Road Trip Through Cardinal Nation....

by Brock20 on May 8, 2007 4:42 PM EDT Comment 18 comments

Greetings all. In less than a month, I'll be heading out on version 2.5 of my hopefully annual minor league baseball trip. The first version was a quick Memorial Day weekend trip to Memphis to see the Redbirds, where my brother, my cousin and I got a chance to see an Anthony Reyes start. The second trip took us to Huntsville, Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. Six games, five days, four parks.
This year, in addition to adding one of my best friends, we are going even bigger. Six games, six parks, six days. This is where I need help from all of you, the outposts of Cardinal Nation. Our trip takes us to: Springfield, Missouri; Memphis, Little Rock, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Louisville. What can you tell me about your city? Where are the places to eat? Places to see? Places to go after the game? Places to stay close to all of the above?
I'm pretty familiar with Memphis, so I don't need as much help with that one. Though, I am always looking for an off the beaten path addition. I've only been through the other stops, so you have carte blanche. We're looking for local places, great restaurants, good bars, breweries, brew pubs, whatever the "must." is in your town.

Thanks.

Poll

Which Cardinal affiliate would you most like to catch a game at?

Palm Beach (Sun... and some young pitchers.)

4 votes

Quad Cities (I hear Davenport is lovely this time of year.)

3 votes

Johnson City (I love the mountains and single A ball.)

4 votes

Batavia (I HEART NEW YORK!!!)

2 votes

Memphis (Bar B Que Nachos....hhhmmmmmm......)

22 votes

Springfield (See the future....today!!!)

18 votes

53 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 18 comments

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Comments

I know food

The Cardinals came to town after I moved from the Springfield area so I'm not all up and up on gameday traditions, but I can recommend a few eateries/treateries for the 417 area.

Lambert's Cafe, home of the throwed rolls. Be prepared to wait in line for awhile as it is a big stop for tour buses headed for Branson. If you are hungry when you leave this place it is your own fault.
Arris Pizza, a family-owned Greek restaurant. It's mostly specialty pizzas with some traditional Greek fare and it's reasonably priced. The downside is that it's not exceptionally close to the ballpark.
Tropical Liqueurs, essentially an adult Slurpee bar. I do not (DO NOT) advocate drinking and driving (ever!) but it's possible to get a nondescript to-go cup that could be snuck into the ballpark.
Andy's Frozen Custard. It's the rough equivalent to Ted Drewes in southwest MO.

by Elle on May 9, 2007 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

J Buck's

is fairly new to Springfield, MO. I've not yet eaten there, though I've heard it is quite good.

Of course there's always Bass Pro.

by cardzfanbub on May 10, 2007 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Shannon's Restaurant

is actually coming to town, too. Apparently Springfield is the place to go for casual dining owned by Cardinals radio announcers...

I work for a few local magazines in town and would be happy to get you whatever info you'd need. Check out 417mag.com and Springfieldgo.com for some options. There is a searchable dining guide and archive of restaurant reviews on 417mag.com, and springfieldgo.com has some entertainment options available, including a daily events calendar. Also check out the "Best Of 417" reader's poll for top dining, shopping, etc.

As for MY favorites: Ebbets Field is a little bar and grill about two or three blocks from Hammons Field. It's a great place to park, eat a burger and walk to the game. The stadium is close to downtown, too. After games a lot of fans and players go to Trolley's Bar & Grill. It's a long walk or a short drive to get there.

E-mail me if you'd like some more help. Sounds like a fantastic trip!

by effin fisk on May 10, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some Suggestions

I was born in Little Rock, moved when I was pretty young so I don't really have much to offer.. But return trips in my adulthood have given me this tidbit to offer:

Vino's Pizza and Brewery
923 West 7th St
http://www.vinosbrewpub.com
A Little Rock tradition of the highest order. The pizza the best I've ever had outside of Chicago, and goes down nicely with any of their "fresh handcrafted ales".

The whole River Market district downtown offers some nice distractions as well.

I spent my formative years in Memphis, if you're familiar with the town you may already be aware of these things.. The Young Avenue Deli (youngavenuedeli.com) and RP Tracks (no website, off the Highland Strip on Walker near UM Campus) were always my favorite restaurants in the city. Huey's Downtown, right by Autozone Park, would provide the best pre/post-ballgame atmosphere. The Stax Records Museum is a must if you haven't already been. Also the Civil Rights Museum, Ornamental Metal Museum, Sun Studios.. I suppose there's Graceland (I lived in Memphis for 9 years and never went.) Also I believe the Memphis Zoo is still home to the US's only panda bears. If it's still May when you make your trip, you might want to check out http://memphisinmay.org/home.html. May is a pretty big deal in Memphis.

Hope this helps some.

by stl tyler on May 9, 2007 4:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

kind of off topic...

but im pretty sure the stl zoo has pandas

BLaw.

by Dttl89 on May 9, 2007 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zoos with Giant Pandas...

Atlanta, DC, San Diego and Memphis.

per wikipedia.

Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming.

Tyler: I've wanted to go to the Stax Musuem, but it keeps getting pushed off to the next trip. The new addition to our trip has never been to Memphis, so it will depend on what he wants to see. The Rock and Soul Musuem and the Gibson Guitar Factory make an excellent double dip and are three blocks from Autozone. Also, the Civil Rights Musuem is a must, I agree on that.

Never been to Graceland. Never saw the urge.

by Brock20 on May 9, 2007 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

more on LR

good recommendations above. If you are into the late night band scene, Vino's is the place to go. If you go to the Rivermarket area, I suggest the Underground Pub (good appetizers, darts, pool, and bigscreen).

The only hotel right next to the new ballpark is the Wyndham; it's mediocre, but decent. It actually has one of the best steakhouses in it (Riverfront Steakhouse) and a great Japanese place, although pricey for a roadtrip. Just across the river, I would recommend the Doubletree. It's not as close, but I bet you could get the shuttle to take you across the bridge to the park.

If you stay in North Little Rock, I've heard the Cornerstone is a cool place to hang out. I have never been there personally, but all of our friends give it a thumbs up. Here's that link: http://www.cstonepub.com/

Of course, I'm partial to my very own waterin' hole, Pizza D'Action, but it is a little out of your way (about a mile west from the Doubletree on the LR side - intersection of Markham & Kavanaugh). My husband and I frequent there for happy hour, and they have a rockin' night crowd, but we're usually asleep by then!

However, if you decide to venture down that way anytime between 5 and 7, just ask for Big Dave and Caroline (or the huge Cards fans). We'd be happy to see a fellow Viva El Birdos.

by Cayronut on May 9, 2007 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

Just realized you were the one who gave us all the good advice re: spring training travel info. Thanks again so much and let me know if you need more info about LR; I'll be happy to help. And hope you have a good time.

by Cayronut on May 9, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Memphis

World Famous Rendevous Ribs.

If I'm ever convicted....it'll be my last meal.

And it's a 1/2 block from the ball park

by whatapartier on May 9, 2007 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh oh

If people start debating the best barbeque joint in Memphis this diary could turn into a 200 comment flame war :)

by mikedallas23 on May 9, 2007 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vous..

is actually at the ballpark. They make a pulled pork nachos, which is exactly like it sounds.

by Brock20 on May 9, 2007 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It may be obvious

But if you are looking for attractions in Louisville, you have to got to the Slugger museum. Its actually pretty cool. Plus, not too far from Slugger Field. As for food, everyone goes to the Spaghetti factory downtown and if you are looking for nightlife, 4th Street Live is pretty hoping on the weekend.

by JBagKY on May 9, 2007 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Any place specific? We are more the multitude of beers on tap, good juke box, maybe a TV to watch the West Coast games type of crowd.

by Brock20 on May 9, 2007 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just in Louisville

and second the recommendation on the Louisville Slugger factory. Fun, with plenty of intrigue over how the hell they hit with those old sticks at the turn of the century. And indoor batting cages! Behind the video screen that shows you just how fast an incoming Clemens fastball looks they have a bat rack with personalized bats for the Tigers' and Cards' starting line-ups. I was there in February, and it was just weird to see Belliard immortalized like that...

by jfs on May 12, 2007 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More on Little Rock

Okay, to start off...first post ever, just found this blog this year and I love it (but I'll mostly remain a lurker).

Okay, the new ballpark (actually in North Little Rock) is great! Bill Valentine, the "king of all things Travelers", has opened a restaurant in the ballpark that is open on game days.

You can catch the River Rail trolley and head back across the Arkansas River to the River Market and downtown LR. We have a new Courtyard Marriot hotel that I've had several friends recommend. (I live in NLR, so I've not had an occassion to stay downtown). I agree that the Underground Pub is great. But I'll pitch two local restaurants in the River Market...Sticky Fingerz (mostly a pub/small music venue) and Rumba/Revolution (Cuban/Caribbean food with an adjoining larger music venue). For the sake of full disclosure, both of these places are owned by a distant cousin, but even Racheal Ray raved about Sticky Fingerz on her Food TV show. ;o)

For the multitude of beers on tap, try the Flying Saucer in the River Market. Yeah, it's technically a chain restaurant, but it's hands-down the best beer selection in the city...and you can get the local brew, Diamond Bear, on tap.

Public transporation is getting much better in the downtown NLR/LR area because of the River Rail. And just a couple of weeks ago, I was driving in downtown as a Friday night game was getting out. There were tons of folks walking across the bridge back into LR...so, you should have lots of company when you're out and about.

Have a great time!

by cardsgirlinAR on May 11, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Memphis and Louisville

Having lived in both cities......a couple of tips

Memphis - Since you are familiar, you likely know that Interstate BBQ and Neely's (both a short drive from the ballpark) and Corky's as well......are even better than the great marketeer known as Rendezvou (which is a really good even as my 4th place pick)........ask the Neely brothers to tell you why they sold their McDonald franchises to get back to BBQ

Louisville - You will love this ballpark - new, beautiful and cozy......go to the ballpark lounge with memorabilia on the wall to see all the 1980 era Cardinals in action as AAA stars for then Louisville Redbirds....the Bat museum (also downtown)is a must for baseball fans...if you go during the week, you can ask to speak with a real bat maker in addition to tour guide...have him tell you the legend of Ted Williams visiting the original factory to offer advice......4th Street Live near the ballpark is Louisville's version of getting the burbs downtown.....quickest and easiest pre or post game spot...nothing spectacular but nothing bad....plenty of places to get a decent bite and catch west coast baseball

Never been to Springfield so I would love to hear your review

Enjoy....

by Hinkster on May 11, 2007 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nashville

forgot I lived there too......Music Row downtown is hopping now, something for everyone.....even if you don't love country & western music, both the Ryman and Grand Ol Opry are memorable experiences..........the best sports pub for food, atmosphere, beer variety and sports TV is Sportsman's Grill (Sporty's)in West End - try the BBQ on cornbread with a fishbowl

by Hinkster on May 12, 2007 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Springfield

I was once in Springfield for a work meeting and came across this little hole in the wall place called Ebbett's Field. I thought the name alone was worth checking out. This was about a year and a half ago...and if I remember correctly, it's only a couple of minutes away from the ballpark. In sort of a residential/light commercial neighborhood. You folks from Springfield, please give better details. But the food was decent and it was a definitely a place to catch West Coast games.

by cardsgirlinAR on May 11, 2007 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs