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Guard’s impact hits some restaurants hard — and some not at all

By  and , Daily Memphian Published: October 27, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Last week, Venezuelan restaurant Sabor Caribe took to social media and asked Memphians to continue supporting local businesses such as theirs. 

The video, recorded in Spanish, included this translation: “Recent police operations across the city have deeply affected small businesses like Sabor Caribe.”

But that isn’t true across the board. The impact of the Memphis Safe Task Force’s law enforcement surge on locally owned eateries varies. Some restaurants say there has been little to no change in their sales since the Task Force arrived in Memphis, while others are experiencing dramatic declines on par with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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National Guard restaurant performance Sabor Caribe Hard Times Deli Cameo Subscriber Only

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Ellen Chamberlain

Ellen Chamberlain

Ellen Chamberlain is a global citizen who is happy to call Memphis her forever home. The Michigan native has worked in media for nearly 25 years as a radio broadcaster, journalist and ghostwriter. As The Daily Memphian’s food and restaurant writer, she gives readers inside perspectives of their favorite restaurants and the people behind them, suggestions for the best bites around town and the latest food news from in and around Shelby County.

Holly Whitfield

Holly Whitfield

Holly has more than 13 years of experience in publishing and digital content, including 10 years at the helm of the I Love Memphis Blog. She began her career at The Commercial Appeal and is author of Secret Memphis.


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