Most of my posts have featured a single restaurant (minus the controversial bbq post in the beginning), but I wanted to take a different approach with Overton Square. This eclectic area, located in Memphis' midtown, is home to several great restaurants and entertainment venues. This isn't an entertainment blog, so we're going to focus on all the restaurants that I've tried in Overton Square.
LBOE
Although it is a block or two from the main Overton Square area, I still count this as a part of the area. I've completed a blog post about this amazing burger joint here. In the interest of time, let's move down the road!
Memphis Pizza Cafe
The Memphis Pizza Cafe is a great place for pizza in midtown, the pizza is excellent, and I recommend you visit this local pizza joint and enjoy pizzas like their BLT, Hawaiian, Cajun Supreme, Buffalo Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Meat, BBQ Chicken and, of course, the supreme. Personally, I’ve had the supreme, but that’s not why we visit the Memphis Pizza Cafe. We love their Chef Salad! Tory will stop there after work and pick up two chef salads to go (light onion), and BAM dinner is served! Every time we visit, the food is excellent, so stop by and enjoy some tasty pizza at Memphis Pizza Cafe.
Belly Acres
“Citified Farm Fresh” is what they call it, I call it...good food in a great family atmosphere. Belly Acres is a “farm to table” style restaurant that uses grass-fed beef, free range chicken and fresh locally-sustainable food to satisfy your appetite. Tory and I tend to visit Belly Acres when we’re watching our 5-year-old niece. She likes to sit on the tractor, and of course, hang with her favorite aunt/uncle! Typically we order burgers, and I always love their pickle chips as my appetizer (one order can satisfy 4 people). The family friendliness of this restaurant is amazing. Our niece’s food comes on a frisbee, they have a huge variety of burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and of course fresh salads. Belly Acres is great for farm fresh food, families and a fun atmosphere!
Babalu
Before we discuss anything else...ORDER THE TABLE SIDE GUAC. Okay, now that I’ve covered that, let’s dive in to this Tapas and Tacos restaurant on the square. Beyond the guacamole, my favorite thing to order is the BABA Burger! That thing is so good (in the foreground of the photo below)!
Their Torta Cubana sandwich (background of photo) is AMAZING, and I love it when Tory eats there for lunch...the sandwich is so big she brings half of it home. I really believe this is probably the best Cuban in town (to clarify, I haven’t sampled everyone’s Cuban). Always check on the enchilada of the day, and the tortilla soup is good as well. Babalu is a must for a meal on the square.
Local - Midtown (used to be Local on the Square)
Local is not a restaurant that I visit often, but every time I go, I think...”man this is good and I should eat here more often”. We have visited for dinner, the food was very good, but honestly, I cannot remember what I had, and the menu has changed since then, and I couldn’t find it online. In short, really good food, but menu seems to change often, so it’s hard for me to find a rhythm. Stop by Local and have see what amazing food they're preparing!
Boscos Squared
Boscos is another restaurant that I love, but don’t get to visit often. Tory and I have enjoyed lunch there during the work week, recently I had one of their wood fired pizzas, and she had a grilled chicken breast sandwich. Both were excellent and I recommend enjoying lunch, they even have a $10 express lunch Monday - Friday. We’ve been there a few times for dinner, and again, excellent food for dinner like lunch! They have a micro-brewery on site, and I wouldn’t class it as “casual” atmosphere, but it isn’t fancy and pretentious either. Good food, and worth a stop next time you’re looking for great food on the square!
Robata Ramen and Yakitori Bar
Robota was a challenge for me. A ramen place? Those noodles I could buy at Walmart, seriously? YES, seriously! Robata is amazing, and I absolutely love it when Tory and I get to eat there. We order the exact same thing...every time. For appetizer, we order the Robata style chicken wings. They're amazing, don't question me here...just order them.
For our meal, we order the Chicken Yakisoba under "stir-fried noodles" which is a stir-fried noodle base with chicken, veggies and Japanese mayo. All food is served with chopsticks, and honestly I cannot eat food with wooden utensils of any kind, so I typically opt for a fork to eat my food. It's a texture thing, don't judge. Robata, amazing wings and noodles. If it's outside your comfort zone, push yourself. It's an excellent stop!
Deli on the Square
This is my FAVORITE Overton Square restaurant. I think the first time I ate at Deli on the Square, the Grizzlies were in the playoffs, and they had the "GRIND BURGER". That was the single greatest burger I've had in Memphis. I hope it comes back soon! Enough of that, in true deli style, they have amazing sandwiches like my favorites: deli deluxe, smoked turkey melt, croissant club and philly royale. Tory, she's a bit more predictable. She typically has the pimento slam with a pasta salad as a side. The pimento slam is a thick homemade pimento cheese on wheat that has been grilled like a grilled cheese sandwich. The pasta salad...yea, it's the real deal as well. It's a mix of rotini and small shells with a creamy based dressing with lots of veggies! Deli on the Square is an outstanding stop for any meal in Overton, but they're not open after 5, so get there early!
Bayou Bar & Grill
When I hear Bayou, I think of Bobby Boucher from The Waterboy. Obviously this is a New Orleans style Cajun restaurant in Overton. The menu has the usual suspects from New Orleans like oysters, Cajun classics, fish entrees and po-boys.
Two things I know about Bayou:
1. The "Jacuzzi" meal was amazing.
2. Brunch is FANTASTIC!
The Jacuzzi meal is a shrimp, scallop and crab casserole baked in a rich seafood sauce with spinach. It was amazing, of course it had some spice, but come on...it's Cajun food!
Sunday Brunch is one of my favorite things, and from the crowd on Sundays, EVERYONE in Memphis agrees. I assume this is mostly due to the $3 Mimosas and Screwdrivers, but the food is amazing!
On brunch, I enjoyed the King Creole Benedict (above) made with crab cakes, poached eggs, andouille, crawfish, creole hollandaise, and bacon cheddar grits. SO GOOD!
Tory had Mac's Hash made with andouille, crawfish, poached egg, sweet potatoes, peppers and onions. Whether it's Sunday brunch, or any other meal, stop by Bayou Bar and Grill for a great taste of the bayou.
The Second Line
This New Orleans inspired restaurant focuses on the cuisine of "true New Orleans". Basically, you won't find any of the typical cajun or blackened dishes that have become known as New Orleans cuisine. Chef Kelly English wanted to bring the true taste of New Orleans to Memphis, and to be honest, it is excellent! I've only been able to eat during lunch, but typically, I stick to the po-boy sandwiches and sides.
My most recent lunch there was a verno-braised chicken thigh po-boy with a side of red beans and rice. Simple, everyday New Orleans food that hasn't been "gussied up". Stop by the Second Line for good food and good times!
There are several great stops in Overton Square, and if you're in the middle of town and need some great places to eat, you should try any of the locations above. There are a few restaurants I haven't tried yet, and as I try them, I will summarize them here.
Restaurants I haven't tried yet:
Iris
Bari Ristorante
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
LBOE
Although it is a block or two from the main Overton Square area, I still count this as a part of the area. I've completed a blog post about this amazing burger joint here. In the interest of time, let's move down the road!
Memphis Pizza Cafe
The Memphis Pizza Cafe is a great place for pizza in midtown, the pizza is excellent, and I recommend you visit this local pizza joint and enjoy pizzas like their BLT, Hawaiian, Cajun Supreme, Buffalo Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Meat, BBQ Chicken and, of course, the supreme. Personally, I’ve had the supreme, but that’s not why we visit the Memphis Pizza Cafe. We love their Chef Salad! Tory will stop there after work and pick up two chef salads to go (light onion), and BAM dinner is served! Every time we visit, the food is excellent, so stop by and enjoy some tasty pizza at Memphis Pizza Cafe.
Belly Acres
“Citified Farm Fresh” is what they call it, I call it...good food in a great family atmosphere. Belly Acres is a “farm to table” style restaurant that uses grass-fed beef, free range chicken and fresh locally-sustainable food to satisfy your appetite. Tory and I tend to visit Belly Acres when we’re watching our 5-year-old niece. She likes to sit on the tractor, and of course, hang with her favorite aunt/uncle! Typically we order burgers, and I always love their pickle chips as my appetizer (one order can satisfy 4 people). The family friendliness of this restaurant is amazing. Our niece’s food comes on a frisbee, they have a huge variety of burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and of course fresh salads. Belly Acres is great for farm fresh food, families and a fun atmosphere!
Babalu
Local - Midtown (used to be Local on the Square)
Local is not a restaurant that I visit often, but every time I go, I think...”man this is good and I should eat here more often”. We have visited for dinner, the food was very good, but honestly, I cannot remember what I had, and the menu has changed since then, and I couldn’t find it online. In short, really good food, but menu seems to change often, so it’s hard for me to find a rhythm. Stop by Local and have see what amazing food they're preparing!
Boscos Squared
Robata Ramen and Yakitori Bar
Deli on the Square
Bayou Bar & Grill
When I hear Bayou, I think of Bobby Boucher from The Waterboy. Obviously this is a New Orleans style Cajun restaurant in Overton. The menu has the usual suspects from New Orleans like oysters, Cajun classics, fish entrees and po-boys.
Two things I know about Bayou:
1. The "Jacuzzi" meal was amazing.
2. Brunch is FANTASTIC!
The Jacuzzi meal is a shrimp, scallop and crab casserole baked in a rich seafood sauce with spinach. It was amazing, of course it had some spice, but come on...it's Cajun food!
Sunday Brunch is one of my favorite things, and from the crowd on Sundays, EVERYONE in Memphis agrees. I assume this is mostly due to the $3 Mimosas and Screwdrivers, but the food is amazing!
Tory had Mac's Hash made with andouille, crawfish, poached egg, sweet potatoes, peppers and onions. Whether it's Sunday brunch, or any other meal, stop by Bayou Bar and Grill for a great taste of the bayou.
The Second Line
There are several great stops in Overton Square, and if you're in the middle of town and need some great places to eat, you should try any of the locations above. There are a few restaurants I haven't tried yet, and as I try them, I will summarize them here.
Restaurants I haven't tried yet:
Iris
Bari Ristorante
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
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