Tag: Dining

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

City Silo Table + Pantry Brings Healthy Eats to Germantown

CREDIT: Samuel X. Cicci

Juice has never been so much fun.

Just ask anyone who’s been drawn in by the delicious and natural offerings of Scott and Rebekah Tashie’s City Silo Table + Pantry restaurant. In fact, the healthy Southern eats and variety of juices and smoothies at the original East Memphis location proved so popular that the couple knew it was time to pull the trigger on opening a second location.

Samuel X. Cicci

The Sunshine Burrito, stuffed with crumbled silo burger patty, two scrambled fresh farm eggs, seasoned sweet potato, red quinoa, brown rice, sharp cheddar, cashew ranch, sriracha aioli, and wrapped in a chili tomato tortilla, served with a side of pico de gallo. In the background, the Green Light Go smoothie has just enough sweet fruity flavors to finely balance out the sourness of the granny smith juice base.

“We’ve been really overwhelmed by all the support we’ve had from Memphis since we first opened,” says Rebekah. “We’ve just gotten busier and busier since we opened the first City Silo, so we wanted to have a bigger space that could accommodate more people.”

At 3,500 square feet, the Germantown spot has plenty of space for extra diners, and even includes a bar and an outdoor covered patio. And with COVID-19 in mind, the large space makes it easy to abide by social distancing guidelines.

The pair originally signed the lease for 7605 W. Farmington Blvd, Suite 2 at Saddle Creek Shopping center back in February, but the pandemic meant that their initial timetable of an August opening had to be adjusted.

“Our landlord was awesome,” Scott says. “After COVID hit, we discussed things with them and they gave us a few extra months to really focus on adapting. So we were able to give our full attention to the new location without having to rush. It was a process, but we worked with a lot of great people, and that made things really easy for us.”

Diners who walk into the new City Silo, which officially opened today, won’t miss a beat. The Tashies made sure that they captured the essence of the original City Silo brand, with both the aesthetic and menu staying true to the first location.

“Our goal was to take our original store and bring a lot of the feel and textures over from there,” says Scott. “Our big question was how do we make this space feel awesome, feel safe, feel credible, but still have it feel like City Silo. So this new location, it’s an update on our first idea, kind of like a step up, but it’s still City Silo.”

“We’re going for an airy, fresh, light, happy, warm vibe,” Rebekah explains. “We have a lot of plants, a lot of wooden decorations, and wanted to bring in a lot of cool colors to really liven it up.”

Samuel X. Cicci

The Germantown City Silo’s spacious interior provides plenty of room and natural light, and crucially for this writer, a welcome sense of relief, relaxation, and respite after almost a year of working from home. The bar at the far end of the restaurant will soon serve City Silo’s specially curated cocktail menu.

In terms of food, the menu at the new City Silo will mirror the original. But the Tashies are working to slowly integrate new items here and there. “We put a lot of thought into new dishes,” Scott says. “If you go to our original store, you can see we just added tacos. It’s a limited-time menu item, so once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

“We’ll look to include more small plates and try out different things,” elaborates Rebekah. “And when we roll them out, we’ll do it in both places simultaneously.”

But a major change brought about by the new location is the inclusion of a new cocktail menu. Once City Silo gets its liquor license, expect to see an intriguing variety of cocktails that use the Tashies’ same clean, wholesome approach to their food.

“We’re not going to go crazy with our liquor selection, but we’ve carefully selected a vodka, a tequila, a mescal, a rum, and a gin,” Scott says. “And we’re going to incorporate our juices into the cocktails as well. When this is all ready, we’ll roll it out at our East Memphis location as well, and it will be the official City Silo cocktail menu.”

While the full cocktail menu hasn’t been revealed yet, a few hints from the Tashies point toward a potential beet margarita, or a carrot juice and mezcal concoction.

Samuel X. Cicci

City Silo owners Scott and Rebekah Tashie

City Silo Table + Pantry’s Germantown restaurant is located at 7605 W. Farmington Blvd., Suite 2. Open for dine-in, takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery. Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. thecitysilo.com; 901-236-7223

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Earnestine & Hazel’s Up For Sale

Toby Sells

Karen Brownlee and Stephen Guenther

Earnestine & Hazel’s is up for sale, according to its current owner.

Caitlin Chittom said in a Facebook post Monday that the decision was not because of finances nor COVID-19. Read the post here:

E+H Friends and Family,

I’ve made the difficult decision to sell Earnestine and Hazel’s. Selling Earnestine’s is not a…

Posted by Earnestine & Hazel's on Monday, November 23, 2020

Earnestine & Hazel’s Up For Sale

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Flavors of the Delta at King & Union Bar Grocery

At the corner of B.B. King Blvd. & Union Ave., the site of the former TGI Friday’s now offers something that feels a little closer to home. King & Union Bar Grocery, the new restaurant connected to the DoubleTree by Hilton and situated just across the street from AutoZone Park, recently joined the Downtown dining scene with an authentic take on food and recipes from around the Mid-South.

King & Union Bar Grocery’s Charcuterie Board sits in front of the KU Burger

“The Friday’s model was an extremely successful restaurant model for decades,” says DoubleTree general manager David Rossman, “but tastes change, and habits change. When the pandemic hit, we reevaluated our strategy and decided to pursue something that’s more authentic to where we are.”

King & Union, which opened July 20th, has a menu which offers plenty of staples that people who grew up in the Delta would recognize. Glenn Brown, director of food & beverage, grew up in Grenada, Mississippi, and uses his history and experience to inform the restaurant’s offerings. “We’ve got classic Southern cuisine,” explains Brown, “but with a little bit of a twist, too. And that’s what makes it so good, just that extra little bit of creativity.”

And Brown’s outside-the-box thinking is on full display with King & Union’s new Thanksgiving special. A holiday twist on the classic chicken & waffles concept is flipped into turkey & waffles. “The waffle is made out of cornbread dressing,” he says. “We’ve got thick, oven-roasted turkey on top, with gravy and a bacon cranberry chutney. And we’ll serve that over mashed potatoes and green beans.”

King & Union Bar Grocery

Turkey & Waffles Thanksgiving Special

That inventiveness is on display throughout the whole menu, with each plate serving a pretty generous helping. The KU Burger sticks two all-beef patties with the regular fixings, as well as pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and the restaurant’s comeback sauce, which Brown describes as a “jazzed-up remoulade.”

“Or a bluesy remoulade,” offers Rossman.

But the X-factor that really catches the eye, and the taste buds, is the pimento cheese, which appears all over King & Union’s menu. It settles nicely on the KU Burger; centers the charcuterie plate alongside kielbasa, deviled eggs, pickled smokra (okra pickled with smokey paprika); and, crucially, anchors its own sandwich. The “Mama Rue” combines sourdough bread, bacon, pimento cheese, and tomatoes, and is a tribute to an important figure in Brown’s life.

“Mama Rue was my grandmother,” he recollects. “But the thing is, she did not cook. The only thing in her house when I was growing up was store-bought pimento cheese, which was horrible! But I thought of her when I was trying to come up with new recipes, so I put all these ingredients together, threw it on the grill, and it’s one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have.”

And King & Union’s pimento cheese truly does pop. Made in-house, the recipe mixes in firecracker peppers to give it a little extra oomph and a lovely reddish hue, reminiscent of the sunsets over the Mississippi River.

(l to r) David Rossman and Glenn Brown

For the intrepid diners, those keen to try out new things or in search of something unlisted, there’s the “secret menu,” where King & Union tests out potential new recipes. And the experiments are usually right on the mark. Brown initially trialed the King Cristo this way, a breakfast sandwich with “grilled ham, raspberry compote, Dijon mustard, powdered sugar, Swiss cheese, and the whole thing fried just like French toast.” That item proved so popular, it worked its way onto the full menu. As for finding the secret menu, well, you’ll just have to visit King & Union a few times and puzzle that one out for yourself (and never forget to keep an eye on the social feeds).

Underpinning every good food experience, of course, is a loaded cocktail menu, and King & Union delivers. The restaurant retained much of the staff from Friday’s, and longtime bartender Sean Hart has spent years coming up with new drinks to try, all using local liquor.


I went with the Ginger Basil Smash, based around Old Dominick Bourbon and accentuated with a strong dose of ginger, sugar, basil leaves, and lemon juice. The Muddy Waters also merits attention, another bourbon concoction with a coffee-infused caffeine kick, accompanied by Madagascar vanilla and sugar.

Want something that’s not on the menu? The bartenders are more than happy to try anything. “We have a lot of drinks named after longtime regulars,” says bar manager Katie Bowles. “And if you ask for something we haven’t done before, well, we’ll probably name a drink after you, too.” On tap, there are 14 beers, 10 of which are local (Rossman concedes that they need to have Bud Light available).

And King & Union has a perfect atmosphere to kick back and relax in with a cocktail. When establishments are able to fully and safely reopen, it’s easy to see spending a few hours in the entry lounge area, or closer to the comfortable bar area, after a Grizzlies or 901 FC game. Right now, a few skeletal decorations are still hanging around, leftover from Halloween decorations. But instead of taking them down, King & Union has a few seated at tables (dressed in pilgrim hats and other Thanksgiving finery for the upcoming holiday) to demarcate social distancing guidelines.

Bar manager Katie Bowles poses with one of the bar’s leftover Halloween decorations.

But as an extension of the DoubleTree hotel, Rossman wants the restaurant to be memorable for not just locals, but tourists. “We want to be a departure from your typical hotel restaurant,” he says. “A lot of them are forgettable, but we want to create an experience where people coming in from out of town can try something authentic to the area, and mix with people from Memphis.”

An exciting component, and the second half of the “Bar Grocery” moniker, is the store selling locally made, pure 901 goods. Think sweet and savory snacks, like Makeda’s Cookies, Shotwell candies, Wolf River Popcorn, or Vice & Virtue Coffee. Rossman wants to expand the grocery offerings over the next few months to offer standard household items like bread, milk, eggs, cheese, and pasta. “There’s not a lot of places to get actual groceries Downtown,” says Rossman. “So we want to create a space where people come in, grab some essentials, and maybe some pimento cheese or some sliced meats. That’s the next thing we’re looking at probably starting next year.”

While it’s been tough on both the restaurant and hospitality industries due to COVID-19, Rossman has seen a good reception Downtown. “We have a lot of people coming in, and guests are eating here multiple times during a stay,” he says. “And that’s what we wanted: both people from Memphis and folks who are visiting coming in and getting a taste of classic Southern cuisine.”


King & Union Bar Grocery is open for dine-in and takeout breakfast (all day), lunch, and dinner 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 6:30 a.m.-midnight Friday; and 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday. 185 Union Ave., 523-8500. Social media: @KingandUnionBarGrocery

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Torchy’s Tacos Brings Tex-Mex to Town Next Year

CREDIT: Courtesy Torchy's Tacos

Courtesy Torchy’s Tacos

Memphis Flyer’s Taco Week may be well in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to celebrate the traditional Mexican dish. But each state has its own spin on what makes for a good taco, and Torchy’s Tacos are bringing its Tex-Mex approach to Tennessee for the first time.

The Austin, Texas-based “fast casual taco brand” has a wide variety of street-style options on its menu, built around chicken, carnitas, barbacoa, sausage, beef, salmon, and plenty of other interesting twists. For those with dietary restrictions, there’s a separate gluten-conscious menu. Torchy’s also keeps things fresh through a rotating Taco of the Month, with November’s Chili Wagon, for example, comprising “New Mexico red chile stewed chicken with fried poblano strip, onion, avocado sauce, fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge served on a corn tortilla.”

I texted my sister, a current Dallas resident, for her thoughts. “It’s good! A bit trendier than your average taco chain,” she said. “Their street corn is really good, and so is the green chile queso.”

Torchy’s Tacos recently signed a lease for 711 S. Mendenhall Road in East Memphis, and is set to open in either the spring or summer of 2021. (There are plans to bring further locations to Tennessee in the future, as well.) That’s a long way off, but there are plenty of excellent local taco joints to try in the meantime.



Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Napa Café Reopens Dining Room and Expands Patio

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Napa Café

Photo courtesy Napa Café

Napa Café before outdoor seating was expanded.



Napa Cafe’s dining room is now open, so customers can return to eating the restaurant’s made-from-scratch fare inside.

The East Memphis restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood, grass-fed beef, and game, also has expanded its patio.

The dining room had been closed due to COVID-19, says owner Glenda Hastings.

“I opened secretly a couple of weeks ago to get our footing again with having the dining room open,” she says. “We’ve been closed five-and-a-half months. I was only doing curbside and delivery, which I’m still doing. 

“I was just waiting for things to kind of settle in and people to feel comfortable dining out again. I sent my customers a big survey finding out what they wanted. And because they have been supporting me so strongly with curbside and delivery. I wanted to make sure they were comfortable with reopening the dining room. And my employees were comfortable.”

And, Hastings says, “I think we were just ready to see people in the dining room and see our food on plates again. When I walked in the kitchen and saw my first entrées go out on our china I was so excited. It looks so much better than it was in a to-go box for five and a half months.”

As for the expanded patio, Hastings says, “I have 10 to 12 tables out there social distanced nicely. And I have a ton of tropical plants. It’s just beautiful. And, of course, I have the private dining rooms. I have the wine cellar. I have ‘Jan’s Room.’ That’s a little, private dining room named after my longest-serving employee. It serves two to six guests.”

Curbside pick-up and delivery hours were readjusted to 5 to 9 p.m, Wednesdays through Saturdays.

To make a dinner reservation or to order curbside pick-up and delivery, call 901-683-0441.   

Napa Cafe is at 5101 Sanderlin Center. For more information, go to napacafe.com

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

South of Beale Looks to the East

CREDIT: Murray Lace/Obsidian

If you’re tired of driving Downtown to get your hands on some of SOB’s delicious duck fried rice or General Tso’s cauliflower, owner Ed Cabigao has been listening. A second location called SOBeast is set to open its doors to the public next Tuesday, September 8th, in the former Interim space at 5040 Sanderlin Ave.

Murray Lace/Obsidian

SOB owner Ed Cabigao at the new East Memphis location.

Cabigao has had his eye on expanding the SOB brand for a while. When the pandemic offered him a chance to experiment with using Interim as a ghost kitchen for SOB’s menu, the demand was too high to ignore. “We were getting a lot of requests form East Memphians to have SOB to-go food closer to them,” he says. “We did much better than we thought, and after a couple of weeks, our to-go orders out there surpassed those at our Downtown location.

“We think the fine dining model post-COVID will be really challenging,” he explains. “Interim had a lot of challenges even before the pandemic hit, so we thought it was best to rebrand the space to SOBeast.”

The pandemic also forced Cabigao into a tough decision with his other establishment, Zaka Bowl. “It was sad since were passionate about it, and had a lot of loyal customers, but the pandemic really cut off its profitability.”

Now, Cabigao is firmly focused on expanding the SOB brand. “Since we’re focusing on just one brand, we can elevate SOB to where we want it to be. It’s in our mind to add a third location, but we don’t have concrete plans just yet.”

Murray Lace/Obsidian

SOB’s duck fried rice, complete with egg on top, is one of the restaurant’s most popular items.

Anthony Fenech will lead the kitchen at the East Memphis location, before transitioning into a corporate chef type of role overseeing both SOB locations. Meanwhile, Jess Hewlette joined the team several months ago to take over the Downtown location. “She joined us from the Liquor Store, and she’s got a really good flavor palette and some excellent ideas we want to highlight over the next couple of months,” says Cabigao.

The 3,500-square-foot SOBeast will feel like a “restaurant with a really good cocktail and bar program,” says Cabigao. When the original SOB moves into the Ambassador Hotel space, the two locations will parallel each other in terms of atmosphere, aesthetics, and menu. However, expect some slight variations down the line. “Eventually, we’ll have a menu sections that will say either ‘East Exclusives’ or ‘Downtown Exclusives,’” he says. “They’ll highlight our individual chefs’ styles that we have at both locations.”

With the pandemic in mind, Cabigao plans to utilize emerging technologies in the restaurant sector at the East Memphis location. While many restaurants have provided QR codes for menu access, he plans to extend that to receipts so customers can pay the bill on their phones. He also plans to make SOB’s website more robust, with an online system that sends orders straight to the kitchen for a smoother process.

SOBeast opens Tuesday, September 8th, for dine-in, curbside pickup, and UberEats delivery from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for all-day brunch 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sunday. 5040 Sanderlin. 901-818-0821. southofbeale.com

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Sushi Jimmi to join La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant October 6th

Jimmy ‘Sushi Jimmi’ Sinh



Is Sushi Jimmi about to become “Taco Jimmi”?

“No, no, no,” says Jimmy “Sushi Jimmi” Sinh. But the Memphis chef has taken a job at La Hacienda Mexican restaurant in Cordova, where he will begin working October 6th.

Sinh has been working as executive chef at Saltwater Crab, where he originally began working earlier this year. 

He closed his restaurant, Sushi Jimmi Asian fusion restaurant, at 2895 Poplar on May 23rd, 2019, saying he  wanted to spend more time with his family. He closed his food truck the next day. Sinh says he put too much money ($250,000) into the restaurant, though he says it was successful. He planned to move to Florida, but his family didn’t want to let the restaurant go. He reopened Sushi Jimmi at the same location on June 15th, but it closed for a second time at the end of July.

“Last year, when I closed my restaurant down, I lost everything,” Sinh says. “And when COVID-19 hit, I lost even more. I lost completely everything. And my friend Temoor Sarwar and his family own [La Hacienda] and he asked me to come in and work at the restaurant serving my food.”

But before making plans to join La Hacienda, Sinh went to Saltwater Crab, where he originally worked for about two and a half months. “They hired me and I took care of what needed to be taken care of.”

And, he says, he “also gave the customers what the customers were missing and really wanted. Really good food in Midtown. They needed a good sushi restaurant in Midtown in the Overton Square area. I decided to bring in my sushi, which everyone missed, and it went really well.”

Sinh got laid off from Saltwater Crab when the restaurant closed during the pandemic, but he returned when it reopened for business last May. They’re now doing  “amazing numbers” at Saltwater Crab, says Sinh. “That means we’re doing something right.”

September 30th will be Sinh’s last day at Saltwater Crab. He’s proud of what he accomplished there. “I created this for Midtown to enjoy.”

But, he says, “I want to do more things for myself. It’s my turn to proceed with my chef life, which is what I’m doing. So, I’m collaborating with different chefs. Anyone who wants to collaborate with me and just make a quick menu for the weekend. All around the country. I could go to California next week and collaborate with a chef for two days and move to the next city.

“That’s always been my dream. To travel and see different things. I haven’t been to a lot of places. I’ve always been trapped behind the box. I want to get outside the box to places I’ve never been and try new food. The only way to be a good chef is to travel.”

Sinh also plans to be on camera. “I’m planning to make a YouTube channel to show people where to go eat. And I’ll be doing a few scenarios to show people different places I’ve traveled to. Also, I’ll be showing people how to cook a certain food. Explain to them the knowledge they need to know when they eat at the restaurant.”

People need to know how to eat something correctly, he says. “If you don’t eat it right, you’ll have the worst experience. That’s very important to me because I want them to enjoy my food. Not just pay for it.”

Sinh will collaborate as a chef with Sarwar at La Hacienda. “He is the main person there. He is the manager. He is the chef. And it’s his family’s restaurant. We’re collaborating anywhere from three to four days a week.”

They will have a taste tasting at the restaurant in less than a week. “We’re going to be cooking all day to test out the food we’re going to put on the menu.”

The food will be Asian and Mexican, Sinh says. “It’ll be fusion. A little bit of both. Everything that I ever really cooked has a little bit of Hispanic feeling in it ‘cause I’m from Los Angeles, California, and there’s a lot of Mexican and Asian fused together.”

For now, Memphis will be Sinh’s home base, but he plans to move out of town when his family moves. “I’m living with my parents. I’ve always been a family-oriented guy. I go where my parents want to go. You only have one (set of) parents. You don’t want to end up not being with them on their last day or whatever. I want to be that good son that takes care of their parents. Where they want to go is where I want to go.”

That includes Sinh’s wife and their five kids. “Pretty much the whole, entire family.”

As for his nickname, Sinh says it was when he was working at the old Saki restaurant “One day I heard one of my customers just call me ‘Sushi Jimmi.’ And that is exactly where it came from.”

La Hacienda is at 1760 North Germantown Parkway in Cordova.

Saltwater Crab is at 2059 Madison; (901) 624-2920

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Cover Feature News

Best of Memphis 2013

Welcome to The Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis 2013; stay tuned for our Best of Memphis 2014 issue,
which will hit the streets on Wednesday morning, October 1st, 2014!

Memphis makes plenty of lists. We’re among the fattest, most affordable, whatever. But if any of these folks bothered to measure the city’s sexier side, we’d be off the charts in Hot to Trot.

Memphis is a city of lovers. There’s a ton to do and see and eat here, and everybody’s got an opinion. And we here at the Flyer couldn’t appreciate it more. For the annual Best of Memphis issue, we counted on you and we counted your votes. Flyer readers weighed in on 124 categories, ranging from Best Pick-Up Joint to Best Florist.

Two dozen-plus of those businesses and people earned a “BOM,” meaning they took that category by an overwhelming majority. That is love. (Categories designated “Readers’ Choice” means the vote was too close to call.)

We thank our readers for their continued support, and our advertisers deserve a nod as well for their part in keeping the Flyer free and on the streets.

The Best Of issue was written by Greg Akers, Shara Clark, Anna Cox, Chris Davis, Susan Ellis, Michael Finger, Louis Goggans, Chris Herrington, Bianca Phillips, Alexandra Pusateri, Chris Shaw, and Bruce VanWyngarden. Design is by Carrie Beasley, images by Justin Fox Burks, and illustration by Mike McCarthy.

Congrats to all the winners.

Best New Restaurant
1. Hog & Hominy
2. Aldo’s Pizza Pies
3. Chiwawa

Well, of course, it’s Hog & Hominy. Seldom has a new eatery burst upon the Memphis dining scene with more good press — and good word of mouth. Michael Hudman and Andrew Ticer’s pork-centric restaurant has everybody going hog-wild.

Best Lunch
Readers’ Choice 

Central BBQ
The Elegant Farmer
Fino’s From the Hill
Huey’s
Trolley Stop Market

Judging from the broad enthusiasm for a number of lunch options and the lack of a definitive winner, Memphis is a mighty good town for lunch, whether it’s Midtown, downtown, or East Memphis.

Best Breakfast
1. Brother Juniper’s
2. Bryant’s Breakfast
3. Blue Plate Café

Brother Juniper’s hearty home-style cooking and extraordinary breads kept the University of Memphis-area staple on top for another year. That line out the door on weekend mornings is there for a reason.

Best Brunch
1. Owen Brennan’s Restaurant
2. Majestic Grille
3. Beauty Shop

Owen Brennan’s New Orleans-style cuisine takes the top brunch prize again this year. This place’s omelets, waffles, Cajun seafood dishes, and Bananas Foster will cure whatever ails you on Sunday morning.

BEST NEW AMERICAN CUISINE: Local Gastropub

Best New American Cuisine
1. Local Gastropub
2. Sweet Grass
3. The Elegant Farmer — tie — Majestic Grille

Local Gastropub has expanded from its original downtown restaurant to a large and snazzy new place in Overton Square. Flyer readers love both places, obviously. And even if they’re not quite sure what “New American” cuisine is, they know it tastes good. Real good.

Best Wine List
1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
2. Le Chardonnay
3. Bari Ristorante e Enoteca

Flight’s innovative presentations, featuring three dishes and three two-ounce samples of wines, wins over Flyer readers again this year. The elegant two-level downtown eatery has an expansive and well-considered wine list, with something for all tastes and budgets.

Best Steak
1. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House
2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
3. The Butcher Shop

It’s folly, pure folly, to imagine that any other restaurant in Memphis will beat out the venerable Folk’s Folly for Best Steak. The formula for success is simple: Pair well-prepared side-dish staples with thick, juicy, and tender prime beef. The dark and intimate atmosphere is another plus.

Best Burger
BOM 1. Huey’s
2. Earnestine & Hazel’s
3. Alex’s Tavern — tie — Tops Bar-B-Q

The lights dim. A drumroll. The envelope, please. A hush falls over the crowd as, GASP, Huey’s wins Best Burger in Memphis this year, proving once again, when it comes to hamburgers, you can’t beat Huey’s. Literally.

Best Service
1. Huey’s
2. Restaurant Iris
3. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

Not only can you get the best burger in town at Huey’s, they’ll be real nice about making you feel welcome, bringing you water, taking your order, and giving you extra toothpicks so you can blow ’em at the ceiling. They won’t even complain when one lands in their hair. They’re that nice.

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
1. Huey’s
2. Memphis Pizza Café
3. Central BBQ — tie — Mellow Mushroom

Wait. Didn’t we just write nice things about Huey’s? Yes. Yes, we did. Well, it turns out that in addition to having good service and a great burger, those darn kids love Huey’s. Having that built-in toothpick-filled ceiling for target practice doesn’t hurt, but the menu is also filled with good, kid-friendly fare.

Best Late-Night Dining
1. Huey’s
2. Alex’s Tavern
3. Earnestine & Hazel’s

We’re noticing a pattern here … Yep, Huey’s wins again, this time topping the Best Late-Night Dining category. The comfortable atmosphere, great service, and outstanding eats make Huey’s an ideal spot to wind down after a night out.

Best Fried Chicken
BOM 1. Gus’s Fried Chicken
2. Jack Pirtle’s Chicken
3. Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken

Gus’s Fried Chicken is a Memphis institution, and it’s named the home of the best-tasting fowl in these parts, year after year. Not convinced? Just check out the line of folks standing outside the downtown eatery’s front door around lunchtime. Gus’s isn’t fancy, but it’s the best around.

Best Cajun/Creole
1. Bayou Bar & Grill
2. Owen Brennan’s Restaurant
3. DeJaVu

This Overton Square institution moved from one side of Madison Avenue to the other a few years back, but it hasn’t lost a step. Memphians love the Cajun cuisine, the beer, the pool table, and that cool, little see-and-be-seen patio with the spritzers that kick on when the heat kicks up.

BEST MEDITERRANEAN: Casablanca

Best Mediterranean
1. Casablanca
2. Petra Café
3. Kwik Chek

Casablanca features Middle Eastern and Moroccan food, including kibbeh, baba ghanoush, falafel, hummus, shawarma, and other traditional foods of the region. Take a magic carpet ride to the exotic lands of Casablanca. Flyer readers do.

Best Dessert

1. Muddy’s Bake Shop
2. Cheesecake Corner
3. YoLo Frozen Yogurt

Best Bakery
1. Muddy’s Bake Shop
2. La Baguette
3. Gigi’s Cupcakes

Muddy’s has taken the (cup)cake again in both the dessert and bakery categories. Using only the good stuff — organic milk and eggs from cage-free hens — and leaving out the bad stuff (no preservatives!) help rank their sweet treats among Memphis’ favorites. What’s more: They don’t accept tips; instead, all the money dropped in their “refill our community with positive change” jar goes to a different local nonprofit each month.

Best Frozen Dessert
1. YoLo Frozen Yogurt
2. Jerry’s Sno Cone
3. La Michoacana

As if the assortment of delicious flavors of yogurt and handmade gelato weren’t enough to make our mouths water, YoLo has more toppings than a person could dream of to pile on top, including a variety of locally sourced treats like Makeda’s cookies, Delta Pecan Orchard pecans, and Jones Orchard fruits.

Best Italian
1. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen — tie — Pete & Sam’s
2. Bari Ristorante e Enoteca
3. Ciao Bella

Mamma mia! Flyer readers came to a draw this year in choosing the restaurant that’s offering the best Italian fare. First-time winner Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen has been making its mark with traditional and family recipes like Maw Maw’s Ravioli since 2008. The family-owned institution, Pete & Sam’s, has been serving up Italian favorites for more than 60 years. The two share the title of “best” in 2013.

Best Mexican
1. Las Delicias Mexican Bar & Grill
2. Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
3. Molly’s La Casita

Serving quite possibly the best chunky, spicy, citrusy guacamole in the world, in addition to authentic tacos and house-made tortilla chips, it’s no wonder Las Delicias has stolen the hearts of Mexican-food-loving Memphians. Their chips and dips are available in several local grocery stores, and they’ve even been spotted at the farmer’s market. Muy bueno!

Best Chinese
1. Wang’s Mandarin House
2. A-Tan
3. Mulan Asian Bistro

Wang’s offers an extensive menu of traditional and contemporary Chinese staples, including go-to’s, like fried rice and egg rolls, and chef specialties, like the Triple Harvest (shrimp, chicken, and beef sautéed with baby corn, broccoli, and carrots in Wang’s gourmet hot pepper sauce).

Best Thai
1. Bhan Thai
2. Bangkok Alley
3. Jasmine Thai & Vegetarian

Since 2002, Bhan Thai has served Memphians authentic Thai cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. You can enjoy one of their spicy curries or a big plate of pad thai inside or on their spacious, shaded patio, complete with an outside bar.

Best Vietnamese
1. Pho Saigon
2. Saigon Le
3. Pho Binh

Serving classic noodle bowls and soups, Pho Saigon has been satisfying hungry tummies in Memphis for years. From Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) to Nem Nuong (skewered pork) and all the noodle soups a person could dream of, they’re sure to cure a craving for authentic Vietnamese cuisine with their extensive menu and fresh ingredients.

Best Japanese
1. Sekisui
2. Bluefin — tie — Osaka
3. Sakura Japanese Restaurant — tie —
Sekisui Pacific Rim

With several Memphis-area locations, Sekisui has been voted a Flyer reader favorite once again. They offer classic options, like shumai, udon, teriyaki, and sashimi and sushi rolls. Several Memphis-themed rolls can be found on the menu, such as the Redbirds roll (crunchy crab with mayo and sweet chili sauce, topped with shrimp).

Best Indian
1. India Palace
2. Golden India
3. Bombay House

The exotic smell wafting from India Palace makes Memphians’ mouths water before they even reach the door. The lunch buffet, filled with creamy, spicy sauces and authentic entrées, is made complete with endless baskets of fresh, hot naan. Finish off the meal with a serving of delectable basmati rice pudding or sweet, juicy balls of Gulab Jamun.

Best Home Cooking/Soul Food
1. Soul Fish
2. Cupboard
3. Blue Plate Café

Soul Fish boasts a bona fide Southern menu, complete with their famous catfish — served fried or blackened, in nuggets or whole, on a po’ boy or in a basket. Pair it with one of their delicious sides, like hushpuppies, pickled green tomatoes, or Cajun cabbage, and you’ve got yourself a home-cooked plate with a dash of heart and soul.

BEST VEGETARIAN: Trolley Stop Market

Best Vegetarian
1. Trolley Stop Market
2. The Elegant Farmer
3. Café Eclectic

Trolley Stop Market, a new winner in this category, has a special “Veggie & Vegan Yums” section on its menu that includes a hummus wrap, a garden burger made with local veggies, quesadillas, and more. They also have a variety of vegetarian pizzas — including the Margherita and the Garden Delight, both topped with locally sourced, seasonal vegetables. Don’t feel like leaving the house? They deliver to Harbor Town, downtown, and Midtown.

BEST BARBECUE, RIBS, HOT WINGS: Central BBQ

Best Barbecue
BOM 1. Central BBQ
2. Germantown Commissary
3. The Bar-B-Q Shop

Best Ribs
1. Central BBQ
2. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous
3. Corky’s

Best Hot Wings
1. Central BBQ
2. Ching’s Hot Wings
3. D’Bo’s Wings n’ More

Once an upstart and now a stalwart, Central BBQ has expanded their local smoked-meat empire both in terms of geography — adding a spacious downtown location to go with their Central and Summer shops — and variety, claiming the Best Ribs title this year to go with their stronghold on Best Barbecue and Best Hot Wings. Sandwiches and ribs are the ‘cue classics, but, oh my, those dry-rub wings …

BEST SEAFOOD: Half Shell

Best Seafood
1. Half Shell
2. Bonefish Grill
3. Tsunami

This cozy, festive local institution has been serving all varieties of seafood for decades, providing a little oasis of the coastal South — with grilled oysters and Cajun fish tacos among the highlights.

Best Pizza
1. Memphis Pizza Café
2. Aldo’s Pizza Pies
3. Rock ‘n’ Dough Pizza Co.

The pizza scene in Memphis is getting increasingly crowded, but with five locations and favorites such as the sauce-free Alternative and the Cajun Chicken Supreme, Memphis Pizza Café remains our readers’ favorite.

Best Sandwiches
1. Young Avenue Deli
2. Fino’s From the Hill
3. Lenny’s Sub Shop

This Cooper-Young anchor offers something for everyone. Here you don’t just order a turkey sandwich. You want it curried? Marinated in hot sauce? In Reuben form? Vegetarian? You’re covered: California Pita, Cosmic Cucumber, Deathrow Pimento Cheese. Whatever you order, be sure to top it off with the Deli’s beloved hand-cut fries.

Best Place for People-Watching
1. Flying Saucer (Downtown)
2. Peabody Lobby Bar
3. Young Avenue Deli

Not only can it get crowded and lively inside this downtown beer emporium, especially after Grizzlies and Tiger basketball games, but the big open windows also allow patrons to keep an eye on the downtown street scene. (Just a guess, but were some of our readers thinking about the Saucer’s attractive young staff in terms of “people-watching”?)

BEST PATIO: Chiwawa

Best Patio
1. Chiwawa
2. Boscos Squared
3. Celtic Crossing

Food and drink best consumed outside? Tacos, hot dogs, agua frescas, and cold adult beverages: Check. Quality people-watching? The doorstep of a revived Overton Square: Check. Low-key entertainment? A soul/hip-hop late-night DJ, film screenings, and television-watch parties: Check. A comfortable and interesting space? A handsome two-level deck under a wrought-iron “Midtown is Memphis” sign: Check. Is it any wonder Chiwawa immediately became the favorite restaurant patio of our readers?

BEST FOOD TRUCK: Fuel Cafe

Best Food Truck
1. Fuel Café
2. Central BBQ
3. Rock ‘n’ Dough Pizza Co.

How to rise to the top of the growing ranks of Memphis food trucks? Gourmet tacos and grilled cheeses and fresh-brewed hibiscus iced tea is a darn good start. Also helpful: Fuel Café’s ubiquitous presence at some of the city’s most popular outdoor gathering spots, such as the downtown Memphis Farmers Market and shows at the Levitt Shell.

Best Delivery
1. Garibaldi’s Pizza
2. Trolley Stop Market
3. Young Avenue Deli

With its signature University of Memphis location, Garibaldi’s fuels students with pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads that have been local faves for years. And with two locations out East, these good eats are only a dial away for most of Memphis.

Best Donut Shop
BOM 1. Gibson’s Donuts
2. Howard’s Donuts
3. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

This East Memphis gathering spot serves a dazzling array of donuts and pastries early in the morning and deep into the night. They’ve got your glazed, frosted, and sprinkled basics covered, but look out for specialties like red velvet, maple bacon, and buttermilk drops.

Best Coffeehouse
1. Otherlands — tie —
Republic Coffee
2. Café Eclectic
3. Poplar Perk’n

It’s a Midtown vs. East Memphis battle on the coffeehouse front, and this year Otherlands on Cooper and Republic Coffee on Walnut Grove share the title. Both serve a great cup of joe, good eats, and free Wi-Fi in a comfortable atmosphere.

BEST CHEF: Kelly English, Restaurant Iris

Best Chef
1. Kelly English, Restaurant Iris
2. Michael Hudman and Andrew Ticer, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen/Hog & Hominy
3. Patrick Reilly, Majestic Grille

Best Server
1. Jeff Frisby, Restaurant Iris
2. Jean Pruett, Aldo’s Pizza Pies/Bardog Tavern/Slider Inn
3. Matt Cantrell, Newby’s — tie — Skye “Walker” White, Celtic Crossing

Best Restaurant
BOM 1. Restaurant Iris
2. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
3. Hog & Hominy

Best Romantic Restaurant
1. Restaurant Iris
2. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
3. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

If the city’s Best Chef — according to our readers — is setting the menu and running the kitchen and the city’s Best Server is making the dining room run smoothly, then why wouldn’t Restaurant Iris also be tapped as the city’s Best Restaurant? Add in an elegant, intimate atmosphere in a converted house just off Overton Square, and it’s perfect for a romantic night out as well. Kelly English is justly famous for his opulent “surf and turf,” his lobster Knuckle Sandwich, and other trademark creations. But with so much going well, why not try Iris’ five-course “degustation” and put yourself in their hands for the night?

BEST PLACE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC: Levitt Shell

Best Place To See Live Music
1. Levitt Shell
2. Minglewood Hall
3. B.B. King’s

The Levitt Shell remains at the top of the Best Place To See Live Music category. That comes as no surprise after a summer concert series that featured regional greats like the Memphis Dawls and the North Mississippi Allstars, plus an unforgettable surprise performance in August by Grammy winner Norah Jones.

Best Local Band
1. North Mississippi Allstars
2. Lucero
3. Star & Micey

The North Mississippi Allstars were recently dubbed “Americana music luminaries” by National Public Radio, something that their dedicated fans have known for years. The Dickinson brothers have just begun touring in support of their seventh studio album, World Boogie Is Coming, taking their brand of Mid-South roots rock all over the United States and Europe.

BEST SINGER: Amy Lavere

Best Local Singer
1. Amy LaVere
2. Patrick Dodd
3. Grace Askew

Amy LaVere seems to have a new record coming out every time we turn around. Earlier this month she released the excellent debut from Motel Mirrors, a collaboration with local guitar genius John Paul Keith. LaVere also just announced an EP titled Chasing the Ghost featuring the songs she wrote with Wandering band member Shannon McNally, to be released on Archer Records next month.

Best Karaoke
1. Windjammer Restaurant & Lounge
2. P&H Café
3. Blue Monkey

Karaoke and cold beer seem to go hand-in-hand, and the Windjammer in East Memphis has been serving up both for years. As any karaoke enthusiast knows, you haven’t really spent the weekend right until you’ve heard Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” drunkenly sung into a karaoke mic.

Best College Hangout
1. Newby’s
2. RP Tracks
3. Celtic Crossing

Newby’s has been THE college bar for years, and with its prime location on the Highland Strip, it’s easy to see why. An incredible atmosphere makes this college bar the go-to place for undergrads looking to unwind after class.

Best Bartender
1. Brian “Skinny” McCabe, Newby’s — tie — Allan Creasy, Celtic Crossing
2. Evan Potts, The Cove
3. Brad Pitts, Bari Ristorante e Enoteca

After landing first and second place, respectively, in last year’s Best Of, McCabe and Creasy now officially share the honor of being the city’s Best Bartender. Whether it’s a college bar or an Irish pub that you’re looking for, these two can guarantee a memorable time sitting at the bar.

Best After-Hours Club
1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco
2. Earnestine & Hazel’s
3. Alex’s Tavern

Best Dance Club
1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco
2. Club 152 Beale
3. Rumba Room

The night doesn’t ever have to end at Paula & Raiford’s, and at this disco, no one really knows what time it is anyway. Famous for big beers, great funk music, and a light-up dance floor, it’s easy to see why the party never stops.

Best Pick-Up Joint
1. Peabody Rooftop
2. Paula & Raiford’s Disco
3. Flying Saucer

The view at the Peabody Rooftop isn’t limited to the downtown landscape, as some of the city’s most eligible can often be found mingling at the downtown hotel rooftop.

Best Beer Selection
BOM 1. Flying Saucer
2. Boscos Squared
3. Young Avenue Deli

While more and more restaurants are offering a plethora of draft beers of the high- and low-gravity variety, the Flying Saucer still holds the crown for the most brews in one place. With over 240 beers and specials like the amazing $3 Monday night pint night, the Saucer continues to fly high above the competition.

BEST MARTINI: Alchemy

Best Martini
1. Alchemy
2. Peabody Lobby Bar
3. Side Street Grill

Alchemy has quickly become the place for an expertly made martini and continues to set the standard for custom cocktails in Memphis.

Best Margarita
1. Molly’s La Casita
2. Happy Mexican
3. Café Ole

There’s something about the sweet and tangy margaritas at Molly’s that cures all that ails you. Maybe it’s the perfect amount of chunky salt across the rim of your glass, or maybe it’s the blend of tart sweet-and-sour mix and top-shelf tequila. Maybe it’s the extra-special sangria swirl available by request in frozen margaritas. Whatever it is, our readers agree that a margarita from Molly’s is exceptional.

Best Happy Hour
1. Bardog Tavern
2. Flying Saucer
3. Local Gastropub

Every day from 5 to 7 p.m., it’s happy hour at Bardog. And that means discounts on draft beers, wine, well drinks, and even sliders. The Famous Original Memphis Slider (ground chuck with ketchup and mayo on a white bun) is available for only $1.50. And that makes it even easier to eat your fill of tiny burgers.

Best JukeBox
1. Earnestine & Hazel’s
2. Alex’s Tavern
3. Young Avenue Deli

Best Hole in the Wall
1. Earnestine & Hazel’s
2. Alex’s Tavern
3. The Cove

From the old-time piano bar upstairs to the haunted jukebox, there’s no place quite like Earnestine & Hazel’s. Locals and tourists alike find comfort at the Memphis institution, where cheap bottled beer and the famous Soul Burger reign supreme. Let’s raise one to the late owner Russell George who created such a singular spot.

BEST PLACE TO SHOOT POOL: Fox & Hound English Bar & Grill

Best Place To
Shoot Pool
1. Fox & Hound English Bar & Grill
2. Young Avenue Deli
3. RP Billiards

Best Sports Bar
1. Fox & Hound English Bar & Grill
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. Jack Magoo’s Sports Bar & Grill

Whether you’re into basketball, football, baseball, or shooting pool, the Fox & Hound is the place to go. Games are broadcast on big-screen TVs all over the bar, and they screen pay-per-view UFC fights on occasion. As for pool, patrons can play by the hour on professional billiard tables.

Best Gay Bar
1. The Pumping Station
2. Spectrum
3. Dru’s Place

Once known as the city’s only leather bar, the Pumping Station has branched out to serve a larger LGBT clientele. Everyone is welcome (with or without ass-less chaps). The Pump, as it’s affectionately dubbed, boasts a full bar, a spacious patio, and a treehouse out back.

Best Bar
Readers’ Choice
Alchemy
Bardog Tavern
Celtic Crossing
The Cove
Local Gastropub

Downtown and Midtown both have happening bar scenes, and our readers couldn’t narrow it down to a favorite. But the best bars do have at least one thing in common: They all serve not only a wide selection of cocktails and high-end craft brews, but each has an impressive menu to boot.

BEST NEW BAR: Bar Louie

Best New Bar
1. Bar Louie
2. Hog & Hominy
3. Aldo’s Pizza Pie

Chicago-based franchise Bar Louie moved into the long-vacant corner building in Overton Square earlier this spring, another step forward toward an increasingly vibrant area. The spot is perfectly sited for some prime people-watching, and the Effen Good Martini (Effen Cucumber vodka, mint leaves, lime juice, fresh-cut cucumber, and agave nectar) is not to be missed.

BEST MUSEUM: Pink Palace

Best Museum
1. Memphis Pink Palace Museum
2. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
3. Children’s Museum of Memphis

Where else can you find a shrunken head, an exhibit of African-American history, dioramas depicting health-care methods in the 1800s, and a mini version of the country’s first grocery store, Piggly Wiggly?

Best Gallery
1. David Lusk Gallery
2. Crosstown Arts
3. Gallery Fifty Six

David Lusk displays and sells work created by artists from across the country with plenty of pieces by Memphis and regional artists. The gallery has monthly shows and openings, including the annual and hugely popular “Price Is Right” show where the art is priced at less than $1,000.

Best College Gallery
1. Main Gallery,
Memphis College of Art
2. Art Museum at the University of Memphis
3. Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art Nesin Graduate School

It makes sense that the Best College Gallery belongs to the only higher-learning institution in Memphis dedicated solely to the visual arts. See the work of Memphis College of Art students in the main gallery located inside the school at Overton Park.

Best Live Theater
1. The Orpheum
2. Playhouse on the Square
3. Theatre Memphis

The Great White Way may be miles away, but Memphians can catch a glimpse of Broadway with the stellar seasons at the Orpheum. Touring shows, ranging from classic musicals like Les Misérables to campier, modern shows such as Flashdance, stop by for up to a week at a time.

Best Movie Theater
1. Paradiso
2. Studio on the Square
3. Ridgeway Cinema Grill

Who doesn’t like watching the latest movies in plush, stadium-style seats while enjoying a slice of pizza or some buttered popcorn? The Paradiso is the perfect venue for doing just that. For the “grown folks,” you can even have a glass of wine or bottle of beer to sip while viewing your film. Cheers!

BEST CASINO: Horseshoe Casino

Best Casino
1. Horseshoe Casino
2. Harrah’s Tunica
3. Gold Strike Casino Resort

When people get in the mood for a little poker or slot machine fun, they travel down to Horseshoe Casino in Tunica. The best place to gamble, watch one-of-a-kind entertainment, and fill your tummy with delicious grub, it’s a no-brainer why Horseshoe is nominated as the area’s best casino.

Best Golf Course
1. Mirimichi
2. The Links at Galloway
3. TPC Southwind

The award-winning, eco-friendly golf course co-owned by Justin Timberlake beats out its competitors another year as the best place to play a game of 18 holes. The beautiful view, outside patio, and dining area are additional pleasures at the facility. Grab a golf club and enjoy!

Best Family Entertainment
BOM 1. Memphis Zoo
2. Concerts at Levitt Shell
3. Memphis Redbirds Game

The 70-acre zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and a variety of cool exhibits that will surely leave the entire family in awe.

Best Sports Team
BOM 1. Memphis Grizzlies
2. Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball
3. Memphis Redbirds

The Grizzlies had a heart-pounding season. Superstar power forward Rudy Gay was traded. NBA championship winner Tayshaun Prince was acquired. And the team made it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Grizzlies displayed great resilience and sportsmanship through it all. Why else would they be selected as the city’s 2013 Best Sports Team? Go, Griz!

BEST LOCAL ATHLETE, GRIZZLIES PLAYER: Marc Gasol

Best Grizzlies Player
1. Marc Gasol
2. Zach Randolph
3. Tony Allen

Best Local Athlete
1. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
2. Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Since 2008, Marc Gasol’s been making his presence felt on the basketball court as the Grizzlies’ standout center. His sweet mid-range jumper, smooth assists, defensive blocks and steals, and desire to be a team player all contribute to him being named the Best Grizzlies Player and Best Local Athlete for 2013.

Best FM Station
1. WEVL-FM 89.9 Volunteer Supported Radio
2. WMFS-FM 92.9 ESPN
3. WXMX-FM 98.1 The Max

For decades, WEVL-FM 89.9 has been providing Memphians with an earful of everything from blues to bluegrass and rock to rap. From the time you’re heading to work until you’re ready to call it a day, turn the dial to WEVL-FM 89.9 to hear great tunes played by station volunteers.

Best AM Station
1. WHBQ-AM Sports 56
2. WREC-AM 600 News Radio
3. ESPN 680 AM

How many radio stations can say they were the first to spin an Elvis Presley record? Only one and that happens to be WHBQ-AM. Now focused on sports talk, the station is known for its in-depth local sports coverage and programming and that gets them the vote for Best AM Station.

Best Drive-Time Show
1. Drake & Zeke in the Morning, 98.1 The Max
2. The Gary Parrish Show with Geoff Calkins, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN
3. Q Morning Show with CJ, Liz, and Alexis, Q107.5

Best Radio Talk Show
1. Drake & Zeke in the Morning, 98.1 The Max
2. The Chris Vernon Show, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN
3. The Gary Parrish Show with Geoff Calkins, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN

Drake & Zeke continue to be the best selection for Memphians to listen to while they’re making their way through rush-hour traffic. The duo’s entertaining conversations about everything from sports to entertainment, cool on-air interviews, and rock-and-roll playlist separate them from the bunch and make Drake & Zeke the top-rated morning show in Memphis.

Best Radio Personality
1. Drake Hall, 98.1 The Max
2. Chris Vernon, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN
3. Ron Olson, FM 100

Drake Hall is a valuable asset to Memphis radio — equipped with humor, knowledge, and a one-of-a-kind personality.

Best Sports Radio Show
1. The Chris Vernon Show, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN
2. The Gary Parrish Show with Geoff Calkins, 680 AM/92.9 ESPN
3. Sportstime with George Lapides and Dave Woloshin, 560 AM Sports

Looking for the latest on the Memphis Tigers or the Grizzlies? Look no further than The Chris Vernon Show. Airing every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vernon does an excellent job of dishing out the latest sports-related info.

Best Newspaper Columnist
BOM 1. Geoff Calkins, The Commercial Appeal
2. Chris Herrington, The Memphis Flyer
3. Michael Donahue, The Commercial Appeal

The Commercial Appeal‘s award-winning columnist remains among the elite when it comes to producing well-written articles with valuable insight. Whether it’s sports or other topics, Calkins outshines the rest no matter what topic he decides to tackle.

BEST TV ANCHOR: Joe Birch; BEST SPORTSCASTER: Jarvis Greer; BEST TV WEATHERPERSON: Dave Brown, WMC-TV Channel 5

Best TV Weatherperson
BOM 1. Dave Brown, WMC-TV Channel 5
2. Ron Childers, WMC-TV Channel 5
3. Joey Sulipeck, WHBQ-TV Fox 13

A weathercaster since the ’70s, Dave Brown has earned our trust when it comes to weather-related matters. The fact that he was known as “Dave Brown the Weather Clown” during his days as a Memphis Wrestling announcer only endears him to us more.

Best TV Sportscaster
BOM 1. Jarvis Greer, WMC-TV Channel 5
2. Glenn Carver, WREG-TV Channel 3
3. Carrie Anderson, WMC-TV Channel 5

Jarvis Greer, or “Jarvo,” as he’s more popularly known, is a leg of the triumvirate of Channel 5 broadcast folk heroes, which include BOM winner Dave Brown (above) and Joe Birch (below). Jarvo holds aloft the local sports flag. He doesn’t need a megaphone to be heard.

Best TV Anchor
BOM 1. Joe Birch, WMC-TV Channel 5
2. Claudia Barr, WREC-TV Channel 3
3. Andrew Douglas, WMC-TV Channel 5

Joe Birch’s Channel 5 bio runs more than 1,300 words long. It’s not that it’s padded with the kind of resume-fillers we mere mortals have to include. Nope, Birch’s accomplishments are just that profound. It starts with his 35 years at WMC-TV and has its last-but-not-least info that MIFA, for whom he’s delivered meals since 1997, introduced the Joe Birch Media Award in his honor. Swoon.

BEST WEBSITE: MemphisFlyer.com

Best Website
1. memphisflyer.com
2. commercialappeal.com/gomemphis.com
3. downtownmemphis.com

Word.

BEST BLOG: I Love Memphis

Best Blog
BOM 1. I Love Memphis Blog, ilovememphisblog.com
2. Eat Local Memphis, eatlocalmemphis.org
3. Dining with Monkeys, diningwithmonkeys.blogspot.com

When Kerry Crawford, aka I Love Memphis, recently announced her “retirement,” the news was met with incredulity and, in some instances, weeping. And while I Love Memphis will continue with a new author, it’s a testament to Crawford’s personality as the local cheerleader extraordinaire that a blogger of all things could have such an impact on the community.

Best Twitter
1. I Love Memphis, @ilovememphis — tie — Tony Allen, @aa000G9
2. The Memphis Flyer, @MemphisFlyer
3. The Chris Vernon Show, @ChrisVernonShow

I Love Memphis gets props in our previous category, so let’s focus on Tony Allen, the Memphis Grizzlies guard who is our city’s collective spirit animal. It says a lot about Allen’s chops with a mobile device that he might be as good a Twitter-er as he is a defensive stopper on the court.

BEST FARMERS MARKET: Memphis Farmers Market

Best Farmers Market
1. Memphis Farmers Market
2. Agricenter Farmers Market
3. Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market

The rise in the prominence of locally sourced foods on Memphis tables has been one of the biggest trends in the last decade. At the fore is the Memphis Farmers Market, downtown at Central Station. It’s a great venue, an ideal place to hunt for the perfect fruit, vegetable, bouquet of flowers, cut of meat, loaf of bread, and/or handmade apron.

Best Grocery Store
1. Kroger
2. Fresh Market
3. Whole Foods Market

Some sociologist should study what it is about Memphis and Kroger that compels people to give nicknames to the different local stores in the grocery chain. Whatever it is, it implies nothing so much as how dominant Kroger has become as a food giant in the Memphis consumer consciousness. Let’s go Krogering!

Best Liquor Store
1. Buster’s Liquors
2. Joe’s Wines & Liquors
3. Kirby Wines & Liquors

Overheard once: A little girl sees the grapes on the sign at Buster’s Liquors and asks her parent what that place is. The answer: “They sell Mommy juice.” For more than half a century, Buster’s has been selling Mommies and Daddies all kinds of “juices” and other grown-up what-nots and what-have-yous. Cheers!

Best Department Store
1. Target
2. Macy’s
3. Dillard’s

Does your shopping list include jumper cables, a musical birthday card, dog treats, coffee, a bath rug, and a purple sweater printed with blue unicorns? Then you’re headed to Target.

BEST SHOPPING CENTER: Carriage Crossing

Best Shopping Center
1. Carriage Crossing
2. The Shops at Saddle Creek
3. Wolfchase Galleria

For years, Carriage Crossing, a lovely open-air mall in Collierville, has been a destination-shopping locale. Shops include New York & Co., I.O. Metro, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, and many, many more. Plus, Carriage Crossing hosts a series of family-friendly nights, featuring movie screenings and dance parties, when the weather’s warm.

Best Bank
1. First Tennessee Bank
2. Regions
3. Bank of America — tie — SunTrust

Celebrating its 150th anniversary next year, First Tennessee Bank is a staple in the business community as well as our city’s skyline. Its downtown headquarters is also known for making the holiday season merrier by displaying giant Christmas trees and holiday bells in the windows.

Best Pet Store
1. Hollywood Feed
2. Petco
3. PetSmart

Eat local still applies when it comes to Memphis’ furry friends. Hollywood offers a choice selection of pet food in addition to handy services like vaccinations, training classes, and affordable grooming.

Best Fine Jewelry Store
1. Mednikow
2. Las Savell
3. Robert Irwin Jewelers

Mednikow is a gem of a jewelry store, and it’s been making Memphis sparkle for more than 100 years. A helpful staff and exclusive brands like David Yurman and John Hardy are just a few of the reasons why Flyer readers associate Mednikow with the Bluff City’s blingiest bling.

Best Antiques Store
1. Sheffield Antiques Mall
2. Flashback
3. Toad Hall

From furniture to figurines, Sheffield Antiques Mall has it all. It’s also home to Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant.

BEST GIFT SHOP: Maggie’s Pharm

Best Gift Shop
1. Maggie’s Pharm
2. Babcock Gifts
3. More Than Words

Maggie’s Pharm has been an anchor in Overton Square for more than 30 years, a calming influence back in the square’s heyday, a remedy during the lean years, and, once again, an essential oil as boom times have returned.

Best Women’s Clothing
1. Crazy Beautiful
2. Indigo
3. Hoot + Louise

This boutique’s name fits — it’s Crazy Beautiful. Playful patterns and avant-garde designs keep ladies looking fashionable, fresh, and unique.

Best Women’s Shoes
1. Joseph
2. Cook & Love
3. Outdoors Inc.

The premier place to treat your feet to a little glamour, Joseph has been a local favorite for years. Ladies of all ages count down the days to their semi-annual sale to score everything from Stuart Weitzman booties and Tory Burch flats to red-bottomed Louboutins and classic Manolos.

Best Men’s Clothing
1. Oak Hall
2. Outdoors Inc.
3. James Davis

Since 1859, Oak Hall has specialized in bringing outstanding style to the Mid-South. The fine retailer offers the likes of Hugo Boss suits and Ermenegildo Zegna ties to ensure fellas are always dressed to the nines.

Best Men’s Shoes
1. Oak Hall
2. Outdoors Inc.
3. James Davis

Likewise, Oak Hall has got gentlemen covered from head to toe, with fine footwear that has our menfolk putting their best foot forward.

Best Vintage/Used Clothing
1. Goodwill
2. Flashback
3. Hoot + Louise

Memphians prove that you really can look incredible wearing granddad’s clothes by voting Goodwill the best place for vintage finds. So, whether you’ve got 99 cents or $20 in your pocket, you’ll be able to find something stylish.

Best Bookstore (new)
1. The Booksellers at Laurelwood
2. Barnes & Noble Booksellers
3. Burke’s Book Store

Known for its friendly staff, a café with delicious fare, and an enormous selection of books, the Booksellers at Laurelwood is a family-friendly oasis to escape the stress of the hectic day-to-day schedule.

Best Bookstore (used)
BOM 1. Burke’s Book Store
2. Tiger Bookstore
3. Book Traders

An oldie, but a goodie (and clearly a Memphis classic). Burke’s Book Store is a Midtown staple and houses numerous hidden and not-so-hidden treasures. Iconic for many reasons, Burke’s has dominated this category for many years.

Best Hair Salon
1. Gould’s
2. Dabbles
3. Hi Gorgeous

Best Day Spa
BOM 1. Gould’s
2. Germantown Day Spa
3. Serenity Day Spa

Best Place To Get a Facial
BOM 1. Gould’s
2. Germantown Day Spa
3. Serenity Day Spa

Best Manicure/Pedicure
1. Gould’s
2. Nail Bar on the Island
3. Nail & Skin Bar – Midtown

Best Place To Get Waxed
1. Gould’s
2. European Wax Center
3. Hi Gorgeous

With 11 locations in the Memphis area, it’s not surprising Gould’s is a favorite. For those who want to look their best, Gould’s offers a dazzling array of services to keep you well-groomed. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing massage or nail and skin care or you need help taming your hair (on your head and other body parts), you’ll be in good hands at Gould’s.

BEST HEALTH/FITNESS CENTER: Kroc Center

Best Health/Fitness Center
1. Kroc Center of Memphis
2. French Riviera
3. Fogelman YMCA (Downtown)

The Kroc Center in Midtown healthily takes the top spot after being open less than a year. A wonderland of fitness, the Kroc has an array of weights and cardio machines as well as an aquatics center with a two-story slide and an indoor splash park, basketball courts and soccer fields, a Challenge Center with a zip line and rope course, a theater, and a café.

Best Yoga Studio
1. Midtown Yoga
2. Bikram
3. Better Bodies Yoga

Midtown Yoga has been honoring that place in you where the whole universe resides since 2001. With more than 20 experienced instructors, the studio offers classes in a wide variety of styles, with something to suit every skill level and schedule. Namaste.

Best Tattoo Parlor
1. No Regrets Tattoo Emporium
2. Underground Art
3. Trilogy

So you’re not 100 percent sure if you want a tiger on your back or bombs on your biceps, but there’s one thing you certainly don’t want: regrets. Michael, Brent, Joe, Paul, Tony, and Ben, the talented ink-slingers at No Regrets Tattoo Emporium, can help.

Best Tobacco/Smoke Shop
1. Tobacco Corner
2. Wizard’s
3. Whatever

Tobacco Corner is a Memphis institution. The store hasn’t only provided Mid-South smokers with a wide variety of cigars, tobaccos, pipes, and pens since 1969, a community of enthusiasts has grown up around the shop’s famous “Round Table.”

Best Dry Cleaner
1. Bensinger’s Fine Cleaners
2. Dryve Cleaners
3. Happy Day Cleaners

Bensinger’s was founded in 1954 by Alfred Bensinger and quickly became one of Memphis’ most trusted names in cleaning and laundry services. With 10 locations, there’s one near everybody.

Best Florist
1. Pugh’s Flowers
2. Holliday Flowers
3. Garden District

How can you not love a flower shop with a skunk logo? Family-owned since 1976, this full-service florist has three locations and delivers seven days a week. Whether you’re looking for corsages, roses, fancy arrangements, gift baskets, or green plants, no worries, Pugh’s has got this.

Best Garden Center
1. Dan West Garden Center
2. Midtown Nursery
3. Stringer’s Poplar Pointe Garden Center

The text on Dan West’s great old neon sign says it all: “FOR THE BEST … GO WEST.” And it’s not just a garden center. It’s a Christmas store offering a unique selection of wreaths, garlands, nutcrackers, and artificial Christmas trees.

Best Home Furnishings
1. Stash
2. Ashley Furniture HomeStore
3. Pottery Barn Outlet

Is your style bungalow or European manor? What about bohemian abode or trendy studio? Whatever the answer, Stash supplies all your home-furnishing wants and needs. One-of-a-kind pieces help set your living space apart and express your own unique taste.

BEST ATHLETIC-GOODS STORE: Outdoors, Inc.

Best Athletic-Goods Store
1. Outdoors Inc.
2. Breakaway Running
3. Fleet Feet

Flyer readers seem to spend so much time eating, drinking, smoking, shopping, and getting tattooed, we’re not sure how they find time to bike, hike, ski, canoe, climb, or kayak, but they do. But before they go outdoors, they go to Outdoors Inc. to check out the best gear from North Face, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, and Columbia Sportswear Co.

Best Bicycle Shop
1. Peddler
2. Midtown Bicycle
3. Outdoors Inc.

Between the Greenline, downtown’s pedestrian mall, and bike lanes, bike lanes, bike lanes, there has never been a better time to be a cycling enthusiast in Memphis. And whether you’re an extreme racer, an urban commuter, or just like to ride your cruiser from coffee shop to coffee shop, the Peddler has got the bike, helmet, basket, bell, or lock you’re looking for. It’s been a Memphis favorite since 1971 BS (Before Sharrows).

Best Record Store (new)
1. Spin Street
2. Goner Records
3. Shangri-La Records

Spin Street isn’t just a sprawling old-school record store with new music for sale. It also features an extensive selection of DVDs, pop-culture collectibles, T-shirts, and novelties. It stocks enough previously owned CDs and vinyl to make it a contender for best used record store too.

BEST RECORD STORE (USED): Goner Records

Best Record Store (used)
1. Goner Records
2. Spin Street
3. Shangri-La Records

Tucked into a storefront in Cooper-Young, Goner is both a label and a store, but it’s the record shop that brought home the gold in this category. Looking for the very first release from Australia’s Eddy Current Suppression Ring? How about that They Came From the Sky CD in the “Kraut Rock” category? If that’s not for you, then there’s always something available in the international, new wave, no wave, post punk, proto punk, and — sort of a catch-all — “weird” bins at Goner Records. It’s one of those places where it’s impossible to leave the store empty-handed.

Best Music
Equipment Store
1. Amro Music Stores
2. Guitar Center
3. Gibson Guitar — tie — Memphis Drum Shop

Okay, if you’re the lead guitar in a rock band, then Amro’s probably not for you, for the simple reason that they don’t sell guitars. Just everything else. They’ve got a huge showroom on Poplar lined wall to wall with pianos (Steinways!), organs, saxophones, trombones, violins, and drums, and they’re the leading supplier of band instruments to just about every school and church in the Mid-South. Plus lessons, sheet music, instrument repairs, and a friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff. They’ve been in business since 1921; it’s easy to see (and hear) why.

Best New Car Dealership
Readers’ Choice
AutoNation Honda
Gossett
Jim Keras
Landers
Lexus of Memphis
Wolfchase Honda
Wolfchase Toyota

With the economy in such a funk, it’s nice to know that our readers are so happy with so many new car dealerships. Great selection of models, good prices, and a friendly sales and service staff will make you a winner every time.

Best Used Car Dealership
1. Carmax
2. City Auto
3. Gossett

It’s almost impossible to drive around town without seeing a Carmax sticker on the car ahead of you, and there’s a reason for that. Customers obviously like the almost unlimited online selection and, when it comes to making that purchase, the professional and courteous sales staff.

Best Motorcycle Dealership
BOM 1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson
2. Honda-Yamaha of Memphis
3. Southern Thunder

Not too many years ago, the general notion was that a motorcycle dealership — especially one selling Harleys — was staffed by guys who made the stars of Sons of Anarchy look like choir boys. That’s changed, thanks to clean and modern establishments like Bumpus, which has so much stuff on display that it seems like you’ve entered a Wonders exhibit on motorcycling. Bikes are just part of it. They’ve got shirts, caps, jackets, helmets, boots, belts, decals, patches — even a collar for your dog! — all emblazoned with the H-D logo. Pick yourself out a new Sportster on your next visit.

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

That’s Italian

In August 2007, I found a flyer on my door tempting me with a 20 percent discount at a new Italian restaurant called Bruno’s on Madison near Cleveland. It was on my list of “places to go” for over a year before I finally went for lunch with two friends recently. The minute I walked inside I thought, Why did it take me so long to come here?

The small dining area is a sunny yellow and is adorned with simple, rustic paintings. The tables are covered with white butcher paper, and each table has a small glass with crayons. What Bruno’s lacks in curb appeal, it more than makes up for in atmosphere, taste, value, and service.

Bruno is Kent Bruno Russell, a 25-year veteran of the restaurant industry. He worked in management at Burger King, Steak & Ale, Olive Garden, and On the Border before finally realizing his dream of owning his own Italian restaurant. “Ever since I was 12 years old, I’ve told people that I was going to open an Italian restaurant,” Russell says.

Bruno’s, like Russell, is laid-back and welcoming — a perfect fit for Midtown. “It suits me,” says Russell, who bought a “big, old Midtown house” 11 years ago. When looking for the perfect spot for his restaurant, Russell considered several buildings in Midtown, but for one reason or another, they didn’t work out. While getting gas at the Circle K across the street, Russell noticed a “For Rent” sign in the window of the former Madison Country Kitchen. “I called the next day, and the rest is history,” he says.

Although the area around Cleveland and Madison is best known for its Vietnamese restaurants, the neighborhood has embraced his Italian fare. Medical Center employees fill the dining room at lunch, and local residents filter in for dinner. The atmosphere in the evening is very relaxed. The lights are turned down low, jazz floats from the speakers, and candles dot the tables.

As manager (and kitchen manager) of several restaurants, Russell had to know how to make every dish on the menu. This on-the-job training is what gave him the expertise and confidence to create original recipes. “I messed around with ingredients in my kitchen at home and perfected my recipes,” he says. Russell decided to start with the basics at Bruno’s and go from there. Most recently, he added garlic chicken and garlic shrimp to the menu.

Russell wanted his dishes to be simple and well-balanced and have a good aroma. He is especially proud of his lasagna and boasts that it is 10 times better than any lasagna at big-name chain restaurants. The lunch and dinner menus are the same, but portion sizes are a bit bigger and the prices are a bit higher at dinner. Monday through Friday, Bruno’s offers a lunch special that includes a choice of lasagna, beef or cheese ravioli, chicken parmigiana, manicotti, or sandwich and a side salad or soup for $6.99. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, don’t miss dessert. One of Russell’s customers, Katy Berry, delivers delicious treats to the restaurant such as a white chocolate mousse cake.

Longtime friends and family make up the backbone of Bruno’s staff. Russell’s son, Addison, 22, who got his start at Napoleon Yates downtown (which is owned by Russell’s father-in-law) works in the kitchen.

“Addison can really rock-and-roll in the kitchen,” Russell says with a laugh. “He’s already bragging that he’s better than me.”

In the front of the house is another star, waitress Mike Stokes. Russell worked with Stokes at Olive Garden and happened to run into her two weeks before opening. “I told her what I was up to, and she said she wanted to be a part of it,” Russell says.

Russell knows that good service makes all of the difference. “I want my customers to walk out the door thinking about their next visit,” he says.

I, for one, can’t wait.

Bruno’s Italian Restaurant, 1354 Madison (726-0770)

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

Corn Dogs & Cakes

CREDIT: Cake by Ivan Vasilev | dreamstime.com; Corndog by Rick Sargeant | dreamstime.com

Theater, music, and the other arts, including the culinary, appeal to more than a single sense. Consider the importance of presentation in a fine restaurant. It cannot merely taste good. It must look good as well, for we taste not only with our tongue and nose but with our eyes and even our ears.

“The senses aren’t confined to the plate,” agrees Courtney Oliver, head of public relations at Playhouse on the Square. “It’s about lighting and color and space and what music is playing. It’s why the best servers are the invisible ones … so that the diner can concentrate on conversation and consumption without distraction.”

Oliver knows a bit about arranging food and drink in a theatrical setting. She is part of the team that works on Playhouse’s “First Sundays.” These events, on the first Sunday of a play’s production, celebrate the play in a unique way: using food to attract audiences. And the events can get pretty serious. Competition is fierce, for example, during the annual tuna casserole cook-off that accompanies Playhouse’s holiday tradition, A Tuna Christmas.

“For The Buddy Holly Story, we’re doing all-American food — apple pie, root-beer floats, hot dogs, and apple martinis,” Oliver says. “For The Light in the Piazza, we’ll do an Italian wine tasting and serve pizzas and bruschetta.”

Other local theaters also promote productions with creative uses of food. Theatre Memphis takes its opening-night receptions so seriously it’s planning for a wedding — well, the wedding cake anyway — for its August production of Oklahoma!. “And corn,” adds Kell Christie, TM’s artistic director. “There’s got to be corn.”

For TM’s upcoming production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a certain meat pie takes center stage. (Hint: The secret ingredient is people!) Christie is hesitant to serve anything resembling protagonist Mrs. Lovett’s vicious dish. “For our reception, I think we’ll be going in, oh, the other direction,” she says emphatically. “The anti-Sweeney Todd. Some nice fruit. Vegetables. Maybe we’ll even go vegan.“

Germantown Community Theatre (of which, in the spirit of full disclosure, I serve as executive producer) has a similar ritual: tailgate parties, also on the first Sunday of a play’s opening weekend. Some tailgates are themed, as with last year’s Oktoberfest party for The Underpants (Steve Martin’s adaptation of a German play) and an Italian feast for Romeo and Juliet.

One unexpected consequence of the tailgate parties has been the emergence of theater supporters who come to shows only on those days. One regular can be relied upon to provide one of the area’s premier bread puddings, and about 10 theatergoers dress in the theme of the show, including a giant pair of underpants (fitting three of them together) for The Underpants. Also on the sweet side, GCT serves ice cream at intermission after yours truly saw Judi Dench in Hay Fever in London. To my surprise, ice cream is a staple of the West End theater scene. While Londoners prefer Godiva, we go with Ben & Jerry’s.

While the food served in conjunction with a show can enhance the theater experience, food on stage isn’t always so inviting. Local actor Bonnie Kourvelas recounts a Germantown production of Dearly Departed in which the character of Delightful consumes corn dogs. “Sooner or later, there would be a slip-up,” Kourvelas recalls. “The corn dog wouldn’t be cooked all the way through and would be semi-frozen in the center. The poor actress playing Delightful would have to gag it down anyway.”

Actor Leah Bray Nichols laments her own past experience as a consumables wrangler. “I was a human garbage disposal,” she confesses of her duties behind the scenes of Playhouse’s Having Our Say, in which the illusion of a working sink was accomplished using a spout that emptied into buckets in a basement green room. “Each morning following a night show, my job was to dump the old water and food and clean out the buckets for that evening’s performance. Mmmmmm … live theater is so glamorous.”

Glamour is sure to be in abundant supply at this year’s Ostrander awards ceremony, where a fantastic edible spread will hopefully lack the one ingredient that can spoil any meal: drama.

The Ostranders, Sunday, August 24th,
at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Cocktail reception: 6-7:30 p.m.; awards ceremony: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $5.