Two whirlwind days filled with food, fun, and a healthy dose of Southern hospitality. I didn’t do a single touristy thing on this trip due to meetings and appointments, but I will be back to see Graceland, the Civil Rights Museum and more! Of course, despite my busy schedule I managed to squeeze in my favorite kind of business: eating. And let me tell you, Memphis did not disappoint.
First up: The Beauty Shop. Now, this place has a backstory that’s almost as good as the food. Once upon a time, this quirky restaurant was Priscilla Presley’s curl-and-dye spot. Today, it’s a hip, eclectic eatery that serves up retro vibes and killer food.
The highlight of my meal? The Oy Vey Fries. Crispy fries topped with pastrami, Russian dressing, jalapeños, cheese, and scallions. It was an indulgent mix of comfort and flavour with just enough heat from the jalapeños to keep things interesting. I may have finished the whole plate myself, no shame here.
Dinner took me to Good Fortune Co., a trendy little spot in Memphis’s buzzing downtown area. If handmade noodles and dumplings are your love language, then this place is for you. Everything here is made from scratch, and you can taste the love and care that goes into every bite.
I opted for their scratch-made noodles with the perfect balance of chew and flavor, paired with juicy dumplings that almost melted in my mouth. The place was buzzing with locals and foodies alike, which is always a good sign.
Now, no trip to Memphis is complete without some proper Southern fried chicken, so before catching my flight, I made a mandatory pit stop at Uncle Lou’s which was conveniently minutes from the airport. . Let me just say, this is fried chicken on another level...crispy, juicy, and packed with flavour. And don’t even get me started on the biscuits. They were buttery, flaky, and hands-down the best I’ve ever had. Uncle Lou’s is the kind of place where you sit down, eat with your hands, and leave with a smile and a full belly.
But Memphis isn’t just about the food (well, mostly about the food). In between meals, I took some time to explore the Cooper-Young district, a vibrant, artsy neighborhood packed with thrift shops, vintage finds, and funky boutiques. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours browsing retro clothing, and quirky home decor.
And there you have it, my brief but unforgettable dive into Memphis food, with a side of vintage shopping and plenty of Southern charm. Stay hungry, Fifi fam.
