let me explain.

As most (or all) of the people reading this know, I have my own catering business. It's now been almost six and a half years since I started it. I have always enjoyed small, locally owned restaurants, shops, galleries, and the like, but earning my living by cooking for people has given me a completely different respect for small business and all that goes into "making a go of it".

I am not one of those snobs who will never eat at a chain restaurant or shop in big box stores (Outback has a great burger that they'll bring out to your car, and anyone who is even relatively good friends with me knows that I spend an unsettling amount of time at Costco... oh, and then there's Anthropologie). This said, my loyalty is truly with the little guys... nothing beats a good meal at a place where you can talk to the owner, get to know the servers and bartender, or anticipate changes in the menu based on the weather... But these are also the places that are too often hanging by a thread - they do not have marketing departments, or the money to hire a firm to help spread the word. Or perhaps, they are just simply in it for the joy of cooking (or crafting whatever it is) and not really concerned about promotions - until they have to close the doors because not enough people heard about it through the illusive "grapevine".

So I'm going to spread the word about some of my favorite places here in Memphis. I will certainly focus on menu items much of the time and perhaps share a recipe or two of my own that I really like, but I'll also talk about other "finds". Or perhaps write about what I cannot find! (like good taper candles west of Perkins. Ugh.)

OK - enough of the introduction. Here's my first recommend.

Go get the Bahn Mi at Pho Saigon. It is ridiculously delicious and even more ridiculously cheap. This traditional vietnamese pork sandwich cost LESS that $4. and is on a homemade french roll. it is loaded with fresh herbs, pork loin, fresh jalapeno slices, shredded carrots, sweet and tangy vinegar... and lots more. If you want to blow it out, also get the chicken wings and a spring roll... you'll have to be sharing if you order all of this, but you'll be so glad you did. Go order it and let me know what you think!

(yes - that's it in the photo above, in all it's delicious glory - thanks to roving photographer and taster, Gregg Smith)