There’s no shortage of good restaurants in Memphis.  From fine dining to dives, from global cuisines to Southern specialties, we’ve got a bit of everything.  But with so many choices, some excellent eateries go under the radar.  They’re not hidden, mind you.  The diners who frequent them swear by them, but you won’t find many of them raved about in every city guidebook under the sun, and when you mention them to even a lot of locals, you’ll often hear “I’ve never heard of that place” in response.

So, if you’re tiring of your go-to list of restaurants and need something new, here are a few recommendations sure to delight your palate.  (And, if you’re someone who already enjoys some of these places, hopefully you’ve already told your friends.)

BBQ

Payne’s BBQ – 1762 Lamar Ave. (Open 11:00am-6:30pm Tue.-Sat.)
Located in an old gas station, Payne’s serves up downright delectable, no-frills BBQ for a low price.  The smoked sausage and ribs won’t disappoint, but the chopped BBQ sandwich is Payne’s must-have item.  Topped with mild or hot BBQ sauce and a unique mustard-based coleslaw and stuffed with tender pork, the sandwich is arguably the best you’ll find in town.  Add some beans and a canned soft drink to your order, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal for just over six bucks.  If you have any room left for dessert, be sure to try an apple tart.

Cozy Corner – 745 N. Parkway (Open 10:30am-5:00pm Tue.-Sat.)
The mecca of all-things smoked, including the house specialty Cornish hen and bologna, Cozy Corner proves when BBQ is done right, it is indeed an art.  In addition to the mouth-watering Cornish hen and bologna, sink your teeth into succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs, tender, flavor-packed sliced pork shoulder, peppery smoked sausage, chicken, and more.  For a side, try the BBQ spaghetti.

Mexican

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana – 1215 S. Germantown Rd. (Open 10:30am-8:00pm Mon.-Sat.)
Featured in the July issue of Food & Wine, Las Tortugas certainly isn’t unknown—the line that stretches to the door and sometimes out it during the lunch rush is proof enough of that.  Still, for everyone I know who frequents the deli with fervor (myself included), I meet plenty of people who’ve never heard of it.  Jose “Pepe” Magallenes and his son Jonathan are passionate about sharing authentic central Mexico cuisine—fresh ingredients bought daily, no cheese dip, no sour cream—with others.  A host of delicious entrees, including braised pork shoulder, red fish, shrimp, beef, and chicken, are served in corn tortillas or in tortugas (a sandwich with homemade bread) and dressed with avocado, tomato, queso fresca and chipotle mayo.  Other can’t-miss items include chicharron de quesco, molletes, and an assortment of fresh fruit drinks. 

Tienda Guadalupana – 4976 Summer Ave.
Guadalupana offers a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch/dinner dishes, ranging from foods familiar to most diners—huevos rancheros, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas—to some more exotic (for folks from north of the border, anyway) fare like barbacoa (sheep), la tripa de res (beef tripe), and lengua (cow tongue).  The entrees come in generous portions with sides of rice and refried beans.  Wash down your meal with a Mexican Coke (sweetened with sugar cane, not corn syrup).

Greek/Korean

Petra – 1761 Madison Ave. (Open 11:30am-1:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm Tues.-Sat.)
You can find Greek eateries in town like Petra Café (great gyros) and Raffi’s Deli (check out the incredible beer selection) and Korean restaurants like New Seoul and Du Won Jung, but you won’t find another place like Petra, a tiny restaurant in an old gas station in Midtown, that serves Greek and Korean cuisine.  Whichever cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’ll find plenty of choices to sate your appetite.  For Greek, try the hummus, falafel, pastichio, and mousaka.  For Korean, you can’t go wrong with the bim kim bop, pho soup, stir fry, or teriyaki chicken kebab.  And for dessert, you can choose among baklava, a Grecian sundae, or Greek custard pie.

Desserts

Cheesecake Corner – 113 E. Ge Patterson Ave.
Head downtown to indulge in the finest cheesecakes you’ll find in town with flavors ranging from customary cheesecake to more eclectic choices like coconut rum and vanilla chocolate fudge.

Jerry’s Sno Cones – 1657 Wells Station Rd.
Yes, I mentioned Jerry’s in the “Ways to Beat the Heat” blog not long ago, but I can’t help giving another nod to the best place in town to cool off with a treat and feel a bit like a kid again.  For my money, the root beer supreme (supremes are alternating layers of soft serve ice cream and snow cone) can’t be beat.