Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous is located at 52 S. Second Street in Memphis. Click to enlarge.
photo by Janet Wilson
I realize this is a little outside our area, but since it is in Tennessee, I decided to write about a restaurant where Wayne and I went for our anniversary. We decided to do something a little different this year, and flew to Memphis for the weekend.
Everyone told us “the” place to eat was Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous. Finding the restaurant was no problem; however, getting into it was a little odd. The address is 52 S. Second Street, which was within walking distance of our hotel. As we approached the door, we noticed a sign telling us to continue on to Monroe Street and enter from there.
As we walked down Monroe, we couldn’t find the Rendezvous door, but we found several waiters from another restaurant and Wayne asked them if they could point us in the right direction. We were told to “turn at the alley.” After walking a few steps and making a turn into the alley, strolling past four large dumpsters, there was Rendezvous. As we entered we weren’t sure where we were supposed to go until someone came up from the basement and directed us down the stairs.
This is a restaurant with small tables covered with red and white checkered tablecloths and tons of memorabilia on the walls. According to the restaurant, “Presidents and potentates, the King and the Killer, Rolling Stones, *NSYNC, and everybody who’s anybody have all been down for a bite.”
The people were very friendly and the servers seemed to assist each other by picking up used items from tables. I later learned that most of the servers have been there for many years – one of them for 45, and now his son is working there as well.
It seems that in 1948 Charles Vergos decided to clean out the basement beneath his diner, discovering a coal chute and the rest is “rib legend.” The menu consists of appetizers, sandwiches and barbeque, along with Mama’s Real Greek Salad. The salad looked delicious, but we didn’t want to over-eat since we were going to walk over to Beale Street later.
We placed our orders and in less than two minutes, our server was there with our drinks. We were impressed with the fact that he brought Wayne a pitcher of Diet Coke, while I was given a pitcher of sweet tea. I noticed all the other tables were given pitchers as well. Good idea.
The house specialty is the World Famous Rendezvous Charcoal-Broiled Pork Ribs (full order $16.95; small order $13.75). Since this is the specialty, they keep plenty of ribs in the charcoal grill just waiting on you. The ribs, accompanied by beans, cole slaw and rolls arrived quickly on the heels of the beverages. The service was terrific.
The ribs were delicious, but if you like lots of sauce (which we don’t), you’ll have to do it yourself. These are the famous Memphis Dry Rub Ribs. There are two bottles of sauce on each table; one hot and one mild.
The food was good and we enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere. The only thing is that you are served on paper plates. They are platter-sized plates, with a piece of pastry paper, and then topped with ribs, along with two small plastic cups filled with your side items. The only utensil you are given is a plastic spoon.
Rendezous is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.; and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. (central times).
If you want to try the ribs, they will FedEx them (as well as the sauce) to you next day delivery.
Cdojanet@ChattanoogaDineOut.com
http://www.Janet-Wilson.com