Long distance information, give me Memphis, Tennessee

Yessiree, I'm going to Memphis, actually going through M'town to the Southern Foodways Alliance symposium in Oxford, Miss., where we'll be chewing over "The State of Southern Food."

I'm really looking forward to this trip, though it's bound to be bittersweet because I cannot possibly go eat at all my favorite places. There just aren't enough meals in the day, nor space in my ever-expanding waistline. (Best sign I ever saw hanging in a BBQ joint: "A waist is a terrible thing to mind.")

First stop has got to be Little Tea Shop for some comfort food extraordinaire and hugs from cook/owner/cashier Suhair Lauck. I'm determined to make it to Alcenia's for some fried chicken, and Payne's for a pulled pork sandwich. Of course I'll get some of Miss Joyce's beautiful biscuits at Bryant's. But that leaves little time for Soul Fish Cafe, Beauty Shop, Fino's, Cozy Corner, Rendezvous, Buns on the Run, Gus's and the list goes on.

I've also been thinking about what I'm going to stuff into my suitcase to bring back to Seattle: King Cotton bacon, Hog Wild dry rub, sorghum, Blue Plate mayo.

See y'all soon. Come have a cocktail with me Wednesday around 6 at Encore!