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    Center For Southern Folklore

    4.6 (19 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Center For Southern Folklore Photos

    CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Tanya T.

    I recently celebrated my 20 year high school reunion at the Center for the Southern Folklore, and the venue was perfect. There was plenty of room to dance, reconnect with old friends, chill at the table or bar or sample foods from the buffet. The decor is very Memphis and very funky. Lots of cool photos blown up and hung on the walls contrasting with the colorful atmosphere. The shop is also folksy and cute, stocking items reflective of Memphis or the southern way of life. Pick up some CDs of local musicians that have played the Center, or grab a souvenir to take home to Mom.

    Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
    Kalissa T.

    Great place with great food, music, art and people. We happened to walk by as we had just left our hotel to walk around and explore the city and as a fan if the arts, I decided to walk in to check it out. They gave us plenty of tips on where to go and what to do to. They also host music nights there with local musicians and serve food and drinks. That was an amazing experience!

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    14 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

    The only place to go when in Memphis. Do not miss out on this wonderful treasure. Make sure to get the greens!!!!!

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Always has amazing things going on, and even if you don't catch an event, just wandering around and looking here is great!

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    13 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Center For Southern Folklore

    As Porko already stated, all we did here was listen to some jazz, and nom on peach cobbler, but the cobbler was ex-cell-ent.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    McEwen's Memphis

    McEwen's Memphis

    4.4
    (665 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I really like this restaurant. We just happened to be hungry while shopping and found this place…read moreand it was great! The food, atmosphere, service, easy parking and friendly staff were all 5 out of 5.

    This place was very interesting to me. The look and vibe of it was very nice. It is a more upscale…read morerestaurant which is always nice for a special evening out. The food however was honestly meh (in my opinion). I got a creole dish and to be fair my dish looked beautiful. The plating was 10/10 but the taste for me left something to be desired. After eating this dish I questioned if I even like creole sauce because it really just wasn't that good. If this is a preference issue, I honestly don't know. I also thought the charcuterie appetizer had a weird mix of items on it from club crackers, to meat and cheese, and random veggies. Not bad but just kind of a weird mix. My husband ordered the salmon and he said it was good, not the best he's had but it was good. Other friends of ours got the white fish among the many other dishes. I did have a salad with these apples on it which was incredibly yummy. I will say though my dish looked amazing some of the other dishes were not plated well. Not to nitpick but to want to be considered a more upscale restaurant which means charging guest more money than say a local Applebee's then knowing how to appropriately garnish or drizzle sauce to elevate at plate is important (see my picture of the chicken dish). All and all not my favorite restaurant but definitely not the worst!!

    Photos
    McEwen's Memphis
    Long week in Memphis, dining at one of my favorites!
    Long week in Memphis, dining at one of my favorites!
    Complimentary biscuit

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    Southern Hands Home Style Cooking

    Southern Hands Home Style Cooking

    3.9
    (32 reviews)
    12.5 mi

    Let me start by saying I was greeted as soon as I walked in. This guy was top notch and extremely…read morehelpful. I place an order for me and 2 of my co-workers. I can't say enough nice things CHEF'S KISS to who ever is cooking this yumminess!! The fried green tomatoes were perfect and perfectly seasoned. The yams, greens and corn bread were so good and seasoned to perfection. The pork chops you could cut with your fork, chef's kiss. The catfish is always good as always. I highly recommend.

    My Dad and I come to this place every time he has a Dr appt since we're out. He always gets the…read moremeatloaf, it's his favorite. I have been trying different meats every time I come. Service is amazing. They are always so nice. They have good music playing. I would rate the ambience as relaxed and friendly. It is reasonably priced and you get a lot of food. I usually eat about half and eat the rest for my next meal. I haven't eaten anything that I didn't like. Everything is so good, and they veggies are fantastic. Fries are crispy with soft middles and they season everything so well. Lately I've been getting the candied yams every time. It's like desert. So tasty. I love that they have boiled ocra, and greens and you get a little cornbread loaf with the meal. We went yesterday and we're going to go again today but Dads appt was cancelled and he didn't want to get out. We will definitely be back! 5 stars every time.

    Photos
    This is the Fried Chicken and cornbread
    This is the Fried Chicken and cornbread
    Kam's Pork Chop, Greens, Mac N Cheese
    Kam's Pork Chop, Greens, Mac N Cheese
    Candied Yams & Cabbage

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    Blues City Cafe

    Blues City Cafe

    4.0
    (2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Yes, it is touristy, but maybe there's a reason for that!…read more The menu covers all the bases without being too overwhelming. I went here twice while on a work trip and over the course of my visits I tried the gumbo, turnip greens, and the Caesar salad. (Skip the salad. I just needed veggies that day.) Both the gumbo and turnip greens were so flavorful. I highly recommend both dishes! My coworker ordered the ribs and catfish and the rib meat seemed to fall off the bone! I had a bite of her catfish and it had the perfect amount of breading on it. Service is kind and they always kept my water filled. The atmosphere is everything I would want from a diner in Memphis- it's divey without being too dirty and decorated with rock n roll memorabilia.

    This was the first restaurant we came across while walking down Beale Street, so we decided to give…read moreit a try. When we entered, we waited briefly at the front before being greeted, but it wasn't a long wait. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with a Cajun and soul food vibe. We visited during lunch, so it was relatively quiet, making for a calm, family-friendly dining experience. Our food arrived quickly, which we appreciated. Overall, the meal was good, although most of the dishes were fairly standard. The one standout was the gumbo--it was flavorful and definitely worth ordering. The shrimp plate was enjoyable but didn't particularly stand out. Overall, this is a solid option if you're looking for a convenient meal while exploring Beale Street. I'd recommend trying it at least once to form your own opinion. We would consider stopping by again on a future visit.

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    Downstairs
    Downstairs
    Yummmmm
    Yummmmm
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    Soul Fish Cafe

    Soul Fish Cafe

    4.3
    (587 reviews)
    3.9 mi
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    I can not believe I have not reviewed Soul Fish as of yet. I am a huge fan…read more Let me preface this review by saying ... My grandfather owned two successful catfish restaurants. As a child I grew up on fried fish filets and hush puppies until my grandfather had to retire and sell his restaurant due to his Health. He still cooks up a mess of catfish for us about two or three times a year when we visit. Yum! My standards for good catfish are extremely high. Good fried catfish is not greasy, light cornmeal batter, tender flaky inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Sounds simple enough but the truth of the matter is... Good fried catfish takes skill. After an epic searched for any decent catfish in Memphis and surrounding areas that took a few years ... My family and I decided to give up. And when I heard about Soul Fish it took some considerable convincing to get them to go. We where, none of us, disappointed! Soul Fish is without a doubt the best Catfish in Memphis. It is perfectly fried... Hushpuppies are tasty, coleslaw edible if not always yummy, fried pickles crisp and tart, pickle green tomatoes so yummy I could swim in them, and vegetables always cooked and seasons well (special recognition to the cabbage, broccoli, and black eyed peas). The service is always friendly, fast, efficient, and correct. The blackened catfish is pretty tasty too ... Sometimes they get a little heavy handed on the seasoning. Deserts are pretty great as well. My sister loves the Mississippi mud chocolate thingy they have (I'm not a chocolate fan). I've introduced many people (about 40 or so) to Soul Fish - locals and visitors alike - and no one ... And I mean not a single one of them where disappointed. So why four stars instead of five? True... the catfish is the best in Memphis - however it is not the best I've ever had. And Sometimes a filet or two at Soul Fish fall short of perfection... However ... I'm a regular and a fan of Soul Fish Cafe. If you have spent hours and disappointed meals trying to find good catfish in Memphis ... Look no further ... This is the place for you. I promise you will not Be disappointed!

    Still on the amazing food stops from our December 2025 Smoky Mountains trip, our final Tennessee…read moremeal had to be memorable--and Soul Fish Cafe delivered. Memphis is a slight detour on our way back to Texas, but there was no way we were settling for fast food along the highway. We wanted good seafood--fresh, satisfying, and worth the stop. So glad we chose this spot. From the outside, it's simple and unassuming. Inside, it feels like a slightly bougie fish cafe--clean, cozy, and well-kept, with subtle holiday decor and that warm Southern hospitality greeting you at the door. Our server, Denise, was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. The one-page menu keeps it simple, and she walked us through it along with the daily special. We ordered the gumbo, salmon burger, and a grilled salmon plate--everything tasted fresh and cooked to order. A perfect seafood meal in Tennessee. We left full, happy, and already planning what to try next time. Definitely a spot worth revisiting.

    Photos
    Cozy, clean and inviting
    Cozy, clean and inviting
    Soul Fish Cafe
    Interior

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    Interior
    Central BBQ

    Central BBQ

    3.9
    (2.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Central bbq across from the historic Loraine motel is my favorite place to eat bbq in Memphis…read more You only have to be a few feet away from the restaurant to smell the delicious meats that are smoking inside. Central bbq offers a great selection of bbq favorites, the loaded baked potato was a meal by itself! Beware... you will get the meat sweats here! There is plenty of seating inside and they offer a patio too. Central bbq offers a large draft beer list with a bunch of local favorites. The service is quick, and prices are fare

    There was a time when Central barbecue was the only place I would eat barbecue in Memphis. But food…read moreand service has ruined that. I visited the downtown location on 5/24/26 at 6:15 PM. I ordered wings and two dry slabs of ribs. When my family and I finally decided to eat the ribs on Monday, they were disgusting. They had seasoning caked all on them, and they were overly salty. We wiped off the caked-on seasoning and tried to eat around the saltiness. I was praying the 2nd slab was not the same. When I opened them on 5/27 to see, they were the same. I was trying to avoid calling because I just didn't feel like being bothered. But I called. I left a message for the manager to return my call that morning because "he is in the middle of an interview." So I called back that afternoon and was transferred to Ethan. I explained the situation to him. As I was speaking, he kept making the noise un-huh. So, I stopped talking and asked him what it meant aside from it just being rude as hell. He went on to explain that they missed a step and did not rub in the seasoning and shake it off. I don't care. It's an internal quality issue that should be handled with the prep and cook staff. Not me. He asked if I had my receipt and, in a tone that suggested he was doing me a favor, advised me that he would replace the slab. No apologies for the inconvenience or anything.   After my long workday, I went all the way downtown to get the slab replaced. In person, Ethan is just as rude. I asked if he was going to replace both slabs. He could clearly see the quality was trash. He said no and that he would only replace one. Then went on to offer me sides and a slice of cake. No, thank you. I can afford sides and cake just like I did those trash slabs of ribs. Those slabs of ribs cost $62.40 before taxes. With taxes probably being another 5 or 6 dollars. Your mistakes and poor quality should not cost me. He had a young lady bring the replacement slab back out to me. She didn't say thank you or anything. One thing I know is that a white man or woman patronizing your business would not have been treated this way. As a result, moving forward I will spend my Black woman dollars elsewhere on barbeque and smoked chicken wings. Also, I removed you all from my company's approved catering list where we spend a nice amount with you all yearly. Tell Ethan, thanks for helping me see the light and not spend money where I'm not respected and where my customer experience isn't valued.

    Photos
    View of the quasi-outdoor covered seating area
    View of the quasi-outdoor covered seating area
    I am nkw aware that lean beef means different things.
    I am nkw aware that lean beef means different things.
    Front ordering counter

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    Front ordering counter

    Center For Southern Folklore - southern - Updated August 2026

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