Food Files: Barefruit Cafe plans grand opening, more
Sliders and tenders are on the menu at Dave’s Hot Chicken, which may open a Memphis location. (Courtesy Business Wire)
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.
Barefruit Cafe to have grand opening
Barefruit Cafe will have its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Arlington’s Historic Depot Square.
The shop will be serving coffee from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6240 Chester St., and “croughnuts” (croissant-and-donut mashup) until 4 p.m. or they sell out.
Customers can enter a raffle for a free six-count croughnut box every month for a year; the first customer will receive a gift basket, a $40 gift card to Linen Rose Boutique and a free cryofacial certificate from Zivel.
The first 20 customers will receive 20% off their order.
“From handcrafted croughnuts to specialty iced coffees, every detail has been made with love for the community that has made this journey possible,” according to a social media post. “Your encouragement and support through this journey have meant everything to us.”
Barefruit Cafe, owned by Leilani and Blake Evans, who started the business with Leilani Evans’ brother Dominic Tenorio, was a local farmer’s market vendor before opening its Chester Street location.
Barefruit Cafe will be open Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cook Out to take over Back Yard Burgers on Union
North Carolina-based fast-food chain Cook Out could open a new location at the former Back Yard Burgers location on Union Avenue.
Cook Out will seek approval of several variances to comply with the Midtown Overlay building requirements from the Board of Adjustment for the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
If approved, Cook Out would continue using the existing 834-square-foot building at 1723 Union Ave. as a drive-thru restaurant.
“Due to the unusual characteristics and structural limitations of the existing building, which was not designed as a dine-in establishment, there is no practical way to introduce additional windows or modify wall openings,” according to the letter of intent, filed by Cindy Reaves, partner at Memphis-based SR Consulting LLC.
“The interior layout consists primarily of kitchen prep, cooking and storage areas, with a drive-thru lane on each side of the building, which makes it very difficult to meet all the requirements of the Midtown Overlay.”
Back Yard Burgers, formerly based in Memphis, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023, and its reorganization plan was confirmed in October 2024.
The Union location, across the street from Kroger, closed in 2022, and the property has been vacant since. Cook Out Union Ave. Inc. bought it at auction for $700,000 last December.
Dave’s Hot Chicken to enter Memphis market
Pasadena, California-based Dave’s Hot Chicken is eyeing Memphis for its next location.
TSCG brokers Shawn Massey and Sidney Seale are representing Dave’s Hot Chicken.
A TSCG post on LinkedIn said Dave’s Hot Chicken is actively seeking sites in the area and asks for all to send in opportunities.
“We are excited about representing Dave’s Hot Chicken,” Massey said. “They are an iconic brand that is rapidly expanding across the country. We appreciate the team choosing TSCG and Sidney Seale and myself.”
Insomnia Cookies could have third Memphis location
Insomnia Cookies could open another location in Memphis at the Polo Shops.
The late-night bakery chain filed a $261,600 commercial alteration permit with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development for tenant improvements at a 1,330-square-foot space at 7444 Winchester Road.
It would be the third Insomnia location to open in Memphis and seventh in Tennessee, according to its website.
The bakery also has locationsat 545 S. Highland St. and Downtown at 200 Beale St.
Founded in 2003, Insomnia Cookies has more than 275 locations nationwide, serving cookies, ice cream and other sweet treats.
Topics
Barefruit Cafe Cook Out Insomnia Cookies Dave's Hot ChickenSophia 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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