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Food smokin’ inside, gawkers roast outside

It wasn’t fine china for President Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on their visit Friday to the Rendezvous. They ate their lunch from paper plates and used plastic utensils just like regular customers.

Inside the homey, back-alley restaurant, Bush cleaned his plate of barbecue ribs and washed it down with a Diet Coke. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who had the barbecue nachos and water, sat alongside Bush and belted out his favorite Elvis tune, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” with The Dempseys.

As smoke steamed from the charcoal grill outside of the alley, patient onlookers stood in the summer heat and crowded along Union and Third. No one knew where or when the president would exit the restaurant, but they hoped for a quick glimpse.

Across the street, Memphis native Mark Logan and wife Darline peeked around a black Secret Service GMC for three hours, just to see the president.

“I’ve been playing detective all day trying to see this man,” Darline Logan said as she wiped sweat from her forehead . “His protection is insane and really hard to get around.”

Streets around the restaurant - Third, Second, Monroe and Union - were blocked off by more than 50 police officers while Bush and Koizumi enjoyed their meal. Laura Bush, Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley joined the president, along with 60 other guests.

Decorating the middle of each table were two small flags - one for America and one for Japan.

Percy Norris, who has worked at the restaurant for 36 years, was the only server to assist Bush and Koizumi. Dressed in his best black bow-tie, white serving uniform, and biggest smile, Norris brought the president all of his dishes - including the first dessert ever served in the Rendezvous: apple cobbler and ice cream.

“I took a picture with him and everything,” Norris said.

After his 45-minute meal, Bush made a quick exit underneath the white tarp connected to the restaurant.

Over on Third Street, Carter Wynn eagerly waited for Bush’s exit. He held up a cardboard sign reading, “Don’t forget Iraq, an Inconvenient truth,” hoping Bush would get his message.

“Let’s talk about the real issues, like war,” Wynn said. “There is more important things than Graceland and restaurants. The troops need to come home.”

Standing next to Wynn, the Logan’s cheered as the black motorcade drove by and Laura Bush waved from inside. “I don’t care about the heat or anything,” said Darline Carter. “That’s the President of the United States.