Charlie Vergos (June 24, 1925 – March 27, 2010) was a Memphis-style barbecue restaurateur.
Vergos was born in Memphis, Tennessee; his parents were Greek immigrants. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Tasia Vergos; they had three children.
In 1948, Vergos founded Charles Vergos' Rendezvous. Vergos also helped to revitalize Memphis' downtown; he refused to relocate out of downtown following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and invested in other downtown businesses.
He developed Memphis-style "dry" ribs, using vinegar and a mix of herbs and spices to season the meat, and cooking the ribs on high heat for around 75 minutes.
Vergos was posthumously inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2018.
References
- "Charles Vergos - View Obituary & Service Information". Charles Vergos Obituary. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- "Memphis magazine, November 2017". Issuu.
- ^ "Rendezvous founder Charlie Vergos dies; was force in Downtown Memphis' revival". Memphis Commercial Appeal. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- "Immigrants bring new touches to American barbecue. Just like they always have". Washington Post. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- ^ "Charlie Vergos". Barbecue Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 September 2018.