Best Eats in Memphis
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Food is life. I travel for food and these are my choices for the best eats in Memphis from my recent trip to this storied musical city!
The Beauty Shop Restaurant
In researching foodie spots to try while in Memphis, The Beauty Shop Restaurant immediately piqued my interest. Admittedly it was more for the unique location in an old beauty salon than for the food, but the menu also had several interesting options. The restaurant’s plain Jane exterior had me questioning my choices, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was immediately transported back in time to an old-school beauty parlor. The key components, like the old-school hair dyers, had been preserved and accented with complimentary updated pieces and the effect was inviting and cozy.
I was there at lunchtime mid-week and was seated with no wait, though there were a fair number of customers in the restaurant. I started my meal with a little non-alcoholic fun and enjoyed a bottle of Lorina sparkling pink lemonade and for my entree, I enjoyed the watermelon and wings. They were served with warm wet towels to clean your hands, a thoughtful touch I appreciated, and holy cow were they delicious! The cashews added a fun crunch and the blue cheese perfectly complimented the sweet chile ginger lime wing sauce. The watermelon slices made for a sweet, juicy palette cleanser, and the whole dish left me wanting to come back for me!
A. Schwab
Live music and bars aren’t my scene, but I knew that I had to head to Beale Street and check out A. Schwab. A. Schwab is a unique spot to shop for Memphis souvenirs, explore their Beale Street museum, and have a sweet treat at their soda fountain. Be sure to leave ample time to explore this multi-level shop and have a scoop of ice cream, a malt, or a phosphate soda (made with homemade syrup) at the soda fountain. My Coke float with chocolate ice cream was a sweet pre-dinner snack because I believe in eating dessert first!
Headed to Memphis? Check out my weekend in Memphis itinerary!
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
By this point of the day, I was working on a migraine and decided to call it an early night and head back to my hotel. But not before stopping by Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken to get some takeout for dinner! I snagged the two-piece white meat plate (sorry, dark meat lovers!) which comes with a breast and a wing as well as baked beans, slaw, and a slice of white bread. Y’all, when I tell you the flavor of this chicken was incredible, that would be an understatement! It had a bit of spice, but not so much that it would wreck you and the beans and slaw were a perfect compliment. If I had one minor note, it would be that the chicken was a little on the dry side (and this is when the dark meat lovers are going to come for me, haha!) That being said, I would absolutely go back and I’m super sad that I forgot to snag a slice of sweet potato pie while I was there!
Good Fortune Co.
The ramen from Good Fortune Co. tops my list for the best eats in Memphis! Granted, it was a cooler rainy day when I tried it and I’m sure that made it extra good, but this Tan Tan Ramen was everything my soul (and my stomach) needed! The broth was rich and spicy, the noodles had a wonderful chew, and the bok choy and cilantro added a refreshing brightness. I washed it down with a Lemongrass Mojito, which was the perfect compliment!
JoJo’s Espresso
Sometimes you just need a little caffeine and for me, JoJo’s Espresso did the trick! I was in Germantown and looking for a quick hit at a local coffee shop in the area and came across Jojo’s. Their online menu had me sold with the Cookie Butter Latte. I will do unmentionable things for Biscoff cookies so this was right up my alley and it did not disappoint! The shop itself is in kind of a weird location atop a shopping center parking garage, but once you’re inside it’s bright and cute and there were a lot of locals working on their laptops, which I love to see. If I lived in the area, I would definitely be a regular here.
Three Little Pigs
I was looking for something quick and easy for breakfast, so I headed to Three Little Pigs. The sausage egg and cheese biscuit was exactly what I needed it to be—filling, slightly greasy, and delicious! Maybe it was the early morning hour, but the restaurant definitely had a local vibe with groups of people who appeared to be regulars enjoying their breakfast, which is something that I love!
Central BBQ Downtown
I have a confession to make. BBQ and I don’t always get along. I love it, but it doesn’t always love me. That being said, I knew I had to have BBQ at least once while I was in Memphis. And it only made sense to hit up Central BBQ Downtown, which is located right near the National Civil Rights Museum. I stopped in for lunch and the line was long but moved quickly. After ordering at the counter (and being disappointed that they were out of both desserts that I wanted to try) I got my number and found a table on the enclosed patio. My food came out quickly and the pulled pork sandwich (get it with slaw on it) was delicious! Not too fatty and it had the right amount of sauce to keep it moist and flavorful without being a mess. Their mac and cheese was a delicious accompaniment that I absolutely wanted more of!
Be sure to try my choices for the best eats in Memphis on your next trip and let me know if you agree!
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Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori. But you can call me Lors. I’m a middle-aged New Jersey-born gal, currently based in Orlando, Florida. My background is in editorial travel photography and writing and I've been to more than 30 countries. I’m obsessed with tropical locales and my favorite city is Tokyo. Have camera, will travel! I’m a Disney adult, Lord of the Rings fan, certified crazy cat lady, and sushi addict! I hope this blog inspires your wanderlust. Feel free to follow me on Instagram for snippets of daily life on and off the road.
