East Memphis

Try Breakfast or Lunch In Binghampton At Inspire Community Cafe

Ed. Note: Contributor Veena has the latest on Binghampton's newest restaurant, Inspire Community Cafe, which opened in January 2019. All photos by Veena unless otherwise noted. As of November 2020, Inspire Community Cafe is open for socially-distanced dine-in and patio dining for Saturday brunch (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) and Sunday brunch (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.). They also offer takeout family meals for pre-order.

There are roughly only 300~ drive-in movie theaters left in the U.S., and Summer Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee has one of them–for now.

It's no secret that drive-ins have been slowly dwindling in the U.S. A national pastime that many long ago traded in for cushy recliners and Doby Digital surround sound.

Bounty on Broad Farm-To-Table Restaurant

brick chicken on a bed of smoked cream cheese

Editor's Update: We're sad to share that Bounty on Broad has closed as of April, 2024.

For fresh, farm-to-table dinner and brunch, head to Bounty on Broad in the Broad Avenue Arts District. Bonus: the whole menu is gluten-free. Bounty recently brought in a new head chef so we had to make a visit to give it another try.

10 Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You at Shelby Farms

A girl running through a sprinkler at the Splash Pad at Shelby Farms Park.

Shelby Farms Park is one of Memphis’ greatest treasures, and a truly stunning outdoor amenity. At 4,500 acres, it covers an area roughly five times the size of New York City’s Central Park.

It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, offering everything from wildlife viewing on scenic trails to kayaking in tranquil lakes to exploring the woods on horseback. Here are 10 ways you can enjoy the outdoors at Shelby Farms Park.

All Aboard The Memphis Pineapple Express Food Truck

All aboard the Memphis Pineapple Express! This new food truck is dedicated to the pineapple bowl, a full meal served inside a hollowed-out pineapple that's stuffed with rice, salsa, and protein drizzled in sauce. The Memphis Pineapple Express truck moves around town, but often is parked at 5963 Summer Avenue or 3385 Austin Peay Highway. The menu offers you a choice of proteins: steak, chicken, or shrimp, or a combination, and a choice of teriyaki or island jerk flavor.

Gibson's Donuts is Definitely Tastee

Exterior of Gibson's Donuts with the red neon sign on above the entrance.

If you ask people for the best donuts in Memphis, there are always few places mentioned. But Gibson's Donuts in East Memphis is always the clear winner. There were a ton of options - cinnamon rolls, donut holes, cake donuts, yeast donuts, donuts with all kinds of toppings. Gibson's clearly loves the University of Memphis. One time I stopped by and there were at least four varieties of blue and white donuts in the bakery case.

Found: Capote Cupcake At Muddy's Bake Shop

Open since 2008, Muddy's has earned its way into our hearts through its sweetness—in their delectable treats and in their attitude. Since day one, Muddy's founder Kat Gordon has poured her heart into the bake shop and has led her team to invent all kinds of gorgeously fun and satisfying desserts. People love their Prozac cupcake, of course, but another must-try cupcake is the Capote.

Fast Japanese Cuisine At Tokyo Grill

Update 2020: Tokyo Grill has two Memphis-area locations, one in Midtown at 1400 Poplar Avenue in the Crosstown neighborhood and one in East Memphis at 4978 Park Ave.

Tokyo Grill is walking the same fast-casual line as places like Panera or Chipotle—better than fast food, but more casual and affordable than other Japanese restaurants in town. They've got a nice dining room, but their primary business seems to be take out.

No Menu Monday At Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen is a beloved favorite in East Memphis, run by James Beard Award nominated chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman. Expect handmade pastas, delicate seafood dishes, incredible cocktails, unique wines, and elegant desserts.