I have gotten pretty particular about my food over the years. I don't mind paying for an expensive meal as long as is worth it. When I find something I think is the best of the best, I tend to not bother with the time or money to eat the second best or the mediocre alternative.
As a result, I will travel for the good stuff. I know what I like and I will hunt it down- through traffic or the TSA.. whatever it takes.
This includes BBQ and especially ribs. I
love Memphis ribs - wet or dry, doesn't matter as long as it's in Memphis.
Now, one thing to keep in mind here is that I stopped eating meat a few years ago- however, when I do make it to Memphis I do go fully intending to get some ribs. Everybody's got exceptions. It's been a while. I think last time I was there and had ribs I had only been not eating meat for about 3-4 months.
However, this time, it's been a few years.. I didn't think too much about it because I did eat some meat in Germany. My non-carnivorousness is not ethical; it's more about dietary preference.
When we went to Germany, I decided that I wouldn't be getting the true Germany experience if I didn't at least try some of the meats and I did- I had some ham, some bratwurst, some stuffed cabbage.. it was all very good. I was amazed at how different it tasted then it does in the states. My working theory here is that it was all fresh, no chemicals in the animals or for preservation like we typically do here. I don't know if this is true or not, but there was definitely a big difference.
And amazingly, I did not get sick from the meat I ate even after the lenght of time it has been since I last had it. Great at the time, because I actually expected I would since it had been so long..
...hence the false sense of security...
So, Sunday afternoon prior to my fight home, Otto and I roll into
The Blues City Cafe for a Half Rack and some Sweet Tea.
Here they are, the actual ribs that almost killed me:

I
destroyed these ribs. There was nothing pretty about it. They never had a chance. And they were sooooo goood.
After I ate them... nothing... felt fine. Went to the airport, got on the plane, slept the entire flight, landed in Raleigh, got off the plane headed towards long term parking and then.... it hit me. I spent the next 25 minutes in a restroom at RDU.
But then, I was good. Not bad really, just par for the course.
Got in the car, got home, unpacked, and then I was heading towards bed and my stomach start feeling upset.
About 20 minutes later I was in the bathroom throwing up grease.
Yes,
GREASE.It was the most revolting thing. I had my head in the toilet for the better part of the night. I napped in between on the bathroom floor. It sucked. I thought I was going to die.
It was horrible. Never, never, never again. That was the last plate of ribs I'll ever eat. I couldn't eat Monday and Tuesday was a little iffy. Today's the first day my stomach has felt better and it's still not great.
Poor planning, yes, yes, I know.
It still makes me cringe to just think about it.