This is a plate of tender, crazy-smokey baby back ribs, burnt ends and beef brisket, with some fries and slaw. It was pretty good. The leftovers will be pretty good for lunch tomorrow. And I'm sorry, but we ate all the deep fried pickles so there's no picture of those.
There are certain restaurants that are standard bearers. You try a new place, decide it's great, and it makes you want to go back to your favorite to see if the new joint is better. Memphis Championship Barbecue is such a benchmark. There are bountiful little 'cue pits around Vegas (Harry-O's BBQ, Buzz BBQ, CJ's Texas Barbeque, Longhorn BBQ), reliable franchise faves (Lucille's, Famous Dave's) and even a fancy hotel-casino restaurant (RUB at Rio), and most serve great food. How can you screw up barbecue? Most of these menus are similar, as well, even if some of these guys are from Texas and some are from the South and some are from the Midwest.
Memphis stands out from the pack. Mike Mills is from the Midwest, and yes, he's pretty famous as far as barbecue guys go. But that doesn't make these restaurants (there are three) any less Vegas. The original location on Las Vegas Boulevard North near Nellis Air Force Base has been there longer than you have. The service and high quality food is consistent, which accounts for why it's one of the most popular event catering restaurants around the valley. And there's just a ton of great stuff on the menu, like that three-meat combo dinner up there, terrific, meaty chili, a spicy vinegar-based sauce for you to slather on your ribs, overstuffed hot link sandwiches, slightly smokey turkey that'll hold you over until Thanksgiving, and soulful sides like mac'n cheese, collard greens and fried okra. They do everything well, and that's really what puts Memphis ahead of the competition.
No comments:
Post a Comment