Midtown mornings are about to feel right again.
Barksdale’s is back!!!
After nearly a year of closure following a kitchen fire, the beloved Cooper Street diner will officially reopen its doors on Monday, April 14, bringing back breakfast, lunch, and the kind of community comfort you just can’t fake.
For generations, Barksdale’s has been a place where college students, longtime locals, and regulars who became family came together over eggs, bacon, and bottomless coffee. Now, under new ownership from Ryan Glosson and Bryant and Heather Bain (of Bain Barbecue fame), the restaurant is getting a fresh start.
Want more Memphis food news served hot?
What’s Changed (and What Hasn’t)?
Here’s the thing about Barksdale’s: People didn’t want it to change too much. And the new owners listened.
✅ Still serving breakfast and lunch, 7AM–2PM every day
✅ Still that nostalgic vibe (with upgraded comfort)
✅ Still celebrating seven decades of Midtown memories
But after a fire in June 2024, the building had to be completely overhauled to meet current codes. That means:
🔌 All new wiring and plumbing
❄️ A new HVAC system
🚽 ADA-compliant bathrooms and hallway
🪑 New tables, booths, and vintage-inspired flooring
🇺🇸 The same American flag, memorabilia, and brown-paneled walls we all remember
📸 A new “Bob’s Booth” featuring classic décor from the restaurant’s namesake
“We’re trying to keep it feeling like it used to be,” said Heather Bain.
“We want people to walk in and still feel at home.”
What’s On the Menu?
One word: classics. But with an upgrade.
Chef Bryant Bain has kept the heart of the original menu alive, but added his own scratch-made spin, using fresh ingredients and family recipes passed down through generations.
🍳 Expect hearty breakfast staples
🥓 Southern-style buttermilk biscuits (just like Bryant’s grandma used to make)
🥗 A fresh take on the lunch meat-and-three
☕ And of course, endless cups of coffee served by familiar faces
“It’s going to be the same type of food,” said Bryant.
“Just updated to be fresher. Everything will be homemade.”
And no, they won’t be serving barbecue here. Bain Barbecue down the street has that covered.
Who’s Coming Back?
The owners wanted to make sure the people who made Barksdale’s feel like home were part of the comeback.
🧑🍳 Most of the original staff have been invited back, including longtime favorites like Bert McElroy, who’s been with Barksdale since 2010.
“This has not just been a job. My customers have become family,” Bert said.
Why Does Barksdale’s Matter to Memphis?
You don’t stick around for seven decades unless you mean something. Since the 1950s, Barksdale’s has been a cornerstone of Midtown — a place where weddings, birthdays, short films, and morning hangouts all unfolded over simple plates of food and Southern hospitality.
“People told me they used to come here with their dad,” said former owner Beth Henry.
“Now they bring their granddaughter.”
This kind of legacy doesn’t belong in a history book. It belongs on Cooper Street, open for breakfast.
And thanks to the Bain-Glosson team, it is.
What’s the Story Behind the New Owners?
When the fire happened and it looked like Barksdale’s might close for good, the Bains and Glosson stepped in to save it.
“We’ve all eaten there. And it’s been in the community for so many years,” Bryant said.
“If we can do something about it, we’re going to.”
Their hope? That regulars return, new memories are made, and the smell of bacon and coffee once again greets people walking down Cooper.
When and Where Can You Visit?
🗓️ Opening Day: Monday, April 14, 2025
📍 Location: 237 Cooper Street, Midtown Memphis
⏰ Hours: 7AM – 2PM, seven days a week
