Looking for a taste that makes Memphis great? Take a big bite of some Memphis soul food. From cornbread and collard greens to deep fried chicken and a little bit of anything smothered in gravy or barbecue sauce, soul food is at the heart of the Memphis dining culture.
A good place to start is a few blocks away from Beale Street, Gus’ looks far from legendary, but this unassuming eatery serves up what many folks claim the best chicken since the invention of the modern frying pan. Gus’ one-of-a-kind spicy-seasoned bird has been featured in GQ Magazine, Vogue and USA Today.
Ernestine and Hazel’s stands as one of the last relics of Old Memphis. For its atmosphere alone, this brothel-turned-juke joint is not to be missed, and thanks to the world-famous Soul Burgers, you won’t stay hungry while you’re there.
Take Main Street a few miles north to the Historic Pinch District and you’ll find Alcenia’s, which is famous for two things: the hugs given by the owner, B.J., to every customer who walks in her door, and the smothered cabbage, the world’s tastiest version of the typically ho-hum vegetable.
But the most beloved soul food restaurant in Memphis is the Four-Way Grill. Known to be frequented by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this legendary spot just blocks from the Stax Museum won “Best Soul Food” from readers of Memphis Magazine in 1999, despite being closed for most of that year.