If I were to really put the time and effort into understanding and then describing my favorite kinds of places to eat it would tell a story, and that story would likely end up sounding like The Second Line feels to me. I feel like this place embodies the essence of my inner peace somehow. It was born as a overflow bar for Iris from the lore I hear. To me, as I see it, this place became Chef Kelly's escape to reality as far as food, atmosphere, and service are concerned. I think this place presents his personality in his relaxed more chill version. If you have ever been to Iris, specifically, when it was next door, you would understand what I mean. When it was the tiny place it had some kind of pretentiousness to it that just turned me off. I only ate there once. It would take weeks to get a reservation before he moved it and the constant limelight had to be a lot of pressure. This place though.... I could come here three times a week no issue. In fact, I actually wish that I could eat here three days a week. Second Line is moving soon. They are going back to being next door to Iris in the newer Laurelwood location. In some ways I wonder if Chef needs that jovial comfort of a place next to Iris to keep him grounded. I do hope the charm of this is somehow transferred, but looking out the windows into Cooper the last time I was here Dec '25, just will not be a possibility in that shopping center it's headed to. That will be lost. He's a great guy! Hell of a Chef! World class employer! Tremendous philanthropist! A leader in the City of Memphis! Please go support him in the new location. Now.... All that BS and I ain't said shit about the food and why I like this place so much. If you scroll through my photos you will see almost every dish that has ever been on the menu here. Some are fantastic! All are very good! I have had nothing but great food here for many years! I have only had one bad meal here. Catfish Picante and it is long gone it seems! I wrote a long ass draft I never published (thank god), after that visit. I do believe it was my first time here and I almost didn't return. What a waste that would have been. My favorites now are Sweet Heat Oysters, Chicken Livers with pepper jelly, that lobster knuckle sandwich from waaaay back, spinach Madeline, and of course... the Red Beans and Rice. The desserts are always killer as well. I guess I'll catch you at the new place soon! Love you guys!! '25 - Finale read more

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The best cajun food I have had in Memphis. The gumbo had so much flavor. I have ordered it at a lot of other places, and it is always so bland. But not here! The flavor was fantastic. Our server was great. The ambiance was nice and dark. We will definitely be back! read more

The Second Line - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Had a good time here for happy hour. The po boys were ok, but the fries and liver were the highlight of the meals. The vibes were good and so were the margaritas. Second line is always a solid place to go to read more

The Second Line - Fried Gulf Shrimp Po'Boy - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Food was good and the service was excellent and they were busy on a Friday night ... sat in the swamp bar out back and it was awesome read more

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We came at an odd time so the place was dead for lunch. Roe was killing it serving because she was the only person in the place. Food was good, prices are definitely high for what you get. I wouldn't choose to come back but I would definitely come back if someone else picked. read more

The Second Line - Half po boy - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I wanted to try and new spot for our monthly bookclub meeting. I've been meaning to check out this spot for happy hour and decided to see what the brunch Menu had to offer. Parking wasn't too bad as it was Sunday. I opted to park in the nearby garage as it was free. The colorful entry is welcoming. Upon entry I was promptly seated.. Reservation: simple to do via Resy Service: amazing Food: Buttermilk pancakes with blueberry and bacon; this person was huge. I was not expecting the size. Delicious! Cheese grits: first serving was super salty. Immediately corrected issue and the next bowl was so much better. Biscuits and gravy was fantastic. Cocktail: When Life Gives You Lemons: vodka, fresh lemonade and lavender pea flower syrup. I was expecting a sweet flavor however it has just the right amount of tartness. Rating: 5/5 read more

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The bartenders here are awesome and were very welcoming to me last Sunday! The catfish was tasty! Even though I wish it wasn't farm-raised, the flavor was comforting. The spinach madeleine was good, but had a lot of cream. This place can be casual, but also a nice spot for a special occasion! read more

The Second Line - Spinach Madeleine - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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The hubby and I were looking for someplace different. We ended up here. We loved the New Orleans vibe. The service was super friendly. The food was delicious. We came on Sunday Steak Night. Surprise! Salad, steak, and a loaded potato. It was all perfect. We finished it off with bread pudding, so yummy. Now all we need is a nap. read more

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Always a great day at the second line. I love this place. Have been several times. I wish the weather was like this 4 days a a week! Come out and check it out. Drinks are good and food is wonderful read more

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Late lunch/ 2pm or so. We ate on the patio out back. The staff, hospitable as ever (and as expected at a Kelly English joint- dude must really love his employees, given how they treat their customers- it shows!), pulled a couple of tables apart so we could enjoy the weather. Row was our server- she was remarkable. Promptly and warmly greeted, we set down for our quarry. I narrowed it down to oysters, the Zimmern, or the muffuletta. The Scientist got the turkey poor boy (I abhor the phrase 'Po' Boy') sandwich. We also got an order of the Louisiana poutine (fries, pimento cheese, andouille, crawfish tails) (which didn't come out, but were quickly brought once mentioned, so no real concern or issue here). Hers was great- it's not that you can refine a Poor Boy; it is what it is. The excellence of execution in Second Line's offering is the ingredients: savory turkey, damned good (maybe Benton's?) bacon, lettuce and other rabbit fodder fresh and crisp. Creole mayo added a nice bite. The French bread was phenomenal: wonderfully flaky and warm, its bread, sure, but the texture was world class (for bread). Now, ring the bell- because this is about the muffuletta. This was the best muffuletta I've had outside the 504. The olive mix was great- the added texture, a nice crunch/ density to offset the meltiness of the cheese and the doughiness of the bread. Ham had a tinge of smokiness to it(?). All in all, it's a wave of flavor and texture. With only half the muffuletta eaten, half the healthy portion of fries now taunting me, resigned to my fate and gut loaded, I zigged when I should have zagged and got the bread pudding, ya' know, just to see where it stacked up to every other bread pudding I've ever had. This was both a mistake and the best decision I've made this calendar month (this includes at work, where I'm basically paid for judiciousness and circumspection in decision making). In the, um, words (?) or vocalizations of Justin Wilson (if anyone gets that reference, I'll be amazed): "Aaahhhhhyyyeeee! Now dats somme mighty fine bred puddin', nawh." Buttery, loose, the former crust dense, sweet in different variations from the ice cream (you can see the bits of vanilla bean in there) and candied pecans, but not sweet for icky sweet's sake. So you're still reading. Let me get to the point: last time Second Line got a 3 spot from me. Now it's a solid 4, which means this is the best New Orleans themed bar food 1) in Memphis, 2) within a days drive of Memphis without crossing into the state of Louisiana, and 3) the best New Orleans sandwiches (I can't say sandwiches proper, because Reubens and meatball subs also fall just to that category, and I'm not ready to contemplate if Second Line's muffuletta gets the nod over a certain Reuben in St. Louis or a certain meatball sub in Cosby, TN). As always, 5s are unicorns and a 4.5 does not a 5 make because 5s don't get the round up in my book; Second Line is a solid 4.5 after this experience. So why all 4.5 star talk on a former 3? Because the 3 was to go, the 4.5 was eating there. Food wise top notch, but the people who work there (looking at you, lady named Row) make it transcendent of the typical 4 star archetype. Meaning? Eat there. Dine well. Support local. Tip generously. This is exactly the place to do that. read more

The Second Line - Muffuletta (close up, and half upside down) - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Love this place! Laid back atmosphere, good food and great service. Reservations are recommended but not required.

The food was very flavorful & our server was attentive. I suggest getting the fried catfish fried hard. It's much better that way. The honey pepper fried chicken was 2 boneless chicken breast, and they were incredibly tender. The sauce was decent too, but a bit sweeter than I would've liked. It tasted like it was prepared to go on a homemade biscuit. It would've made a phenomenal breakfast sandwich. The regular Mac & cheese w/ no crawfish was good. The one with was tasty too, but the crawfish was NOT. It definitely tasted out of season so I suggest getting it without so you don't go waste time picking it out. Normally the catfish po'boy is my favorite and always a hit! Their po'boy bread is soft & just right! The dining room is on the smaller side, but there is plenty of outdoor seating in the front + a nice sized patio out back. read more

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First time experiencing this restaurant. Neat place to check out. A bit overrated but worth checking out. Food: ordered the fried oysters salad. They give a healthy portion size of fried oysters , it was tender and not too greasy. The greens were crisp but on the slim side. Their blue cheese dressing was a tab bit salty and too watery. Order the salad dressing on the side if you can. Not a fan of drenched salad. Not sure if I would order that again. They have a full bar, and happy hour!! Service: was great, friendly and the server knew I was not completely satisfied and offered something else on the menu. She was amazing for that. Ambiance: is cozy and casual. Seating is a bit tight but doable. Parking: street parking. read more

My wife and I were bar hopping with another couple and we went into 2nd Line. Our servers name was Chris and he was great. We all had a great time chatting about scary movies and he joined in with us. It's the day after Halloween btw. Pimento cheese fries with Andouille and crawfish, GTFO of here. They were amazing. My friend suggested the shrimp. Do not let them sneak by you. The shrimp were good but the sauce/gravy the shrimp are in is one of the best sauce/gravies I have ever had in my life. It was like Jesus, roux and Worcestershire had a baby. They serve a loaf of bread with the shrimp so you can soak up the sauce. Cocktails were great and my wife said the cosmo she had was one of the best ever. read more

Very limited menu and pricy for what you get. We wanted to try it and were unfortunately disappointed with the flavors and options. Service was great though. read more

Why should you visit second line? Our waitress was very nice. The bartender is great and again very willing to please. The food was excellent. If you are in Memphis go and give it a try. It's totally worth it. Who knew you could put whip cream on chicken and waffles? I sure didn't but it works. Greens, grits, bbq shrimp and gumbo. Get them all! read more

The Second Line - Cheese Grits, greens, chicken and waffles - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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We sat at the bar. It wasn't happy hour at 6:15 :( We ordered a margarita (very fresh tasting but sour fyi) for food, we ordered the grandmas chicken po boy and cheese grits, a side of gumbo, and fried oyster appetizer. Everything was absolutely delish, this restaurant is very consistent. The gumbo was forgotten about on our first order, we had to ask for it to come out to us after our food. That's the only reason we didn't give 5 stars. We have no complaints on food temperature or flavor. The bar is always a fun place to sit! read more

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Amazing food and one of the most amazing service. The crispy honey chicken and the PO Boy chicken were to die for. read more

The Second Line - Crawfish etoufee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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This was my second visit to The Second Line, but first time dining for brunch. The restaurant is small, but has an outdoor seating area on the front of the restaurant and a really nice patio area in the back. Due to the size of the restaurant, it was pretty loud at times. Restrooms are singles for men and women, so when standing and waiting you are easily in the path of the servers. Our server was super friendly and very prompt with requests. I ordered an old fashioned and the bartender was pretty generous. The server confirmed that they were out of quiche and their waffle maker was down, so instead of chicken and waffles, I went with chicken and pancakes (as a substitute). It did not take long for the food to come out, and let me say I was stunned when I saw my plate. The pancakes were huge! My husband would have been in heaven. Those massive pancakes were indeed excellent and love the hint of sweetness. The chicken was friend hard, which is my preference, but unfortunately, lacked flavor. It was literally a piece of friend meat with no seasoning. Everyone at the table was pleased with their selections. Portion sizes were great, bacon was crispy and grits were creamy. Overall, we really enjoyed it! read more

The Second Line - Chicken and pancakes - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Second Line is a great Southern Restaurant with a Creole Louisiana style food influence in Midtown Memphis. Great bar and drinks, awesome section of southern specialities. We came for lunch and enjoyed the food and the vibe of the restaurant. We got catfish and cheese grits to share and a cast iron skillet full of loaded potatoes. Catfish is a must here. Grits were impressive. Service is quick and friendly. Food: 4.5 stars Vibe: 4.5 stars Service: 5 stars Tips: Plenty of street parking in neighborhoods Good efficient service Great for lunch Good drinks and bar Cheese grits are incredible Casual read more

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Our first visit to this mid-town restaurant and it didn't disappoint! Both the honey hot chicken and the fried oysters entrees were fantastic! Server was attentive...perfect. We had an early dinner so not crowded...but great music playing in the background. Ended dinner with bread pudding that was enough for two, maybe three. Will definitely return to this restaurant. read more

My friend and I have been remiss in not visiting The Second Line before now. I have heard so many really good things that my expectations were very high. We reserved a table at 11:00am for brunch on Sunday before seeing Hamilton at the matinee. The doors opened promptly at 11:00 and we were greeted and seated timely. We were advised that the staff was very short, and they were operating with the bartender and maybe one other staff in the dining room, but I don't recall what was the status of the kitchen staff. The bartender came to our table and took our orders for mimosas and coffee for my friend. The mimosas were awesome and generous, the coffee was barely warm, which was odd as they just opened so how could it already be cold? We advised that we had tickets at the Orpheum at 1:00 so were anxious to order. When our mimosas were brought to the table we intended to order, but were told to wait while she got drinks to the table next to us and took their orders. I do not mind this so much as I know that the staff that was there was hopping and trying to do everything they could to take care of the customers. My friend ordered the crab benedict and a side of cheese grits and I ordered the fried avocado and crab salad and a side of bacon. They brought my friend's cheese grits, which were literally some grits in a bowl with what looked like shredded cheddar on top that was melted. They were slightly warm. They brought my salad and it was tasty, but the fried avocado was cold. Maybe it was intended to be that way, but I think the breading would be better if it were warm. They did not bring my friend's benedict or my bacon. We waited, and waited and when someone finally came by to ask how our food was (it seems some more wait staff had shown up by then), we told them we wouldn't know as we had only gotten half of it for each of us. They brought my friend's benedict and it was cold. My bacon, on the other hand, was so hot I couldn't eat it, and it was half cooked. The table next to us one person received their meal and was done eating and the other person did not receive theirs. They too had to ask for it. The staff was desperately trying to help, and very apologetic, so I am not trying to diss on them. What was not done, and should have been, IMHO, is that those without reservations should not have been seated with so little staff. I know the people behind us did not have reservations because I heard them comment that they hoped it wasn't required, but they were seated anyway. If the staff is not available, those without reservations should have been turned away until staff was available. By seating so many people, everyone that I could see got very bad service, even though the staff was trying. We also received cold food, coffee, late and half cooked food. When the checks came, they were all mixed up and we had to have them corrected. They did remove the benedict from my friend's check, but she paid for cold coffee and I paid for everything. Again, it was not for lack of the staff trying, and they remained friendly and pleasant even though this situation was not ideal. I look to management to train the staff to better manage guests when the staff is short. I hope to maybe give this place a second try, after all, the name is "Second" Line. If we chance it again, maybe I will be able to update the review with a better experience. read more

I have been wanting to try this place for some time. My wife and daughter took me to a play nearby, for my birthday, and asked me afterwards where I wanted to eat dinner. So, I took advantage of my opportunity to pick! The main dining room is split into two areas and, due to the bar, it is a bit crowded. It was a nice day so we elected to eat in the courtyard or back, which was outstanding. My wife and daughter split a po boy sandwich and ordered a cup of gumbo and jambalaya. I tasted both soups and they were outstanding. In fact, I'd say the gumbo was the best I've had in Memphis! I ordered the half muffuletta sandwich, hot with red beans and rice. Both, also delicious! The muffuletta rivaled the original I've had from Central Grocery in NOLA, no joke. The portioning here definitely lends itself to sharing, which is good because it is a little pricey. Our server, who was also the outside bartender, was incredibly nice and provided just the right amount of attention.. I would recommend making a reservation, because by the time we left it was really busy. We arrived shortly after open and got a seat easily, though. My only complaint about this location was the hostess. We stood at the hostess' stand for a solid 10min before she greeted us. I don't know what the issue was but she was in the front dining room the entire time and looked like she was prepping or cleaning a table. She looked at us a couple of times but did nothing to acknowledge us at all! So weird. I think this was probably the norm for her as I heard another patron, who was already seated, tell the folks in front of us they might want to go get her as it took forever to get them seated (not sure what "forever" meant but it was obviously longer than it needed to be). Our waitress/bartender out back more than made up for her so all is well. I wanted to give 5 stars but had to ding for the hostess. read more

We enjoyed our first visit to the second line. We've heard nothing but good things about it so we tried it for ourselves. Parking is a major issue so be prepared to walk a little bit (we parked at the fresh market). Our server was great, her name was Meg (I believe). It's a very small and quiet restaurant on the inside - we would try to sit outside next time for sure! We got the happy enchiladas as an appetizer and they were fantastic. For our entrees we did the shrimp po boy + fries and the seafood pasta. Shrimp was cooked to perfection in both dishes and the seafood pasta was out of this world. Be aware that the sandwich options do not come with a side and to add one it's $5 or so depending what you want. Only complaint was the bread on the po boy was far too thick for the sandwich - I cut the bread off for the most part and enjoyed it better that way! read more

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The atmosphere was nice and casual. The noise level was low. The TVs were on with no sound. The food was served hot and flavorful. The red fish was delicious. However, the collard greens were a bit salty. The bbq shrimp was a nice appetizer. The prime rib was juicy and served the way I like it! Yet, the potatoes were very dry . We didn't get our wedge salad. The waiter was very courteous and apologetic to all customers. She was quite busy due to staffing issue. But, still tried her best to conquer all the tables. The drinks were on point !we had to ask for our checks and promised the salad to go but didn't receive it .. read more

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This place surprised me! It's Cajun/creole food, but nothing too spicy. I had the fried chicken and fried gator bites. The sauce on their fried gator bites is the best sauce, so order an extra cup and put it on everything. My husband loved the crawfish Mac and cheese. Our server was friendly and helpful, no complaints there! I like their patio area for spring or summer. Can't wait to return and try more! read more

If you love creole food and New Orleans culture The Second restaurant In midtown Memphis is perfect

This is a nice cozy restaurant that'll be perfect for date night or a ladies night out. The food is amazing and the drinks are just right. There isn't a parking lot, but ample parking along the street! Also, I asked for crushed ice but unfortunately it was unavailable. One of the cooks overheard me ask and went to the back to crush some ice for me anyway. Lol read more

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OK, just limited sample size but... if you are in Memphis, stop what you are doing and come here and get the pimento cheese fries! Unique and delicious and meaty and everything. Super-relaxed, cool vibe and the services was both chill and attentive. 100% positive experience, and memorable food. I am actually still thinking about it this morning. read more

The Second Line - Pimento cheese fries w crawfish and andouille - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Closer to when Second Line opened, my other half and I would go to eat frequently. It was a date spot of ours. We would always get the verno poboy, and greens, spinach madeline, or beans and rice. Fast forward to 2023-2024, the past three times we've eaten there, the actual taste of these items has significantly decreased. Moreso the verno, but we've noticed the greens as too spicy sometimes, the red beans and rice not flavorful enough, and the verno is just completely unlike it was. It's all bread, the chicken isn't bangin' anymore and is largely carried by the mayo of all things. This stuff is now too expensive to justify the flavor difference. Really disappointing. read more

The food is good- but the price isn't. For example- I had the BBQ shrimp that was really delicious- with cheese grits. The shrimp is listed as $15 but cost $18. My friend ordered a shrimp po boy without the bread- and they added catfish and made a $18 lunch a $30 lunch. Then the waitress ran into a friend from high school and they were screaming- I get it but seriously- this is your place of work. As far as the food- it was good. The BBQ shrimp was great, the grits were nothing special. The friend shrimp was good. Catfish nothing tasty. The drinks were good- but all a little expensive for what you are getting. The cheese fries were pretty unique and tasty. I would ask about pricing if I returned bc I feel like we were up sold but not told that we were being up sold. Solid fast and friendly service. I just feel like the price and the food don't match - that was not a $100 brunch. read more

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Food was good. Not great as I would expect from a Kelly English establishment. I would for sure make reservations. Our waiter was very nice, but the whole service was very slow. Food took a while to come out. Had to ask for a spoon for the gumbo & shrimp & grits. The bread was amazing!!! I think I was overcharged on my ticket. No matter how much tax I add, it doesn't come close to what I was charged. Calling when they are open to check about it It was super cold. Take a jacket read more

Uniquely delicious New Orleans inspired bites that I had!!! Crawfish Pimento cheese Fries, fried chicken liver w/ pepper jelly, BBQ shrimp dip, chicken sausage mini gumbo, so fulfilling! Great hospitality, very nice decor! Love the chef's story Must try in Memphis ! read more

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I came with friends for lunch and it was pretty slow but the food was outstanding! Ruben was very attentive and his suggestions were excellent! Plus he poured & mixed our drinks to perfection. I can't wait to try them out for dinner! read more

We loved Second Line! Good wine pour, delicious food, and a super cute vibe. Love the old houses in midtown and brings me back to my childhood when the best restaurants were in them! Can't wait to go back to happy hour (which is till 7!) and try out more deliciousness! read more

The Second Line - Fried avocado and crab salad - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I made reservations for The Second Line, looking forward to returning to this Memphis landmark during my visit. The menu was all German food and signs out front said "Oktoberfest." What? It's mid-September. They only had German wine, which I hate. The server was really nice and very efficient, although I don't remember his name. He's the reason the place got 2 stars instead of one. There was a very small menu of Cajun style food. I ordered a catfish poboy, which was terrible. Overall, a disappointing experience at a restaurant I used to enjoy. read more

Second Line, a Kelly English bar/restaurant, is really cool. The food is very good, the drinks imaginative, and there are usually some good specials. read more

Absolutely flabbergasted by the experience I just had. I went in expecting great new-creole food from the past reviews....but was I in for a treat. I sat down at the bar. Nobody at the host stand to greet me. The bartender handed me a menu. I looked at the cocktails and picked one out. As I was browsing the food, I became very confused. It was all German food? I remember checking the sign in front of the building before walking in. And I looked at the door to confirm I was in the right spot. I asked the bartender if the restaurant changed owners or brands...nope. Just celebrating Oktoberfest (in September?). He informed me they could still make me a Po Boy. So I ordered that. The Po Boy came out and it didn't include any fries or sides. The bartender went missing. One employee was by the back talking on the phone. Nobody to be seen. So waited a few minutes. Gave up and started eating. I was halfway through my sandwich when the bartender showed back up so I could order fries. The sandwich...so bland and not much meat. I've had better Po Boys from fast food chain restaurants. The fries....also very bland. I finally get my bill. Only a nice $38...$19 for a bland sandwich and bland fries...$14 for an average cocktail full of ice. So so sad. Hopefully whoever is making these absurd choices comes around! read more

Cajun/Creole food done very well! But don't come when it's busy! They were understaffed for the amount of customers, so it made for a long wait for our server between ordering appetizers to ordering food to getting refills of water/coffee/mimosas. Also, they were out of some dishes and their veggie quiche was misleadingly discripted as zucchini, squash and onion but actually had mushroom and onions. Now other than that, the food was yummy. Enjoyed the quiche! Jambalaya was perfect blend of spicy. The pimento fries were amazing! Outdoor seating are had plenty of space. Not your typical brunch spot, definitely better for lunch or dinner. read more

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This is a nice little casual spot. Like their sister restaurant next door, they could care less about covid precautions. But luckily their tables are spread out enough that it didn't matter. The food here was pretty good, even if not that special. What stood out to me (what stood out to everyone) was their fried catfish. Lots of good fried catfish in Memphis, but I think theirs definitely stands out as one of the best. I'd say this one is safe to check out if you're in the area. Not into their metal trays/plates though. We hated that part (serve food on plates please, we're not animals)... read more