We're not blowin' smoke, we're makin' it. There was a downtown bar my brother, Frank, and his crowd used to visit during college in the middle 50’s. The place was in a basement, dark and funky, but the beer was cold and cheap, and the food was simple and satisfying.

2. Pitmaster Pride - Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Rendezvous founder Charlie Vergos is among three new members being inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame. The American Royal Association announced the 2018 class of inductees in May. The induction ceremony will take place on Sept. 13, during the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri.

3. April 7-13, 2017: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, April 8, 2017

1993: U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Sr. is acquitted of all charges in his second bank fraud trial in Memphis Federal Court. Ford’s trial by a jury of citizens from outside the Memphis area ends dramatically with the jury foreman reading the verdict on each of the 18 counts against Ford – any one of which, Ford later said, would have ended his political career had he been found guilty.

4. Recording Academy’s Hornyak To Be Honored by U of M - Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Jon Hornyak, executive director of the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy, will receive the University of Memphis College of Communication and Fine Arts’ 2016 Distinguished Achievement Award in the Creative and Performing Arts.

5. Strickland Names 26 to Eight Transition Committees - Thursday, October 22, 2015

Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he has named 26 people to eight committees that are the structure of his transition committee.

The transition committee members were chosen by Strickland along with the three co-chairs of the transition committee.

6. Make a Mess - Tuesday, July 21, 2015

If you eat a plate of ribs at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, you’re likely to walk away with messy fingers. You’re also likely to get messy at a new business in Overton Square, where sisters Anna Vergos Blair and Katherine Vergos Riederer have opened their kid-friendly creativity zone The Art Project.

7. University of Memphis Players Garner Conference Honors - Monday, December 16, 2013

University of Memphis senior punter Tom Hornsey won the 2013 Ray Guy Award Thursday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by ESPN.

Hornsey also was named a member of the Walter Camp All-America second team. Hornsey is just the second Tiger to be a Walter Camp All-American. Running back DeAngelo Williams made the team in 2005. Hornsey also was named to USA Today All-America first team.

8. Edwards Finds Green Niche That Makes a Difference - Monday, November 11, 2013

When Madeleine Edwards considered returning to the workforce in 2008 following time as a stay-at-home mom, she said she wanted to do “something that I felt like made a difference.” She was looking for a “green job.”

9. Baptist to Host Former President Bush - Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Former President George W. Bush has stayed largely out of the limelight following his departure from office in January 2009, choosing to focus on writing his memoir and on other private interests.

At an event in Memphis next month to help Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. celebrate its centennial year, the 43rd president will shed a little light on some of those things that he and his family have been up to since leaving the White House.

10. Taste of Jubilee Slated for Friday - Thursday, April 28, 2011

Taste of Jubilee this Friday will feature a sampling from 22 of Memphis’ best restaurants, including Restaurant Iris, Erling Jensen, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Bari Ristorante, Felicia Suzanne’s, River Oaks Restaurant, 3 Angels Diner, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous and many more.

11. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous Officially Goes ‘Green’ - Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Project Green Fork has officially certified Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous as environmentally sustainable.

To be certified sustainable by Project Green Fork, the restaurant must incorporate the following steps into their daily operations: have sustainable products in place, set up a recycling program, compost kitchen waste, replace toxic cleaners with non-toxic cleaners, complete a Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division audit, take necessary steps to reduce energy and water consumption, and demonstrate steps to prevent pollution.

12. Eating Soup Gives Back - Monday, February 21, 2011

Last week, we discussed ways you can partner with Memphis Recovery Centers, which is helping adolescents and adults fight drug and alcohol addiction. This week let us grab a spoon and learn how eating soup Feb. 27 can benefit a local nonprofit dedicated to helping emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully.

13. Committees Not Needed For Creativity - Friday, May 14, 2010

Creativity goes to committee meetings to die.

“In all the towns and all the cities there are no statues to committees.”

Unknown, probably someone shot down by a committee.

“So,” he said to the committee, “I’ll buy a bunch of jets, fill them with cardboard envelopes, and guarantee overnight delivery … and all I need to get started is, oh, about a zillion dollars.” The committee would have absolutely, positively said no to Fred Smith. They would have told Clarence Saunders that schlepping your own groceries would never work. They would have told Kemmons Wilson where to park his motel idea. They would have told Charlie Vergos that nobody is going to get fired up about ribs from a basement off an alley next to a dumpster.

14. Events - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Memphis Regional Chamber will hold a breakfast forum today from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Memphis Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St. Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, will speak. The event is $20 for members and $30 for prospective members. For reservations, contact Ericka Milford at emilford@memphischamber.com or 543-3518.

15. Slow Economy Could Equal More Biz in Tunica - Monday, May 5, 2008

With an economic slump, painful increases at the gasoline pump and a housing slowdown all combining to make the average wallet lighter these days, the concept of disposable income might seem like a curious relic.

16. Archived Article: Real Recap - Tuesday, March 16, 2004
3100 Bellbrook Drive

St. Clair Foods Plans to Expand

3100 Bellbrook Drive

Memphis, TN 38116

Cost: $3.4 million

Buyer: York Properties LLC

Seller: APF Bellbrook Industrial Inc.

Property: A 108,000-square-foot building and 11 acre...

17. Archived Article: Standout - Friday, May 17, 2002
Family man Family man By MARY DANDO The Daily News Restaurateur, musician and community activist all the monikers fit very well but the best description for this years president of Memphis in May would probably be family man. The family of Thomas Bo...

18. Archived Article: Ribs Bott - Thursday, August 26, 1999
World-famous Memphis rib joint expands without franchising World-famous Memphis rib joint expands without franchising By KATHLEEN BURT The Daily News After nearly 50 years, the Rendezvous is still smoking. And, in this age of pre-packaged, franchise...

19. Archived Article: Riverfront (lead) - Wednesday, May 26, 1999
By LAURIE JOHNSON Riverfront committee plans focus groups, town meetings By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News In 1924, a detailed drawing depicting an ambitious development plan for the Downtown stretch of Memphis Mississippi riverfront graced the front...

20. Archived Article: Milestones - Friday, October 11, 1996
Conaway Brown Inc Conaway Brown Inc. has been selected as the advertising and design agency for Charlie Vergos Rendezvous barbecue shipping business. The full-service communications company will design packaging, develop advertising and public relat...