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Memphis BBQ ’14

A woman in an apron stands in front of a large barbecue grill

Manic Kentucky Barbecue Adventures: Miss Anita’s Monroe County Pork Shoulder

2020-07-22
On: 07/22/2020
In: American Travel, Kentucky BBQ, Near South

So you like BBQ. But have you had thin-sliced, hot-smoked, and sauce-dipped Monroe County pork shoulder? How about Monroe County shoulder in Monroe County, Kentucky itself? Our goal was to track down this delicacy in its native habitat.

pork and a stainless bowl over glowing coals

Manic Kentucky Barbecue Adventures: Monroe County Shoulder at The Smokey Pig in Bowling Green

2018-08-05
On: 08/05/2018
In: Kentucky BBQ

There are plenty of regional variations in American barbecue. But there might not be a stranger style — or one that’s more difficult to make — than Monroe County Pork Shoulder from Monroe County, Kentucky.

Summary graphic: An older man teaches a younger one how to play the drums, with paintings of Rock-A-Billy legends behind them.

The Call or: How Henry Harrison Made Us Remember Elvis as a Man, Not a King

2017-11-22
On: 11/22/2017
In: Near South

Henry Harrison, owner of The International Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame Museum, wants you to know Elvis, Carl, and Johnny as people, not as mythic titans of music and history.

Burning logs shoot flames up a chimney

Manic Kentucky Barbecue Adventures: A Fiery Welcome to Roy’s Bar-B-Que in Russellville, KY

2017-03-05
On: 03/05/2017
In: Kentucky BBQ, Near South

It was well past sundown when the Ford Ranger rolled up to us in the shadows behind Roy’s. All the employees were gone, and we definitely weren’t supposed to be there. The headlights turned off & the truck crawled closer, like a predator stalking prey.

Watching COPS and Talking 9/11 at Mac’s Bar-B-Que (Jackson, TN)

2016-08-07
On: 08/07/2016
In: American Barbecue

Not every barbecue story is about smoke, meat, and tradition. This one is about the man behind Mac’s Bar-B-Que in Jackson, TN.

Summary graphic: A photo of Hattie’s Tamales food truck on Lamar Ave. in Memphis, TN

Our “Memphis” Portfolio, Spring 2016 Edition

2016-04-30
On: 04/30/2016
In: Memphis, Photo Essays

“Memphis” is an evolving portrait of an American city’s people, places, creative energy, and how each shapes the others over time.

Summary graphic: A cheeseburger with barbecue pork atop it, next to two small dishes of sides.

Tops Bar-B-Q: Home of the Barbecue Cheeseburger (Memphis, TN)

2015-08-26
On: 08/26/2015
In: Memphis, Memphis BBQ

We like barbecue. We like cheeseburgers. In Memphis, the Tops Bar-B-Q franchise is known as the place to go for a barbecue cheeseburger.

Up All Night: Craig Meek’s Memphis Barbecue Release Party

2014-07-27
On: 07/27/2014
In: Memphis, Memphis BBQ

The best description of Craig Meek’s Memphis Barbecue came around 2 a.m.: “You wrote a book about your city through [freaking] barbecue. How cool is that?!”

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