Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (Littleman)

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:08:07 GMT

Thanks for a great MS report. We went to Doe's Eat Place in Greenville last night. It's outstanding. Don't miss it if you can.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:31 GMT

aww...gee, thanks Tex-Max and billyboy

I'm blushing!

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (billyboy)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:13:25 GMT

Dale, yet another phenomenal report. I've re-read this several times and havesalivated over many of your photos! Such a wonderful blend of food, local culture and off-beat finds. Thanks again for being a huge part of why I love Roadfood so much!

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (Tex-Max)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:49:25 GMT

WJ,
What a great trip report. I truly appreciate your quest for good coffee each morning. My "gold standard" for coffee was actually at the Cafe du Monde many years ago - rich, dark roast with chicory. None have compared since. It doesn't look like you even had the choice.

All the wonderful entrees and BBQ but the coconut pie at Neils just leaps off the page at me.

Hopefully one day you will be able to find some good ol' Southern Black Eyed Peas. It does appear though that you had some excellent hush puppies and fried pickles. I will soon be on the hunt for that comeback dressing.

I always enjoy the baseball parks but for this trip William Faulkner's grave was the highlight. You just never know what that man has up his sleeve. One of my favorite authors.

Looking forward to your next trip.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:24:59 GMT

Mr Chips- That will be Phoenix, Tucson, San Antonio and Austin in 2 1/2 weeks

Buffetbuster,
just like you call me an amateur if I don't order two slices of pie per meal!

Seriously, this was one of my longest trips since I started doing trip reports- I believe my longest was the "Heartlanding through the Breadbasket" trip and I was only TM'd twice and my second longest was the "Rocky Mountain Highs and Big Sky's" trip and no TM's on that trip at all that I can recall.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (buffetbuster)

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:28:37 GMT

wanderingjew

2. Travelin Manned not once, not twice- but three times- probably the most times on any trip that I've been on in as long as I can recall.

Somewhere, TTM just called you "an amateur"!

Like I said on the phone the other night, this was truly one of your very best trip reports. And that is really saying something!

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (mr chips)

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:58:45 GMT

Great report as always, dale. can't wait to read your next one wherever you go.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:45:03 GMT

Synopsis and Footnotes

Just a brief overview of the highlights and disappointments

Non Food Highlights

1. New Orleans Weather- sunny and mid- high 60's

2. Mississippi River Cruise on the Creole Queen

3. St Louis Cemetery Tour in New Orleans

4. Staying at the legendary Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale MS

5. William Faulkner's Grave

6. Climbing the Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Non Food Disappointments

1. The Disneyfication of Clarksdale MS- this is truly the biggest disappointment of the trip

2. The Weather after I left New Orleans- What happened?, I had better weather all winter here in Rhode Island

3. Poverty Pete and Cousin Johnny being down for the count in Nashville along with Ralph and Lori Melton's travel issues.

Favorite Restaurants

1. Bon Ton Cafe- New Orleans LA
2. Mother's - New Orleans LA
3. Casamento's- New Orleans LA
4. Tujague's- New Orleans LA
5. Miss Myra's Pit Bar-B-Que- Birmingham AL
6. Weidmann's Restaurant- Meridien MS
7. Ramon's- Clarksdale MS
8. Payne's BBQ- Memphis TN
9. Stubby's Bar-b-que- Hot Springs AL
10. Catfish Hole- Alma AR
11. Silke's Old World Breads- Clarksville TN

Best Fried Chicken (tie)

1. Two Sister's Kitchen- Jacson MS (traditional)
2. AQ Chicken House - Fayetteville AR (Chicken over coals)

Best BBQ

Payne's - Memphis TN

Best Comeback Dressing

Weidmann's Restaurant- Meridian MS

Best Bread Pudding

Bon Ton Cafe - New Orleans LA

Best Banana Pudding

Miss Myra's Pit Bar-B-Que- Birmingham AL

Best Accidental Find

Creole Creamery New Orleans LA

Best Pies

1. Coconut Custard- Neil's Cafe Springdale AR
2. Black Bottom - Weidmann's- Meridian MS
3. Apricot Fried Pie- Pie Shop- De Valls Bluff AR
4. Chess Pie- Sylvan Park- Nashville TN
5. Lemon Ice Box Pie- Elliston Place Soda Shoppe- Nashville TN

Best Beer

Pale Ale- West Mountain Brewing Company Fayetteville AR

Best Coffee

Guillermo's Gourmet Coffee- Little Rock AR

Rotten Tomatoes

1. Gumbo Shop- New Orleans LA- This takes the grand prize!

2. Travelin Manned not once, not twice- but three times- probably the most times on any trip that I've been on in as long as I can recall.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (lleechef)

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:41:17 GMT

wj
Another great report! Last time I was in Dreamland in Birmingham I finished my ribs and the server came over and said, "All we have for dessert is banana pudding". I said, "In that case, I'll just have more ribs!"

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:12:16 GMT

MiamiDon

Great report, wj! I especially liked the look of that sandwich from Payne's. Do you recall any of the details of the coleslaw on it?

MD

The slaw had a very sweet and tangy mustard flavor.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (Littleman)

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:14:53 GMT

Most folks from the mid south believe Payne's has the best pulled pork sandwich in Memphis.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (MiamiDon)

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:37:39 GMT

Great report, wj! I especially liked the look of that sandwich from Payne's. Do you recall any of the details of the coleslaw on it?

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:13:21 GMT

Thanks everyone- It's good to know that there are some folks still left on the forum who still appreciate what Roadfood is all about.

Brad

The sauce at dreamland is sweet, but you are correct - not nearly as sweet as the typical sauce found in Kansas City- if I were to break it down, I would probably guesstimate a 60/40 sweet/spicy ratio.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (ScreamingChicken)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:16:10 GMT

Great report, WJ!

I like the look of Dreamland's sauce. How sweet was it? My experiences with sauces of that color is that they may be slightly so but nothing like a Kansas City sauce.

Brad

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (tcrouzer)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:11:33 GMT

This trip is at an end? Oh, WJ, tell us it isn't so! I've enjoyed this report very much! I even look forward to the ball park photos and descriptions, and that's saying a lot for a gal who is not sports oriented. You really seem to see so much of the area you are in - you could be a travel writer if you wanted to give up your day job.

Looking forward to your next trip in April!
Teresa

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (will_work_4_bbq)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:11:35 GMT

Fabulous report! Every bit of it! I enjoyed it so much! Maybe I enjoyed it more since I met you in Nashville? Your words and pictures now have a "voice".

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:51:33 GMT

"Farewell"

Sunday February 19

I left Nashville in a blinding snow storm. Well not really, there was an inch or two of snow on the ground and it was snowing but a half hour into my drive the snow quickly turned to rain and even that eventually stopped as I entered Alabama.

I made it to my final lunch stop of the trip

The Birmingham branch of Dreamland

I reallly wanted to hit the original Tuscaloosa branch but the only way I could have done that was to skip brunch an of course I wanted to say goodbye to my Roadfood friends- well. eventually I'll make it back to Tuscaloosa.
Lots of interesting Irony at Dreamland today.

There was a guy sitting across from me with his wife or girlfriend who sounded exactly like Larry The Cable guy. 7 years ago when I was in Tuscaloosa I was getting directions to Dreamland from someone who looked just like Larry the Cable Guy.

Bread and Sauce arrived first

the half rack shortly thereafter.

I said it before when were in Mobile. The sauce was very addicting however the ribs just simply don't compare to the smoked goodness of the original in Tuscaloosa.

I hesitated to order dessert knowing that the banana pudding was a disapointment when I visited the original location back in Tuscaloosa.

Well, some more irony is heading my way

I remember noting that the banana pudding at Dreamland paled in comparison to the nanner pudding at Two Sisters Kitchen in Jackson. Well this was actually a respectable dish of nanner pudding. Not on the same level as Miss Myra's but on this trip the banana pudding at Two Sister's Kitchen took a turn downhill and paled in comparison to that at Dreamland.

I had some time to kill before heading back to the airport and got a cup of coffee at O' Henry's in suburban Main Street Homewood. Afterwards I headed back to the airport for my flight home. After just a 25 minute layover in Tampa St Pete I was back home just after 11 PM.

Epilogue and foot notes probably towards the end of the weekend.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (BigGlenn)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:59:34 GMT

mayor al

Dale ,
I got the Coconut Cream !! The Chocolate was last seen on it's way to Birmingham , AL !!
Glenn, Nice to see y0u on the site. it sure has been a long time since our Rancho Cucamonga Meeting. There are times when I miss the high desert very much (but not often !)

Hi Al.....I am always lurking. Wish you guys would come back out. We need another LA Area Get together. Be Safe!

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (blackirondude)

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:23:29 GMT

Great Trip Report!

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (mayor al)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:24:44 GMT

Dale ,
I got the Coconut Cream !! The Chocolate was last seen on it's way to Birmingham , AL !!
Glenn, Nice to see y0u on the site. it sure has been a long time since our Rancho Cucamonga Meeting. There are times when I miss the high desert very much (but not often !)

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:34:07 GMT

BigGlenn

Of course I remember that you're an Arkansas boy, I didn't know that you were from Pine Bluff. If I had an extra day in Hot Springs I would have checked out McClard's to compare it to Stubby's but I didn't have time for both, I enjoyed Stubby's so much on my last visit in 1999 that I had to return.

To answer your question from the other thread, the closest to the west coast I'll get this year is Phoenix and Tucson in late April. Long term plans, possibly a trip to San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest next year, that depends on finances because I know I have to consider next year's Glee Club trip, the new ballpark in Miami (with possibly a side trip toTampa/St Pete) and definitely a week long trip to Oklahoma and New Mexico. Other than that I don't see a trip back to Southern Cal anytime in the near future.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (BigGlenn)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:38:43 GMT

I have a second cousin that works at War Eagle Mill. Her daughter is on the cover of their Catalog...While you were in Little rock you were 44 miles from Pine Bluff. Its well known for one of its famous sons........Me!..LOL I grew up there. I have ate at Stubbys in Hot Springs too. Surprised you didnt hit McClards? You brought back some fond memories on this trip.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (mikeam)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:00:46 GMT

I have really enjoyed this report. Thanks.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (Texascajun)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:49:06 GMT

Wow the bbq sandwich looks great. More great pictures -- Thanks.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (Louis)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:24:10 GMT

As to the Karo Syrup Pie, all I can tell you is that they had it on their menu board on the wall (written in chalk, as I remember). This was on July 28, 2000. I had never had that type of pie before, and I was so disappointed that they didn't have it that I made a note of it. I've lucked out on the other times I've inquired about it since then.

This past summer I didn't stop at the Pie Shop. (I was running late for my appointment and only had time to stop for a quick lunch at Craig's.) However, I'll take your suggestion about calling ahead next time.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:47:02 GMT

Cajun KIng

I'll be happy to torture you knowing that you are out of the hospital and back on your feet.

Al

Did you end up taking the chocolate pie or the coconut pie home? I don't remember.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (mayor al)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:38:26 GMT

Stubby's Ribs are great, and Your photo brings back memories of more than one stop there over the years!
The Pie Shop is another classic operated by folks who have always gone the extra mile to provide delicious treats to their customers. I will not forget picking up 3 pies at 5 AM one morning last year, for us to enjoy on our Texas hunting trip. They are super people !
Looking forward to the grand finale !

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (CajunKing)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:06:32 GMT

DALE

You are killing me... the hospital food sucked and now you are torturing me with your wonderful pre glee trip. The food and scenery looks amazing. I would love to get out that way again.

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (The Travelin Man)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:55:38 GMT

What is this "calling ahead" of which you speak?

Re:Cajun, Creole and Ozark Adventures with a Bite of the Bluff City and a Dash of the Delta (wanderingjew)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:26:43 GMT

Louis

Although I can picture TTM shrugging in disappointment, I agree with Buffetbuster
absolutely call ahead and see when it will be available. I regret not doing that during my trips last year to Penn Dutch Country and Iowa when I was in search of Chicken Corn Soup and Sour Cream Raisin Pie, respectively