Rendezvous: Good Place for GEN-U-INE Memphis Ribs!
Written: Mar 28 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great ribs, fun atmosphere, convenient downtown location.
Cons: Can't think of any.
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| vickie's Full Review: Memphis |
Rendezvous is a Memphis tradition for ribs dating back to 1948. I ate here during a business trip and I highly recommend it. Dining "solo", I sat at the bar, bypassing the crowds of people waiting for a table. Make no mistake, this place excels at handling crowds and the wait was short by anybody's standard.
The fare at this restaurant is "no nonsense" meat! Charcoal-broiled pork ribs are the specialty and they were great! They had a wonderful dry rub on the outside and the meat was moist and succulent. A full order runs $13.50, a small order $11.00. They are accompanied by baked beans and a great tasting coleslaw. Other "specials" include pork ribs & loin should combo, pork loin plate, half charcoal-broiled chicken, beef ribs, charcoal-broiled lamb riblets, pork shoulder plate, chargrilled chicken breast and meatless red beans and rice (this was the "token" offering for vegetarians-this is definitely a "carnivore" hangout!). The specials range in price from $5.95 to $13.95.
While it is limited, the menu also includes appetizer plates and sandwiches. The appetizer plate are mostly meat and cheese combos ranging in price from $5.45 to $9.45. There is an appetizer portion of charcoal broiled lamb riblets for $10.00. The sandwiches are, again, mostly meat and cheese combos, ranging in price from $2.95 to $4.95 There is also a jumbo pork shoulder sandwich ($4.95) and a chargrilled chicken sandwich ($6.75). Side orders are limited to baked beans, slaw, pickles and peppers. The pickles are dill and really crunchy-- can testify to that!
There is one additional specialty that sounded awesome. However, since I was dining alone, it wasn't an option for me. It's called "Skillet of Shrimp" and the story is: with 24 hours notice, the restaurant will prepare their famous skillet of barbecue shrimp for you: 5 pounds (serves up to 8 people!), served in an old-fashioned skillet. Sounds great-but I didn't see anybody who had ordered it, and I looked HARD!
Rendezvous has a wonderful, eclectic, upbeat décor. They have a "museum-like" collection of antiques and other memorabilia, which hang EVERYWHERE! The walls are lined with oil paintings, watercolors, firearms, old photos, and other interesting artifacts. The ceiling over the bar is covered with old musical instruments, sports helmets, license plates and railroad lights. It is a really pleasant place to eat, whether you are alone, with guests or with family. Service here is quiet and unobtrusive. Initially, my waiter forgot to bring the pickles that I had ordered. When I reminded him he practically fell over with apologies and rarely left me afterward. When I left he, shyly, engaged me in conversation (for the first time) and gave me a really big farewell smile, which sparkled with plenty of gold dental work!
Another neat feature of the Rendezvous is the service they make available to ship their ribs, sauce and seasoning anywhere in the continental US via Federal Express. You simply dial 1-888-HOGS FLY. Now you KNOW these people take their ribs seriously!
Rendezvous prides itself on being the winner of Southern Living Magazine's Readers Choice Award for favorite barbecue. I'm no barbecue expert, but I sure thought it was good-and had a great time!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
vickie
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Location: Waltham, MA
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 113 members
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