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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Making It Clap for some Soul (Train) Food

In a horribly ironic twist of fate, today we not only began celebrating Black History Month, but mourning the loss of a historic black man, Mr. Don Cornelius, as well.
Don Cornelius, Soul Man


Cornelius, having been inspired by the 1960s Civil Rights movement, created Soul Train, a television program that featured black musicians, soul music, and funky dancing, all of which had not been previously represented on syndicated television.


Soul Train, which ran from 1970 to 2006, featured and gave exposure to black artists like James Brown and Dianna Ross to Busta Rymes and Lil Wayne.  White kids could tune in to Soul Train and learn how to really dance; it could be argued that Cornelius and his show has been heavily influential in melting together differing ideas to form an ethnically diverse pop culture.


Nikki pops it
So, when I hear Soul Train, I think of two things: booty poppin' and soul food (deep-frying has to directly contribute to those fantastic badunkadunks, right?)  And lucky for me, when I get a hankerin' for some soul sista snackage, I happen stay in the right place: the durty skreets of Memphis.


Whilst searching the phenom known as "soul food", one reoccurring theme kept popping up: FRIED CHICKEN.  If you live in Memphis, are literate, and/or with the capacity to hear, you are at least aware of  Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken.  I don't know how many times I have waken on a couch downtown, pulled on last night pumps, and meandered down Front Street toward that glorious rendering of a chicken on mustard-yellow signage.  Now, this place looks like a dump, and the line of heavy-set people that wraps around the block can be discouraging.  However, once inside, it's like an insta-hangover cure, complete with award-winning fried EVERYTHING and cheap beer galore (not to mention about 10 other shackers and sinners you probably saw out partying the previous evening).


It always gets me going to see the Asian tourists videoing the menu while one of the attitude-ridden servers smacks her gum maliciously; I have to remind myself that GQ, Food Network, and Southern Living have all given props to this dump, thus earning the place's touristy vibe.  Vernon "Gus" Bonner, owner of Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken, has done nothing short of sprinkling MSG and crack into his family's secret recipe for their fried chicken.


OK, so let's say that you did not take umpteen million shots of Fireball whiskey at Bardog and need a quick fix meal downtown before crawling back into whatever hole it is you belong in.... Let's say that, instead, you way overdid it at Brookhaven Bar in East Memphis (just keepin' real, ya'll).  Well, lucky for you, there's now a Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken in East Mempho! GASP!  Now before you downtown urbanites start scrounging quarters for cab fare, know that there are some menu differences; the most notable are the East Memphis location's lack of sandwiches and fried catfish.  Hey, buck up, dummy, because it's called Gus' World Famous... all together now... FRIED CHICKEN. duh.  Plus, the East M location (on 730 S. Mendenhall) is cleaner, has more room, and....wait for it.... has a PATIO AREA.  That's right, my little foodies; you can munch on fried pickles and dark meat (because when you go dark you don't go back) AND chug beers outside in the sunshine with views of birds flying and teenage drivers flipping off mini van moms down Poplar Avenue.  Ahhhh, now that's living.




Now don't go expecting grade A service; that's not what you are there for.  You are there for the soul food.  Gus' chicken is steadfast in its crispy and subtly spicy outside and its mouthwatering and tender on the inside.  Also, try the slaw... trust me.  It's savory, unique, and perhaps could count as a veggie in your diet if you're really gunna worry about it.  Also, because Gus' is a soul food shack, it is very reasonably priced; therefore, you may want to make it your first official date with the stranger you woke up with that morning.  

Regardless you are sure to get your kicks with a rocking jukebox; just do us all a favor; play somethin' funky for our man Don Cornelius, and keep on ridin' that soul train till there ain't no more pain.

-Stephanie

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