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FeedFeb 15, 201311:19 AM
Bill Reese's "World-Famous" Barbecue
I'm always intrigued by places that call themselves "World Famous" because, really — who says they are? Did the International Tribunal in The Hague hand down that decision?
But, judging from this tiny ad that ran in a 1958 issue of the Memphis Hotel & Motel Guide, a fellow named Bill Reese made that claim about the barbecue served from his humble drive-in establishment on Jackson Avenue.
And, to be fair, since I never dined there, who's to argue?
(Does anyone remember this place? Was it really that good?)
I can't say how long Reese stayed in business here — well, I could, but I don't feel like going to all that trouble. But sometime in the late 1960s the building was demolished to make way for one of our city's first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. I'm assuming that, only because the city directories listed it as KFC #1, though such numbering isn't always reliable. It doesn't really matter. Nowadays, the old KFC building is home to a car dealership.
Perhaps even a "world famous" car dealership? Well, why not?
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Ask Vance is the blog of Vance Lauderdale, the award-winning columnist of Memphis magazine and MBQ: Inside Memphis Business. Vance is the author of two books: Ask Vance: The Best Questions and Answers from Memphis Magazine's History and Trivia Expert (2003), as well as Ask Vance: More Questions and Answers from Memphis Magazine's History Expert (2011). He is also the recipient of quite a few nice awards, the creator of several eye-catching wall calendars, and the only person we know with a vintage shock-treatment machine in his den. 
In 1984 I was in Dental School with a fellow named Paul Reese whose father owned a Bar-B-Que Restaurant. His father became ill and Paul dropped out of my class as he went to help out with the restaurant. He came back to Dental School later and graduated. He practiced in Memphis, I think, for a while. I think I remember that his fathers name was Bill...I could be wrong.
Hope this Helps
David Morris, DDS
Paul's father had Reese's Bar-B-Que on Winchester just west of Perkins. Paul and his wife Cindy moved to Mountain Home Ar about 20 years ago.