Memphis eats?

Anyone have tips on places to dine in Memphis?

Indiana or Tennessee?

See if this gives you any ideas. It's about BBQ.

http://www.myspeakerscorner.com/forum/i ... mid=470005

Anyone have tips on places to dine in Memphis?

Chris, I live in Memphis. Of course, we're famous for pork barbecue. It's not really much of a foodie town, but there are some excellent non-chain restaurants around. What kind of food/what price range/what neighborhood? Breakfast, lunch, dinner?

The more $$ Memphis suburbs are Germantown and Collierville, both of which have some great dining places, but downtown Memphis (where Beale Street is) also has some of the best places around, both casual and very upscale.

For example, if you're doing barbecue, you'll want to do Cozy Corner, which is in a not-very-good neighborhood and serves its food on paper plates with cheap paper napkins and plastic utensils. Most people order to go. They have amazing barbecued Cornish hens, plus a local barbecue specialty: barbecued bologna sandwiches. Their ribs and pulled or chopped pork sandwiches are succulent, smoky and delightful. Otherwise, my favorite barbecue place is the original Corky's on Poplar Avenue in east Memphis. Don't bother with the stuff they serve in the airport (if you're flying in). Have an onion ring loaf as a side for 4. Mmm!

If you're doing burgers, Huey's is consistently rated #1 for burgers. The original Huey's is on Madison Ave. in midtown, and you use your straw to shoot frilled toothpicks into the ceiling. Cheerful service; decent burgers. There are 6 other locations around town. Encore in Peabody Place (also downtown) is owned by Master Chef Jose Guiterrez and hand grinds its burgers from prime beef and cooks them to order for less than $15. And I must not forget Dyer's! They deep fry their burgers in grease they've used for over 50 years. The same grease. When they moved, they had a police escort for transporting the grease. They have divided it up and now have several locations, and guess what? The burgers are delicious! Not greasy tasting at all.

For breakfast, Brother Juniper's by University of Memphis (midtown) has a cult following. Homemade everything, and such things as vegan offerings.

If you're looking for an upscale steakhouse, Folk's Folly on Mendenhall (east Memphis) is better than Ruth's Chris any day. It's all a la carte and very expensive. Stella in downtown Memphis is less pricy and more eclectic, but divine (and not a steakhouse; Continental cuisine).

Just a start! Ask me about Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican... whatever!

Karen

For Sunday Brunch, hit the Beauty Shop. It's not in the best area of town, but wonderful food, and true kitch atmosphere (it's in a restored 1930-era beauty parlor, with the old metal hair dryers et al!). Great experience, with good fun and great food!

Also, if you like "down & dirty" fried chicken, Gus's opened a branch in Memphis. It's slightly spicy, and the menu is pretty much fried chicken or fried chicken. It's downtown, in a peripheral area (ie: not the best), but the absolute total lack of atmosphere is part of the "charm". The chicken is the best I've ever had, but the rest of the food is ordinary pre-prepared fried junk. I'd go for lunch, as I have a feeling at dinnertime most of their service will be carry-out.

The bbq suggestions above were right on!

Also, if you've never been to a Brazilian steakhouse, Texas de Brazil downtown in the Peabody Place is a very good example of the type.

Anyone have tips on places to dine in Memphis?

Chris, I live in Memphis. Of course, we're famous for pork barbecue. It's not really much of a foodie town, but there are some excellent non-chain restaurants around. What kind of food/what price range/what neighborhood? Breakfast, lunch, dinner?

The more $$ Memphis suburbs are Germantown and Collierville, both of which have some great dining places, but downtown Memphis (where Beale Street is) also has some of the best places around, both casual and very upscale.

For example, if you're doing barbecue, you'll want to do Cozy Corner, which is in a not-very-good neighborhood and serves its food on paper plates with cheap paper napkins and plastic utensils. Most people order to go. They have amazing barbecued Cornish hens, plus a local barbecue specialty: barbecued bologna sandwiches. Their ribs and pulled or chopped pork sandwiches are succulent, smoky and delightful. Otherwise, my favorite barbecue place is the original Corky's on Poplar Avenue in east Memphis. Don't bother with the stuff they serve in the airport (if you're flying in). Have an onion ring loaf as a side for 4. Mmm!

If you're doing burgers, Huey's is consistently rated #1 for burgers. The original Huey's is on Madison Ave. in midtown, and you use your straw to shoot frilled toothpicks into the ceiling. Cheerful service; decent burgers. There are 6 other locations around town. Encore in Peabody Place (also downtown) is owned by Master Chef Jose Guiterrez and hand grinds its burgers from prime beef and cooks them to order for less than $15. And I must not forget Dyer's! They deep fry their burgers in grease they've used for over 50 years. The same grease. When they moved, they had a police escort for transporting the grease. They have divided it up and now have several locations, and guess what? The burgers are delicious! Not greasy tasting at all.

For breakfast, Brother Juniper's by University of Memphis (midtown) has a cult following. Homemade everything, and such things as vegan offerings.

If you're looking for an upscale steakhouse, Folk's Folly on Mendenhall (east Memphis) is better than Ruth's Chris any day. It's all a la carte and very expensive. Stella in downtown Memphis is less pricy and more eclectic, but divine (and not a steakhouse; Continental cuisine).

Just a start! Ask me about Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican... whatever!

Karen

Karen, I lived in Memphis from 1990-1997. You named many of my favorite places. I am happy to see that Huey's, Dyer's and Cozy Corner are still going strong. I worked at Fino's and Cafe Society when I lived down there. I still get cravings for the Fino Special sandwich.

Ron, they just get better with time, too. And Fino's on the Hill and Café Society! You worked at some great places. René is all into a lot of stuff, isn't he? <g>

Karen

I regularly crave Rendezvous' ribs. They are the best ribs I have ever eaten. Sadly, I'm not sure if/when I will visit Memphis again.

Karen -
I will be trying to hit some of your recommended places while I'm here. I hit town last night and made my way down to Beale St. Such a cool place. I met Rudy Williams (a Memphis legend from what I gather) and he told me there was a great band playing at the Rum Boogie. I decided to grab some food there and was very pleased. I had the pork shoulder dinner with baked beans, fries & slaw. YUM!


I am sure I'll get my fill of BBQ during my trip. Glad it's one of my favorite foods!

Anyone have any experience with this place:

http://www.jimneelysinterstatebarbecue.com/index.html

Thanks again

Anyone have any experience with this place:

http://www.jimneelysinterstatebarbecue.com/index.html

Thanks again

Neely's has been around forever; back when we lived in Memphis it seemed that it was more of the African-American bbq place, and Corky's, Gridley's, and Rendezvous were more Caucasian (one reason we left was that in the early '80's it seemed that the Civil War hadn't ended yet, although in our regular trips back things are definitely better). Neely's also have a show on Food Network Saturdays at 11 (EST). They have given out their sauce and rub recipes (although I have at least two different versions of the sauce recipe!); it's pretty good!

We still agree with Karen ranking Corky's first, and (depending on the day and your server) Rendezvous a close second.

Karen - have you been to the Beauty Shop? Just wondering if "locals" agree with our loving it!

I've heard about Rendezvous from multiple people so I think it will get my $$ tonight or tomorrow!

Cozy Corner and Interstate were my two favorite places for bbq, followed by BBQ Shop in Midtown on Madison. I liked the Rendezvous. It's not the best in town, but the ribs are good.