10 Of The Best Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Memphis, Tennessee, According To Locals
A fried chicken recipe in Memphis reportedly includes cinnamon, and honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it. It comes from a great-grandmother’s secret family recipe, and it has shown up on national TV more than once.
Across town, a family barbecue joint smokes whole Cornish hens in a glass-front pit right near the door. Downtown, an old cafe still keeps the booth where Elvis Presley liked to eat breakfast and lunch.
None of these places look fancy from the curb, and one is a tiny shack sitting behind a big hardware store. That’s exactly the kind of Tennessee food stop that makes me want to start driving immediately.
Plain walls, simple counters, and serious flavor make a combination I trust more than any white tablecloth. So which counter stool, booth, or picnic table in Memphis is calling your name first?
1. Elwood’s Shack
Finding a smokehouse behind a Lowe’s sounds like a scavenger hunt clue, but that’s where this little shack lives on Summer Avenue. The building really is tiny, and the no-frills setup is part of the fun.
Don’t let the size shrink your expectations. The menu runs from smoked turkey and brisket sandwiches to burnt ends, burgers, hot dogs, and tacos.
Tacos deserve special attention here. Brisket tacos, shrimp tacos, and fish tacos share space on the menu, giving barbecue fans a fun detour from the usual sandwich.
Feeling bold? The Tijuana Dog and the BBQ pizza are the kind of mashups that make a lunch break feel like an adventure.
Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, so early birds get a shot too.
Eggs Benedict is on the lineup, and the coffee is ready for anyone dragging themselves out of bed.
Ordering happens at the counter, and you grab a seat at a picnic table inside or out. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, which makes it easy to bring your four-legged sidekick.
Portions lean generous, so you won’t leave hungry. Bring a friend so you can split a taco plate and a sandwich without choosing favorites.
Thirsty? A gallon of sweet tea is on the menu, which feels very Memphis and very ambitious.
The relaxed room even carries a little New Orleans spirit. It’s a fun twist for a Tennessee barbecue stop.
Address: 4523 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
2. Johnnie Mae’s Soul Cafe
A menu that changes its specials by the day of the week is a soul food tradition worth respecting. On McLemore Avenue in South Memphis, this little cafe keeps that tradition going strong.
Catfish and wings are the signature stars. If you only order one thing on your first visit, either one makes a smart opening move.
Planning around the calendar pays off. Wednesday brings a baked chicken leg quarter, and Sunday features chicken and dressing, the kind of plate that feels like a family dinner.
Brunch fans have options too. Chicken and waffles, fish and grits, and shrimp and grits show up, along with Mae’s Chicken Stack for anyone who likes a tall order.
Little eaters get their own pick. The Mini McLemore Kids Burger shares its name with the street outside, which is a cute touch.
Hours shift during the week, so check before you go. Monday through Thursday the doors close at 3 p.m., while Friday and Saturday run until 9 p.m.
Unlike plenty of tiny spots, this one offers table service and takes reservations. That makes it a handy pick for a group lunch or a birthday crowd.
Games on TV? The cafe is also a solid place to catch a game while you eat.
Save a little room at the end. Dessert and coffee are both on hand, and a cold lemonade makes a fine sidekick for a plate of fried catfish.
Address: 969 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
3. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Calling yourself ‘World Famous’ takes some nerve, and this fried chicken counter on Front Street wears the title proudly. The chicken comes with a spicy kick, so get ready for a little heat.
The room keeps things low-key and casual. Quirky, eclectic decor fills the small space, giving it plenty of personality without any fuss.
Dark meat lovers can go straight for the 3 Piece Dark Plate. White meat fans can order a breast and see what the spicy crust is all about.
Sides matter here, too. Fried okra, baked beans, coleslaw, seasoned fries, and fried green tomatoes give you lots of ways to build a plate.
Heads up on timing. There’s usually a wait, and reservations aren’t taken, so build some extra minutes into your plans and maybe skip that big snack beforehand.
Weekend evenings tend to be the busiest stretch. If you want a calmer meal, aim for an earlier lunch on a weekday when the room isn’t packed.
Location helps a lot. You’re right in downtown Memphis, so it’s easy to pair your chicken with a stroll around the city’s busy core.
Kids are welcome, and high chairs are available. The family-friendly feel makes this an easy stop for a crew of hungry Tennessee travelers.
Address: 310 S Front St, Memphis, TN 38103
4. Barksdale’s
Wood-paneled walls covered in photos tell you right away that this diner on Cooper Street isn’t chasing trends. It’s an old-school Midtown breakfast spot, and it’s proud of it.
Pancakes are a big part of the story. You can order a side pancake with your eggs, or go with French toast if you want something a little sweeter.
Craving salt? Country ham and eggs is the kind of plate Southern breakfast was built on, and biscuits and gravy sit right there beside it.
The Western Omelet is another sturdy option. It’s a good pick when you want a hearty start without overthinking the menu.
Lunch brings Southern plate lunches to the table. That makes the place handy whether you roll in at 7 a.m. or closer to its 2 p.m. closing time.
Weekend mornings get busy, especially Saturdays and Sundays. A Tuesday afternoon visit tends to be calmer if you like a quieter room.
You can sit at the counter or grab a table with service. Free Wi-Fi is available too, so solo diners can catch up on emails over coffee.
The coffee gets plenty of love here. Pair it with a stack of pancakes and you’ve got a Memphis morning that feels comfortably familiar.
The diner welcomes families and is known as LGBTQ+ friendly. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easy to bring the whole crew along.
Address: 237 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
5. The Cupboard Restaurant
Eggplant casserole might not be the first thing you expect at a soul food spot, but it’s one of the dishes this Union Avenue restaurant is known for. That alone tells you the vegetable side of the menu gets real attention.
This is a classic meat-and-three setup. You pick a main and pair it with sides, which is about the most Southern way to eat lunch.
Country fried steak and fried fish are strong choices for the main event. Mini cornbread rounds out the plate nicely.
Not into meat? Vegetarian and vegan options are part of the menu, and the vegetable soup is a plant-based pick that fits right in.
Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. seven days a week. Three eggs with bacon, biscuits with gravy, and oatmeal cover both the hearty and the lighter side of mornings.
Now about the pies. Pecan, coconut meringue, and French silk are on the lineup, plus a sugar-free apple pie for anyone watching their sugar.
The doors stay open until 8 p.m. daily, which gives you plenty of chances for a late supper. Evenings tend to be quieter, while Sunday afternoon draws the biggest crowd.
The service style mixes counter ordering with table service. Staff have a reputation for treating guests like family, which suits the homey setting.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu. It’s an easy, low-stress pick for a Midtown meal with little ones.
Address: 1400 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
6. The Arcade Restaurant
Elvis Presley had a favorite booth here, and you can still slide into it today. Memphis’s oldest cafe has been serving the city since 1919.
The founder, an immigrant from Greece, started small and rebuilt the place in 1925. The retro diner look came in 1955, and the neon still glows like it’s showing off.
Hollywood noticed. Scenes from Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire, and Walk the Line were filmed right here.
Want to eat like the King? Order the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich, a menu item tied to his favorite snack.
Breakfast runs strong from 7 a.m. The Arcade Breakfast Sampler, Country Ham Breakfast Plate, and Eggs Redneck Breakfast Plate cover the hearty end of things.
Craving something sugary? Beignets are on the menu, giving this South Main diner a little sweet twist.
Lunch keeps it simple and satisfying. The half sandwich and half soup combo is perfect when you can’t pick just one, and grilled cheese with fries is pure comfort.
Vegetarian diners have a few tasty options to choose from, so everyone can find something satisfying beyond the usual breakfast favorites.
The doors close at 3 p.m., so don’t plan a late visit. Weekend mornings get busy, while Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be calmer.
You’ll find it on South Main Street, in a historic stretch of downtown. Pair breakfast with a walk around the neighborhood and you’ve got a great Tennessee morning.
Address: 540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
7. Wally Hatchets
Any menu with a dish called Pour Some Gravy on Me clearly has a sense of humor. This laid-back spot on the eastern end of Summer Avenue backs up the jokes with serious comfort food.
Breakfast is served all day, which is great news if you think eggs belong at lunch. The rest of the menu sticks to classic American comfort food.
Grumpus’s Breakfast sounds like it was named for someone who needs coffee before talking. Mama Sue’s French Toast brings the sweeter side of the morning.
Omelet fans should check out the Coastal Chicken Omelette. A classic biscuit and gravy plate is also there for anyone who likes to keep it simple.
Lunch leans Southern and hearty. Mississippi pot roast, chicken fried steak, and burgers make it hard to leave without a full belly.
Portions are large, so pace yourself. Splitting plates is a smart way to sample both sides of the menu.
The space is clean and roomy, with table service. Reservations are accepted, which is handy for a family brunch or a group meetup.
Timing matters. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Weekend mornings bring the biggest crowds. Midweek visits on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday tend to feel more relaxed.
Kids are covered with a children’s menu and high chairs. Grown-ups get the bigger prize: a plate that tastes like Sunday dinner at home.
Address: 6439 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38134
8. Cozy Corner Restaurant
A whole Cornish hen, rubbed and slow-smoked, is not what most people expect from a Memphis barbecue joint. On North Parkway, it’s the dish that made this family spot famous.
The restaurant opened in August 1977 and has stayed a family business across generations. Its co-founder entered the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2020, becoming the first Black woman to earn that honor.
Look for the aquarium-style pit near the front. Watching meat smoke behind glass is a pretty great appetizer for your eyes.
Ribs come in several forms, from the 4 Bone Rib to the Rib Tips Plate. The Lb.
Rib Tips and 2 Wings are there when you’re extra hungry.
Feeling playful? BBQ nachos and BBQ spaghetti show how far Memphis barbecue can stretch, and the smoked bologna sandwich is another local classic.
Dessert gets serious, too. Banana pudding and peach cobbler give you two very Southern reasons to save room.
The room is small and unassuming, with brightly painted walls inside. Service is counter-style, so you order up front and find a seat.
Plan carefully, because the schedule is short. Doors open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays get busy.
High chairs make it easier for families. Even so, the real reason to come is that hen, which deserves a spot on any Tennessee barbecue bucket list.
Address: 735 North Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38105
9. Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken
Cinnamon in fried chicken sounds unusual, but it’s part of the great-grandmother’s secret recipe behind this Winchester Road favorite. That little spice is the kind of secret that makes a drive across Memphis feel reasonable.
The house signature is chicken tossed in Sweet Spicy Love. You can also go spicy or mild, depending on how brave your taste buds feel.
National TV has come calling more than once. The restaurant appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2008 and returned on Triple D Nation in April 2025.
Southern Living’s Off The Eaten Path featured it too. Guests from more than 60 countries have stopped in, which is quite a passport stamp for a chicken shop.
The doors first opened on April 4, 2001. After two decades at the original location, the business moved to its current spot, which now has a drive-thru.
Inside, you order at the counter and grab one of about 20 tables. Simple, casual, perfect.
Sides like mac and cheese, fried okra, and biscuits round things out. The Chicken Tenderloin and Biscuit Combo is an easy pick for first-timers.
Not in a chicken mood? The 14 Oz Double Cheeseburger is a jumbo option that lives up to its name.
The 12 piece Buffalo Snack is another fun order for sharing. Grab extra napkins, because saucy chicken rarely stays neat.
Dessert might steal the show. Strawberry banana pudding, strawberry shortcake, fried pies, and chess pie make choosing tough in the best way.
Address: 1725 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38116
10. Bryant’s Breakfast
Opening at 5 a.m. is a bold move, and this Summer Avenue breakfast counter does it four days a week. Night-shift workers and early risers, this one is for you.
Biscuits are the main event here. Homemade biscuits come with gravy, country ham, or bacon and egg, and the Biscuit Sampler Platter lets you try more than one.
Can’t decide? The Breakfast Sampler Plate is built for exactly that problem.
Pancake fans have choices too. Pecan Pancakes and Supreme Pancakes both appear on the menu, and the cinnamon rolls make a sweet side order.
Two sides deserve a shout-out. The hashbrown casserole and the grits bowl are classic Southern comfort in a dish.
The setting is a no-frills, 1950s-style diner with counter service. You order, find a seat, and let the biscuits do the talking.
Expect company, because there’s usually a wait. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings draw the biggest crowds, while weekday afternoons are calmer.
Mark your calendar carefully. The diner is closed Monday and Tuesday, and Sunday hours start a bit later at 6:30 a.m.
Delivery isn’t offered, so plan to show up in person. Outdoor seating gives you another option on a pleasant Tennessee morning.
Lunch is served too, with the kitchen closing at 2 p.m. Still, breakfast is the reason this place has earned its spot as a Memphis morning institution.
Address: 3965 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122