Bucket List Eats of Memphis

Featured photo: Maciel’s by Emily Cupples | Post updated 9/18/18

Sure, we’re the barbecue capital of the world, but there’s so much more than BBQ offered here in the Bluff City.

Oh yeah, you know what we’re talking about: the most delectable eats in Memphis that you may not know about. We’re gonna dish it out to you. These items have been hand-picked by us from experience and legend.

1. Ching’s Honey Gold Wings
2. Elvis Dippers at Memphis Mojo Cafe
3. Bryant’s Ham Biscuit
4. Gus’ Fried Chicken IN the SAME bag as Gibson’s Donuts
5. Slider Inn’s Chick-N-Fill-Ay sliders and a Jameson Slushie
6. Jerry’s Supreme Sno Cone
7. Bi Bim Bop from Kwik Check
8. “Good Burger” from Roxie’s 
9. Hog & Hominy’s “The Red Eye” Pizza
10. Stuffed Turkey Burger from Mot & Ed’s
11. Chicken Korma with Garlic Naan from Golden India
12. Huey’s Fried Pickles and Bluff City Burger
13. Cornish hen from Cozy Corner
14. Greek Salad and BBQ Chicken Pizza at Memphis Pizza Cafe
15. Saigon Le’s Szechuan Pork
16. Earnestine & Hazel’s Soul Burger
17. Avocado Paleta from La Michoacana
18. Sweet Potato Pancakes from The Arcade Restaurant
19. Sushi from Ryu
20. Prozac Cupcake from Muddy’s
21. Kookamonga Burger at Kooky Canuck
22. Bologna Sandwich from Payne’s
23. Brisket Tacos from Elwood’s Shack
24. Corky’s Tamales
25. Bacon waffle from Cafe Eclectic
26. Maple Bacon Blondie from Local Gastropub 
27. Chicken & Waffles from Alcenia’s 
28. Margharita pizza from Trolley Stop Market
29. Ribs and housemade chips from Central BBQ
30. Quesadilla Los Jarochos from a random taco truck on Summer Avenue
31. The Memphis Mix popcorn from Sweet Noshings
32. Chocolate Malt from A Schwab’s on Beale
33. Bison Burger on a Waffle from Belly Acres
34. Elvis French Toast at Lafayette’s
35. Lobster and Bacon Pizza at Spindini
36. BBQ Salad in a Mason Jar at Capriccio Grill
37. Elvis Italiano Grilled Cheese sandwich from Say Cheese Food Truck
38. Cachapas at Arepa and Salsa
39. Baby Blues Salad from Lisa’s Lunchbox
40. Dyer’s Burger (fried in 100 year old grease) with a chocolate shake
41. Cheese Empanada and Amarillos (plantains) from Havana’s Pilon
42. Croughnut from Donut Hutt
43. Leadership Mac and Pork Club from Lunchbox Eats
44. A sub on soft bread from the Chinese Sub Shop
45. Caramel cake, warmed, with vanilla ice cream at Frost Bake Shop
46. Pancakes and bacon from Brother Juniper’s
47. Breakfast Burrito from Fuel Food Truck
48. Blackened Tilapia with Mac & Cheese from Soul Fish Cafe
49. House Salad from Cheffie’s
50. Birthday Pancakes from Staks
51. The Verno at Second Line
52. Cheeseburger pizza at Newby’s
53. Cornbread stuffed quail with andouille sausage at Bounty on Broad
54. Rum soaked chocolate covered cherries by Shirley Ann’s Sweets
55. BBQ Chicken crepe and TN whiskey gelato from Scoop’s Parlor
56. Banana pudding and butter cookies from Makeda’s
57. Chicken Pontalba at Char
58. Ramacche and Scarpinocc at Catherine & Mary’s
59. Porkchops from Ms. Girlee’s 
60. A 7 piece at Lou’s Fried Chicken
61. A sushiritto from Sushi Jimmy
62. Beef sliders with pimento cheese at Alchemy
63. Vodka pie from Aldo’s Pizza
64. Fried chicken tacos, guacamole salsa, and horchata from Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos
65. Garlic sriracha wings at The Wing Guru (formerly Don Don Jr’s Hotwings)
66. Honey gold and lemon pepper wings from Crumpy’s
67. “Gotta Get Up to Get Down” Waffle at Railgarten
68. Jerk chicken wings and blueberry waffles from HM Dessert Lounge
69. Gourmade Burger from the Gourmade Food Truck
70. Peach Cobbler Nachos from Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe
71. Smokehouse pizza from Midtown Crossing Grill
72. Combination Vermicelli from Phuong Long
73. Chicken Shawarma and Baklava from Global Cafe
74. Foxy BBQ Sandwich and a Smoothie Bowl from City Silo
75. Cuban sandwich with plantain chips from The Liquor Store

Need more ideas? See our food guides here.

See something we should check out? Let us know!

Looking for other things to do in Memphis? Check out these cool invest opportunities, get connected with other Memphians, and go where the locals go. Need to work off some of that fine fare? Check out our bike guide, head over to Shelby Farms Park, or stop by the Grizzlies Riverfit Park Downtown.