This is the Memphis po-boy from Soul Fish Café in Memphis. It’s got smoked pork Ioin, BBQ sauce, bacon and slaw. Yes it is as tasty as it appears. I got mac and cheese, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the sides there. Or the Cuban. Or the catfish. Or the wings, which are some of my favorite in town.

There are two locations — the original is in the Cooper-Young neighborhood in Midtown, and there is a newer, bigger one in Germantown at Poplar and Forest Hill Irene. And my house is right smack in the middle: lucky me.

Pork plate with green beans and mac ‘n’ cheese from Central BBQ, Memphis, TN

*note: Central’s mac ‘n’ cheese is usually the tiebreaker for when I can’t decide between it and Bar-B-Q Shop. SO GOOD

Third Period Smoking Birds (Slow smoked Black Cherry Wood pulled Cajun Turkey, Molasses Chicken Succulent Duck and Veggie Slaw are stacked on Fresh Baked 7 Grain Wheat Bread served with Tri-Bird Pan Liquor) and Mac & Cheese from Lunchbox Eats, Memphis, TN

This place just opened about a block from FedExForum. I love it. You hand in your menu with your selections on it like a quiz. If you’re dining in they serve your food on a little red lunch tray, and if it’s to to it comes in a pretty cardboard box that looks reminiscent of what I would have toted every day in 2nd grade. I think having a clever concept will really make the difference for these folks in the long run. The staff are incredibly nice and my food was top-notch.

As most of Memphis was getting geared up for Barbecue Fest, my dear expat friend James was experiencing a bout of homesickness that manifested in an intense craving for pulled pork. This was the best he could do. Suppose we’ll have to FedEx him some Bar-B-Q Shop.

Pulled pork, mac n cheese and crowder peas from the Kay Kafe at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Memphis, TN

submitted by mike

ed note: Gotta say that is pretty impressive – puts most “cafeteria food” I’ve seen to shame.