Memphis comfort food is deep-soul: smoky barbecue, hot fried chicken, buttery biscuits, and sides that taste like Sunday supper.
These five favorites capture the city’s flavor—slow-cooked, community-rooted, and absolutely satisfying.
The Four Way
A Civil Rights landmark and soul food icon, The Four Way serves plates that taste like history and home.
Fried chicken emerges with crackly skin and juicy meat, meatloaf is tender with a savory glaze, and catfish is golden and flaky.
Sides are the soul: candied yams, mac and cheese, fried okra, and greens seasoned just right.
Save room for cobbler or chess pie. It’s warm hospitality, no pretense, all heart.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Spicy, ultra-crisp, and unmistakably Memphis, Gus’s is fried chicken perfection.
The cayenne-laced crust shatters to reveal juicy meat; pair it with baked beans, slaw, and white bread to soak up the heat.
The vibe is always buzzing, sweet tea flows, and slices of pie—chocolate chess or pecan—make a sweet cooldown.
Cozy Corner Restaurant
This family-run barbecue legend delivers comfort with smoke and soul.
The Cornish game hen is a local must—smoked and sauced till sticky and succulent—while ribs come with just the right tug.
The bologna sandwich, thick-cut and smoky, is pure Memphis nostalgia. Sides like potato salad and beans round out plates that feel both humble and special.
Soul Fish Cafe
Catfish-centered comfort with Southern sides is the name of the game.
Fried or blackened catfish is light, crisp, and never greasy, served alongside hushpuppies, slaw, and greens.
Chicken and dumplings and po’boys bring Louisiana vibes, while tomato-cucumber salad and turnip greens keep it classic. It’s casual, quick, and consistently good.
Brother Juniper’s
For breakfast comfort, Brother Juniper’s is unmatched.
Massive open-faced omelets are layered with house-made salsa, spinach, bacon, and melty cheese; biscuits are fluffy and ideal with sausage gravy.
The cinnamon roll pancakes are indulgent and aromatic. Lines form on weekends, but the coffee is strong and the reward is substantial, cozy plates.
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