Memphis Food Files: Zebra Lounge, Pho Binh close
Construction has begun on a Whatburger in Millington. (The Daily Memphian file)
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Zebra Lounge Memphis closes
The small piano bar filled with zebra print and red hues has closed its doors after 10 years.
Zebra Lounge, 2114 Trimble Place at Overton Square, was the only other one besides the original location in Chicago, a former speakeasy that opened in 1929 and has the third oldest existing liquor license in Chicago.
The owner and operator of the Zebra Lounge, Michael Vaughn, took ownership of the Chicago location in 2009.
When the Memphis bar manager quit in June, Vaughn took ownership of the Memphis location.
“(The owner) is in Chicago; he runs and owns the Zebra Lounge in Chicago,” bartender Sara Ayaz said. “Obviously, with that came a lot of hiccups and delays and things of that nature.”
Ayaz said she and two other bartenders took on extra responsibilities to ensure everything ran correctly.
Zebra Lounge’s liquor license expired in November.
The piano bar closed Dec. 14, despite the initial plan for only a temporary closure.
“It’s heartbreaking only because I know that place was really special for a lot of people,” Ayaz said. “The regulars are definitely what made it what it was. We’re heartbroken because that community is gone now.”
Pho Binh in Midtown is closing
Pho Binh offered tofu dishes, such as green bean tofu (left) and lemongrass tofu (right), alongside rice. (Bianca Phillips/The Daily Memphian)
Well-known Vietnamese restaurant Pho Binh on Madison Avenue is closed.
The owners announced the restaurant took their last orders on Sunday, Dec. 24.
“We are so touched and emotional with the overwhelming turnout today,” the owners posted on Facebook. “We are so blessed to have received so much love and caring support from this wonderful community.”
The Pho Binh family is stepping away after selling their recipes and spot at 1615 Madison Ave. The new owner will open a Vietnamese restaurant.
New Whataburger in Millington
Construction is starting at 8612 U.S. Highway 51 for a new Whataburger in Millington.
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Sophia Surrett
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She covers small business, nonprofits, restaurant real estate, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
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