100 Things To Eat in Memphis (2012 edition)

100 Things To Eat in Memphis (2012 edition)

Ed. Note: This is the 2012 edition of "100 Things to Eat in Memphis". Some restaurants may have changed their menu since then, so please keep that in mind. If you want to see the 2013 list, click here.

You know that "100 Things to Eat Before You Die" survey that's been making the rounds lately? There's now a Memphis-centric version.

The Memphis Yelp community made a list of 100 Things to Eat in Memphis, a list of the most extreme, most well-known, or "best" local dishes. That list has disappeared from the Internet, but most of it is preserved here for posterity.

I've added in new or different dishes to replace restaurants that have closed. I've noted those with an (*).  I'm not saying this is exactly what I would pick for the Top 100 Things, but it's a great list and a great way to get a feel for the variety of delicious eats available in Memphis.

How many of these have you tried?

1. Tuna sandwich from Chinese Sub Shop
2. BBQ plate from Germantown Commissary
3. Fried chicken breast from Gus's
4. Soul Burger from Earnestine and Hazel's
5. Peach cheesecake from Cheesecake Corner
6. Chorizo tortuga from Las Tortugas
7. Sea bass at Tsunami
8. Ribeye from Folk's Folly
9. John Deere snow cone from Jerry's
10. Joyce roll from Sakura
11. Dry rub ribs from Bar-B-Que Shop
12. San Diegan from Brother Juniper's
13. Guacamole from Las Delicias
14. Homeroom Chicken and Grids from Lunchbox Eats
15. Red velvet donuts from Gibson's
16. Greek burger from Alex's Tavern
17. Gas station sushi
18. Uptown burger from Roxie's Grocery

Burger, Roxie's Grocery, Memphis, Tenn.

19. Muffaletta from Kwik Chek
20. Gyro from Castle
21. Key Lime Pie ice cream from La Michoacana
22. Twice-baked potato salad from One and Only BBQ
23. Cheesesteak from Yang's
24. Shrimp and grits from Sweet Grass
25. Buffalo tenderloin from Erling Jensen


26. Barbecue pizza from Coletta's
27. Cornish game hen from Cozy Corner
28. Grilled cabbage from Deja Vu
29. Bulgogi from Du Won Jung
30. Roast duck from New Asia
31. Rib tips from Tom's Barbecue
32. Capote cupcake from Muddy's Bakeshop


33. Barbecue tofu nachos from R.P. Tracks
34. Chips (aka fries) from Brass Door Tavern
35. Ravioli from Vanelli's Deli
36. Mac'n'cheese from Mollie Fontaine Lounge
37. Voodoo Chocolate Passion Cake at King's Palace
38. Banana pudding from Cozy Corner
39. Turkey leg from a vendor outside of a Melrose High football game
40. Spicy shrimp tacos from Maciel's*

Cornish Game Hen, Cozy Corner, Memphis, Tenn.

41. Almond croissants from Off the Square Catering
42. Crazy noodle bowl from Bhan Thai
43. Banana pudding from Germantown Commissary
44. Tiger Bleu Chips from Brookhaven Pub
45. Barbecue nachos from Central BBQ
46. Blueberry donuts from Gibson's
47. Hot wings from Ching's
48. Surf 'n' Turf from Restaurant Iris (we'll be waiting to see if this is still available when RI reopens)*
49. Shrimp salad from Bogie's
50. Chilean sea bass from McEwan's
51. Wedding cake supreme snow cone from Jerry's

52. Hummus and falafel from Casablanca
53. Nachos on Dorito's from Sushi Jimmi*
54. French fries / sweet potato fries from Young Ave. Deli
55. Pineapple shake from Shanghai
56. Coconut cake from Beauty Shop
57. Spicy crab soup from Ryu
58. Goat taco from La Guadalupana
59. Turkey and dressing from the Four Way
60. Reuben from Trolley Stop Market
61. Thai Gumbo from Tao
62. Honey gold wings from All-Star
63. BLT from Links of Galloway

Maciel's taco spread.

64. Pan-fried dumplings from Panda Garden
65. Hot wing rolls from Blue Monkey
66. Barbecue pizza from Pete and Sam's
67. Mussels from Bari
68. Ribs from A&R Barbecue
69. Salsa Tayde from Las Tortugas
70. Baklava from Cafe Med
71. Pickled green tomatoes from Soul Fish
72. Vegan Memphis barbecue sandwich from Imagine Vegan Cafe
73.Tacos from Fuel Food Truck
74. Brussels sprouts from South of Beale
75. Bi Bim Bop from Kwik Check

Bi Bim Bop, Kwik Check, Memphis, Tenn.

76. Ribs from Central Barbecue
77. Grilled cheese from Say Cheese food truck*
78. Burger from Huey's
79. Fried chicken taco from El Mero Taco*
80. Homemade chips from Pop's Deli
81. Nachos from Interstate Barbecue
82. Steak sandwich from Jack Pirtle's
83. Pork chop sandwich from Tom's BBQ
84. Skewers from Stick 'Em Food Truck*
85. Meat-stuffed pizza at Little Italy
86.Fried shrimp poboy from Fresh Gulf Shrimp food truck*
87. Breakfast sampler from Bryant's
88. Crab eggs benedict from Sweet Grass
89. All-in-one from Las Delicias
90. Pronto Pup
91. Lobster roll from Slider Inn

Lobster Roll, Slider Inn, Memphis, Tenn.

92. Nuts and chocolate from Peanut Shoppe
93. Lunch buffet from Pho Hoa Binh
94. Hoppin John with corn sticks from Little Tea Shop*
95. Badass Nachos from Sweet Grass Next Door*
96. Island Club from Bardog Tavern
97. Lobster pronto pup from Rizzo's Diner
98. Monte Cristo from Half Shell
99. High tea from Chez Philippe
100. Chili pineapple paleta from La Michoacana

Is there anything that should be added? Add them in the comments.

top photo credit: David Meany / Contiki Purchase/ Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

This post originally published on May 2, 2012

Comments Make Us Happy

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shivam
What about the Arcade, Soulfish, Fino's, and Paynes?
January 31, 2014 12:03am
Jacqualyn Jones
A burrito from Los Picosos. Chicken from Uncle Lou's. Baked potato from East Memphis Pizza & Subs. Pizza from Broadway Pizza.
January 31, 2014 9:34am
GQ
CORKYS dry ribs..Mr P 's wings..Shrimp and grits at the half shell..BBQ chicken pizza at Memphis pizza cafe..Wet ribs at blue city cafe.
January 31, 2014 10:09am
Sallie
Fried Chicken Tenders from Houstons
January 31, 2014 11:00am
david t from f…
Many years ago there was an Italian restaurant across the street from the old bowling alley on Cleveland, mid-town.  Can't remember the name of the place, but the owner was always there and they served shrimp pizza to die for.
January 31, 2014 11:55am
Ada T
Pete and Sam's bbq pizza - hands down better than Coletta's. Cashew crunch from Dinstuhls.  
January 31, 2014 12:09pm
dan
I kinow you are all cool looking for the non touristy places but for Rendevue to not make the cut? My first dry rub experience and a "where have you been all my life feeling"  
February 1, 2014 12:23am
wayne bratton
81= Interstate all day Baby :)
February 1, 2014 10:08pm
Lisa Hayes
David,  Are you thinking about Giovanni's ?
February 1, 2014 10:08pm
Lisa Hayes
By the way,  you can get Nikki's Hot Ass Chips at Kwik Check while you're waiting for your muffaletta.   :)
February 1, 2014 10:09pm
wayne bratton
BBQ sandwich and thick salt fires from Ty's in Bartlett is my new favorite place to go.
February 1, 2014 10:10pm
Mary Ann VanderMeer
I don't remember the name of the restaurant (we were there once after a couple of drinks) but they had a crawfish salad sandwich with fried green tomatoes that was out of this world! When we go back, we're going to have to find the restaurant and have it again! The staff was very accomodating as the kitchen was closed but they made this for us anyway. 
February 10, 2014 11:16am
Anna
****PLEASE DELETE MY PREVIOUS POST SUBMISSION SINCE A NON-BREAKING SPACE WAS IN THE LINK**** These were my fave desserts (when I lived there).  http://yummies4tummies.com/#memphis I miss Cheesecake Corner most of all {sniff}. :-) http://yummies4tummies.com/2013/11/22/beloved-cheesecake-corner/
February 14, 2014 5:34pm
Ross M
Payne's BBQ Sandwich. Nuf said  
April 26, 2014 10:57am
超歓迎 コンフォートシューズ
Heya i'm for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to present one thing back and aid others like you helped me.
May 13, 2014 3:29pm
Angie
Shrimp Lo Mein from Mulan's. I crave it!!!!
June 10, 2014 7:50pm
kathy
Ceviche tacos from Playita Mexicana Cheese plate from the Rendezvous Gibson's maple donuts Spearmint snowcone from Jerry's Coconut pie from the Germantown Commissary Bacon pizza from Pete & Sam's Tops BBQ sandwich
June 11, 2014 9:13pm
Tommy C
Fino's Deli - The best sandwiches in town!!!!
July 10, 2014 2:28pm
Hannah
BBQ Nachos from the Redbirds Stadium!! Those are the best in the world. Also, Hueys Cheese Fries.
September 9, 2014 8:49am
Allison
These are my favorites :) http://allisonfshepard.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/my-top-5-memphis-original-eats/
September 24, 2014 7:22pm
Redbirdjohn
Chopped shoulder sandwich from Payne's, I prefer the jumbo hot.  
November 17, 2014 6:49pm
6 Reasons to M…
[…] have written about food. Here’s a link to the I Love Memphis Blog: 100 Things to Eat in Memphis. http://www.ilovememphisblog.com/2012/05/100-things-to-eat-in-memphis/ 3. Things to do. There is always something to do in Memphis. Do you want museums? We got ‘em. […]
April 19, 2015 11:33pm
granny
I moved to WA about 3 yrs ago and have missed southern bbq  we loved Corkys on Popular Ave, when i worked we went to Interstates on Third St. It was near enough to Corkys i could get a bbq fix til i could get to Corkys. Also Jerrys Snow Cones was a great place to get your desert and cool off with their different flavors of snow cones.
June 16, 2015 4:53pm
100+ Things To…
[…] I Love Memphis Blog posted this list from Yelp and has another 75 comments of suggestions for the list. I might have to go through those […]
August 5, 2015 12:10am
Amanda
Corn fritters from Marlowe's! <3
January 13, 2018 11:03pm
David Boulanger
I love the smoked Turkey and the macaroni and cheese at Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q. Try it out.
August 14, 2018 3:23pm
Dave
Anything from Dinstuhl's, Wild Boar steak at Southern Social, Rockin Dough's Super Freak Pizza, OMG so many.
August 14, 2018 3:29pm