BBQ HISTORY LESSON

Soon after I had recommended Norm’s East End Grill to FoodTV’s, “The Best Of . . .” program, I read your reviewer’s reaction to an evening at Norm’s, 47 Middle St., Portland (see “KC=BBQ,” Dec. 21-27). It is regrettable when a review picks-to-the-bone an establishment like Norm’s, legendary for its extraordinary dedication to customer satisfaction.

At first, I thought the writer’s introduction, about tasting “the best barbecue on the planet” in Kansas City, was a ribbing — a satire — like having tea in England and then lecturing the reader that the Chinese do not steep or serve tea properly and only the English are capable of doing it right. I have eaten at Norm’s East End Grill numerous times during the past several weeks, along with several thousand other satisfied diners. I have developed an appreciation for Norm’s contribution to the high-steaks world of barbecue, even after tasting various barbecue rib rubs (dry and wet), bastes, smokes, and sauces (tomato, mustard, and vinegar-based) in Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Louisiana.

Kansas City has played a historical role in developing America’s passion for kicking ash. The city hosts the prestigious annual Royal Barbecue competition and the Kansas City Barbecue Association, the nation’s oldest barbecue organization. Yet, your reviewer and I would probably agree that Texans would not travel to Kansas City to have what she believes is the “best barbecue on the planet.”

And, it is Memphis, TN, not Kansas City, that presents the official World BBQ Championships, known as the “Super Bowl of Swinedom.” None of the recent major winners have been from Kansas City. The 2001 Grand Champion was Jack’s Old South Bar-B-Q, Vienna, Georgia. The “magic dust” found at the 17th St. Bar & Grill, Murphysboro, Illinois is perhaps the most celebrated barbecue sauce in America, four-time world champions and three-time grand world champions. A major winner in 2000 and 2001 was Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ, Decatur, Alabama. Other recent winners were from Tryon, NC (Trim Tabbs Pig Powder) and Memphis, TN (Willlingham’s).

Clearly, your reviewer is not aware that the best barbecue is not just in Kansas City anymore. And now unfortunately, some of your readers may not discover that Norm’s East End Grill does represent The Best of Portland.

Clemmer Mayhew III

Portland

FRODO IS MY FRIEND

What a horrible and pathetic review by Peter Keough (see “Hobbit forming?” Dec. 21-27). Where did you dig him up? Frankly I was quite disgusted by his sexual references and apparent inability to enjoy a film made with such care and attention to detail. It is quite obvious from reading his many reviews, Keough is struck with a certain negativism towards the industry and has a perverse mindset. Referring to homoerotic subtext, flaming vaginas, and phallic symbols in a movie of this scale and grandeur is simply inexcusable and makes one wonder if he actually saw the movie at all. No, there are no “brown skins or Asians in the film.”

So what? The story touches on issues concerning friendship (yes Friendship, Keough . . . not homoerotism) and good versus evil. Very relevant considering our current situation. The scene with Bilbo dealt with his desire for the ring, how it changed him and ultimately corrupted him. How one perceived homoerotism is beyond me. Characters androgynous or asexual? Legolas and Aragorn were simply gorgeous. Did we miss the romance building between Arwen and Aragorn (Strider)? Keough must have expected hobbits humping in the haystack or more sexual scenes which we are saturated with in lesser, more common films.

Sets staid and derivative? Is this poor excuse for a reviewer horribly inept? Most definitely he is, as the sets and photography properly illustrated each major arc and setting with the proper tone and atmosphere. The detail is simply amazing as were the menagerie of colors and breathtaking imagery. If anything, Peter Jackson deserves an Academy for the obvious hard work put into each of these sets and portrayal of the vastness of Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Keough simply wanted to be perverse, to bring attention to himself, and appear to be politically correct. How shameful on his part and the Portland Phoenix in trying to degrade a true masterpiece in film making. Perhaps Keough should go into reviewing porno films (his mind is in the gutter) as he certainly lacks any qualification or decorum for examining decent film and the making of a modern classic.

Shaun M. Quinn

Portland

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