Paul Ryburn's Journal

The Memphis Flyer is back with its latest in a series of articles about the state of Downtown. This one is about restaurants and retail.

Huey’s has added 2 new sandwiches: a crispy chicken sandwich and a chicken BLTA, both on Brioche rolls.

Pre-sale early bird tickets are now available for Taste of the (Memphis Medical Center) District on October 6 from 4 to 6 PM.

RIP Dory Funk Jr.

MATA wants to get the trolleys back online this fall.

Today is National IPA Day.

$2 PBR at the Redbirds tonight. 6:45 first pitch.

The Owen Gooch Band plays The Dame, Hotel Pontotoc’s bar, Friday at 7:30.

Volunteer to help clean up the Memphis Flyway at Tom Lee Park Saturday morning.

On a personal note, I’m close to returning to writing on Medium. I have an article coming out next week. It’s about the phrase “thank you” and negative associations it can carry over from childhood, how those associations can disrupt an adult gratitude practice, and what to do about it.

The eccentric aunt who gives you socks for your birthday. Parents: “Tell your aunt thank you!” Image by Google Gemini AI.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate. I’ll leave you with some fabulous advice from my fellow Medium writer Anne Bellamy.

Stop imagining monsters under your bed.
Start imagining angels at your side.

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It makes me VERY, VERY HAPPY to walk past Downtown restaurants/bars and see a new house rule posted near the entrance:

No speakers on phones

YES YES YES. Talking on your g-damn speakerphones is RUDE to those seated near you. This includes FaceTime! Finish your conversation before coming inside! Or learn to use text to converse! I, for one, am THRILLED to see neighborhood businesses FINALLY cracking down on this.

Third Coast headlines this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM. $15 to get in, $40 to go VIP. VIPs get a buffet of chicken Rotel, tortilla chips, and fried potato skins.

Redbirds host Nashville at 6:45 tonight. Our ‘birds whooped dat ass last night 13-2.

Elvis Week 2026 kicks off Saturday.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Insomnia Cookies at 200 Beale has gotcha covered for the holiday: Buy a warm  chocolate chunk cookie and get a second cookie of equal or lesser value for free.

This morning at breakfast, my friend Patrick brought up a “rocky” problem – a problem I saw myself as I walked around Downtown later.

 

Concrete trucks are letting loose piles of big rocks every time they stop at a traffic light. These rocks can get kicked up and break someone’s windshield. Can anything be done about this?

Your Memphis Redbirds are back at home this week for a homestand against the Nashville Sounds. The first pitch tonight is 6:45 p.m. Check out the new value menu at the Cantina Stand near section 114.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Folks, I’ve been waiting for 20+ years to post a news item like this first one.

Downtown Memphis appears to be close to getting an Indian restaurant!!!!!

What Now reports that a concept called Flavors of India is coming to 150 Peabody Place Suite 115. That’s the Terminix building (old Peabody Place mall building), I believe. “Like” the restaurant on Facebook I LOVE Indian food and can’t wait for it to open!

Last night, one of my Saucer beertenders told me about a hidden gem of Downtown dining: Flyway Brewing’s taproom at 598 Monroe. She especially likes the crispy duck tenders and loaded fries. Menu

The Woodruff-Fontaine House invites you to take a walk through the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 on Sunday, August 23rd.

Today is Grab Some Nuts Day.

Sage seeks a lead bartender. Send your resume to sagememphis94@gmail.com.

The Rocky is the burger of the week at Momma’s. Angus beef, red & yellow peppers, jalapeños, provolone, chipotle mayo.

Feeling better today than I have in a while… but I’m staying at the Mission tonight because I need sleep and a shower. Plus the guest church at chapel, New Salem MB, is one of my fav guest churches. Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Addictive website: Neal.fun

I walked past KUYA about 12:15 AM and there was no party spilling out onto the sidewalk as we’ve come to expect. Wonder what happened?

The space formerly occupied by The WKND Hang Suite on Vance Ave. is now Novel Social Club. What Now has the details. I wonder if the East Memphis bookstore is gonna be OK with the use of that name.

WWE SummerSlam night 1 results

The Metal Museum is closed to the public for the rest of 2026 as preparations are underway for its move to Overton Park.

Want a reminder to get a haircut every 6 weeks? Want to count down the days until vacation starts? This app can help.

Itta Bena is hosting a dinner on Thursday, August 27 pairing Old Forester bourbon cocktails with the restaurant’s delicious cuisine. reservations

UGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH NFL football is back in a few days. Cardinals vs. Panthers preseason game, Thursday 7 PM CDT, NBC/Peacock.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival is today at the civil rights museum. Free books, free health screenings, story readings, DJ.

The old, boarded-up police station on Adams near Fourth could be a future home for juvie court.

If your pup likes water, bring them to Streetdog Foundation’s Summer Splash noon to 4 at Loflin Yard. Dog pools, splash pads, giveaways.

Happy National Mustard Day. Also, happy International Blues Music Day.

There was a fire at an apartment complex at Vance and Orleans Friday morning.

How weird are you?

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Are you a WNBA fan? Catch all the games at Max’s Sports Bar. They have the league pass TV package.

Cordelia’s Market will host a Half Batch Brewing Co. beer tasting Monday, Aug. 3.

A studio for creators called TappedIN has its grand opening Saturday.

I have food poisoning again. Sorry for brevity. Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Requesting feedback from my readers: Occasionally I get asked, where do I board my dog in Downtown Memphis? However, I am unqualified to answer, having never been a dog owner.

I am aware of two such facilities:

• RiverDog Inn in the Downtown core on Court
• Mutt Island in The Edge District on Monroe

Anyone tried both of these and have a preference? Are there other places I should mention? Let me know: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Tickets are now on sale for the Memphis Flyer’s 2026 Best of Memphis party Wednesday, September 23 at Loflin Yard.

In honor of the Ducks Unlimited expo in town this weekend: Play Duck Hunt online

The four generations of The Arcade

I’ve been told the chess tournament coming Downtown Labor Day weekend is a BIG DEAL. It’s the Tennessee state championships, which Memphis gets only once every 4-5 years. Cash prizes awarded at all levels. Also cash prizes for top female, top junior, top senior, best upset, and brilliance. 80+ players expected including masters.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

As most of you are aware, when the weather is warm I avoid the Union Mission and stay out all night as much as I can. That way, I get to see friends in the evenings and I save the $6 nightly cover charge at the Mission. I’d spend the hours between late-night Saucer/E&H closing and early-morning Bardog/Chess Club opening sitting on a park bench on the Main Street Mall in front of the Moxy Hotel.

Last night I got an unwelcome surprise, though. Sometime Monday or Tuesday the city removed the 2 benches in front of the hotel.

Basketcase returns to headline another Peabody rooftop party Thursday, with special guest Jordan Frye. $15 to get in, $40 to go VIP. VIPs get a buffet of assorted hors d’oeuvres, fruit, and cheese/vegetable crudite trays.

KICK’N MAC is the burger of the week at Momma’s. Angus beef, four-cheese macaroni, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickled jalapeño.

The Majestic Grille seeks a part-time bartender.

Today is National Chicken Wing Day and National Lasagna Day.

The Flying Saucer will sell flying saucers on Saturday, which is National Disc Golf Day. First come, first served with very limited supply available. Doors open at 11 AM. $20. They will have a disc golf swag sweepstakes August 1-7; redeem your Untappd badge to enter.

I got 3rd place at Saucer trivia for the third week in a row. I like those $15 gift certificates; I use them as burgers-n-fries on demand whenever I’m out Downtown and hungry.

I had a cucumber lime setzer at the Saucer last night. Refreshing on a day when the feels-like temp makes me wonder if I relocated to Venus.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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DUX – Ducks Unlimited Expo is at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend. A look at the schedule is probably the best way to understand what goes on there.

Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS comes to the Orpheum Friday through Sunday. It tells the story of women who fought for the right to vote.

Trolley Night returns to South Main this Friday, July 31. Get out and meet your neighbors. Many area businesses will have deals and specials. 6-9 PM or later.

Bardog has announced its 18th anniversary party Sunday, September 20. Live music, raffle, meatball eating contest.

I suffered an unexpected and embarrassing financial setback Sunday evening. That, plus a flare-up of my Parkinson’s, plus this miserable heat and humidity, threw me out of the mood to make a post yesterday. Sorry. BTW I read that Carly Simon has joined me in the Parkinson’s club.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com