Ditto the Craigs in DeVall's Bluff AR. Well known stop written up on Road Food. Even still it's retained it's character and quality. Always heard the pies across the street are good but its always closed when we hit Craigs on the way to hunting camp.

Then Iris is the best we have to offer, and it's very, very good. I would have picked it over Encore in the first place if its that special. Kelly English has recieved a number of accolades lately but he's stayed true to his local focus with New Orleans influences.

agree, bulldogx2 on SOB. Shouldn't have included it in that list.

ditto on Iris. If you have to stay downtown, try South of Beale, Felicia Suzanne, McEwans or Circa.

Craig's BBQ in Devall's Bluff AR is great if you like BBQ. Pie shop across the street too. A few miles off I-40 but not too far.

Encore's entrees are generally less than $20. A new place called South of Beale is a short walk down Main and looks really good + gets good reviews. Have fun! Rhodes is beautiful.

I haven't lived in Atlanta in 5 years but those choices (esp Floataway) were a little tired then. Eclipse di Luna has great tapas, but wouldn't be in my top 10 Atl places depending on what you want.

Memphis....BBQ Shop is much better than Central for me. I haven't been to Andrew Michael, but I really love Iris a lot.

Greenwood-Giardinia's over Madidi personally, but thats been a long time.

Oxford probably has better choices (unless it's a Sunday) than anywhere else within 100 miles (except Memphis).

Ditto clarkafella on the country ham biscuits.

My parents went to their first meal at Iris on a saturday night then booked brunch reservations for the next morning based on how good their dinner was. You could keep your options open as there are many great sunday brunch places.
Umai, Beauty Shop, Majestic, Silly Goose (never been), Circa (never been for brunch)...Just about all the better places will have a brunch.

For what it's worth, I've waited 45 minutes for a table at brother junipers a couple of times and left a couple of more due to the wait. It's decent for different breakfast items and a few really good ones (the greek omelets are memorable). I've been to Bryant's a couple of dozen of times, stood in a 30 person line, found a table, eaten and left in 45 minutes (or I've had a good conversation for a while over a decent cup of coffee). It's high maintenance, but nothing like brother junipers--esp on a Sat or a Sun. If you are worried about waiting, hit it at 7 or 9:30 or so.

Pretty good burger/shake in Walnut, MS that's become a major stop for Memphians going to Pickwick apparently. Can't remember the name of it but you can't miss it. On the south side of the road. Big gravel parking lot.

between those 3, it's Bryant's no contest. the only competition for breakfast I've found is Cafe Eclectic, and Bryant's still wins. I would also look at Iris for Sunday brunch.

Great report from back in january. You'd like the Cove on Broad. Drinks are great, but a little short. Sit at the bar and make the bartender pour you one worth the money. Food's pretty good too.

Soul Fish in Cooper Young has better food than the Cupboard, in my opinion, and you can walk down to Goner Records on Young. Also don't miss Shangri-La records for a soul music fix...

"Trendy" is tough in Memphis. Eating early with a child at Encore is probably ok. I wouldn't recommend Circa with a child, but it's probably as trendy as Memphis gets (decor-wise). Other hip places include Beauty Shop, Do Sushi in Midtown (outside ok with a child) and Mollie Fontaines (no kids though). All 3 of those are the same owner. Interim for lunch might be ok with a child. I haven't been since they changed chefs but my wife had a good lunch there.

Have a good trip... also check out diningwithmonkeys.blogspot.com for Memphis dining with kid restaurant reviews.

Sandwiches:
Agree with Deli Mexicana, Fino's and Kwik Check. Both great and a notch above Bogies, Holiday Ham, Panera, etc. Those are pedestrian comparatively.

Las Delicias has great tortas (Mexican sandwiches) also. Original on Mendenhall just south of Winchester and opening soon (mid-August per the owner) on Park at Getwell. Guacamole there is the best in town.

Pizza? I haven't found one I love, but Ciao Bella can do a great one sometimes. I need to go try the new Pizze Stone on Overton Park.

No clue on the chocolate. Mail order?

Your best bet is going to be Muddy's Bake Shop at www.muddysbakeshop.com. I don't believe they deliver though. Great cupcakes. Also, Cafe Eclectic in Midtown has opened a bakery. http://cafeeclectic.net/Cafe_Eclectic...

Agree that the Cove has good food and probably the best drinks in Midtown. However, I personally wouldn't recommend someone from out of town who doesn't know Memphis walk from Rhodes to the Cove. I bike on Broad at night and all over Midtown, so I'm not a "scared suburbanite", but that's not a wise choice in my opinion. Broadway Pizza is average at best.

The only two restaurants in reasonable walking distance from Rhodes are Cafe Eclectic and Dino's...both are one block west on McLean. I like Cafe Eclectic. Good breakfast/bakery and sandwiches for lunch. I've never been to Dino's (italian) but it gets good reviews.

Noone has mentioned Saigon Le in this thread, though it's in the blog link above. No wine (that I'm aware of) but the vegetarian spring rolls and vegetarian hot and sour soup are fantastic.

I'd vote for cafe eclectic for coffee....never had a soy latte but they have the best combination of service and coffee in town. Republic coffee is another option, but their service and focus on the customer have fallen off dramatically (at least as of a month ago--haven't been back).

Nice(r) places to eat downtown that I like:
Encore
Felicia Suzanne
McEwen's on Monroe
Flight (new place, haven't been)

The bartender at Encore is fantastic and is one of a few who really cares about cocktails. If that's not important, the other two have a higher-end menu (and prices). Encore is more of a bistro.

Brunch downtown:
Majestic Grill (big, loud)
Circa (I believe)
Peabody Hotel (classic, old-style buffet with decent food--note haven't been in a long time)
Silly Goose bar has an interesting brunch with mix your own bloody mary bar. Sounds interesting...havne't been.

Best brunch in town right now is a cab ride to Midtown to Restaurant Iris. Chef was just recognized as a top 10 young chef by Food & Wine. My parents came for one night and ate their twice.

I would add Payne's on Lamar and A&R on Elvis Presley to that list below. If you get further south, Tom's on Getwell has a really good sandwich, (top 5 in Memphis behind BBQ Shop & Paynes).

I don't like Central (ok but not great--many i trust do like it) or Corky's (tourist trap).

I disagree and think there are at minimum 2 places in Memphis that regularly beat the Rendezvous at ribs: BBQ Shop on Madison in Midtown and Cozy Corner on North Parkway Downtown. Central BBQ onCentral in Midtown also has good ribs. The Rendezvous is good when it's good, but the ribs can be dry and chewy.

Strawberry's in Holcomb, MO and Craigs in DeVall's Bluff AR will give any Memphis rib place a run for their money.

I also love the BBQ sandwiches at Payne's on Lamar, A&R on Elvis Presley and the BBQ Shop mentioned above.

Other "solid, small" places that represent the "real food of the city"...
Taqueria Guadalupana on Summer for true Mexican
Los Tortugas Deli Mexicana way out in Germantown for a little bit more upscale Mexican. tacos and sandwiches (I think it's the most consistently good place in Memphis). Honestly I believe their ribs are as good as any Memphis bbq place.
Ellen's Soul Food (true soul food on Elvis Presley in a temporary location)
Soul Fish on Cooper in Midtown for catfish and great vegetables
Do /Noodle Doodle Do sushi and asian noodle bowls on Cooper in Midtown

Enjoy Memphis.

Craig's in Devall's Bluff AR. About 10 minutes off I-40. Excellent ribs. Written up in Road Food, but didn't change a thing due to the popularity. Lots of locals.

Depends on what you want. Rendezvous for the ribs (when they are good, they are fantastic, when bad they are bad) and great atmosphere. BBQ Shop is my favorite though. Consistently good sandwiches and ribs. Full service restaurant and is open past 6 (unlike Paynes, A&R, Cozy Corner--all good but lunch places).

-----
Rendezvous Charles Vergos
52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103

Thanks for coming back and giving us your opinions on them. Very helpful.

As someone who touts Encore (based on 6 month old data mind you) I feel I should apologize. I never get wine there due to the fantastic bartender. I'm surprised that Circa's wine list wasn't the most impressive to you. He originally had a sommelier who designed a wine list to beat all in Memphis. I've always had issues with the service there. They try too hard, but don't back it up.

Again, thanks for the feedback. I believe you hit the top 3 downtown restaurants and I'm not sure what I'd replace encore with...possibly Felicia Suzanne.

the trolley is pretty much limited to downtown. there is a line that makes it just into midtown, but not close enough to anything you'd be interested in (BBQ Shop is a few blocks away). Beale is 6 or so miles from the interesting part of midtown. you'd need a cab. i recommend google maps for research. the search tool is tremendous and you can see where you are versus where you want to go easily.

I have to add Ellen's Soul Food in Memphis to the list. Just wrote a long review. I agree with biskuit's other recommendations, except I'd have to eat 2 lunches.

I've heard Ellen's Soul Food mentioned off and on in my 5 years here in Memphis and never made it. Then I heard it closed...I was sick. A sign popped up that said "Opening soon" and hope was restored. Then nothing happened. Finally I read (goner-records board) that she had reopened in a temporary location until the renovation was finished. I found it and ate there yesterday. It's on Elvis Presley Blvd a half mile north of the I-240 overpass (note no exit for it...you have to take a round about way of getting there from the 240 loop). Here's a link to a google map: http://tinyurl.com/5og5wt

I had the fried pork chops and my friend had the fried chicken. All were freshly fried while we waited and fantastic. Perfectly crispy and not greasy. I had cabbage (best ever) and fried corn. Friend had and loved the purple hull peas and fried okra. We agreed it's the best soul food in town and worthy of a weekly visit.

The place is small (seats maybe 8) which is good since Ellen is the chef and waitress. You may wait a few minutes longer while she cooks your food, but it's not food that's been sitting under a heat lamp. There are NY Times articles and other reviews on the wall--mostly from the late 90s.

She needs your business so she can get moved to her permanent location. You won't regret trying it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taterhea...

After yesterday I have to chime in.

1. Ellen's Soul Food in a temp location on Elvis Presley across from AmVets Thrift Store and Family Dollar. See my larger review.
2. Tortugas Deli Mexicana much as been written. It's becoming legendary.
3. BBQ Shop Get the bologna/sausage/cheese combo plate and an order of dry ribs and a sandwich. Don't worry about sides.
4. The Cove Excellent drinks, oysters and better-than-bar food. Excellent drinks. Drinks.
5. Encore best upscale for the price in town. It feels like a 5 star chef having fun. Great bartender too.

most of my favorite places are at least 30 minutes one way from i-55... Oxford, MS for one. has a few good places to eat.

Mayflower in Downtown Jackson would be good.

I'll try to think of a few others.

the original central bbq on central is closed due to a fire. have a back up plan for central. other memphis road food-type places:
Uncle Lou's Chicken
Soul Fish
Los Tortugas Deli Mexicana

Cozy Corner on N Parkway for bbq. I like the ribs at the BBQ Shop still. Those threads are still generally applicable. Very few new bbq places survive against the top ones (Paynes, BBQ Shop, Cozy Corner, A&R).

Here's a map of all the known Memphis BBQ joints
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...

If you want fried catfish, try Soul Fish in Midtown on Cooper.

Gus's for chicken.