Memphis Foodie

Your tool for delicious, local cuisine right in the heart of Memphis, TN.

Memphis Pizza Cafe December 2, 2011

Filed under: Collierville,East Memphis,Germantown,Midtown,Southaven — Shannon R Little @ 4:00 pm
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Memphis Pizza Cafe has been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember.  When I was really young, and living in East Memphis, my parents and I frequented the location on Park Avenue.  When we moved to the suburbs, the one in Germantown became our home.  Then, we moved to Arlington, and the location that made a brief appearance in Wolfchase was our spot.  Now that I am living back in the city, I go back and forth between the Midtown location and East Memphis location.  When visiting family in Collierville, I check out that location as well. I have, at some point in my life, settled into every Memphis Pizza Cafe location (with the exception of Southaven), just like I have settled into every home.

 

This time I ate Memphis Pizza Cafe, it was take-out, so I cannot comment on service.  However, from my past experiences, the service seems to always be pretty solid (taking into consideration how long it takes to cook a pizza). I also love the laid back atmosphere of the restaurants. It’s very homey and comfortable.

 

I usually order the exact same thing every time I go: a side salad with Ranch dressing (they have great Ranch), and one or two slices (depending on how hungry I am) on Ultimate Cheese pizza, add spinach, tomato, and cajun chicken. This is the ultimate slice of pizza.  With years of experience and trial-and-error under my belt, I finally found the perfect slice of pizza at Pizza Cafe.  This is it.

 

However, this time I was sharing with the masses, so I did not get to order what I want.  We ordered a Meat Lovers and a BBQ Chicken pizza.  I prefer either no meat or only chicken on my pizza, so I opted to eat the latter.  The BBQ Chicken pizza was great.  It wasn’t my typical order, but I have never had anything bad at Memphis Pizza Cafe.  Partially,  I believe, is because I love their thin crusts.  If I had to compromise again, I would opt for this.

 

 

They are always perfectly crispy, with the right amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings.  Memphis Pizza Cafe, in my opinion, is the best pizza joint in Memphis.  I know many that agree with me.  In fact, I have only ever talked to one person who didn’t care for this place.  I also discredit her opinion, as she is a New York-er with a pretentious taste in pizza.  Nothing can satisfy her anyway.  Personally, I have never had a bad experience at any location. Ever.

 

If you ever have a craving for pizza, I highly recommend trying this place out.

 

For more information, visit their website, Facebook page, or Twitter.  Check out their menu on All Menus.  For more reviews, visit Urbanspoon or Yelp.

 

Memphis Pizza Cafe (Midtown) on Urbanspoon

 

 


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Felicia Suzanne’s November 30, 2011

Filed under: Downtown — Shannon R Little @ 4:00 pm
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Felicia Suzanne’s was my last stop for Downtown Dining Week, a great Grand Finale to celebrate the week of my Dining Extravaganza.  I have had heard nothing but fabulous reviews on Felicia Suzanne’s, so I was uber excited to try it out. We got there around 8:45 pm and the place was absolutely packed. (Side note: I made reservations 1 1/2 weeks prior, and all they had left was 5pm and 9pm.  Shows how much in demand this place is.)

There was good music flowing from the live jazz band and a festive atmosphere that filled the place.  We headed to the bar to get a drink and wait on our table.  We were sat pretty quickly.

Our server, a very nice and polite guy, greeted us quickly.  I like how he had the formality of the restaurant in him, but at the same time you could tell he was relaxed and easy going.  Nothing was forced about it, which I find in a lot of fine dining experiences.  Basically, he didn’t make me uncomfortable like some servers in fine dining can do.  (I still have no idea what to do when someone presents a bottle of wine to me before opening it…)

We were brought a basket of french bread, which was nothing special.  It was warm, crispy on the outside, and doughy in the middle.  However, it was just french bread.

 

 

Our server refilled our wine glasses, and presented us with our Downtown Dining Week Menu:

CHOICE OF APPETIZER:
BLFGT Salad: Crispy Newman Bacon layered with Greens tossed in a Creamy Remoulade Dressing over a Fried Green Tomato 
OR
Roasted Butternut and Apple Bisque, drizzled with Pecan Pesto

CHOICE OF ENTREE:
Roasted Tenderloin of Pork over a Pork Belly Hash, Green Tomato Chow Chow 
OR
Pepper Crusted WIld Salmon, Sweet Corn Ettoufee, spoonful of Tomato Jam

CHOICE OF DESSERT:
Chocolate Fried Pies, warm Prichards Dark Rum Sauce, Ice Cream 
OR
Apple Crisp, Oatmeal Crumb Topping, Brown Sugar Ice Cream

We both got the bisque to start with.  Once again, it was cold outside. The soup was perfect.  It was creamy, favorful, and everything complimented each other perfectly.  You can taste Felicia’s influences of Memphis, New Orleans, and South Carolina all in this one bowl.  Scott hates nuts, but thought the soup was great.

 

 

For our entrees, Scott got the Pork Tenderloin and I got the salmon.  Scott raved over his meal.  I am still thinking about this salmon, over a week later.  The crust was perfect.  The flavors were perfect. Everything about it was perfect.

 

 

 

For dessert, Scott got the fried chocolate pie and I got the Apple Crisp.  Scott liked his.  I thought it was okay, but I am not too big on fried pies.  I did think the rum sauce was a good compliment.  I loved my apple crisp.  It tasted like grandma’s, maybe better (Sh! Don’t tell her!).  It was perfect for such a cold night, and I could have eaten three more of them.

 

 

 

Overall, Felicia Suzanne’s was my favorite out of all of my Downtown Dining Week experiences.  I am thankful I was able to squeeze in a reservation here.  I do not do fine dining very frequently, but I am lucky to have been able to try this place out.  From what I hear, they do lunch as well.  Though my pocketbook may hate me for going back during dinner, I may be able to swing a nice lunch or two here.

For more information on Felicia Suzanne’s, visit their website or Facebook Page.  You can also find more reviews at Yelp, Urbanspoon, or Trip Advisor.  View their menu at Marks Menus or All Menus.  They also have some great write-ups from The Memphis Flyer, Go Memphis, I Love Memphis, and Memphis Magazine.

 
Felicia Suzanne's on Urbanspoon

 


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Paulette’s November 28, 2011

Filed under: Downtown — Shannon R Little @ 4:00 pm
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The second stop on my Downtown Dining Week adventure was Paulette’s with my friend Greer.  Paulette’s is one of those restaurants I grew up hearing about, and I always wanted to try it out.  However, when they moved to Harbor Town from Overton Square, I knew it would be even longer until I tried it out.  Overton Square is right around the corner, whereas Harbor Town seems a million miles away.

This week was a great excuse to truck on down there and try it out though.  Paulette’s had a nice romantic atmosphere, which seemed calm and relaxed despite the hustle and bustle of a completely packed house around us.

We were greeted by our server, who was friendly throughout the whole night.  She has a great way of being attentive, but knowing we wanted to hang out and be left alone at the same time.  She first presented with a wine list.  Paulette’s has a nice wine list, so we had lots of choices.

She also brought us out a basket of bread, which reminded us of funnel cake.  It was crisp on the outside, with a little filling.  It was also dusted with powdered sugar.  It was okay, but too sweet for me to eat with my meal. It didn’t go well with the savory and hearty feel of the meal.

 

 

Our server returned with our wine, and we were then given our Downtown Dining Week menu:

CHOICE OF APPETIZER:
Field Greens Salad: Mixed field greens, iceberg romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots tossed in tarragon vinaigrette 
OR
Soup of the Day

CHOICE OF ENTREE:
Chicken Sicilian: Tender chicken breast breaded with fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings and sauteed, served with angel hair and today’s fresh vegetable 
OR
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with sun-dried cherry port sauce, whipped potatoes, and fresh green beans

DESSERT:
White Chocolate Bread Pudding: White chocolate and raspberries baked in an egg bread custard, topped with cream anglaise and Chambord syrup 
OR
Fresh Strawberry Crepe: Fresh strawberries sliced and tossed in brown sugar, folded in a fresh crepe with orange apricot sauce and whipped cream.

The soup of the day was cheese soup, which sounded interesting.  It was also freezing cold outside, so that is what we both got.  The soup was nice and creamy.  It was, however, lukewarm.  That was the main turnoff.  Had it been hot, I think it would have been a lot better.  Greer and I both said we would give it a B-.

 

For our entrees, Greer got the Chicken Sicilian and I got the Grilled Pork

Tenderloin.  Greer’s chicken was good.  I liked the crust on the outside.  It was also tender.  My pork was extremely tender, and it had a good, sweet glaze over it as well.  The potatoes were creamy, and the asparagus was cooked just right: not too mushy, but not too crunchy.

 

 

 

For dessert, we decided to get one of each and then share.  Greer got the crepe and I got the Bread Pudding.  The dessert was the only part of the meal that blew our socks off.  Both were packed with flavor that hit you with the first bite.  The Strawberry Crepe tasted fresh.  How they did that so well with out of season fruit, I have no idea.  The Bread Pudding was perfect for such a cold day.  It not only warmed me up, but forced me to eat the whole thing.

 

 

 

Overall, we both agreed that Paulette’s is a destination for dessert.  The food was good, but nothing worth raving over.  The desserts, however, were fantastic.  Whether I will be back any time soon, though, is another story.  Harbor Town just isn’t anywhere near any of my usual spots.  If you are around the area, though, I suggest stopping in and satisfying your sweet tooth.

For more information on Paulette’s, visit their website or Facebook page.  You can also find more reviews at Yelp, Urbanspoon, and Trip Advisor.  Also, check out their write-up from Memphis Daily News, view their menu at All Menus, or make a reservation at Open Table.

 

Paulette's on Urbanspoon

 


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Itta Bena November 25, 2011

Filed under: Downtown — Shannon R Little @ 4:00 pm
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Oh, Downtown Dining Week.  This is the time of year where I get to go out to fancy restaurants and pretend I live a fancy lifestyle, all for a fraction of the cost.  I made several reservations this week, and my first stop was Itta Bena on Beale Street.

I would first like to start off by saying it took me a good minute to even find Itta Bena.  Most places on Beale are so obvious with their neon signs and loud music, that I get a headache resembling one my mother would complain about.  However, Itta Bena is the exact opposite.  In fact, if you are not looking for it, you would never know it existed.  Itta Bena is located on the third story of B.B. Kings, right at the corner of Beale and 2nd Street.  You almost feel like Alice in Wonderland as people point and direct you to it’s entrance (which they oh-so-nicely do to everyone wandering in with a confused look on their face).

Directions to Itta Bena:

  1. Walk into B.B. Kings looking wildly confused.
  2. Walk up the narrow, windy staircase in front of you. (note: you will see a sign that tells you to go up to reach Itta Bena)
  3. When you reach the platform with a door, do not go in! Walk up one more flight of windy, narrows stairs.
  4. Make a 180 degree turn when reaching the top of the staircase, and enter through the door.
  5. Look relieved and succumb to amused giggling of the wait staff in the restaurant.

Once inside, you are taken to a place that does not even resemble Beale Street.  The atmosphere is romantic with dim lighting, white table cloths, and candles.  You cannot even hear the noise from the street below.  (They must have spent a fortune on amazing sound-proof walls.)

My friend Chris and I are taken to our table, where our server promptly greeted us.  She was great.  She was very friendly, personable, and genuine.

We were presented with a wine menu.  They were out of our favorite red wine (La Crema Pinot Noir…for any of you searching for the perfect Christmas gift for me), so we choose to split another great bottle.  Itta Bena doesn’t have a fabulous wine list, but it is good enough for us to pick something great.

We were then presented our bread basket, full of what seemed like Sister Shubert rolls. Yum!

 

 

Next we were presented with the Downtown Dining Week menu:

CHOICE OF APPETIZER:
Signature She-Crab Soup
OR
Traditional Salad Wedge

CHOICE OF ENTREE:
Newman Farms Bone-in Pork Chop
OR 
Shrimp & Grits

DESSERT:
Warm Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream

Chris and I both started with the apparently famous She-Crab Soup.  The soup was a great combination of the sweetness of the crab meat and the savory, creamy flavors of the soup.  It was my favorite part of the meal.

 

 

For our entrees, I got the Pork Chop and he got the Shrimp and Grits.  We both agreed that they were very average.  My pork chop came on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes.  The sweet potatoes had a good, creamy flavor.  However, my pork chop was pretty bland.  Chris also said said his shrimp had a great flavor, but the grits were really bland.

 

 

 

We both had a brownie for dessert, and it was pretty eh.  If I am going to waste my calories on dessert, it better be freaking fantastic.  The brownie was a little too dry and solid for my taste, as I prefer a richer and softer brownie.  I did like that they used french vanilla ice cream.  The extra flavor provided a creaminess to the dish.

 

 

Overall, we both agreed our meal was okay.  I was not disappointed, but I wasn’t impressed either.  For the cost of the meal, I would much rather take my fine dining dollars elsewhere.

For more information on Itta Bena, visit their website , Facebook Page, or All Menus.  You can also find more reviews on Yelp, Urbanspoon, Trip Advisor, and Frommer’s.  There have also been many write-ups about them in print and online: East Memphis Moms, Commercial Appeal, Eat Local Memphis, I Love Memphis, Memphis Magazine, and even Southern Living!  Or make a reservation at Open Table.

 

Itta Bena on Urbanspoon

 


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Central BBQ October 17, 2011

Filed under: East Memphis,Midtown — Shannon R Little @ 6:48 pm
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As a Memphian, I have had my share of amazing and also terrible barbecue.  Whenever I am not in the mood to try something different and all I want is to go somewhere I know the ‘cue is going to be solid and always good, I head down the street to Central BBQ. Central is a local staple in Memphis, and the consensus seems to be all positive. Obviously, there are many rivals in Memphis for the best barbecue, and everyone has their favorite. However, Central BBQ seems to be at the top of most Memphians’ lists.

My favorite barbecue meals are a pulled pork sandwich and barbecue nachos. Any place that can tackle these two items is a gold medal winner in my heart. Central BBQ has the best of both of these.

This particular time I was at Central, I met my friend Amber for a lunch date to celebrate her upcoming birthday. We got there a bit after the lunch rush, and the place seemed very peaceful. Central BBQ is not a hole-in-the-wall joint, but it does have your relaxed, casual atmosphere down pat. It’s like going to eat at Grandma’s.

Amber ordered the pulled pork plate with beans and macaroni and cheese. She claims that Central BBQ has the mac-n-cheese that you just cannot master at home. You know, the thick, creamy, rich kind. She let me try them, and yes she was definitely right. This mac-n-cheese was great.

I ordered a similar meal this time I was there.  I got the pulled pork plate with beans and greens.

I was a bit curious to try something different this time, so I also ordered the tamales. They had obviously just started serving them, as I noted by the signs around the store. With my love for tamales, I know I had to try them.

Overall, our pulled pork plates were amazingly delicious. The pork was juicy and tender, so much that I barely had to chew. You know you have the good melt-in-your-mouth barbecue when you barely have to use your teeth.

The tamales, on the other hand, were not my favorite. They were pretty dry and fell completely apart when I opened them. I was left with a dry, clumpy mess.

Central BBQ is still on the top of my list for BBQ joints in Memphis. Stick to what they do best and leave the rest for the others.

For more information about Central BBQ, visit their website (where you can also order online and have it shipped to you!). You can also check out their Facebook page, Yelp, or Urbanspoon.

Central BBQ (East Memphis) on Urbanspoon

Central BBQ (Midtown) on Urbanspoon


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R.P. Tracks August 22, 2011

Filed under: East Memphis — Shannon R Little @ 2:01 pm
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R.P. Tracks is your stereotypical college hangout. They are so close to The University of Memphis, I always assumed they were on school property. They have terrible-for-you-but-oh-so-good bar food, pint nights, 18-25 year olds, pool tables, big TVs, a patio, and that relaxed but fun atmosphere.

The fact that they are situated right by those pesky railroad tracks, that all University of Memphis students love, plays into their quirky trademark. Every time a train runs by, shots are heavily discounted. Though I have never been around to participate, I have heard many accounts of this. They do not announce it, but make sure to ask!

I never really made it out to Tracks while I was in school, only maybe once or twice. It just wasn’t in my list of regular hangout spots. However, I did wind up there last week with my cousin/roomie Aaron and his friends Cameron and Adam. We went for a beer or two, and it just so happened to be pint night. $2.50 pints of Yuengling? Yeah, I’ll take two.

I had also heard from several people that their BBQ Tofu nachos are killer, so ordering those was also a must. Guys, I believe I just found my new favorite late night snack. They flew right past their expectations and landed right in the middle of my heart. I always say that tofu is only good if cooked the right way, and Track nailed it. Mix it with some tortilla chips, black bean or meat chili, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and jalapenos, and you are in your own little Vegetarian-Mexican world. These nachos are huge, and I couldn’t eat even half of them. It is best to either share with someone or get just a half-order. Either way, you need to try these.

Though I have grown past the college kid/sorority girl inside of me, I can say I will be back for these nachos, and perhaps another drink or two. I do not think it will become one of my regular spots, but it is definitely worth coming back.

R.P. Tracks is also heavily involved in the community and Project Green Fork certified, so it is worth it to support them.

For more information on R.P. Tracks, visit their website, Facebook, or Twitter. You can also find more reviews on Yelp and Urbanspoon.

R.P. Tracks on Urbanspoon


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Gluten-Free Memphis August 18, 2011

Filed under: Lists — Shannon R Little @ 2:22 pm
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I have been requested, per my friend Caroline, to feature a post dedicated to gluten-free diets. I know this is important to many people, so I have created a list of gluten-free friendly, local Memphis restaurants. Some of these places have gluten-free menu items. Some have specific gluten-free menus, and some are 100% gluten-free.

If anyone knows of any other gluten-free friendly local restaurants around town, please comment and let me know. I would love to increase this list!

  • Booyah’s Burrito Beach
    • Tex Mex. It’s not for me, but some people may love Tex Mex.
    • Gluten-Free friendly
  • Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
    • World Famous BBQ. I recommend trying the ribs and cheese and sausage plate (though I do not know if they are Gluten-free.)
    • Gluten-Free friendly

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Elvis Candlelight Vigil Dining August 15, 2011

Filed under: Lists — Shannon R Little @ 5:51 pm
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This is a last minute post, I know. However, in case any of you are planning on going to the Candlelight Vigil for Elvis Week tonight, here are some good local restaurants to grab a bit to eat at nearby. Also, please come say hi if you see me. I will be down there for a few hours!

 

  • Interstate BBQ: If you know BBQ or The Food Network, you know the Neely’s. This is their original BBQ joint, and it is delicious. The service is incredibly rude, but the food is worth it.
  • Marlowes: I’ll be honest and say I do not know much about this place. Yet, they have ribs cooked Memphis style. How could it be bad?
  • Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken: Uncle Lou is possibly one of the nicest people I have ever met, and his chicken isn’t bad either.
These places will inevitably be packed, but it might be part of the Elvis Week Experience to suck it up and wait anyway.
See you all tonight.
and RIP to The King.
 

Memphis Foodie on iPhone August 3, 2011

Filed under: Events — Shannon R Little @ 5:06 pm
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I am excited to announce that I have been added as a suggested blog on the Local Dish iPhone app!

The developer, Garrett, is a food blogger himself down in San Antonio, and he created the Local Dish app to allow you all to find local food blogs in each city a whole lot easier. You can also interact on the app with other users as well, including sharing links and thoughts on Facebook.

To find out more about this app, go to their website.

The app is live on iPhones and iPads now, so go download it! It will be available on Android soon. I am an Android user, so you will have to tell me how it goes, until I can see for myself!

 

Otherlands Coffee Bar June 5, 2011

Filed under: Midtown — Shannon R Little @ 12:00 pm
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I spent many hours at Otherlands as a graduate student at the University of Memphis. It is a great place to get away from everything and focus on studies for a while. It’s comfortable and has plenty of room. It’s eclectic furniture and atmosphere also makes it fun.

 

 

They also have a great patio for beautiful days. This particular day it was rainy, so the patio was pretty abandoned.

 

Otherlands is your average local coffee shop, with all of your basic drinks. However, they also have those little extra options that make it above the rest. First, all of the coffee is fair trade and organic. You can get also soy milk, vanilla soy milk, and many other healthier additives to make your coffee extra special.

At Otherlands, I really like their basic drip coffee, vanilla lattes, and their mochas. They make the strong but smooth, just like they should be. Their chai lattes do not impress me, however. They are a lot of chai and not enough latte. There is too much spice to make it drinkable.

This particular time I was at Otherlands, I had run out of coffee while housesitting in the area, so I made a quick trip up there to get some to take home. While I was there, I went ahead and got some that was already made.

 

The only other complaint I have about Otherlands other than their chai latte is their service. Every time I have gone, the people at the counter look at me like I do not belong. I also feel like I am not “indie hipster” enough to be there. They seems a bit snooty. However, I am not there to chat with the staff. I go to get work done and use their free wifi.

The parking situation is a lot like other midtown locations: terrible. They have a parking lot, but its impossible to back out of. You cannot turn around and risk running into pedestrians and other cars. I suggest parking on the street and walking.

Otherlands is also known to host live music as well. You can go enjoy local musicians, such as Amy LaVere and Valerie June.

Overall, I suggest going to sip a mocha, enjoy the eclectic atmosphere, and get some work done. This is how I survived much of graduate school.

For more information on Otherlands, visit their website ,  Facebook page, or the Memphis Restaurant Association page. You can also check out more reviews on Yelp, Urbanspoon, and Google Maps.


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Otherlands Coffee Bar on Urbanspoon

 

 
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