Torchy’s Tacos – Memphis Flyer

You can get hungry watching other people play golf.

So, thanks to a news release from PGA tour headquarters, here is the skinny on fare you can order during FedEx St. Jude Championship tournament week, which will be August 6th through 10th at TPC Southwind.

Tacos from Torchy’s Tacos will be available at the 18th and Mane fan zone.

Smackers Restaurant & Eatery, which is known for its wings, burgers, and grilled salmon club sandwich, will be represented at the 18 Green Courtyard.

And, according to the release, “They join a fan-favorite lineup of returning vendors,” including The Rendezvous and Germantown Commissary. Other local favorites mentioned are Pronto Pup, Snowbirds Frozen Treats, and coffee from Cxffeeblack.

“Fans can also look forward to the return of Birdies & Bubbles, serving up an exclusive tournament-week menu of Southern-meets-Italian dishes from James Beard Award finalists Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, the chefs behind Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Hog & Hominy, and Catherine & Mary’s. “

And to wet your whistle, “Coca-Cola Consolidated has signed on as the official soft drink provider of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.”

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.