Monday Menu: Coming-of-Age Edition

I had a friend come to town recently from San Diego, and all he wanted to do was see downtown and eat barbecue. There was really one clear choice: We went to Martin’s! Consistently excellent, always entertaining and big enough to usually find a spot at the upstairs bar, Martin’s never disappoints.

If you haven’t been in a while, Tuesday, Sept. 15, will offer an excellent opportunity as Martin’s partners with Cowboy Singer Beer and Pantalones Tequila to throw a party in honor of AmericanaFest. Cowboy Singer Beer is a project from Jody White, the son of legendary singer-songwriter Tony Joe White, and Pantalones comes from actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves. Plus, “pantalones” is an objectively fun word to say.

From 7 until 10 p.m., Martin’s will be selling their whole-hog barbecue and slinging ice-cold Cowboy Singers and Pantalones cocktails while everyone grooves to a DJ set from Flying Mojito Brothers, a duo known for their classic rock and cosmic country-funk mashups. Admission to the party is free, and then it’s just pay-as-you-go. They would appreciate it if you would preregister so they can plan ahead for the crowds.

Over on the West Side, Seema Prasad and her team at Miel are about to celebrate turning 18 years old. They’re leaning in on indulging vices as they come of age — smoking (chicken lollipops and carrots), gambling (playing hot-shishito-pepper roulette) and drinking (draft beer and cocktails).

The party will be held in the barn and covered patio at Miel (343 53rd Ave. N.) on Friday, Sept. 18, from 5 until 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are $78 and include all the food, drink and fun. Feel free to dress like you did in 2008 for the photo booth! Hold your spot at the event reservation page.

Finally, the Southern Foodways Alliance would love to see a bunch of Nashvillians attend their annual Fall Symposium, especially since they’ve moved it a little closer this year, from Oxford, Miss., to Memphis. Scholars, culinary experts and foodies will gather Oct. 10-11 at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts to investigate “Memphis Movements,” tracing the cultural and physical movements that help the Bluff City shape its unique foodways.

Attendees will enjoy film screenings, panel presentations and some spectacular meals over the course of two days. The full schedule is available here, and here’s a list of some of the Symposium participants:

• LaTricea Adams: founder, CEO and president, Young, Gifted & Green | Memphis
• Jared "Jay B." Boyd: multimedia journalist and co-founder of WYXR 91.7 FM; co-host of Beale St. Caravan | Memphis
• Simone Delerme: associate professor of anthropology and McMullan associate professor of Southern studies, University of Mississippi | Oxford, Miss.
• Zaire Love: SFA Pihakis documentary filmmaker | Memphis
• Charles W. McKinney Jr.: Neville Frierson Bryan chair of Africana studies and associate professor of history, Rhodes College | Memphis
• KeShaun Pearson: executive director, Memphis Community Against Pollution (MCAP) | Memphis
• Derravia Rich, Co-Founder, Black Seeds Urban Farms | Memphis, TN 
• Zandria Robinson, associate professor and chair of Black studies, Georgetown University | Washington, D.C.
• Otis Sanford: professor emeritus in journalism and strategic media, University of Memphis, and political analyst for WATN-TV | Memphis
• Maria Zoccola: 2026 symposium poet and author of Helen of Troy | Memphis
• Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman: chefs and owners, Enjoy AM Restaurant Group | Memphis
• Bartholomew Jones and Renata Henderson: co-founders, Cxffeeblack | Memphis
• Jonathan Magallanes: chef-owner, Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana | Memphis 
• Josh Steiner: chef-owner, The Hive | Memphis

Tickets are $500 per person and include all food and beverages throughout the weekend.