We’ve been in Memphis since the end of February and during that time Tammy and I have seen a lot of sights and eaten at a lot of different places, but this weekend was extra special for a few different reasons.

Not only were we going to the Memphis World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest for the first time, but we were also entertaining overnight guests for the first time since we moved.

Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain

Our friends Mike, Boobs (yes, that’s her real name) and Kari came down to hang out with us and try some real barbecue for the first time.

I’ll have a double order, scattered, covered, smothered and chunked.

They arrived late Thursday night and hung out with Tammy at Waffle House and Graceland while I went to work on Friday.

I wasn’t too upset about not getting to see Graceland since I’ve been there before, but not getting to enjoy me some hash browns with everyone was not a good way to start my Friday.

But that all changed once I got off work and we hopped in a cab headed to downtown Memphis, with our bluesy-sounding driver named Ulysses leading the way.

We made it down to Tom Lee Park to get into the BBQ Contest when Mike realized he had paid for two tickets but only received one. So after getting back in line and a new ticket we followed our noses down to the Mississippi River.

Mike, Boobs and Kari getting ready to head down to taste some REAL BBQ while some Viking (right) looks on.

We stopped by to see our friends from East End Grill, (Carter was competing) then headed to see the sights and get some BBQ.

Boobs, Kari and Mike pose while getting their first taste of real Memphis-style BBQ.

We met up with my friend, Dan, and my uncle and toured the rest of the Tom Lee Park before hanging out in the HogFather tent for most of the night.

Things started to get a little out of hand so we decided to head up to Beale Street, what I like to call a Poor Man’s Bourbon Street.

Then I’m walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

We decided to skip Beale after seeing how crowded it was and sat in the window of The Saucer Draught Emporium so we could people watch.

This random man chugged his beer for us.

Flashing my pearls, some peace and a some wicked duck lips.

We were sitting the window watching traffic drive by when a limo stopped at a red light in front of where sitting. I saw a girl yelling out of the window so I lifted up my shirt and flashed them. She started laughing and told someone else in the limo about what I did. When I saw her friend look out, I flashed her too and she threw some beads out the window and they hit the curb.

I ran to the front door and out into the street to get the beads I had earned.

Once things started to wind down we called our buddy Ulysses to come pick us up.

Mike was just looking for a ride, or to be ridden like a bike, I’m not sure which.

Kari working the corner while we waited for Ulysses.

Mike trying to pimp out Boobs.

Ulysses arrived and we piled into the cab and headed back to our place.

We noticed that Ulysses didn’t trip the meter, but didn’t think anything about it until we went to pay him and he didn’t think we offered enough money.

Ulysses: C’mon now. I thought y’all said y’all was the big tippers.

We threw in an extra $10 and headed inside to crash for the night, feeling a little buzzed and abused.

Saturday morning we got up late and headed down to the Kooky Canuck’s so Mike and Boobs could watch the Blackhawks game.

Mike getting Kooky.

Tammy, Kari and Boobs at the Kooky Canuck.

The burgers and fries at the Kooky Canuck are incredible.

After the game we headed back down to Beale Street to do a little shopping and more people watching.

Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through

Mike or the ghost of Elvis?

I think I finally got to see some hookers…

How many leopards were killed to make those pants?

We saw some crazy cars…

I think he’s looking for those girls.

… and even had a rare sighting.

Shouldn’t have been surprised that I saw a mullet.

She was rocking it. I think it’s a she, right?

We roamed down Beale for a while, stopping to check out Jerry Lee Lewis’ new place after Mike got the cover charge waived.

We only stayed for a few drinks but left with a bad taste in our mouths when our waitress couldn’t make change for us.

Mike and I had a little fun with Kari at Jerry Lee Lewis’.

Kari thought Mike was going to pose with her.

He wasn’t… He was just pushing his crotch toward her face.

Boobs worked the poles just off Beale.

That pole will never be the same.

No trip would be complete without a trip to the Peabody Hotel to see the duck procession, where they walk from the fountain in the lobby to the elevator. Unfortunately the only pictures that came out was this one of everyone waiting for it to happen.

See how excited they are!!

Mike wanted to stop here until I explained that it wasn’t what he thought it was.

We stopped at Pig on Beale for some more BBQ because I wanted to make sure that Mike, Boobs and Kari really knew just how good it should be.

After dinner we walked up Main Street and had dessert at The Cheesecake Corner.

From there we hopped on a trolley and took it back to our car and headed home.

We got up Sunday morning and headed to Cafe Eclectic so everyone could try some chicken and waffle for the first time. They definitely weren’t disappointed. (See my review here)

After breakfast they headed back to Illinois but all three of them had the same thing to say…