans with pieces of barbeque in it, and fresh sliced tomatoes.
What else could a person hope for???
QUESTION: Is Gridley's still in Memphis? When I went to school in Memphis (25 years ago) I used to love to eat their ribs. And, they had the best biscuits and unbelievable pecan pie.
THOUGHT: My brother-in-law manages a very successful restaurant in middle Florida, but has always wanted to have his own. He grew up in the catering business and entered the Memphis-in-May contest a few times. Do people think there's enough year round demand here to support a barbeque shack? He'd pack up and move in a heart beat if he thought there was a good opportunity.
I'm thinking a casual restaurant (is there such a thing as an upscale barbeque place?) with a big smokin' shack off to the side. Where I grew up there was a barbeque place that had a 25 foot square cinderblock outdoor barbeque shack with screened sides and about 250 sq ft of hip high barbeque pits. Hickory only. So much smoke that even with an industrial exhaust fan at the top of the roof of the shack, the whites of the main barbequer's eyes were smoked golden yellow! And of course outdoor dining under the trees with hanging strings of bulbs and lots of cold beer, corn-on-the-cob, cole slaw, baked beans with pieces of barbeque in it, and fresh sliced tomatoes.
What else could a person hope for???
1st in '59 said:
If the cue and service is good, price reasonable, and location great, he can make a run of it, but I he will have to sell many beers to make the rent each month. Commercial rents in this area run a minimum of $25 per sq ft, triple net. I know of no cinder block building like you describe which would be available for a reasonable price to sell cue and beer.
QUESTION: Is Gridley's still in Memphis? When I went to school in Memphis (25 years ago) I used to love to eat their ribs. And, they had the best biscuits and unbelievable pecan pie.
Mr. Gridley died probably 10 or more years ago and I guess the family didn't keep it going. I always liked their beans, which I think had a little curry.
Mr. Gridley died probably 10 or more years ago and I guess the family didn't keep it going. I always liked their beans, which I think had a little curry.
Smiling JOe said:
Rent is #1, finding employees is #2, and Prada Bag check-in security #3
Unless he's financially capable of firing up the smokers with $50 bills, SoWal ISN'T his place.If it is "seriously" good BBQ (and I mean SERIOUSLY GOOD!) the area between the military bases--in Okaloosa County--would provide him with year around customers. But remember--the well-traveled military folks are very savvy when it comes to what's considered "really good" food (BBQ, Thai, Italian, German, etc.). If the BBQ doesn't meet their high standards, the place will fold like a "Cheap $50 Romanian Suit from Walmart."
treefrog, the Gridleys that was off of Winchester near Kirby Parkway is no longer open. Been closed for years. The one that used to be on Austin Peay is closed. Don't remember seeing the one that was at 4774 Summer Ave. anymore.
There is a Gridleys II on Stage Rd. near Summer Avenue. The phone book is showing one on Poplar Avenue in Collierville and one on Germantown Parkway but I am not so sure that they are open. Don't ever go into Collierville. The one on Stage Rd. is the only one I have actually seen and it is open.
There is a Gridleys II on Stage Rd. near Summer Avenue. The phone book is showing one on Poplar Avenue in Collierville and one on Germantown Parkway but I am not so sure that they are open. Don't ever go into Collierville. The one on Stage Rd. is the only one I have actually seen and it is open.
I stumbled onto this thread because I am looking for a BBQ place tonite. The only good BBQ in New York is in Manhattan......actually in Harlem. Harlem has had a massive turn-around in the last 10 years but it retains much of its Southern routes. In Arizona the BBQ is mediocre at best. My all time favorite BBQ was at Rendevous in Memphis......but there was also a great place in Knoxville on the river but I can't recall the name of the place, it was fancy though. Anyway, it looks like Dan's is where I will go tonite. BTW, was there ever a BBQ cook-off ?