Seems all I can do since I’ve been back from Memphis is think about food (and the Blues), which is probably why I posted on Leftover Casserole Cravings earlier this evening. Loved the food in Memphis, so much so that I am amazed that I seem more toned since the trip and not 50 lbs heavier. Guessing thats thanks to the beauty of the Blues and all the dancing I did to it. Apparently if your dancing, then a minute on the lips does not equate to forever on the hips.
Just like anywhere though, not all food is equal, so over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a few of my favourites.
The first and my first Memphis, Tennessee meal:
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Funky atmosphere and seated by a table of Blues Men = A Good 1st Impression!
This is truly a religious experience, that I knew I’d be yelling “Halleluyahs” to the second I entered under the yellow chicken sign. The place has character, my kind of character.
I wish I’d remembered our waiter’s name, as he only made the experience better, plopping himself in the seat next to us and asking if he could get us deep fried pickles. “I beg your pardon.” Yes, he had indeed said deep fried pickles. “Hell yeah!”
Deep Fried Pickles, an experience I’d do again if my heart will take it.
Interesting experience that. The deep frying takes away the bitter. Would definitely do those again, although for the sake of my arteries, not alone.
So the main course? Well duh! Southern Fried Chicken! Wisely in the snack size, thanks again to our waiter.
If Gus’s Chickens aren’t the Tennessee State bird, they should be.
Now I have to admit, being Canadian I didn’t really understand the huge appeal to Southern Fried Chicken. That all changed with one bite. Wow! I didn’t understand Southern Fried Chicken before, because I’d never had the real deal. This was the real deal and it was bloody fantastic. So juicy. So tasty.
I just didn’t understand the reasoning for the slabs of white bread with the chicken, until it slapped me in the face. The chicken had been sitting on the white bread, yet there was no grease to be seen. These cats knew what they were doing.
Total spent for 2? $22.51 US, including taxes for:
- 2 beer
- 2 2-piece chicken snacks
- deep fried pickles
- plate of fries
For more on Gus’s Downtown Memphis location find them on facebook and read up on the history of the Memphis icon here.
It’s a simple menu, but you can’t really go wrong (provided you’re not a vegetarian, that is).
Stay tuned for more Mouthwatering Memphis posts on B.B. Kings and the Kooky Canuck.
I also need to return to Memphis to eat at Blues City Cafe (for ribs) and The Arcade Restaurant (for sweet potato pancakes), as I’ve heard incredible things from fellow travelers.
Cynthia Simpson says
Fried chicken and white bread sounds like a BIG NO NO to me but it seems that after your expereince we need to change our minds as it is obviously the way it is cooked and presented….sounds pretty awesome, who would have thought?
Emme Rogers says
That it was Cynthia. The white bread was specifically to show that it wasn’t oozing grease. There were no sign of grease on the white bread. It was pretty awesome.
Courtney Mroch says
I live in TN (Nashville) and still have not been to Memphis yet!!!! We keep meaning to go, and of course we want to eat here. We luckily have a great fried chicken joint up here (Loveless Cafe). But I am a sucker for fried chicken. SO jealous you got to go there. Heck, if I’d known you then I would’ve made a point to drive down and meet you and enjoy fried chicken together! Glad you liked it! Hope TN treated you well.
Emme Rogers says
That would have been epic Courtney and yes, you really must visit Memphis. Fascinating city.
Courtney Mroch says
Oh, and I really got a kick out of Yuengling in your shot. That’d would’ve been my choice too!
Emme Rogers says
I did enjoy it Courtney, but the best beer I had was from Ghost River Brewing.
Shonda says
Oh boy! You have hit our soft spot. We make it a point to stop off in Memphis every road trip to get some get ole southern cooking. Then we double up a little turbo kickbox to make it all worthwhile. Love this article. Thanks for sharing. See you at the next “bonfire”. Cheers.
Emme Rogers says
Nice! No kickboxing for me, but I did dance up a storm.
Cathy Sweeney says
Oh man, I haven’t had southern fried chicken in ages! But if I could transport myself down to Memphis right now, I’d head right over to Gus’s for. Yum!
Emme Rogers says
Yum! is right Cathy!
wandering educators says
i love fried chicken. i think the bread is a brilliant idea! and my husband loves the fried pickles at tony packo’s, in toledo, OH…
Emme Rogers says
Was bowled over by the idea of fried pickles. They were good.
Alison says
I would love to visit Memphis and try some proper soul food. That fried chicken must have been so tasty! Well worth the calories 🙂 And I like the fact you danced it all off – that’s the best way to do it.
Emme Rogers says
That it was Alison.
Nomadic Samuel says
That looks soooooooooo good 🙂
Emme Rogers says
So good!
Spencer says
I ate there when I went to Memphis! I still dream about the food all these years later!