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JEM

4.8 (26 reviews)
Closed • Closed

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JEM ATMOSPHERE

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Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - JEM

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September 2025 Events
Grace K.

JEM = Just Enjoy the Moment. JEM is a wonderful addition to the Edge District of Memphis, located between the medical center and downtown. I highly recommend making reservations through the Toast website or by calling them directly. There's a private parking lot shared with Rootstock Wine Merchants and a few other nearby businesses, with about 20 spaces available. It felt classy but still comfortable and unpretentious. Upon entering, the hostess stand is to the left, while the open bar and kitchen are to the right. There are two large tables by the bar that seat six each, and the main dining area is situated beside the open kitchen. FOOD: We attended one of their Sunday Supper events (held on the last Sunday of each month), priced at $49 per person. The menu highlights ingredients sourced from the local farmers market and changes with the seasons. 1. Laab Woonsen (3/5): This reminded me of Thai/Laos laab (also spelled larb or laap), a minced meat salad made with fish sauce, lime juice, fresh herbs (like mint and cilantro), and chili. However, this version used rice noodles with pork and herbs. There was very little fish sauce, so the dish was on the drier side. 2. Seared Steak (5/5): A 4 oz steak cooked to a perfect medium rare. I really enjoyed it, especially since I don't eat steak often. It was served with a panzanella salad and eggplant dip. The salad stood out with its soaked bread, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, all dressed in olive oil and vinegar. 3. Chocolate Chip (3/5): A cookie made with both dark and milk chocolate, plus cacao nibs for added crunch. It was fine, but I think it would have been much better if it had been served warm and freshly baked. 4. Peaches and Cream (4/5): A delicious combination of crème anglaise and almond shortcake. We all agreed it would have been a 5/5 if the shortcake had been served warm. Still, the flavors blended beautifully. 5. Coconut Vanilla Rice Pudding (3/5): A chilled dessert with strawberry-rhubarb compote, orange supremes, and crispy crunchies. I liked the mix of textures, but overall it was just okay for me. 6. Labneh Cheesecake (5/5): I'm usually not a fan of cheesecake, but this one was heavenly. The pairing of grapes, thyme, and caramel reduction was excellent. We were lucky to snag the last slice of the night. Our server was attentive and shared her recommendations. She made sure our drinks were always refilled and brought out extra utentils for sharing. Would I return? Yes. They host special events, including wine dinners, wine classes, and the monthly Sunday Supper.

Rachel J.

Did the Sunday summer end of the month menu. The inside was very nice and the vibes were calming but fun. Our waitress was kind and attentive. The first course did the summer squash which was very good but wish there was a bit more ricotta in the veggies. I did the steak for the main and it was very flavorful and tender. Cooked just right. The eggplant dip to the side added a nice flavor. For dessert my table got each one to try. The cheesecake was amazing and all of our favorites. The -1 star is because the peach dessert and large cookie although good, were not hot and i felt underwhelmed by that. Overall would go back!

Pork coppa, heirloom beans, leeks
Koby

JEM is a family-owned restaurant blending modern flavor combinations with precise cookery. The decor is modern. The building has tall ceilings so it feels spacious. They have a parking lot, which is rare for restaurants in this area. The service was polite and casual. We were probably served by five different people throughout the night, including the co-owners. The chef brought the gnocchi to us and, based on how he described it, I could tell he's passionate about the food he creates. We started with the kimchi arancini and the chicken pate. Both were good, but what really stood out to me was the pickled veggies on both plates. I could eat JEM's pickled veggies by the bucket. Next, we had the gnocchi. The pasta itself was one of the better gnocchis I've had in Memphis, though it doesn't beat Acre's. With egg, chile, and garlicky bread crumbs, my girlfriend said the dish reminded her of my egg sandwich. The vidalia soubise offered a creamy richness that enveloped the entire plate, which was contrasted against the light, fluffy gnocchi. The dish was gluttunous and rich. Even though we couldn't finish it, I'd order this again. The meat cookery on the mains was excellent. The pork coppa was only slightly less tender than a marshmallow. I cut through it with my fork and let it melt in my mouth. The buttery redfish was seared perfectly. The garnish on both dishes tasted great, but it was the cookery that stood out to me. The waffle mousse cake dessert came with an interesting story. By volume, it was something like 60% bland cream. The brown sauce smeared on the plate was full of maple flavor, though. And the candied pecans, I could eat by the bucket (like the pickled veggies from earlier in the night). Regarding the drinks, I didn't care for their cocktail specials. Their paper plane, though, is the best I've had. Also, they serve beaujolais by the glass! Our experience totaled $245 for a fantastic meal for two.

Burger!
Elizabeth D.

Interesting cocktails and great food. Luke really upped our experience with his knowledge of cocktails. He was experimenting with interesting ice and mixed drink concoctions. He really made it interesting. He also had interesting selections of wine and bubbles. He really likes to kick it up a notch! We will be going back. It is a quiet hidden "JEM"---no puns intended!

Menu
Amber B.

The ambiance is really nice here. Open space, low lights, exposed brick, quiet. Service was good. We went around 6 without a reservation, not many people there but it picked up really quick with those who did have reservations, so that may be something to plan ahead of time. I got the Brussels salad. It's plentiful, but the dressing on it was overpowering the dish. I won't get that again. Other person with me got the burger and fries. The bun is a bit much, but the patty and everything else was good. Fries included. Rolls were good, too. The menu could stand to be expanded and maybe a happy hour. I'd go back to sit at the bar and maybe an appetizer, not sure about another sit down dinner. Worth trying though

Entrance
Helen L.

There's a parking lot next door which is nice. When we walked in, it smelled like burnt rubber, apparently there is a garage below them. An air purifier would be nice. The Brussel sprout salad was delicious and light, as was the hamachi crudo. The gnocchi was light and airy but the sauce was a little bland. The matza stuffed chicken was good.

Yeast Rolls
Jessica F.

First visit here, and it did not disappoint. The service was great, and the restaurant was cute yet elegant. Started the night with shared plates of they yeast rolls and the hamachi crudo. Then, the main course was the double cheese burger. It was more of a smash burger. Everything was delicious. The challah bun was a bit too big for me in comparison to the burger. I thought I would have room left for dessert, but that burger was bigger than I anticipated. I'll be back for sure.

Ryan D.

We'd been meaning to try JEM for a while since it's next door to our favorite wine shop. We made reservations for our anniversary and were so impressed. We were greeted by the owners at the host stand; they were incredibly welcoming and excited that we came in. Our waitress was insanely personable and explained the menu in a fantastic way. The food was to die for. I'm not a dessert person but I would order the dessert every time. The vibe was elevated but laid back, making the food approachable. This restaurant rivals some of my DC/NYC favorites, with a Memphis price tag. We'll be back! Soon!

Short Riv
Tom F.

Absolute gem - the food had dynamic and complementary flavor profiles, service was impeccable, and ambiance is great for only having been open for a few weeks. Rootstock wines next door for brown bag!

Strawberry fields
Jenn R.

Great food. Seasoned well and delicious!! Atmosphere is cool and a variety of clientele. Would highly recommend.

the bar.

i am so excited for this restaurant to join the neighborhood. and i love their relationship with rootstock, next door. the staff were all very friendly and the owners/chef have really seemed to put a lot of work into making it so lovely. the restaurant itself is decorated so nicely too.

Whipped feta.

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9 months ago

The food was delicious, the atmosphere was lovely and the staff were attentive. Highly recommend JEM. It is a Gem!

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1 year ago

We had a delightful meal. The service was fantastic and the food was great. I would recommend to anyone looking for a unique experience.

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Blues City Cafe - Ribs

Blues City Cafe

(2k reviews)

$$

Downtown

Muy buen servicio! 100% Recomendable! La comida muy rica y…read moreel ambiente es muy bueno!

We had a nice little meal here at this casual spot right along the western edge of Beale Street…read more Since we visited on a weekend evening, they had the whole road blocked off, so you had to enter from the north or west side to avoid entering the walkable area which requires you to pay a $5 entry. This entire restaurant is built on a slight slope, and they did not level the foundation when building out the restaurant, so if you're sitting at your table and the table is aligned north to south, you will see a slight lean to the flooring. Also, if you have any juices on your plate of food, the juices will flow toward Beale Street. I wanted to try their tamales but will have to do it on a subsequent visit. This visit we ordered the bowl of gumbo and the Memphis strip steak which is pre-cut for you. The gumbo is slightly salty but good. The strip steak was really good, filling and cooked to order. I chose new potatoes as my one side. Service here can be a little difficult depending how busy they are and how wild your fellow patrons in the restaurant can be. It took a long time to pay the bill here due to a large party coming in right when we were wanting to pay and our server was attending to them for about 15 mins while we were trying to flag him down. Other than that, we had no other problems. I would happily return the next time I'm in the downtown area and looking for food near Beale Street.

Momma's - Wings

Momma's

(84 reviews)

$$

Southside

My client took us here and he didn't really say what type of food they served, but it ended up…read morebeing pretty good. Later during the meal, he admits that Momma's is one of his spots, so that's saying a lot. It sort of looked like another bar/restaurant from the outside, but they have a nice outdoor patio overlooking an old decrepit building which is at least some scenery. Once inside, you'll quickly see it's highly decorated and has a claim to be one of the only trucker themed bars in the US. Inside is decked out to the ceilings with signs, neon, old mirrors, collectibles, and many other items. I swear it looks like it's been in business for 30+ years, but my client said only a couple of years. I looked over the basic menu and saw burgers, breakfast, salads, sandwiches, a famous pork chop, wings and a few other items. The client and my colleague quickly ordered devilled eggs, cheese curds, and chili cheese fries. The first two apps were really good, I didn't try the fries though. They had a burger of the day, and a food special of the day, but I settled on the wings. With those I chose the 10 pc, Buffalo with dry rub, smoked. Kind of a weird combination since most people usually order dry here apparently, but I like saucy wings. When they come out, they are huge and I knew I wouldn't be able to finish them. I think I could only eat 6-7. My colleague had a ribeye steak salad which was a protein bomb he loved, and my 2 clients ordered a big rig grilled cheese which he also loved and a fried chicken sandwich (firebird) which looked really good. Overall, I really liked this place and it's one of the best meals I've had in Memphis the handful of times I've visited.

I got to try a bunch of things from the menu and have a fun time! This was such a fun experience…read more They also have karaoke and the bathroom is hilarious. It was a little tight for a big event but we made it work. I enjoyed hanging with my pals in the booth and looking around at the walls! They have something cool everywhere you look. Loved: - Burger: Firebird - Drink: Green Tea Shot Liked: - Pizza: Road Ok: - Appetizer: Deviled Eggs - Burger: The Bubba - Smokestack Chili Disliked: - Drink: Blueberry Lemon Drop

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

(3.7k reviews)

$$

Downtown

Loved everything about Gus's! I avoid meat mostly, but I was…read morenot about to miss trying famous fried chicken! The restaurant is tucked away on a small, empty street. There is plenty of parking in a lot across the street. We went inside and found it to be pretty busy, but we got a table for 4 quickly. The place was clean and homey-feeling and I loved the fact that they used disposable plates, utensils and napkins! It is probably way easier on the crew to clean up, and it adds to the relaxed atmosphere. I had the corn nuggets to start, yum! We finished them easily, they were so good. Then the entree of my chicken tenders, beans, and Mac and cheese came out, along with my sweet tea. The sweet tea was perfect, I drank a whole one during my meal and they gave me another to go in the souvenir Gus's cup. The food was just great, chicken was juicy and perfectly crunchy on the outside. Beans and Mac and cheese, delicious! I ate all of it even though I was stuffed. I even went so far as to order a piece of pecan pie for dessert, but unfortunately our server came back out to tell us they were out of it! Guess it wasn't meant to be (this time)! Our server was really friendly during our whole meal, chatted with us a little and made sure we had a great experience! Bottom line.... Go to Gus's!

The place was a small building in downtown Memphis. Parking was limited in front of restaurant but…read morefree. The service was good. We were seated quickly and served quickly. The waiter was nice and attentive. He made sure we had what we needed and wanted. Seven is his name. The food was not world famous. The chicken was spicy and bland. No seasoning. The Mac and cheese tasted like boxed Mac and cheese with shredded cheese on top. The greens tasted like can greens not fresh. The best thing was the souvenir cup. I will not return. I gave it 2 stars because it was free parking in front of restaurant and the good service from seven.

JEM - diners - Updated May 2026

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