Can’t get enough food news? Here’s a roundup of notable bites from around the Mid-South. Got a juicy tip for us about something new? Send it to ssurrett@dailymemphian.com.

Second Tops location to catch fire reopens

Tops Bar-B-Q & Burgers had a real run of bad luck in a four-month span with three of its 13 local restaurants each catching fire due to mechanical issues: 3353 Summer Ave. on Oct. 17; 3023 Thomas St. on Nov. 7, and 3970 Rhodes Ave. on Feb. 20.

Two of those three locations have now reopened: the Summer Avenue eatery reopened May 7 and the Thomas Street one in Frayser reopened Thursday morning, July 3.

Tops reopens Summer location after systemwide look at safety

There is no reopening date set for the third location yet, Tops spokesman Patrick Collins said, although work is ongoing.

“Frayser has always held a special place in our history, and we’re incredibly grateful for the patience, support and loyalty of our neighbors over the past several months,” Tops CEO Randy Hough said in a statement. “We’re proud to fire up the grills again and welcome everyone back with open arms, fresh Bar-B-Q, burgers, and more.” 

Founded in 1952, Tops operates 18 locations in the Mid-South.

Mold problems continue at Kinfolk

In a social media post Thursday Kinfolk owner Cole Jeanes — looking downcast — said the restaurant at 111 Harbor Town Square on Mud Island is still struggling to reopen.

Jeanes announced June 25 the restaurant was closing so repairs could be made to ongoing leaks and other issues that arose from flooding last summer.

During the repairs, crews found elevated mold levels with visible mold on the air ducts, wood shelving and around the walnut-wood wall paneling.

Now, Jeanes said in Thursday’s post, more work will have to be done to fully fix the problem and reopen the eatery known for its breakfast and brunch servings.

“We’ve had some bad luck in this location,” Jeanes said. “Now we’re having to close twice, have the wall panels moved twice. But we’re trying our best to stay hopeful and, you know, just keep going forward as much as we can. We’re trying to support the team in this time by doing some pop-ups, so stay in touch with our social media.”

“We really appreciate you guys,” he said. “Thank you for all your support.”

Barefruit Cafe plans storefront

After selling their coffee and Cronuts through a food truck at various locations in the Memphis area since 2023, Blake and Leilani Evans, the owners of Barefruit Café, are planning their first brick-and-mortar location.

The storefront will be in Arlington’s Historic Depot Square with an opening planned by this fall.

The cafe will feature the couple’s famed Cronuts — a pastry that combine the characteristics of a croissant and a doughnut — that have proven a hit at various pop-up locations, bakeries and coffee shops around the area.