Eating at the Little Tea Shop on Monroe in downtown Memphis is like eating at my grandma's house ( and I mean that in the best way).

Little Tea Shop, Memphis, Tenn.

The Little Tea Shop is bigger than it seems like it should be, which is good because it's packed to the gills with hungry downtowners at lunch. The menu isn't long, but there are a lot of classic Southern choices (try the Lacy Special). There are also daily specials (yesterday, they had gumbo, pork tenderloin and vegetable soup). The gumbo was really good, just spicy enough to have a little kick to it. I added some vinegar to the greens and they were perfect. I'm also a fan of their chicken (or tuna) salad stuffed avocados - they're really yummy. All of the lunches come with a basket of cornbread sticks. Seriously, I'm getting all excited and hungry just writing about it. The service at Little Tea shop is friendly and prompt. As I was paying my check ($8 before tip for lunch and a drink), the owner Su called me "baby" and "darling" and "sweetheart" at least a dozen times. This is the kind of place where waitresses remember your name and hug you when you leave. Pictured at the top of this page: Little Tea Shop's hoppin' john. Go There: Little Tea Shop Open for lunch Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (901) 525-6000 Originally published November 2009. Updated October 2018.