Reason to Love Memphis No. 50: Summer Avenue

I could wax poetic about how Summer Ave. is one of those great American streets, how it transcends race and culture and class and (as large portions of the street seem to be stuck in roughly 1970) time.

Or, I could blather endlessly about how there are few things more Memphis than the 6 mile stretch of Summer Ave., with its shopping opportunities, various services and multi-ethnic food bonanza.

I could do that. And maybe I should. But I'm not going to. 

For Japanese Food (and a Live Cooking Show), Try Nagasaki Inn

For dinner and a live cooking show, grab a seat at one of the Hibachi tables at Nagasaki Inn on Summer Avenue.

Nagasaki Inn is sort of like the Pete & Sam's of Japanese food. Time inside the restaurant seems to have stopped somewhere around 1965, and the space is laden with the nostalgia of past birthday dinners and special occasions.

The One Where I Finally Get Around to Trying Pete & Sam's

My name is Kerry. I'm 26 years old, I'm a native Memphian, and last night was my first time going to Pete & Sam's. I know. Shame on me. How, at my age, could I not have tried Pete & Sam's? The best answer I could come up with is that my mom never took me when I was a kid. Also, the place always looks intimidatingly packed. Plus, it's the sort of place that people either love or love to be over - I'd heard both that it was the best Italian food in town and that it was way overrated.