Holiday trip to Memphis and south

[chefsmom]

We have decided to take a holiday road trip to Memphis and points south. We will be in Memphis on Dec 24, 25, and 26. I realize lots of places will be closed; we are staying on Mud Island. The Peabody brunch is an option for Christmas Day. Does anyone know of other options/choices? Also for Christmas Eve.

We will head for Oxford on the 26th for two nights (arriving late that afternoon/early evening). We have reservations at City Grocery on the 27th, Then we go to Greenwood and the Alluvian on the 28th. I am thinking we will eat at the restaurant there that evening. Then, to Clarksdale and reservations at Madidi on the 28th.

Any suggestions for lunches? We won't be needing a lot, obviously!

Also, what about recs for bbq in Memphis that will be open lunch on 24th, or 26th?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-----
City Grocery
152 Courthouse Sq, Oxford, MS 38655

[Littleman]

Here's a link to Open Table. Plug in a time and # of people for results. Choices look slim for the 24th. I would go to McEwen's. But Erling Jensen's is my favorite Memphis restaurant of all.

http://www.opentable.com/opentables.aspx?t=reg&n=4673,3965,5279,1145,976,3968&mn=142&m=251&p=2&d=12/24/2010 7:00:00 PM&fsr=1

Check with Felicia Suzanne's and Folk's Folly. I bet FF is open on Christmas Eve and maybe Christmas Day. McEwen's is another thought. Call and check with these three. They are all good fine dining choices. McEwen's is open for lunch and dinner. Automatic Slims is a lunch suggestion downtown.

Felicia Suzanne's @ 80 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 523 - 0877.
http://www.feliciasuzanne.com/
Folks Folly @ 551 South Mendenhall Rd., Memphis, TN 901 - 762 - 8220.
http://www.folksfolly.com/
McEwen's on Monroe @ 122 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 901 - 527 - 7085.
http://www.mcewensonmonroe.com/
Automatic Slim's @ 83 South 2nd St., Memphis, TN 901 - 525 - 7948.
http://www.automaticslimsmemphis.com/

Memphis has more BBQ than any town in America. Check with Payne's, Central, BBQ Shop and Cozy Corner.

Paynes BBQ @ 1762 Lamar Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1523.
Central BBQ @ 2249 Central Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 9377.
http://www.cbqmemphis.com/
BBQ Shop @ 1782 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1277.
http://www.dancingpigs.com/
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/

I suggest you skip a night in Clarksdale. It's the deadest town in the Delta unless there's a festival going on. There are better restaurants in Greenwood and Oxford than Clarksdale. Leave Memphis and have breakfast at Blue and White in Tunica on Highway 61. Have lunch at Ground Zero Blue's Club in Clarksdale and visit the Blue's Museum down the street. Then move on to Greenwood. Spend two nights and go to Lusco's the first night and Giardinia's the second night. Have lunch at Crystal Grill for a good blue plate meal or fresh seafood. Let your wife go to the Alluvian Spa while you take a cooking class if there's one going on. Otherwise enjoy downtown Greenwood.

Blue and White Cafe @ 1355 Highway 61 N, Tunica, MS 662 - 363 - 1371.
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/1250/blue-white-restaurant
Crystal Grill @ 423 Carrollton Ave.,Greenwood, MS 662 - 453 - 6530. *
Giardinia's @ 314 Howard St., Greenwood, MS 662 - 455 - 4227.
http://www.thealluvian.com/restaurants.html
Lusco's @ 722 Carrollton Ave., Greenwood, MS 662 - 453 - 5365.

After two nights in Greenwood head N on Highway 7 to Grenada. Get on I 55 and go N to Batesville then head E to Oxford. Have dinner at CG and Lenora's. Have lunch at CG or Ajack's. I like lunch and dinner at CG in the same day. Different menu so don't worry. Go to Rooster's on the Square for drinks. Get a room at

City Grocery @ 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS. 662 - 232 - 8080.
http://www.citygroceryonline.com/
Lenora's Restaurant @ 301 C North Lamar Blvd., Oxford, MS 662 - 236 - 1144.
http://www.lenorasdining.com/
Ajax Diner @ 118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS. 662 - 232 - 8880.

Get a room in Oxford at 512 Van Buren two blocks from the Square. Go see William Faulkner's home on Old Taylor Road which is 5/6 blocks S of the Square off S Lamar. Visit the beautiful Ole Miss campus and the famous Grove where Ole Miss fans tailgate on football weekends.

512 Van Buren @ 512 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, MS 662 - 234 - 8043.
http://the512oxford.com/