Soul Food in Graceland

I'm unwillingly earning something of a reputation for taste-testing exotic cuisine but what's there to love about collard greens, black-eyed peas, okra and age-old cornbread in Memphis? Actually, nothing. But there is a time-honored tradition in the South to fry the bajesum out of everything besides. So, gathering at comfortable restaurant across from the Peabody Hotel a "mess o' fried foods" is ordered. Appetizers include fried green tomatoes and an alligator sampler bathed in a piquant creole-style salsa washed down with a local brew or in Jen's case, a bowl of jambalaya. Yours truly saved room for the chocolate raison brownie dripping in carmel and vanilla icecream. Everything was absolutely yummy and crushed the myth that only trailer cooking exists south of the Mason Dixon line. Following that, what could be more southern than paying homage to the "King of Rock 'N Roll"? A few weeks ago Graceland was overwhelmed with Christmas and birthday fans stretching down the hill to the musical gates but on late Monday evening all is quiet. We're running late for our flight home though and have no time for a tour of the jungle room, meditation gardens and final resting place of Elvis. The mansion as well as fried possum will just have to wait until the next time we visit Memphis.