Guest Blogger

Day three at the World Poker Open was a short one. We played down to 27 players in just two and a half hours and the remaining players decided to continue down to 18. Even with the extra eliminations the day finished early and a night in Memphis was on the agenda. I jumped into a van with Gary and some of our other media cohorts and we headed into town. Our group arrived at Charles Vergo’s famous Rendezvous barbeque joint and grabbed some pitchers of beer while we waited for the others to join us. I could tell right away that this place knew its barbeque. The smoky smell of ribs roasting over a charcoal barbeque pit wafted up to the bar and made my mouth begin to water in anticipation.

Jon Friedberg showed up with his car load of Rich, Danny, Jay and Lizzy from Card Player and our table was ready to rock. More pitchers were ordered, as well as a full rack of pork ribs for everyone at the table. It didn’t take more than five minutes for the food to arrive and we dug in. I ate like a pig, but finished my rack second to Jay. I discovered that he used to serve in the Navy, which explained his ability to eat faster than anyone I have ever met in my life. The beer continued to flow and we were having a great time, we even took a tour of the kitchen to get footage for a “Behind the Scenes” video Danny was filming. Lizzy was interviewing one of the cooks who had worked there for 37 years when this little exchange took place:

Lizzy: “What part of the cow does that [pointing at ribs] come from?”
Cook: “Well, it’s a pig…and it’s the ribs…I like you. You have a pretty mouth.”

My co-worker Tony and I shared a good laugh at her expense, but Lizzy was a good sport about it.

Rendezvous has a reputation for the best barbeque in a town that is famous for it, and after dining there I’d have to agree with the word on the street. It’s a place where the cooks and waiters never leave; some of them have been there since the place opened its doors in 1948. This shined through in their first-rate service and good-natured humor. There was a very authentic feeling of southern hospitality about the place. The ribs, beans and slaw there were all great and the spicy barbeque sauce was suberb. If you ever find yourself down by Beale Street, I highly recommend stopping by for a meal.

Check in tomorrow for the rest of the night’s festivities, including partying with Gavin and an all-out arm wrestling war.

Ryan “Force” Lucchesi
force@wisehandpoker.com