TGIFriday's

TGIFriday's
7733 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38125

We recently took a group of students here for our club dinners.  I normally try to support more local restaurants.  However, I had a fine experience.  They have cheap drinks and appetizers on Thursdays, but I couldn't partake since there were students around.  I might try to go back.  

This picture is my half eaten steak.  Once again, I am addicted to blue cheese, bacon, and beef.  The steak was not the most tender cut, but it was cooked to my liking.  One thing I did love about it is that it was COVERED in cheese and bacon!  I got veggies as a side to keep it somewhat healthy.  

There is not a Friday's near where I live, but I may try to go back on a Thursday to try those specials next time I'm out that way.  

Fuel Cafe

Fuel Cafe
1761 Madison
Memphis, TN 38104

Another gem in midtown Memphis is Fuel Café.  A log time ago, the restaurant was a garage.  

It has a nice covered porch, if you like eating outside.  

It is also project green fork certified.  There are 6 things they have to do, which are all good for the environment.  The restaurant has plenty of vegan options.  The first time I went I had their vegan meatloaf.  It was actually really good from a non vegans perspective.  

Here's a sandwich that someone ordered.  

Fuel is also known for having some of the best fries in Memphis.  On this visit, I had the Bison Burger and I added Maytag Blue Cheese, and Berkshire Bacon.  I LOVE beef with bacon and blue cheese.

You should definitely try this restaurant.  Next time I go, I'll probably order the burger again.  :)

Mollie Fontaine's

Mollie Fontaine Lounge
679 Adams Ave
Memphis, Tennessee 38105

This little lounge opened a few years ago in an old Victorian home in the Victorian Village part of Memphis.  They have a nice menu of tapas, so don't expect a huge meal.  However, order several things and try them out.  

Some food recommendations are Fontaine Fish Fry (a variety of fried seafood), Warm Ricotta, Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Chicken Wings, and for dessert my favorite thing on the menu is Ricki's Toasted Brioche Chocolate Sandwiches.  

They have a large wine selection and a full bar.  Today, I went with a Kettle One Martini.  

If you go on Wednesdays, you can listen to the awesome singing and piano playing by Brennan Villines.  

Overall, the lounge is a quaint little place that makes you feel that you have traveled to another place.  

Bayou Bar and Grill

Bayou Bar and Grill
2094 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

Overton Square is returning to a new glory.  New businesses and restaurants are moving in.  The area is getting a make-over.  However, let's not forget those restaurants that were already there.

Bayou Bar and Grill is a fun seafood restaurant.  The prices are not too high either.  The drinks are always good.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take very many pictures.

This particular day we went for brunch.  On Sundays, they have have screwdrivers, mimosas and bloody mary specials.  

If you like your bloody mary's spicy, be sure to ask.  They have a non advertised pepper infused vodka.  

In the spring and summer, they have a great patio.  

Some brunch suggestions from me are the cheese grits with an omelet with Andouille sausage and whatever else you want in it.  I had the steak and eggs last time.  If you're hungry, it's a big steak.  

For lunch and dinner, I like their grouper.  You can get it as an entree or on a salad if you want to watch those calories.  I actually just recently tried grouper.  I like it because it has a heavier meatier taste about it.  

If you've never been, you're missing out!

Waffle House

Waffle House

Waffle House is just good.  Breakfast anytime!  It may be a chain, but they definitely cook it in front of you.  It's a good place after the club or the bar.  This time we went after a trip to Tunica.

See!  He is cooking right now.  

I like to get the all star special.  It has such a variety.  I added a side of gravy and made a sausage biscuit.  The biscuits are just ok, but the meat and gravy are good.  

One of my friends wanted ham and sausage.  Waffle House will let you customize your meal 100%.

Gotta have some coffee with that meal.  Decaf at night.  

You can't go to there and not have a waffle.  

The hashbrowns are one of the most fun things.  They have like 10 ingredients that you can add.  I got mine with everything except chili.  

Waffle House just hits the spot sometimes.  Go to your local Waffle House!  

India Palace

India Palace
1720 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38104

Two of my friends love this place.  We recently went for one of them's birthday.

I always forget to take pictures at the beginning.  Oops.  Anyway, to start they give you some crispy Indian bread with two types of sauces.  They are very different one of them slightly reminds me of a BBQ sauce and the other has a fresher taste to it.

Another friend ordered the samosas.  They are stuffed with vegetables and fried.  Anything fried is good.  

I can't remember what this was.  

They also ordered some naan.  This one was sweet; it was stuffed with some fruit, I think.  

This was an okra side dish.  I didn't order it, but I think I want to next time.  

The restaurant has a few complete dinners:  Vegeterian, non-vegeterian, and tandoori.  Each one comes with rice, dessert, and hot tea.  The complete dinners also allow you to sample a variety of food.  

I normally get a lamb dish with spinach.  I forgot to take a picture.  However, I definitely want to order this next time.  It has a variety of meat.  

If you haven't tried Indian food, you're missing out.  Go there.  

My friends also love going there because they have a coupon that the restaurant lets them reuse and they often bring a free appetizer.  

Chiwawa

Chiwawa
2059 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN  38104

As I mentioned in the last post about Bar Louie, Overton Square is being revitalized.  One of the buildings that had been closed for a few decades used to house a restaurant called the Chicago Pizza Factory.  Apparently, the owner closed out of the blue.  It was open one day and closed the next.  I used to walk around the area.  Even though it had been closed for decades, you could look inside the window and still see the salt and pepper shakers on the table.  

Now the restaurant has been totally redone, and it's called Chiwawa.

They also remodeled the old sign.  It originally had the name of the restaurant.  Now it has a popular midtown slogan.  "Midtown is Memphis."

Their patio is huge!  There are two levels.  I'm sure this will be one of the most popular destinations this spring.

Here's the Mexican inspired menu.  It has a lot of hot dogs and tacos. 

The drinks are good.  I think the whiskey diet coke was about $5.  

I had the elote.  I forgot to take a picture, though.  It was corn smothered in cheese and spices.  It was delicious.  

The chips and guacamole were delicious, as well.

I forgot to take a picture before it was half eaten.... BUT... here is part of corn dog.  Garrett said it was good.  

I tried the churros.  I thought they were scrumptious.  Fried dough with cinnamon... What's not to love?

If you want to drink on a budget, they have PBR on draft for only $2.  

I have already been twice.  And with this nice weather, I will be back soon!