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I don't know the best way to describe my experience with the Rendezvous without starting to lick my lips. Even hours after my meal I can still taste the dry rub bbq. I'm always leery about these establishments that get such high praise and I had to see what all of the fuss was for myself.
This family style restaurant is located in an alley just about a hundred yards from the famous Peabody Hotel and dinner is served in the basement of this establishment. Aside from the bunker mentality you are greeted with a fairly large size sitting area with several sections and a large bar.
Service is beyond friendly and quick. We ordered our food and it was on the table piping hot within about 7 minutes. I was amazed at the speed of the service and the willingness of our server to make some unsweet tea, they only serve sweet tea, by adding extra water and lemon to a pitcher for us. Very nice touch. I don't eat red meat or pork but tonight I wish I did. The ribs looked really good but I wasn't about to change more than 20 years of eating habits even for these guys. I settled for 1/2 a chicken with the mustard slaw and the meatless red beans and rice which was a meal in itself. The chicken was extremely tender and full of flavor with the meat practically falling off the bone. This was one of the few times that I actually ate all of the skin off the chicken. The food was so good here I plan on taking some drub rub seasoning back home to see if I can even remotely replicate what I experienced here. Also, I plan on visiting again before I leave town. I would definitely recommend Rendezvous to anyone who likes BBQ and their meats seasoned to perfection. If you have a long layover at Memphis airport this may even be worth the $50 RT cab ride into town to enjoy a meal you won't soon forget. I'm sure I will be writing more about this place during my next visit to Memphis. Stay tuned...
We went because people around town said it was the best, and they all recommended the sausage and cheese plate too.
It's sausage and cheese, pickles, peppers, and crackers. The "rub" sprinkled on it seems to be just a little chili powder and paprika, and doesn't really go that well with cheese. It was very plain and pretty boring.
My wife got the ribs and they were OK. Not much meat on these things for such a high price, and we both had a hard time getting through the crusty beef-jerky-like meat on the top of the ribs. I do appreciate the flavor, but it's just not as good as Texas ribs!
I had the pulled pork plate. It only came with a hamburger bun and a small serving of coleslaw. The flavor was good and it looks like the only time it got some seasoning was the bit of rub they poured on it on the way to the table.
I tried it with the BBQ sauces, mild and hot, and it still wasn't anything special.
Just the day before, we stopped at a little cafe in Winona, MS that had the same pulled pork and ribs, but with much better flavor and only 1/4 the price. Their pulled pork was amazing and it came with rice, sausage, black eyed peas, cheese and hushpuppies made of white corn that blew us away for $5.50 a plate.
Sorry Rendezvous, you're a tourist trap. We had to pay a homeless guy $5 for directions from the nearest parking garage (another $7). It was kinda scary after dark.
This is a must stop in Memphis. Located in a dirty alley off 2nd Street you will find a rib eaters fantasy world. All sorts of "stuff" covers the walls making the place look old and comfy. I tend to enjoy sittin near the display of weapons because I often daydream of breaking in, and stealing all their dry rub.
But seriously folks, this place is worth it. I go for the full slab with dry rub seasoning and a pitcher of beer and I'll be sitting pretty after that.
One caution... Watch out for the street bums trying to draw pictures of you. They always make you look like Elvis.
Love, Silky
You may think I'm crazy, but I LOVE sausage and cheeze starter there. I know it's nothing special, compare to thier main, but I just can't get enough of it.
Sad part is its very touristy and usually packed, so if you see a bus outside you may want to go else where or expect to sit at the bar (which I do'nt mind...)
I'm at a loss to explain the negative reviews of cvr. Based on my experience i would rate this Memphis BBQ very highly, I loved the noisy bustly atmosphere The dry rub ribs were superb & each tables had sauce to add if you so desire, Each full rack plate came with cole slaw which is vinegar based rather than Mayo & Also baked beans, service was excellent & great beers to drinks long with your excellent BBQ ribs. Well worth a visit.
Okay, just ate at this supposed tourist trap, but don't worry - we're here for a reason! And that's bacause the BBQ pork nachos are unreal! Sure, I liked the ribs, but I'm no afficionado so I won't compare. Sweet tea was just right. So what can I say?:
Great service, nice atmosphere, amazing sweet BBQ sauce, so 5 stars. Exactly what I've been looking for and expecting. The location is quite cool, as well. Close to Beale St for drinks afterwards. This is my can't miss thing to do in Memphis.
A classic. Great rib joint. A must-do while in Memphis as a visitor. I had not had "Memphis Dry Rub" ribs prior to our visit; this is a great education!
I don't know how you could not like this place, however, I think the quality of the ribs is less than consistent. The wait staff is legendary. Visit the bartender upstairs for some great banter. Let's face it, Rendevous is a must-visit. However, I believe it is slightly overrated.
My sister visited me in Memphis and requested to try the famous Rendezvous. The place is definitely interesting to visit. I like the decoration, and the settings. If you have friends visit Memphis and fancy for some BBQ, this is not a bad place to impress them. I am not a big fan of BBQ because it gives me heartburn afterwards. But I was fine that night though. The ribs I ordered doesn't covered with heavy BBQ sauce. It is rubbed with dry seasoning and smoked. Not too bad. Of course, my sister and her hubby ate everything and I am sure they will come back again if they can.
I think it deserve only 2 star, because
1) It is definitely a tourist trap. And If you seated in the basement level, check the emergency exit direction, it is an old building and they are crowded. Just for a safety reason. 2) Parking is expensive. $ 7 dollars. 3)Dinner is not cheap as well. Our bill of 4 people were $ 160. 4),After all, Memphis is the king of all BBQ, you can find other place to ease your hunger with much lower cost and higher quality of food.
Wowee!
Megan C.- I totally agree with you about the brisket- it was freakingknockyourfaceoffamazing!
I loved the food and the atmosphere and the fact that the entrance was in an alley.
Did I tell you? Their marinade, sauce, and dry rub is all gluten free, verified by the owner. Yes- I called and got some answers, they must have thought I was important or something, heh!
The baked beans were delish, the slaw was nice and spicy, and if I were you, remember "the red is hot, the white is not". But do stick to using the red, you won't be disappointed, just make sure you have something in your glass. The service was super quick once we put our orders in (how hard is it to cut meat that is already cooked?) and hey, did I tell you? It was all gluten free!
If I'm ever in Memphis again, I'll definitely stop in here. Oh- and if you're lucky, when you are leaving you may just see the smoke being pumped outside and you can also bask in its deliciousness.
My mouth is watering just thinking about Rendezvous. My husband and I got off the plane and went straight to Rendezvous for lunch on Thursday afternoon. Apparently, they are only open for full lunch on the weekend, but they stay open all day serving a limited menu of just their famous ribs, beans, and coleslaw because they don't want to turn tourists away. Now that's southern hospitality.
The ribs were outstanding. I was skeptical about a dry rub with a vinegar base, but I was licking my fingers by the time I was through. The meat was moist, delicious, and smoky. Best BBQ I have ever had. Our waiter was right; the meat doesn't need sauce. It's that good.
These ribs were hittin, for real son!!!! I am a fan of these dry rub ribs, don't place any sauce on them just enjoy the smoky, seasoned goodness. I'm not a fan of slaw, but I'm a fan of it here, absolutely great. And the service here is phenomenal, be ready to be treated well.
It is interesting getting here though, you have to walk through an alley that smells like pee pee, I was waiting for someone or something to jump out from the shadows, in which I would have broke the world 500 meter dash record in the streets of Memphis!
Believe the hype. the ribs are that good. Sauces are great and were my favorite of our BBQ tour so far. The ribs were good without the sauce but even better dipped in hot or mild. The hot wasn't all that hot and the boy ate it by the spoonful though he didn't like the ribs too much. I thought both the sauce and ribs had great flavor. Some kind of sweet spices that put me in mind of caribbean food.
Dining with Allergies: The coleslaw doesn't have mayo in it. Too bad the boy turns up his nose at cabbage because it's the first one he could eat.
RIbs that were to die for. Great ambiance and goos southern cooking.
The most memorable part of the evening was chatting with the upstairs bartender - that made the wait for a table worthwhile.
Love, love, love it! I'm not a fan of ribs in general, but they have the best damn pulled pork sandwich ever with their awesome spicy sauce, baked beans, and spicy vinegar cole slaw...and I don't even like slaw!! You will probably have to wait awhile for your table in the famous "Charlie Vergos'" alley, but it's worth it for a bite at this even more famous and no frills place! If I didn't live in Cali, I'd be here multiple times a week!
Everytime, and I mean EVERYTIME, I am in memphis/ms I always stop in here for their ribs. I have never experienced ribs like this in my life and don't think it is a culinary experience that can be had anywhere else.
If you go out to memphis, and you don't eat here, you hate America.
I LOOOVE their ribs! We were in town for a night during business travels and oh man am I happy we ate at Rendezvous for our only meal in Memphis. What a great food memory. The ribs were tender and my first taste of Memphis barbeque was heavenly....the meat was so good I didn't even need the sauce but I tried both the original and the spicy. I really like it hot so the spicy was not that hot to me. The beans were ok but the slaw was really good (I usually skip the slaw but finished mine) it wasn't covered in mayo but actually more like a fresh salad.
The restaurant is also run very well - you know they get a lot of business! They are very orderly and have a set process. You go downstairs to request a table dependent on how big your group (or how busy they are) - we were big a table for 12, they make you wait upstairs in the bar area. The wait wasn't that long and the bartender was entertaining.
Definitely recommend Rendezvous if you're in town!
Best dry rub ribs I have ever had. I enjoyed the whole experience. Great service, despite what some other reviewers have said. They took really good care of us and even took a picture to post on the wall because we had traveled 5 hours just to try the ribs. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is the sweet tea was just okay, and I was a still a little hungry after a full rack of ribs.
Rendezvous is one of those places that everybody hears about and then goes to. The dry ribs are unusual around the area, but have sort of become a signature dish for Memphis.
Here's the thing: The ribs are fine. Not the best, but not bad. The dry rub really does taste fantastic on ribs, and they sell bottles of it there as well. With some vinegar and some great ribs, you can make a fantastic dish.
The problem with Rendezvous is multiple:
- The quality of the ribs they use is not that great anymore. Five years ago, this wasn't the case. Nowadays, I don't recommend it for the food, I recommend it for the experience.
- *Very* limited beer selection. And not good beers to boot.
- It's totally become a tourist trap. Hey, they know where they make their money, and they charge through the nose for it. You're buying an experience here.
That said, the food is fine, just not the absolute best. It is, however, a unique place and somewhere that everybody should go at least once.
I recommend the half-rack of ribs with the pulled pork platter. That's probably the best deal, as the pulled pork is quite good, and the price is the best value for what you get to try.
If you're going to split checks, make sure you tell the waiter before you order. They'll run separate checks, but only if they know in advance. Also, don't go for lunch on weekdays: They're closed for private parties most of those days.
Did we really just spend $35 on the worst bbq ever? YES! Ugh. Grr. Extreme and total disappointment doesn't even begin to say how I feel about the meal here.
The ribs are TERRIBLE. They're dry, the rub is only mediocre, and the tables sauces are AWFUL. The sausage that we got for an appetizer was also pretty terrible. Tasted like sausage I've had from the grocery store.
This place is 9.99 parts tourist trap and .01 part good. And the only reason it's good is because their fountain soda is delicious.
Is this place a tourist trap? Yes.
Is this place maybe overrated? Yes.
I will admit openly that I prefer Kansas City or St. Louis style ribs. Having had a long time to think about these ribs since I ate them in the summer of 2008, I think I can offer a proper perspective. They are good. I remember dragging my bread through those wonderfully vinegary drippings and I miss it. I remember the super sweet tea I enjoyed so much with this meal. And, I remember these perfectly cooked dry, (not the bad kind of dry), no sauce ribs.
It was here that I confirmed my love of WET SAUCY RIBS! We had the dry rub ribs and while I do admit there is a lot of smoky flavor and chewier texture, it's almost too much for my Northern taste buds to handle. The beef brisket was alright, but I guess my boyfriend and I do love our Chicago ribs. This place does get a four star rating from me despite the 30-45 minute wait because of the appetizers and ambiance. The BBQ pork nachos made me weak at the knees and the sausage and cheese plate sounds mediocre, but for some reason, I loved it. In theory, I can put together warm sausage, cheddar cheese, pickles, crackers and peppers on a plate at home, but there is something about Rendezvous's cheese and sausage plate that makes me silly. The ambiance was great. it was noisy and boisterous but you could still carry on a conversation and our server was funny. You also caught comments from other servers teasing their customers "Hey, I need a Bud Light Lime. It's for a DUDE." For a restaurant that sounds like the name of a cheap strip club, it holds up its end of its bargain.
Let me start by saying that I am not a huge fan of bar-b-que, but I do appreciate good food, regardless of preparation/style.
This was not good food. The ribs and chicken were dry andf tasteless. The quality of the meat was very very low.
The service was horrible. Also, I have never been to a restaurant that will not split checks for parties. It took us 45 minutes to pay.
This place somehow became a tourist hot spot. They no longer have a need to serve good food, or offer good service.
People have said on here that it's a tourist trap and there are better places. However, I was watching Food Network recently and saw that Bon Appetite Magazine picked Rendezvous as their #1 pork BBQ pick in the United States.
So there!
I loved it. I was there a few months ago on a long weekend in Memphis and thought it was awesome. The sides aren't the best but who cares about those? I was too stuffed from all the awesome pork. Our server was cheerful and helpful. I'll go back in a heartbeat.
Rendevous is the Mecca for dry rubbed ribs. They don't put any sauce on and the rub is awesome. You can get a cheese and sausage plate and taste the rub here even better. People compare this place to Corky's but the ribs here are superior. Corky's has better pulled pork. The sides are all good. The waiters can be a bit less than patient or helpful since most people here are regulars.
That you have to pass dumpsters down an alley to get into this spot makes it seen like a secret you found out about......
All you need to know is that I'm a Texan where the real BBQ takes place, yet this was some of the best I've ever had!
Located off the alley, like a good joint should be, you stumble upon this cavernous type space. The atmosphere is just right for a BBQ joint! Aside from the BBQ, the vinegary coleslaw was right up my alley. It is probably one of those things that people either love or hate!
There are always reasons to avoid a place that's been hyped-up to the point it becomes a tourist staple. But in avoiding these places, you tend to forget why they became so popular in the first place.
Rendezvous delivered exactly what we needed - and expected - one cold Memphis night: large portions of dry rub barbecue, pitchers of cheap beer, sticky tables and and a sassy waiter who's been serving here since before I was alive (honest!). No fuss, no substitutions and very little fanfare.
Our waiter made the evening by being his crusty self, flirting with one end of the table, and delivering extra pitchers of beer for one lady's 'sexy accent'.
My brisket was not the best I'd ever had, but it was good and with the hot sauce on the table added, quite spicy. The sides are still pretty awful, but overall everyone was happy with their food. We emerged an hour later pleased with our choice and mildly buzzed from a bit too much beer.
Was it transcendent? No. But it was exactly what I expected.
What an odd little place.
We came for lunch, only to be told that they weren't actually open (the…
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Tourist trap. Don't fall for it.
If you think these are good ribs than you haven't had enough.
This is a great place because one gets to walk down the sketchy alley that leads to it across from the Peabody Hotel. The interior screams old Memphis. The food is ok. If you're in the mood for the best Barbecue in Memphis, however, (especially for ribs) go to Central Barbecue on Central Avenue, the Barbecue Shop on Madison Avenue, or Interstate Barbecue. All three are infinitely better and more representative of the amazing barbecue in Memphis.
Cheers-
J
Wet vs. dry. That's the argument that continues ad nauseum. As a Georgia resident, I have little to contribute here. Georgians love their sauce--tomato-based, more vinegary than sweet (as compared to KC-style), though not nearly as vinegar-laden as those in the Carolinas. Basically, our 'cue is nothing more than the natural gradient you'd fine as you moved from the vinegary pork of Eastern NC to the sweet thickness found in Kansas. I kind of think of the wet vs. dry argument as an outgrowth of that gradient as well, only moving from the sauce-loving North and Midwest to dry rub loving Texans.
Funny thing is, I don't like sauce. It tends to hide the flavor of the meat. A little is good if it complements, but it's too easy to hide flaws under a wet rib. I say this as a preface to my back-to-back comparison between Interstate and Rendezvous' ribs. First of all, props to the wife for not only tolerating this, but suggesting that we eat BBQ two days in a row. If there's one thing I love more than 'cue, it's my wife. Second comes BBQ brisket (seemingly the only thing those Texans can do right) and coming in after all that are all the rest of the different types of 'cues.
Rendezvous is indeed found in the eponymous Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous Alley. Some may be turned off by the surrounding dumpsters and the inevitable heated garbage smell you get in a Southern summer, but I thought it was charming. (I mean, up to a point, of course. Even somebody as low calss as me has his limits.) Now one thing, fellow touristas. This place is closed on Sundays and Mondays. I'm sure had a I researched more than just the address, I wouldn't known better than to plan a Monday night dinner here. Strike one. Second note, touristas, should you look obviously clueless, walking around a dark alley looking for a closed restaurant, expect the downtown grifters to target you hard and fast. Be warned. Finally, we arrived for lunch and were told, "Technically we open at 4pm, but we can serve you ribs for lunch. Ribs, that's all we got right now." That was fine for me since I was seeking ribs, but I saw several folks turn around, eyes downcast. I don't know if this is always the case at lunch or just what happens after a holiday weekend. I kind of wish we had been able to eat here for lunch as I'm sure the hustle and bustle of a crowded basement only adds to the effect.
I ordered a large order of ribs, baked beans, cole slaw and Diet Coke. I would've preferred sweet tea, but, well, I'll explain later. Head to head, how did I rate Rendezvous vs. Interstate?
Sweet Tea: score 1 for Interstate. It tasted made inhouse and not too cloyingly sweet. I noticed Nestea on the fountain station at Rendezvous, driving me to order a Diet Coke. Now I didn't actually see pour a drink from that Nestea nozzle, but its presence saddens me.
Baked Beans: Again, score to Interstate. Smokey, pork-laden. Not too sweet. It was some of the better beans I've eaten. Rendezvous' tasted almost canned.
Cole slaw: Point to Interstate. Rendezvous' had a strange orange color that I found off-putting. But really, despite the heavy mustard-influence of Rendezvous' version, I don't rate the two cole slaws all that far apart because, hey, it's cole slaw.
Ribs: Alas, the big point go to Rendezvous and this is where the wet vs. dry argument rears its ugly head. Rendezvous' ribs had good bite and structure, the dry rub adding significant spice and hiding nothing. Interstates', while good, just weren't as smokey and didn't have the same structure. However (and I may be wrong in this), Interstate's ribs didn't look like baby backs to me while Rendezvous' did. Interstate, it seems, uses a spare rib cut and it's a cut I prefer. Not to mention, my small order of spare ribs at Interstate cost me $7.50 while the large baby backs at Rendezvous (same amount of food mind you) cost $16.95. Heck, Rendezvous might have spare ribs, but it sure as heck what I wasn't served.
In my ideal Memphis BBQ world, Interstate and Rendezvous would combine Voltron-style and serve dry-rubbed, charcoal smoked Interstate-source spare ribs. Sigh. One can only dream, right?
Four and a half stars for Rendezvous, edging out Interstate thanks to that delicious dry rub. Unfortunately, I've got to round down to 4 stars until I get a chance to try those ribs again.
The staff is super friendly, the sauce is very good, and the slaw OWNS!
This was my first try at Rendezvous after being introduced to Corky's, and I have to say that Corky's wins overall. While Rendezvous is located conveniently for people staying downtown, and they have a huge seating area, and the smell is amazing coming down the alley, Corky's wins for superior taste and tenderness. And that's number one in my book when eating ribs- do I have to tear it off the bone like a mad-man or does it fall off, juicy and tender.
The one thing that Rendezvous does best is their slaw. I've never tasted anything like it, anywhere. And not just in Memphis, I'm talking nation-wide. That stuff has got to have some crack mixed in it.
Perhaps I should try the pulled pork next time.... that is if you can pry me away from my Corky's.
Good God, best BBQ ever! Dreamland, take note, this is how you're supposed to do it! Sure our server's have never been outwardly friendly, but I don't give a damn when the food tastes this good. I just wish it didn't cost so much to have it shipped to me, since I'm not in the South anymore.
Was in Memphis for business and had some extra time, so I decided to try the World Famous Rendezvous. Located in a back alley that is directly across the street from the Peabody Hotel, when walking into Rendezvous, you have the feeling of going to an old time speakeasy.
I walked down the stairs around 3PM and was greeted, I was told they weren't "open", and thinking ok, I'll come back later, and then the magic words appeared, unless you want RIBS. I guess they don't open their full menu up until around 4PM. But since I was there for their world famous ribs, ribs it is. Pricing here, you're looking at either $17 for a Full Rack or $14 for a small rack. They also serve chicken, brisket, and pork shoulder and loin. Generally speaking you're looking at between $12 - $18.
I was seated down and asked whether I wanted a small or a full order. Decided to go with the small order. About 5 minutes later, out came in a "small" order of ribs with their slaw, beans, and some bread. All I can say was if this is their small order, hate to see what their full order is like because the size I got was equal to most full orders.
As I dug in, I have to say these were pretty good ribs. I got the end of the rack, so it was a bit overcooked, but I still ate them because they were that good. Even though a bit tough, you could suck the meat right off the bone. The seasoning they use I give a B too. It was decent, but they cake it on so thick that it takes away from the sweetness of the pork.
I decided to add some of their sauce to it. That honestly was not good choice. It was too tangy for my taste and was watery. I stayed away from the sauce from then on. I did eat the slaw and the beans and those were excellent. So was the bread that came with it.
Service here, well they brought me my ribs, not much else I can say about it. After I finished I just walked up to the register and paid. As to rating, even though they were over cooked, the ribs were pretty good as well as the slaw, beans, and bread. The sauce was just bad and I do think they put too much seasoning on their ribs. I would probably give them a 3.5, but since it's pretty good deal for the amount of food you get, I'll round them up to 4 stars. Overall, yeah I would come back again, but I wouldn't wait more than 10 minutes to get in. The ribs are good, but far from the best I ever (I would say they make my Top 10 list) and overall Rendezvous Restaurant is a decent enough stop to get your Memphis style rib on.
Perfection...I love em so much that my Boyfriend has them overnighted for my bday!! So friggin good.
One year we were in nashville for a work thing and decided to spend our free weekend there to drive down to memphis and be touristy...
We had a total of 4 racks of ribs each that day we decided to umm...sample the BBQ and pick our favs...you know you always see em on FOOD Network...so we put em to the test Corky's was gross... so was this place that had a neon sign say worlds best ribs..you know who you are!
Then there came interstate BBQ the neely's place it was soo good i thot nothing could top it then was the last rib stop and i was sooo full but we had to try it. Rendezvous...we entered and i thot heck no! but we got a table and who took our drink order...the guy from the menu himself! and he refused to acknowledge my male companion and called me BABY! i loved it , usually they look to the man and im chopped liver but not this guy!
I ordered two racks and he brought um quick!
***Remember i am a huge sauce girl***
It was amazing! sooo good! to top it off he came and asked me if I liked it and i said um yes this is the best BBQ ive ever had. He looked shocked at the fact that i ate it all! when he brought the bill he handed me a container of the rub, winked and said here ya go sugar! Free of charge!
Such a sweet guy! and great ribs!
I would just like to say HELL YES to the vegetarian beans and rice. So damn good and they don't have to be, because this is a barbecue place and they don't need to concern themselves with the likes of us non-meat-eating freaks. But they do, and I'm glad. According to my husband, they also have the best brisket in the history of brisket, so that's a plus as well. Servers were super friendly and ours was on task, but we were at the bar and it's easy to keep on top of your section when they're sitting right in front of you.
After hearing that Bill Clinton and George Bush have both been here, my friends and I gave this place a try. I thought, "Well, if a Democrat and Republican can agree on something, which doesn't occur all that often, the food here must be exceptional." Sadly I was wrong. The bbq ribs were just average to me. It was my first time having dry rub bbq. Perhaps I'm not used to it? I honestly don't think that's it though. I prefer Whole Hog (Cantrell location in Little Rock, AR) to this place.
My sister and I went here a week ago, and I really enjoyed myself. We'd never had dry rub ribs before, and even though I think I like mine better with sauce, I still found them to be wonderfully prepared. They weren't dry at all, but in fact tender and juicy. The BBQ sauce on the side was a little vinegary for me, but good. The sides offered were coleslaw (too vinegary for me) and baked beans (delicous!). My sister had the sweet tea, and said it was the best she ever had. Unfortunately I'm diabetic, and they didn't offer unsweeted tea, so I couldn't partake. The service was excellent, our waiter was friendy and efficient.
I had a wonderful time, and can still smell and taste that smoky flavor.
DATE: June 11, 2009
SINGING THE BLUES AT THE RENDEZVOUS
Getting My Grub On in the Back Alleys of Memphis
By Mandy Locke-McKestrick for http://manlocke.yelp.com
I was ducking into a side alley on the streets of Memphis, TN - trying to find Elvis - when I found instead, a hambone-hoppin', happenin', messincup eat joint called, Charles Vergos' Rendezvous.
The MOOD
The ambiance of the Rendezvous is deceptive. On the exterior, an unescorted female would be initially hesitant to approach the dark, narrow alley leading to the entrance; even though it is alongside a respectable hotel. If you are resolute enough to enter, your reward would be a bustling cacophony of tourists, tourists, tourists, more tourists, wait staff and clanging glasses. Ascend the split-level staircase at the entryway and find yourself in a massive bar area walled in anaglypta/ lincrusta tiles; while waiting for a table and showing off cellphone photos on a long bench with a few of those tourists. Descend the split-level when your name is called, and plop yourself on a bentwood chair with red checkered tablecloths in front and an absolute embarrassment of old, rusty artifacts of Americana, hovering above. It's a magical mess.
The FOOD
I was told that the Rendezvous was famous for dry-rubbed ribs. I inquired about beef ribs, but that was one item they did not carry. Instead, I had the Charcoal-Broiled Lamb Riblets. My dining companion had a full-slab-order of the World-Famous, Rendezvous Charcoal-Broiled Pork Ribs. Both entrees came with hearty baked beans, spicy slaw and biscuits. With beverages, the plentiful meal for two; cost less than fifty dollars. The lamb riblets were absolutely scrumptious; though the first couple of riblets tasted freeze-dried and unappealing. I almost sent the meal back, but was happy that I recalled the tendency of end pieces of any rib slab to be less palatable than the more centralized pieces. My companion devoured his pork slab with the accordant, masculine grunts of gastrointestinal satisfaction. While neither of us preferred the slaw, we both seemed to savor the taste of the perfectly cooked beans. When I return to this restaurant, I will surely ask for an additional serving of beans in exchange for the slaw. I was relieved that the restaurant provided wet-naps as well as regular paper napkins - in anticipation of my hardcore and sloppiest, slathering of dry-spices and sauce. A point: the amount of spice a person consumes by eating a slab of dry-rubbed ribs is much too dangerous to eat on a regular, heart-healthy basis. Rather, these meals should be savored as decadent rewards.
The SERVICE
I was attended to by the most handsome and hospitable waiter named, Demetrius. I was completely enthralled by the idea that this restaurant has been around since 1945. Combined with the olden ambiance of the restaurant, the appearance of the wait staff -- with crisp white shirts, black bow ties and affectionate smiles -- reminded me of the old and esteemed, Pullman Porters of yore. I was hardly ready to leave, but I knew Demetrius needed his table back, sooner or later.
The BOTTOM LINE
If you ever want to go on a rendezvous, make sure your Rendezvous takes place in Memphis.
The PARTICULARS
Address: 52 S. Second St., Memphis, TN
Phone: (901) 523-2746
Cuisine: Southern, Dry-Rubbed BBQ
Price range: $9-$20
Accepts: Cash, credit and debit cards
Reservations Accepted on weekend for parties of 25+; not necessary otherwise
Services: Catering, events
Parking: Street & Garage parking
Seating capacity: approx. 700
Family friendly: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: No
Alcohol: Beer & Wines
Smoking: Yes
I am re-reviewing this place b/c my prior review was done by my bf who temporarily hijacked my yelp.
Like the original review said, the place was absolutely forgettable. It unfortunate because I was really looking forward to this place, esp. after having had a great first experience with Memphis ribs earlier in the day with Cozy Corner. You walk into the alley where the restaurant is, and you see drones of tourists waiting outside. Bad sign but how can I argue, I'm a tourist myself who got suckered into coming here.
Rendezvous is known for their dry rub so we were really excited to try the ribs here. I will say that the spices were quite good, but it was missing any real pow that you expect in a rib. Especially for people who like some spice in their ribs, this place did not offer that. Even their sauce labeled "hot" was not hot at all.
I will say that the quality of the meat was very good. They obviously know how to cook their ribs b/c it was perfectly moist even without any sauce. The meat tasted clean, and they had a nice crisp on the outer layer of the meat.
Yet still, the ribs left no real impression and I left the dinner feeling like I hadn't actually eaten anything. I have three more days here and many more restaurants to try, so I will be hoping for better experiences than the Rendezvous.
A Memphis staple, pretty much lived up to expectations. I wasn't blown away, but I enjoyed my experience thoroughly.
Get there early unless you don't mind waiting - no reservations (except perhaps for large groups? Not sure). We arrived shortly after 6 and waited about 25 minutes to be seated downstairs.
Ribs were very good - the dry rub was excellent. I would have liked more meat on the bone, but the flavor of both the meat and the homemade BBQ sauces made up for it.
The pulled pork shoulder sandwich was excellent - I recommend loading up on BBQ sauce and adding some slaw. All entrees are served with BBQ slaw and baked beans. The beans were particularly good - spicy with chunks of pork throughout. Our service was also excellent - they'll keep you moving.
Also, the jukebox is awesome! The particular evening we were there was full of one classic rock tune after another.
Memphis, TN
Category: Barbeque
Memphis, TN
Category: Barbeque
Memphis, TN
Category: Barbeque
Memphis, TN
Category: Barbeque
Memphis, TN
Category: Barbeque
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