Our annual trip to Florida would not be complete without a meal at Jack's BBQ in Nashville.
We stumbled onto Jack's quite by accident while on the way to Florida several years ago. We made a note in our road atlas, so we would not forget. Then we replaced our road atlas. We did not remember the name of the place. Just the incomparable flavor and texture of their ribs. The turnip greens. The cornbread...
We had several arguments about the probable location of Jack's, Chris maintaining that it was, in fact, near Nashville, me insisting on Atlanta. During our subsequent travels, we searched for Jack's in vain. We sampled offerings from other BBQ joints, and walked away vaguely disappointed.
Then, last year, a miracle happened.
We were stuck on I24 outside of Nashville for an hour and a half. Traffic was not moving. It took us that long just to get to an exit, which we took, for lack of anything better to do. Going was pretty good for about five minutes, and then traffic on this side road also slowed to a dead crawl. It was getting dark. We had no knowledge of the area. We had no detailed map. We were stuck again.
How long were we on this road to hell? Twelve, fifteen, eighteen miles? Hard to say. In the end we came to a stop light where all traffic abruptly and mysteriously vanished. The only explanation for the previous slow down seemed to be a large, black, rather aged dog, that insisted on sniffing each car thoroughly before allowing it to pass. After the olfactory examination, it was smooth sailing.
We found ourselves on an empty, poorly lit road, and followed a sign that promised to take us back to the interstate. We had no choice but to believe. And just as we were starting to lose all hope of ever finding the interstate, a place to eat or a decent motel, the most amazing thing happened.
We turned the corner, and were greeted by this perky neon, well remembered from years ago:
The happy, winged pig takes off from a great height...
... and down, down...
... down he goes!
You simply cannot feel bad about consuming a pig that meets its maker with such gleeful abandon! It may be that these pigs are fully aware that the pit virtuosos at Jack's will turn them into culinary delights of the highest order.
What greater reward for giving one's life, than to be consumed with relish by appreciative diners.
We now have Jack's in our atlas, our glove compartment, in our computer, and, of course, in our hearts!
Judging by that clean plate they must have been good.
Posted by: Summer | January 17, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I haven't eaten yet this norning, and was feeling a little peckish. Now I'm starving.... and wishing I could have Jacks for breakfast!
Posted by: debbie | January 17, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Lastnight we were watching HGTV's House Hunters show and they showed Jack's BBQ as a featured Nashville destination. I screamed out, "I know that place!" My family gives me the sideways weird, Mom's lost it look. I explain that a blog buddy was just commenting about Jack's. This brought about more weird looks. The family just doesn't get the blog thing. =) Can't wait to try Jack's on my next trip thru Nashville!
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2008 at 09:08 AM
No way! That's too funny.
Here's hoping you'll have a chance to visit Nashville soon. It's good stuff.
Posted by: Justyna | January 22, 2008 at 03:59 PM