Memphis, TN: Marlowe's BBQ and Graceland

After driving 4 hours, I was hungry for dinner at 10pm. My friend Brian (fellow foodie) helped me pick out a late BBQ spot in Memphis called Marlowe's. It's a far cry from the last Marlowe's I went to! The neighborhood was a bit sketchy so I told Brian that if I didn't call back in an hour, he should call in the cavalry. Marlowe's will pick you up for free in a (oldddddd) pink limousine!

The inside of the restaurant was also a bit old and sketchy. The other patrons were an interesting mix... probably something I'll have to tell you about in person. The waitress kept calling me "mah luvv" or "honey" or "sweetie". She called the woman at the table next to me "mama".

I was starving so I ordered a half rack of ribs and brisket combo with cole slaw and beans. It was huge.

Do you see this? The brisket was to die for. Compared to western North Carolina BBQ, I would say this has less smoke and more sauce and the sauce has more of a ketchup base and less vinegar.

The food was so good, I ate almost all of it. The waitress came by and asked if I needed a doggy bag. Then she looked at my plate and said, "Wow, you did good! I don't think you'll be needin' that doggy bag."

The next morning I was definitely feeling the meat sitting inside of my tummy. I needed a detox and needed one fast. I ran four miles at the fitness center in the morning and then headed for Whole Foods which was right next to the hotel. Thank goodness. Greek yogurt for breakfast and a salad for lunch with cashew nuts and blackberries to snack on in the car.

Finally! Time for the raison d'etre of coming to Memphis - Graceland! I've been prepping by listening to the Elvis channel on my XM radio. Yes, it's all Elvis, all the time, broadcast from Graceland!

Front of Graceland. Why it is called Graceland? The original couple who built the house received the land from the wife's aunt whose name was Grace.

More picture of the house

This is the Jungle Room which was turned into a recording studio. I recently heard "Walkin' in Memphis" by Marc Cohn. There's lyrics that go, "But there's a pretty little thing, Waiting for the King, Down in the Jungle Room" and I was like, "I know what they're talking about!" It felt pretty cool.

Gold records everywhere - roomfuls of them.

Elvis and Priscilla's wedding outfits and one of Elvis' performing outfits. Feels weird to see some of Priscilla's stuff since I just saw her in person in Beverly Hills this past April!

Elvis' grave and his parents' graves. I don't know why but I didn't expect to see this here... Lot of people paying their respects.

Some of Elvis' automobiles. I have so many more pictures but they're all a little dark. Here are the better two. Pink caddy!