Travelling Locally - First Stop

Willie Mae's Rib Haus

321 West Broadway

West Memphis, Arkansas

#870-732-0048

Little did we know as we approached Memphis what delights were in store for us!

Lindi used her new phone to find a locally owned restaurant specializing in Memphis Bar-B-Q.

We were on our way to Willie Mae's!

We found it easily and it was well worth the few extra minutes to escape the sameness of the fast food places found at every exit.

As we pulled in the parking lot,

and walked in the door,

we were delighted by the simple, neat and tidy space we found.

This was a manly sort of place. (It used to be a bait shop. I thought he said bake shop but as he described worms, minnows, and duck parts, I realized my mistake.) There isn't a lot of froo-froo stuff around but a nice bouquet of flowers graced one of the shelves.

along with some pictures, yummy watermelon and ....I'm not sure what else.

As we ordered our ribs, pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, and fried okra, we noticed we weren't the first to discover Willie Mae's.

And we, like they, were not disappointed. The food was really so great, and we did scrape our plates.

But when Kenneth told us the story of the restaurant's beginning we were smitten.

Once there was a mother and her name was Willie Mae. She bore 8 children....all boys. She was strict and insisted these boys know the meaning of discipline. Kenneth spoke with pride and sparkling eyes as he remembered her firm and loving enforcement of family rules. She taught 8 boys how to work hard, how to be responsible, and how to cook! When Willie Mae died several years ago her boys, by now men, chose to honor her in a very special way. They opened a restaurant, made everything just the way she taught them, and called it Willie Mae's.

It was our honor and privilege to meet Kenneth and his friends, Boyd and Shelly, and share a meal with them.

Kenneth, Boyd, and Shelly

As these three gentle men walked us to the door, we said a wistful good-bye and hoped to meet again real soon.