Balewa's

Balewa's Vegan Gourmet
394 N Watkins St
Memphis, Tennessee 38104

Some of my friends are vegan, so I decided to take them to this place that I had read about.

They have a pretty large menu, but I had to try the live burger that I had read about.  

It was a nice day, so I wanted to sit outside.  

Garrett had a carrot juice.  It is way creamier than I expected.  

The live burger looks like real meat (rare meat), but it's definitely not meat.  I thought it was a good veggie burger.  The consistency is not as firm as a typical veggie burger.  As a non vegan, I thought it was a nice change.  (Some non-vegans in the group thought it was just ok).  

Jefferic said the quinoa chili was one of his favorite things.  

Each sandwich came with kale chips and a salad.  The kale chips were good (not something that I had ever eaten before.)  

My friend who is actually vegan enjoyed everything including the brocoli soup.  

The service wasn't super fast, so we were given free no bake oatmeal cookies.  

Everyone was SUPER friendly.  Next time, I'm going to try the falafel.  

Sonic

Sonic Drive-in
2460 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN  38112

Everyone loves Sonic.  It's America's Drive-In.  When I was in school in California, I did miss Sonic.  I love the jalapeño poppers.  The slushes and milk shakes are good, too.  Where else can you sit at a drive-in restaurant?

They have a new milkshake... peanut butter and bacon.  Yes... bacon in a milkshake.  

Of course, I had to order the milkshake.  I got a mini one, because I was nervous.  

What it really tastes like is a peanut butter milkshake.  There was probably about a half a piece of bacon in the shake.  Within the shake were small bits of real bacon.  The bacon taste was not strong.  After I drank the milkshake, there were a few larger bits.  

I did enjoy the milkshake.  I actually would have enjoyed more bacon.  If the idea freaks you out, think of it as having syrup on your bacon.  

I probably wouldn't order it again, because I'm not big on peanut butter ice cream.  However, I'm tempted to order a chocolate bacon shake.  It's not on the menu, but surely, they can do it.  

Jerry's Sno Cones

Jerry's Sno Cones
1657 Wells Station Rd.
Memphis, Tennessee 38108

Do you know Jerry's Sno Cones?  Many longtime Memphians are not in the know and are missing out.  I actually didn't know about it for the first 20 years of my life.

The lines to get a sno cone are crazy long.  The lines move quick, but don't be in a rush.  They do have other food besides sno cones (sub sandwiches, fried pickles, typical snack shop stuff).

The menu trips me out.  "x-tra straw $25", but "coming to Jerry's Priceless."

I recommend getting one layered with ice cream.  I had wedding cake slush mixed with ice cream.  

It's finally warm in Memphis!  Go there to chill out!  

Pete and Sam's

Pete and Sam's

3886 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111

Pete and Sam's is an Italian restaurant that has been in Memphis since 1948.  They are known for their large portions.  The building also has a lack of windows, but it's a fun experience.

They don't serve liquor or wine, but you can bring your own into the restaurant.  The server was very friendly.  Since some of my group had never been before, she brought us all a sample of their meat sauce.  

If you get a dinner, you get a salad with your choice of two sides.  For your sides at this Italian eatery, you can choose between spaghetti, pizza, spinach, or a humongous baked potato.  So... yes, choose your pasta to go with your pasta.  

I ordered a spinach pizza as my side as well as Italian spinach.  

One friend ordered the loaded baked potato, which seriously could have been a meal in itself. 

For my entree, I ordered the eggplant paulo.  It was like an eggplant casserole stuffed with shrimp and crab.  My only wish was that it had more shrimp in it.  

Everything was really yummy.  When I left, I had to be rolled out, because I was so stuffed.  Go there on an empty stomach!  

Cheesecake Corner

Cheesecake Corner
113 E Ge Patterson Ave
Memphis, TN 38103

Many people (me included) wish we had a Cheesecake Factory.  Cheesecake Factory is good with their oversized portions, but Cheesecake Corner has even better cheesecake!  They have tons of flavors that change:  chocolate, strawberry daiquiri, cookie dough, etc.

They also have a quiche and wine bar.  I have yet to try it, but I must soon.  If you seriously have not been, you are crazy.  

Cortona

Cortona Contemporary Italian
948 S. Cooper
Memphis TN 38104

Cortona opened up a couple of years ago in the old Dish space in Cooper Young.  We went for Valentine's Day, when they first opened.

This post is in honor of Cortona, which is changing concepts next week.  If you want to try Cortona, you have till Saturday!

I also went for Mother's Day Brunch this year.

We were brought some yummy toasted bread to start.

My dad ordered the shrimp and andouille pizza.  It had a very tasty crust.  

My mom love Caesar salad and salmon, so she ordered that.  She enjoyed it.  The salmon was good.  

I had the best item.  Unfortunately this picture does not do it justice.  They took pound cake and made it into French toast and then topped it with bacon and whipped cream.  My mom loved it, and I had to give her some.  

I also love the bar at Cortona.  The bar tenders are super friendly and knowledgable.  Go there before it changes!  

Marmalade Restaurant and Lounge

Marmalade Restaurant and Lounge
153 E Ge Patterson Ave
Memphis, TN 38103

This restaurant is downtown, and I had never visited it nor had I really heard anything.  I had seen it multiple times and I had always wanted to try it.  We were in the area and looking for a place to eat.  The parking place we found was right in front, so we decided to give it a try, even though the parking lot was empty.  The ratings online are actually 4 and 5 stars.  It was also 9pm at night, so it made sense that there wouldn't be a lot of people there.

It's a southern eatery, so of course macaroni and cheese as well as spaghetti are considered vegetables.

Our server was super friendly.  

All of us ordered the southern fried chicken.  We varied in our vegetables.  The server tried hardcore to sell us the peach cobbler.  When the first person in our party ordered, she asked if she wanted to peach cobbler.  She said maybe after the meal.  

We were given popcorn while we waited.  It was actually a long wait, but it was worth it.  I'm sure they literally start cooking after you order.  

Our server constantly checked on us and kept our pitchers of water full.

Finally, our food came out.  

I ordered a wing and a thigh, and they came with mini cornbread muffins.  

For my vegetables, I ordered greens and mac and cheese.

Of course, someone ordered the spaghetti vegetable.  

Everything was delicious.  I was stuffed after the meal, so I was going to pass on the peach cobbler.  However, the server was insistent.  She talked about how one time there was a table of 6 and everyone ordered doubles, so they ran out.  And another table was jealous.  After that, one person in our party decided to order it and we all sampled it.  It really was good.

The service is really good and the server was really funny, without meaning to be.  She was extra careful to make sure that everyone got their order and they we had everything.  

When she brought us our credit card receipts, she told each one of us how to fill out the receipt.  She pointed out the tip line and which copy was ours.  What made it funny was that she did it to each of us individually.  She was very thorough, but attentive.

I definitely recommend this place.  It has a nice charm and good food.  

Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory is a chain.  This visit was in Louisville, KY.  I find the restaurants pretty consistent no matter where you are.  

Cheesecake Factory is one of my favorite chain restaurants.  The cheesecake is really good.  I think their food is really good, too.  The portions are HUGE.  They're often on lists for having the most calories.  It would probably be best to share a meal, but I never have.  I always get my own.  I also always get my own cheesecake.  That's the fat person inside of me trying to get out.  

I was lucky enough to have a gift card from my parents.  

I agree.  This is the truth... "everyone loves cheesecake." 

The decor is nice.  

I think they have the best brown bread ever.  I don't even like the white bread they serve when I compare it.  

I had the house red win.  

Garrett has a good looking salad.  

He also had the shepherd's pie.  

I had the burger with blue cheese and bacon.  I also had a side salad instead of fries but with blue cheese dressing.  Normally, I use minimal dressing, but this one was so good, I tore it up.  

The burger was loaded with the bacon and blue cheese.  Super yum.  

Garrett had the key lime pie cheesecake.  

I had the most ratchetly delicious cheesecake.  Oreo!  The oreos were baked inside.  Super good and super fat.  

I wish we had one in Memphis.  :)