Alton Brown and his crew were in the Delta yesterday, filming a segment for his Food Network show, Feasting on Asphalt. They started their tamale trek in Greenville, where they visited Doe's Eat Place and Scott's Hot Tamales. Then I--Amy Evans, SFA oral historian--met them in Rosedale at Joe's Hot Tamale Place, where Barbara Pope plied us with tamales and Kool Aid pickles. We then traveled to Clarksdale, where we were supposed to meet up with Big Jim Cole at his tamale stand on State Street. Unfortunately, Big Jim didn't make it (sorry we missed you, Big Jim! We filmed at your place, though, so here's hoping it makes the cut). While we were there, Alton Brown fan Mattie Davis (pictured here) stopped to get an autograph. Evidently, Alton has quite a fan base in the Mississippi Delta.
Alton was keen on getting some footage at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, so we headed back down the street to Abe's Bar-B-Q. We bellied up to the counter and had Abe's famous Tamaco (tamales covered in chili, cheese, lettuce and tomato), as well as some bbq. Then, unfortunately, it was time to call it a day. I headed home, and Alton and crew headed to Arkansas.
Alton is blogging about his thirty-day trek up the Mississippi River for Feasting on Asphalt on his website. You can get the scoop right here. The Tamale Trail adventure appears in the "Day 3" entry.
Feasting on Asphalt will appear on the Food Network this August, every Saturday night. Since the Delta fell early in their itinerary, look for the Tamale Trail to appear in one of the first few episodes.
Thanks Alton and crew for a great afternoon in the Delta and for stopping long enough to eat more than a few Mississippi Delta hot tamales and meet the fine, fine people who make them. Y'all are welcome back to these parts any time!
