Tag: D’Bo’s Buffalo Wings n’ Things

Categories
Food & Drink

Memphis to Your Mouth: 32 Years of D’Bo’s Wings

On August 2, 1990, David and Leticia Boyd’s mission to bring the “Buffalo wing” to Memphis came into fruition as the first D’Bo’s Daiquiris, Wings & Seafood opened as a food truck.

Almost 32 years and thousands of customers later, D’Bo’s has grown into multiple locations around Memphis, with franchise locations in Michigan and others on the horizon.

It’s the next step in the growth and expansion of D’Bo’s, says Julian Boyd. Boyd is the son of David and Leticia and is proudly carrying the torch that his parents laid of being responsible for making Memphis the “Hot Wing Capital of the World.”

“It’s been a fantastic ride, and we are so grateful for everything that has taken place,” Boyd says.

“We’re known for the blues, we’re known for the barbecue. However, because of D’Bo’s, Memphis is known for its wings. There were no wing places in Memphis like this 32 years ago, but to be able to set the standard at the way it’s set to now, it’s a great thing to be able to see. We’re bringing that Memphis to your mouth. That’s the way that we’re looking to do this thing. Memphis to your mouth, and Memphis to your market.”

It’s no secret that hot wings are a staple of Memphis culinary culture. That fact is something that many Memphians are proud to boast about, especially when visiting new cities. However, it seems that no other city can produce a hot wing the way the Bluff City does.

“We opened one in Detroit in February. That one up there is doing fantastic,” Boyd says. “It’s such an exciting opportunity because we’re breaking into new markets. It’s all about the strong foundation that was set by David and Leticia Boyd.”

Boyd recalls memories from his formative years when he and his late brother David Boyd II would be at the first brick-and-mortar location on Kirby Parkway and Knight Arnold, standing on crates and operating the cash register.

Photo: Benji Aird/Airdography
New owners Ashlei and Ross Williams pose at D’Bo’s Riverdale’s reopening.

“That was fun for us back in the day. So now it’s so much fun to be invested in the business in this way and focusing on the growth and development through franchising and finding franchise partners,” he says. “If we’re going to do this franchising thing the right way, we have to be hands-on and supportive to ensure the success of every single location because at the end of the day, that’s our family name up on that building.”

There are currently two locations that sport the Boyd moniker in Memphis, with one of the original locations being newly franchised. D’Bo’s on Riverdale is now owned and operated by a sister-and-brother duo, Ashlei and Ross Williams.

The Williams siblings were born and raised in Memphis, and are eager to bring their entrepreneurial spirit and family legacy of hospitality to the D’Bo’s franchise.

“About two years ago in the pandemic, my sister and I knew we were both at an area where we wanted to pivot and explore new opportunities,” Ross says. 

Ashlei explains that one of the positives of the pandemic was that many of her creative services were booming, and she wanted to be smart with her revenue. This created the perfect opportunity for Ross to “circle back and pitch himself again,” which was around the time that D’Bo’s started franchising.

“The company is positioned now to grow … and for Ashlei and I as young entrepreneurs, not only did I want to invest in a brand that was exciting and that we liked, but also one that is positioned for growth,” Ross explains.

“It’s also about being Black millennial entrepreneurs. It’s important for us to tell the story of legacy. Tell the story of what legacy can look like. I think we’re personally interested in expanding the footprint of Black businesses in general, and franchising is a great way to do that and bring more Black owners in,” Ashlei adds.

Ashlei also says it’s been a joy to work with Julian as another Black millennial. 

“You can pass something down and the next generation can take it over and improve it and make it better. We’re just excited to be on the journey here for this legacy location and what it means to Memphis.”  

Categories
Cover Feature News

Wingin’ It!: 8 Memphis Wing Experiences You Need to Have

Photo: Chad Montano | Unsplash

How many places are there in Memphis where you can get chicken wings? I’m guessing 1,469. Close? I don’t know. I have no idea. No one does. You can buy chicken wings in trucks, in stores, in outlet malls, even in gas stations, for God’s sake. Wings are everywhere, and most of them are probably pretty good. But with so many options, you could probably use some guidance. As a public service to you, our faithful readers, (because we love you) some of us on the Flyer staff ventured out to try a sampling of various wings around town — from well-known to off-the-beaten-flight-path. Trust us, you can’t go wrong with any of these. — Bruce VanWyngarden

Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken

Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken

3633 Millbranch

Years ago, Food Network star Guy Fieri came to town to sample local delights, including getting splattered in the kitchen at Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken. That happy visit inspired plenty of business for the eatery and the tagline “Sweet Spicy Love.” Now almost 20 years old, the chicken joint run by Lou Martin continues to churn out remarkable dishes, including stunningly good wings. Martin offers whole wings and buffalo wings alongside the usual menu array of chicken, tenders, burgers, and a few other choices. I opted for the whole wings with mild sauce and, despite an initial assertive vinegar attack on the nose, the flavor was perfectly balanced. The wings are hefty and delectable, with mouthfuls of tender meat and loads of crisp skin to savor. The sauce lingers on the taste buds and remains mild-mannered. If you manage to have any left over, heat them up the next day and they’ll still deliver the right amount of sass and joy. Wings and coffee make for a splendid breakfast, especially if you include some of his honey buttered biscuits that have the power to make a keto devotee fall off the wagon. — Jon W. Sparks

D’Bo’s Wings ’n More

D’Bo’s Wings ’n More

4970 Poplar; 4407 Elvis Presley

Is there such a thing as the Godfather of Memphis Wings? If so, the title would probably go to David and Leticia Boyd’s D’bo’s Wings ’n More.

The Boyds started their wing business with a dream and a trailer in 1990. That’s 31 years of wingin’ it, if you’re counting. David says when they started they were looking for a “sauce that could dance.” They appear to have found it — and more.

Now with two locations, D’bo’s serves a full menu that includes seafood, burgers, and other sandwiches, as well as some sassy margarita options. (“Panty Dropper,” anyone? Or maybe you’re a “Jungle Juice” person.) But it’s still all about the wings, which come with many sauce and size options. You can get party wings or whole wings from five to 100 pieces. Sauces include Suicidal, Teriyaki, Honey Hot, Honey Gold, Honey BBQ, and a few more. There are also several dry-rub options.

I went with Honey BBQ whole wings, and … dang! The wings are cooked to order, not sitting around in a warmer, and you can tell. Mine came out hot, meaty, moist, and spicy (but not with a burn). So good. After 31 years, D’Bo’s sauce can still dance. — BV

Riko’s Kikin’ Chicken
(Photo: Samuel X. Cicci)

Riko’s Kickin’ Chicken

1329 Madison

What makes the perfect wing? Is it a crunchy and crispy exterior holding in tender meat and juices? A blend of sauce exquisitely baked into the whole wing? Or is it actually extra sauce, dripping from each wing as it leaves the plate?

There might not be a right answer, but Riko’s Kickin’ Chicken ticks every box. Mariko and Tiffany Wiley have been doing this for years at both their brick-and-mortar and food truck locations, and they’ve honed their craft immeasurably. When my container of 15 extra-plump wings (talk about bang for your buck) slid across the counter, the sizzle and smell yanked me out of the restaurant and dragged me straight up to wing heaven.

Each one of the extra-large wings was coated with heat, the hot sauce evenly spread across and infused into all the drums and flats. And if that wasn’t even enough, there’s still plenty of sauce left in the box to add another layer. It’s a spice that sticks with you, cranked up to medium-high, but not too much (that’s what the Hot X is for).

But don’t take it from me; get yourself down to Riko’s and snag some grub. Maybe a little bit of hot sauce alongside another batch of the popular lemon pepper. Or perhaps seasoned. Or maybe even honey gold? Whichever flavor, it’s gonna be good. — Samuel X. Cicci

India Palace
(Photo: Chris McCoy)

India Palace

1720 Poplar

What? An Indian restaurant? In the wings issue? In Memphis? Have we gone mad? Hear me out.

As a response to the general popularity of wings in the Bluff City, putting your own spin on flats and drummies has become de rigueur for local restaurateurs. The wings at India Palace live on the appetizer menu. Instead of a variation on the standard, fried chicken parts tossed in a hot-sauce-and-butter combo, these flappers are swimming in a tamarind-forward curry sauce and served on a bed of caramelized onions.

The Palace’s secret weapon is the tandoor. The traditional South Asian oven is made of clay, and usually cone- or egg-shaped — although modern designs can be made with stainless steel exteriors. Powered by wood or charcoal, the interior of a tandoor can reach up to almost 500 degrees, cooking the chicken via convection heating and, as a cousin to the familiar Memphis smoker, exposing the fowl flesh to the smoke from the fire. The resulting meat is without the crispy, fried exterior, but much more tender and juicy than a conventional wing. It’s probably a lot better for you than fried wings, too. And let me put in a quick word for the onions. Nobody caramelizes like India Palace.

These wings might not replace mainstream hots in your diet, but they’re great for a change-up. They might also serve as an introduction to Indian cuisine for some picky eaters looking for a familiar hook. Give them a shot. — Chris McCoy

Habee’s Wings & Deli
(Photo: Alex Greene)

Habee’s Wings & Deli

3670 Summer

“Dry heat.” It’s something that Memphians don’t have to think about much — in their weather or their wings. And that’s precisely why that option caught my eye at Habee’s. They were doing a brisk business, and I had to think fast. Would it be one of the classic heavily glazed varieties that so many wing joints offer? Or something new? To a menu ranging from very mild to extremely hot — including honey hot, honey gold, and honey BBQ, as well as savory lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, or teriyaki — was added a note, tacked to the bottom. “New Flavor: Dry heat.”

Remembering all the sauced-up wings I’d ever known and loved around town, the dry option called to me. And it did not disappoint. The meat was not dry, but tender and succulent, and the skin had just enough crunch for contrast. Compared to typical wings, slathered in all manner of gooey sauces, this minimalist approach was a welcome change in texture and taste. Of course, nothing is technically dry once it’s dipped in ranch dressing, but even then, the crisper texture was a revelation and, with the dinner roll and carrot and celery sticks, a welcome contrast.

This Asian-American eatery serves a diverse clientele and everyone seemed to be a regular. Many were ordering combos of wings and fried fish, but I stuck with the pure experience. Like dry-rub barbecue, this approach to wings was a delicious change of pace, and will surely be a welcome antidote to Memphis summers, where the humidity is like a sauce unto itself. Sometimes you just want that crunch. — Alex Greene

(Photo: Jackson Baker)

The Wing Guru

multiple locations

The Wing Guru offers wing dishes in numerous combinations and with a wide variety of sauces, as well as lots of other menu options. Of an afternoon, I stopped by the storefront in Bartlett, along busy Highway 64, and ordered a plate of three whole wings with a generous side of fried okra and unsweet iced tea. If that sounds both urban and down-home, it surely is, in a sense that purists and wing aficionados can appreciate. The wings I had were not the dainty little sort you may be accustomed to as hors d’oeuvres at social events; they are fully sized, with a whole lot of succulent chicken meat, and three of them will definitely make a meal. All things considered, the price of just over $10 for this “small” combo was right.

The choice of sauces‚ some 21 in all, is downright extravagant, and I had my wings with the restaurant’s Triple J sauce, a seriously spicy barbecue sauce with a rich honey component, developed in tandem with forward Jaren J. Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies. (The owner, the eponymous “guru” of the establishment’s name, is Billy Richmond Jr., a well-remembered basketballer himself, at the University of Memphis.) — Jackson Baker

Ching’s Hot Wings
(Photo: Toby Sells)

Ching’s Hot Wings

1264 Getwell

Memphis magic permeates Ching’s Hot Wings.

The restaurant is a lot like the city itself. It’s modest, situated in a row of strip-mall shops along a decidedly un-flashy stretch of Getwell. It’s authentic, its walls lined with handwritten notes (“These wangs are the bomb-diggity.”) and photos of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hanging in the bathroom. 

It’s original, even down to two in-house soft drinks — Orange Mound Punch and G-Street Punch, which some just call “Blue Drink.” Ching’s is also unafraid to be itself and comfortable in its own skin; workers wear no uniforms and the whole thing has a gentle, down-homeness to it that makes you feel completely welcome. If you’re proud to call Memphis home, Ching’s will feel completely natural to you.        

And the wings? Ching’s is the king of wings. Fight me.

Ching’s wings come two ways: party wings (where the drummy and the flat are separated) or whole wings. You can get those bad boys dressed up in mild hot, seasoned, lemon pepper, dry hot, honey gold, honey hot, honey extra hot, and suicide.

Honey gold is supposed to be the Ching’s wing thing. But I needed a baseline and went whole-wing mild hot. The sauce is a classic orange Buffalo sauce that checked every single delicious salty/spicy box. The wings were perfectly cooked, juicy and easy to pull apart. The whole thing was perfectly sided with crinkle-cut fries, gently dashed with a bit of seasoning, and a big, red Orange Mound Punch. My trip to Ching’s felt like another lesson in my ongoing Memphis education. Eating at Ching’s made me a better Memphian. — Toby Sells

Belmont Grill
(Photo: Michael Donahue)

Belmont Grill

4970 Poplar

If you find somebody on the planet who’s never tried hot wings, take them to Belmont Grill. They serve the classic, tangy, tasty, messy hot wings I think of when I think of hot wings.

I recently devoured a plate of six Belmont wings, which come with coleslaw, ranch dressing, and a small loaf of crusty bread cut into eight pieces. I ate to the beat of Billy Idol singing “White Wedding” and ended up dipping the bread into the ranch dressing because the wings are so good by themselves.

“The sauce is a blend of Louisiana hot sauce and melted butter,” says manager/owner Jeff Anderson. “The butter helps the hot sauce stick to the wing. We don’t use a breaded wing. We use the real wing, so you can still taste the sauce and the meat from the chicken.”

The Belmont didn’t serve hot wings when it first opened, Anderson says: “I found an old menu from when we first opened in 1984 and it wasn’t on there. I went to another menu, ’87 or ’88, when we actually put them on the menu. Back then a lot of places that did them did the pieces, and not the whole wing. We wanted to be a little bit different and we did the whole wing. We’ve kept them on there ever since. They’re our version of the hot wing.” — Michael Donahue

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Food & Drink

CREDIT: Alex Harrison

Alex Harrison

Buttery tikka masala, tender tandoori, spicy vegetable dishes, and all other manner of Indian specialties are served at Midtown institution India Palace in its airy, comfortable Poplar Avenue location.

We’ll admit we find it adorable when, in the “Best Chef” category,
you write in “My Wife,” “My Husband,” or, better yet, “My Mom.” (The
answer “Your Mom’s House” for “Best Romantic Restaurant” is not so
cute.) Chef Boyardee didn’t stand a chance with only two votes for
“Best Chef,” but at least he’s got bragging rights over Mrs. Winner
who, despite the name and the chicken and biscuits, got only one
vote.

Justin Fox Burks

Kelly English, Restaurant Iris, 1st place: ‘Best Chef’

Best Chef

1. Kelly English, Restaurant Iris

2. Erling Jensen, Erling Jensen the Restaurant

3. John Bragg, Circa

Last October, Food & Wine magazine named Kelly English
one of the Top 10 “Best New Chefs” for 2009. That was quite the honor.
Now Flyer readers have vaulted English to the top spot for the
first time.

Best Lunch

1. Huey’s

2. Soul Fish

3. Lenny’s

Hey, you know all those other restaurants that were in the running
for “Best Lunch” in Memphis? Stick a toothpick in ’em. They’re done.
Huey’s gets the nod for lunch nosh this year.

Best Breakfast

1. Brother Juniper’s

2. Blue Plate Cafe

3. Bryant’s Breakfast

Oh Brother, Wherefore Art Chow? Sorry. Brother J. has won “Best
Breakfast” many times, and it’s because they offer delicious,
innovative, homemade food in an eclectic space crammed with interesting
people, especially on weekend mornings.

Best Romantic Restaurant

1. Paulette’s

2. Le Chardonnay Wine Bar & Bistro

3. The Melting Pot

Maybe it’s the desserts. Or maybe the soft tinkling of the ivories.
Or maybe just the wonderful menu, nice wine list, and warm ambience.
Paulette’s is a classic.

Best Sunday Brunch

1. Owen Brennan’s Restaurant

2. Boscos Squared

3. Peabody Skyway — tie —

Beauty Shop

Owen Brennan’s sits at the cusp of Germantown and East Memphis, but
it draws Memphians from all over for its New Orleans-themed Sunday
brunch: the best in town for 2009.

Best Wine List

1. Le Chardonnay Wine Bar & Bistro

2. Texas de Brazil

3. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Le Chardonnay moved across Madison Avenue a couple years ago, but it
has retained its dark, ski-lodge-y charm, its extensive wine list, and
first place for “Best Wine List” in your hearts.

Best Steak

1. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

3. The Butcher Shop

Folk’s Folly valets meet you at the curb. Once inside, you hear
sweet piano-bar stylings and the sound of cold drinks and cocktail
chatter. But who are we kidding? It’s all about the steak here, and
Folk’s Folly’s steaks sizzle!

Best Barbecue

1. Central BBQ

2. Corky’s

3. The Bar-B-Q Shop

Central BBQ takes top honor in what is probably the toughest
category in this poll: “Best Barbecue.” No matter how you spell it
— barbecue, BBQ, Bar-B-Q, whatever — Central’s on top
again.

Best Ribs

1. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous

2. Central BBQ

3. Corky’s

The Rendezvous is sometimes derided as a place where tourists go to
eat Memphis’ most famous food group (16 barbecued ribs), but the
Flyer‘s poll makes it clear that locals love the Rendezvous as
much as people wearing Elvis T-shirts. And well they should.

Best Burger

BOM 1. Huey’s

2. Earnestine & Hazel’s

3. The Belmont Grill

That “BOM” designation means Huey’s has won “Best Burger” for so
long that it’s not even fair to anybody else in the running. Lots of
places in Memphis make good burgers, but only one takes the top spot,
year after year after year.

Best Hot Wings

1. Buffalo Wild Wings

2. D’Bo’s Buffalo Wings-n-Things

3. Central BBQ

With five Memphis-area locations, 14 sauces (ranging in heat from
“Blazin'” to “Sweet Barbecue”), and TVs set to sports everywhere you
look, Buffalo Wild Wings is leading the city’s wing scene.

Best Fried Chicken

BOM 1. Gus’s Fried Chicken

2. Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits

3. Jack Pirtle Fried Chicken

If you want to eat lunch at Gus’s, you’d better get there early.
Folks line up for the crispy, smoky, spicy uniqueness that makes Gus’s
fried chicken better than anybody’s in Memphis. Or in the world.

Best Cajun/Creole

1. Bayou Bar & Grill

2. Owen Brennan’s Restaurant

3. Pearl’s Oyster House

The Bayou, like its sister restaurant, Le Chardonnay, hasn’t missed
a beat by moving across Madison. It’s bigger, but it still has a nice
patio, cold beer, stellar gumbo, and lots of other Cajun
delectables.

Justin Fox Burks

Petra, 1st place: ‘Best Mediterranean’

Best Mediterranean

1. Petra

2. Casa Grill

3. Petra Cafe

What’s more Midtown than this: Greek-Korean fusion in a restaurant
housed in a former gas station/garage, with patio seating right next to
the pumps? Spanikopita, moussaka, falafel — Petra is Greek
delicious. And the Korean soups and kimchi are fabulous too.

Best Dessert

1. Paulette’s

2. Beauty Shop

3. Kooky Canuck

Restaurants come and go, but Paulette’s “K-Pie” is a constant. Rich
coffee ice cream in a pecan-coconut crust, topped with whipped cream
and Kahlua, the Midtown institution’s Kahlua-mocha parfait pie is a
classic but not their most popular dessert. That designation apparently
belongs to the restaurant’s hot chocolate crepe. With crème
brûlée, Key lime pie, and other desserts dotting the menu,
Paulette’s is where Memphians go for post-dinner sweets.

Best Italian

1. Ronnie Grisanti & Sons Restaurant (now closed)

2. Pete & Sam’s

3. Bari — tie —

Ciao Bella Italian Grill

Long synonymous with Italian dining in Memphis, Ronnie Grisanti’s
closed its doors in August after a 25-year run at its Chickasaw Oaks
Plaza location on Poplar. But Memphians won’t be without the Grisanti
family’s authentic Tuscan cuisine, which has delighted local diners for
generations. Most of the restaurant’s staff — including Ronnie
himself — will relocate to the family’s Germantown location,
Elfo’s, which will be renamed simply Grisanti’s.

Best Mexican

1. El Porton Mexican Restaurant

2. Happy Mexican

3. Taqueria La Guadalupana

In an increasingly saturated local Mexican food scene, El Porton
maintains the top spot with five area locations, quick, reasonably
price lunches, a diverse menu, a full bar, and happy-hour specials.

Best Chinese

1. P.F. Chang’s

2. Wang’s Mandarin House

3. A-Tan

National chain P.F. Chang’s became a big local hit when it opened
its lone Memphis location — on Ridgeway in East Memphis — a
few years ago. In P.F. Chang’s large, opulent dining room, patrons can
feast on a diverse array of Chinese classics such as Mongolian beef,
ginger chicken, and spicy dumplings.

Best Thai

1. Bhan Thai

2. Bangkok Alley

3. Jasmine

Located in a large, converted Midtown house (the former home of
restaurant Maison Raji), Bhan Thai offers intensely flavorful Thai
dishes — masaman curry, pad thai, crispy duck, coconut-milk-based
soups, etc. — in an elegant atmosphere full of character, from
its small, intimate dining rooms to its popular patio in the back.

Best Vietnamese

1. Saigon Le

2. Pho Saigon

3. Pho Hoa Binh

This no-frills Midtown eatery has a loyal clientele because of its
focus on the food, which includes authentic Vietnamese specialties
— fresh spring rolls, great pho soups, vermicelli and tofu
dishes, and plenty of vegetarian options.

Best Japanese/Sushi

1. Sekisui

2. Blue Fin

3. Sekisui Pacific Rim

Restaurateur Jimmy Ishii has come to define Japanese cuisine, and
particularly sushi, in Memphis. The local chain is celebrating its 20th
birthday this year, first opening its Humphreys Center flagship
restaurant in 1989 and now covering the city with five locations.

Justin Fox Burks

Soul Fish, 1st place: ‘Best Home Cooking / Soul Food’

Best Home Cooking/Soul Food

1. Soul Fish

2. The Cupboard

3. Blue Plate Café

For exquisite catfish and hush puppies and a big daily selection of
veggies, it’s hard to order anything else off of Soul Fish’s menu. But
try their smoked half-chicken, and you’ll be doubling up on meals to
satisfy all your menu urges.

Best Vegetarian

BOM 1. Whole Foods Market

2. The Cupboard

3. Jasmine

Whole Foods Market, a foodie oasis on Poplar Avenue in East Memphis,
is more than a grocery store. Its large prepared-foods section —
pizzas, sandwiches, salad bar, bakery, coffee and juice bar — and
dining area make it a popular lunch and dinner spot for vegetarians and
health-food enthusiasts, in particular. Whole Foods also offers cooking
classes to help you find interesting things to do with the fresh and
healthy items they sell.

Best Seafood

1. Tsunami

2. Bonefish

3. The Half Shell

The anchor restaurant of Cooper-Young does it again, taking “Best
Seafood” for the millionth year in a row. Scallops, sea bass, mussels,
you name it, Chef Ben Smith and crew deliver a ship full of great taste
in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Best Pizza

BOM 1. Memphis Pizza Cafe

2. Garibaldi’s Pizza

3. Old Venice

Memphis Pizza Café was an instant hit when it opened in 1993
and has since expanded its local pizza empire to five locations, all
serving tasty, crispy pizzas, including such faves as the white-sauce
“alternative” and the zesty Cajun chicken.

Best Deli

1. Fino’s from the Hill

2. Bogie’s Delicatessen

3. Young Avenue Deli

What says Midtown more than the intersection of Madison and McLean?
And what says a great deli sandwich better than Fino’s from the Hill,
on that very Midtown corner? In addition to the popular made-to-order
sandwiches — cold cuts, cheeses, toppings, all on good crusty
bread — Fino’s offers pasta dishes and grocery items. That’s
Italian!

Best Server

1. Jeff Frisby, Restaurant Iris

2. Michele Fields, Calhoun’s Sports Bar

3. Jean Pruett, Bardog — tie —

Brent Skelton, The Kitchen

Jeff Frisby at Restaurant Iris must be doing something right. Last
year, he was named one of the city’s best servers in our Best Of poll.
This year, he’s done it again. Must be that Frisby knows not only how
to serve, he knows what to serve when it comes to vino: He’s Restaurant
Iris’ wine manager. (Factoid: All our winners in this category work in
Memphis’ new or newish restaurant/bars. Good to see Flyer
readers appreciate the city’s evolving food scene.)

Best Service

1. Chick-Fil-A

2. Texas de Brazil

3. Houston’s

Drive-thru or in-store, the crew behind the counter at any of
Memphis’ Chick-Fil-A locations have it down pat: your order in your
hands — fast. More amazing (and given the volume of business),
they do it, hands down, with the friendliest service in town.

Justin Fox Burks

Chick-Fil-A, 1st place: ‘Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant’

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

1. Chick-Fil-A

2. Chuck E. Cheese

3. Huey’s

We forgot to mention (see “Best Service”) that the crew at
Chick-Fil-A must have nerves of steel. As a new winner in the
kid-friendly restaurant category, these folks have what it takes when
children combine with fast food. Call it grace under pressure.

Best Local Late-Night Dining

1. Huey’s

2. Earnestine & Hazel’s

3. Young Avenue Deli

And we mean late. We’re talking, at several of Huey’s
multiple locations, a kitchen that’s open until 2 a.m. Don’t deny it.
At that hour and after some damage, what your body’s craving is a
burger and onion rings.

Best Place for People-Watching

1. Flying Saucer

2. Young Avenue Deli

3. Celtic Crossing

The corner of Beale and Second: The wide-open windows at downtown’s
Flyer Saucer aren’t there for no reason. Whether you’re in the
restaurant or passing on the sidewalk, this place was tailor-made for
people-watching. Evidence: During the Memphis Music and Heritage
Festival a few weekends ago, the place was jamming, inside and out.

Best Patio

1. Celtic Crossing

2. Boscos Squared

3. Cafe Olé

In a word: trivia. Celtic’s popular Wednesday-night tournament this
past summer had the patio packed. Any night, any season, though, will
do for a Guinness and some major hanging-out in Cooper-Young. Bonus
attraction: On this patio, you’re only a few steps from the scene on
the street.

Best Local Place That Delivers

1. Garibaldi’s Pizza

2. Young Avenue Deli

3. Camy’s

Another new winner in our Best Of poll: Garibaldi’s Pizza —
established 30 years ago by owner Mike Garibaldi — has three
locations for handmade pizzas, pastas, salads, wings, sandwiches,
sweets, and more. Garibaldi’s caters to not only what you’re hungry
for, according to readers, it really delivers.

Justin Fox Burks

Muddy’s Bake Shop, 1st place: ‘Best Bakery’

Best Bakery

1. Muddy’s Bake Shop

2. La Baguette

3. Fresh Market

Again: a new winner. And, according to Muddy’s website, if you’re
rude, whiny, impatient, or otherwise unpleasant, forget stepping inside
this bakeshop. If you’re green-minded and egg-headed (Muddy’s uses eggs
from cage-free, free-range hens), you’re welcome! Plus, who’s to argue
with a cupcake called “Prozac?”

Best Local Coffeehouse

1. High Point Coffee (now closed)

2. Otherlands

3. Café Eclectic — tie —

Republic Coffee

High Point Coffee just closed. (It’s the economy, stupid.) But
Otherlands, Cafe Eclectic, and Republic Coffee — the hotshots
rounding out your picks for best local coffeehouse — havestill
got their vibe going and the caffeine coming.

Best Restaurant

1. Restaurant Iris

2. Tsunami

3. Huey’s

Iris: It’s in the eye of the beholder. Restaurant Iris, “Best
Restaurant,” according to Memphians who value fine dining. In the space
of a year, nationally recognized chef Kelly English has succeeded in
turning Restaurant Iris into the city’s go-to address for exceptional
French-Creole-inspired cuisine. Doesn’t hurt that the restaurant also
features first-rate service in an intimate, romantic atmosphere.

Best New Restaurant

1. Flight

2. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

3. Overton Park Pizze Stone

The interior’s gorgeous, but it’s the food at Flight that has
Flyer readers hooked — and voting. Flight’s “flights”
— a trio of tastings from the entrée, dessert, and wine
menus — make it a wonderful way to sample what’s cooking in the
kitchen. What’s on your table: small plates but great taste. Or you
want regular-size portions? No problem. You can order that way too.