Big Cypress Lodge and Wahlburgers joined forces on Sept. 8 to present “Above the City” — a first-look event celebrating the renovations to multiple dining outlets at the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, including The Lookout and the relaunch of a new menu at Wahlburgers Wild.
Wahlburgers co-owner — and famous movie actor, whom you probably know from the "Transformers” movies, the “Ted” movies, so many movies — Mark Wahlberg attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This is such a blessing to be here in Memphis with all of you and the great people that come here from around the world,” he said, giant scissors in hand.
The ribbon-cutting and cocktail reception took place
on The Mississippi Terrace at Big Cypress Lodge, the outdoor entertainment patio on the third floor of the Pyramid.
Wahlberg was joined by, among many others, Wahlburgers CEO Randy Sharpe; Wahlburgers executive chef and co-owner Paul Wahlberg, Mark's oldest brother; professional bass fisherman and TV host Bill Dance; and Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris, who led the proceedings.
“Over a decade ago, we opened this shop,” Morris announced proudly into the microphone. “I can remember walking up all these stairs before everything was built. And standing here now, it reminds me why we’re here. In the Delta. In the heart of America.”
Morris officially opened the massive Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis in April 2015. And Wahlburgers Wild, known for serving a menu “with a side of adventure,” opened inside the Pyramid in September 2021. It remains the only Wahlburgers Wild in the world, although Mark Wahlberg and partners are hoping to expand.
Before the ceremony, The Commercial Appeal was granted a sit-down with Wahlberg and his business partner, Sharpe.
When asked why they chose Memphis of all places, Sharpe answered: “It was an opportunity to take our product and mold it in with what Bass Pro stands for. So when the opportunity came, it was a match.”
Wahlberg added: “It was also, you know, a bit of Johnny's idea. We had spent a lot of time with him in Missouri, and we talked a lot about it. He'd asked me if I ever had a bison burger. OK, nice. I couldn't remember that I had, and he said, well, you know, I think it will go over well. So we definitely, we want to cater to the locals. We want to make sure that we're giving people exactly what they want.”
And now, they have come together with Big Cypress Lodge to showcase a “new chapter for dining and hospitality within the Pyramid," highlighted by enhancements to The Lookout, where this interview overlooking the Mississippi River took place.
The Lookout revamp was pretty extensive, including new floors, booths, tables, a new kitchen floor plan, fresh paint on the walls and even a massive new aquarium that houses a 9-pound catfish named Big Shirley.
When Wahlberg was asked what his go-to Wahlburgers Wild order is, his answer was simple.
“I think, you know, I usually kind of go for the traditional burger and fries. If I'm going to have my cheat meal, if I'm training, I just did a movie where I had to put on weight. I’m eating the burger. Whatever I do, I’m doing for work.”
Wahlberg smiled at this one. This is an actor’s commitment, after all. An Oscar-nominated one by the way, Wahlberg got a supporting nod for his acting work in the 2006 classic, "The Departed" and as a producer for 2010's "The Fighter."
“What about the Alligator Fries?” we asked, tongue-in-cheek, after seeing the option on the new Wahlburgers Wild menu.
Wahlberg laughed.
“Yeah, listen, I'm still getting acclimated to that. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans making movies and a lot of people... like those.”
Brian Strickland is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at brian.strickland@commercialappeal.com.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mark Wahlberg, giant scissors and a Wahlburgers Wild Memphis relaunch
