City: Memphis, TN

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (901) 523-2746

Address: 52 South Second Street

Description: You can literally follow your nose to this famous Memphis institution, which permeates downtown with its smoky fragrance. Make your way down the alley between the Holiday Inn Select and Best Western on Union, then go downstairs. A visit to the Rendezvous, which was opened in 1948 by Charlie Vergos and is still operated by the family, is a must for visitors. Nobody can match the scene here, with the festive crowd, red-checked tablecloths, memorabilia on the walls, and the constant parade of sassy waiters bearing giant trays of barbecue ribs and other specialties. Rendezvous is famous for its dry ribs, but you can get them wet, or stick with lean pork loin, chicken, Greek salad, or meatless red beans and rice if you’re sticking to a diet. Start with a cheese-and-sausage plate. A favorite of the locals, the place gets packed on weekends, so expect a wait. Alternatively, try to go early, say around 5:00 p.m., or get your order to go. Rendezvous also does a significant mail-order business (888-464-7359). Beer and wine only. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch on Friday and Saturday.