I’m out of town so much lately that I start to really appreciate the things about Memphis that I miss. We have a wildly diverse city, filled with off-the-beaten-path extravaganzas that are frequently overshadowed by the chain restaurants and suburban sprawl that has forced the city towards a new evolution. After seeing the Memphis Flyer’s Best of 2006, I was like many Memphians, scratching my head trying to figure out how certain things ended up on the list at all. Best Pizza: Pizza Hut? Best Burger: Backyard Burger? Memphis, are you smoking crack again?
Well, yes. Yes, you are, but that’s no excuse. So, I am making my own best-0f list that you can choose to agree or disagree with. You can ignore everything on this list and do whatever you want to do, I seriously don’t care either way. But, if you’re looking for a good time that doesn’t involve corporate chains and the like, here’s some of my favorite places to eat when I manage to sit still.
Food:
Square Foods 937 S. Cooper 901-274-2222 http://squarefoods.com A delicious selection of grab-n-go organics, beverages, snacks, and sandwiches, Square Foods boasts the best organic food experience in all of Midtown. Be sure to say hi to Sheri Stoker and enjoy a taste of Square Foods’ incomparable Soy Cream (frozen soy-based ice cream). Pro Tip: Sunday brunch is served from 10am-3pm, the Smoked Gouda Grits are sinfully good.
Ellen’s Soul Food & Bar-B-Q 601 S. Parkway E. 901-942-4888 Fried chicken any way you want it, vegetables that are so good they’re sinful, corn cakes that will make your curly hair straight, Ellen’s is hands-down the best soul food in the city. You would do well to make the trip.
Jerry’s Sno-Cones and Car Wash 1657 Wells Station Rd. Every flavor of the sno-cone rainbow is represented at Jerry’s, a Memphis standard and tradition like no other. The wedding cake sno-cone deluxe (layers of shaved ice over ice cream imbued with wedding cake flavoring) is truly the creme de la creme of sno-cones in the known universe. Just don’t head over there on a Sunday, they’re closed.
Payne’s Bar-B-Q 1762 Lamar Ave (901) 272-1523 You’ve never had a real bar-b-q sandwich until you’ve eaten at Payne’s. Sitting in a converted gas station on Lamar avenue, the exterior is painted red-and-white so you can’t miss it. Spicy or mild, pulled or chopped, you will never eat another bar-b-que sandwich with as much texture and flavor as the Payne family serves.
Quetzal Coffee and Cocoa 664 Union Ave (901) 521-8388 This cafe, seemingly out-of-place in the world of Memphis coffee fare, serves the finest Fair Trade Certified and Certified Organic coffees in the mid-south. The food is delicious, they have complimentary internet, and the converted warehouse space is open and airy. At night, Quetzal converts from coffee and cocoa shop into bar, attracting the movers and shakers of the downtown scene on a regular basis.
C K’s Coffee Shop 1698 Poplar Avenue (901) 278-5404 The jukebox is full of amazing R&B music. The kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the traditional diner style. Eggs how you like them, hash browns, grits, and some of the best straight-up drip coffee-by-the-cup coffee anywhere in the area, this is where you go at 3 a.m. after you’ve been drilling your well with one too many Icehouse Light’s.
Pho Hoa Binh 1615 Madison Avenue (901) 276-0006 So you’re a vegan, huh? Can’t find any traditional vegan fare anywhere in the area for less than 10 bucks a plate? Pho Hoa Binh is not only one of the most revered Vietnamese restaurants in the area, it’s a haven for magnanimous vegan cookery unlike anything you’ve ever eaten. “Tofu Master” Han will have you never eating meat again, and his Lemongrass Tofu deserves a place in the Fodor’s Guide among the greatest dishes ever served. Pro Tip: the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is served Monday thru Friday from 11:30am - 2pm and boasts four delicious vegan entrees and two vegan soups for only $4.99, so cheap you might feel like you’re stealing.
Dish 948 S. Cooper (901) 276-0002 Whether you prefer upscale dining or casual atmosphere, Dish is pure class. The tapas menu at Dish is an uncluttered excursion into diverse, savory eating on a budget. In it’s second year as Dish, they offer up creamy risotto fritters that melt in your mouth, individual-sized pizzas covered in caramelized onions, feta, and kalamata olives, both homemade Hummus and Babaganoush that are incomparable, a wine and martini list that will have you crawling back for more, and a friendly and attentive staff who work overtime to make your visit special. Pro Tip: happy hour happens every weeknight from 5-7pm during which all tapas menu items are half-priced.
Little Italy Pizza 1495 Union Ave. (901) 725-0280 Midtown memphis, never lacking in interesting cuisine, is emblodened by the appearance of Little Italy. In a strip mall near the corner of Union and Kimbrough, they boast an impressive collection of New York style pizzas, calzones, and pasta. Their overstuffed double-crusted pizzas are heaven on earth, baked crisp outside and spilling over with cheese and your choice of meat or veggies. Two whole pies are enough to feed a small army.
Los 7 Mares 3681 Jackson Ave. (901) 386-1199 Mexican food with style for the traveler on a budget, Los 7 Mares is delicious authentic Mexican food. If I really have to explain to you what Mexican food is, I don’t think I can help you.
Bryant’s Bar-B-Q & Breakfast 3695 Summer Ave. (901) 324-7494 I hope you’re not in a hurry if you’re headed to Bryant’s early in the morning. There’s usually a line out the door to enjoy their delicious biscuits, eggs, smoked country ham, and other heart-clogging specialties. Make the drive, wait in line, buy a whole bag full of their treats, plan a long nap before motoring onward for the day, and enjoy every delectably sinful bite.
Sushi Gas BP Station 6121 Poplar Ave. (901) 681-0111 You come for the gas, you stay for the sushi. Yes, behind that counter lurks fresh homemade sushi as delicious as anything you’ll buy anywhere in town and for a reasonable price. While you’re getting your share of British Petroleum, grab a few boxes of Spicy Tuna rolls, a sushi assortment, or ask for what you want. Made and served fresh every day of the week, you can’t go wrong if you’re on the move.
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