Food News
Five Memphis dining trends that could define 2025
“One thing we’ve all learned since the pandemic is that change is the only constant,” restaurateur Deni Reilly said.
Jennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years. In her role as the food and restaurant writer for The Daily Memphian, she covers food news, provides readers an inside look into their favorite restaurants and offers suggestions for what to order at eateries across the Memphis area.
There are 188 articles by Jennifer Chandler :
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January 2025
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Table TalkTable Talk: Six places to get a king cake in Memphis
It used to be you had to make your own king cake or order one from New Orleans, but now many Memphis bakeries make them, as well.
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Food News Four Memphis chefs named James Beard Awards semifinalists
Honorees from two local restaurants and one bakery made the prestigious semifinalists list.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Haggis, poetry and bagpipes in store for Robert Burns Night
Bog & Barley chef Reny Alfonso has created a Robert Burns Night menu that offers a modern spin to traditional Scottish dishes.
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Food NewsAfter 2 1/2 years, Central BBQ reopens in Midtown
Central BBQ marries both the old and the new in its revamped Central Avenue location.
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Food NewsLunar New Year means dumplings, noodles, whole fish and, hopefully, luck
Three Memphis chefs with Chinese roots share their favorite “lucky” dishes to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Can a kid be a food critic? Corky’s BBQ thinks so
Corky’s No. 1 fan just might be a 10-year-old who goes to St. George’s Independent School.
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FoodMocktails — plus N/A beer and wine — are having a moment
The sober and sober curious movements have made a mark, especially on restaurant and taproom menus.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Ballet dancers, dancing lions and a spacy dance party
This week, Tennessee Williams’ painting are on view at Rhodes, Thomas Dambo’s Trolls are in the Garden and Dru’s Bar is hosting a Grammy’s watch party (with prizes!).
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February 2025
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Food NewsTiny restaurant allows couple to offer personal touch
When chef Drew Bryan at Blue Honey Bistro heard he was a James Beard awards semifinalist, he texted back one, disbelieving word: “Ha!”
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Food News‘Little bits of beauty’ bestowed at 17 Berkshire
Memphis’ own 17 Berkshire is one of 20 bakeries nationwide to be recognized this year by the James Beard Awards.
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FoodA brotherhood grows — and flourishes — at Acre
Being named a James Beard awards semifinalist is the culmination of three decades of working together for the duo at Acre.
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Table TalkTable Talk: What eggs-actly is going on?
Are eggs safe to eat now that human cases of bird flu are popping up? The short answer is yes, but they are probably going to cost you.
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Food NewsBreakfast will soon be back at Barksdale restaurant
With new owners, former staffers and a ton of upgrades to the building, Barksdale’s reopening brings a mix of old and new.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Five local sweets to make your Valentine swoon
From cheesecakes to croissants to ice pops, here are five original treats inspired by roses and chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day.
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Germantown Andrew Michael confirm new Germantown restaurant
The new restaurant will be able to seat up to 200 guests, and chefs Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer said it will differ from their former New Orleans restaurant of the same name.
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Food NewsHard Times Deli opens Tuesday, bringing chefs and sandwiches to the Edge
At Hard Times Deli, from the local trio behind the Secret Smash Society, the sandwiches are considered works of art.
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FoodOwen Brennan’s owner hands reins to his children
One of the new owners said the family’s priorities going forward come down to three things: “back to the basics, growth mentality and digitize everything.”
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Table TalkTable Talk: Get an inside look at Memphis Made’s beer
Memphis Made Brewing Co. owner Andy Ashby said he wanted to get back to his brewery’s “roots of talking about beer while drinking beer.”
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March 2025
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Dining GuidesWhat to Order: Who Dat Catfish at Ragin’ Cajun
Ragin Cajun’s Who Dat Catfish combines fried fish and crawfish etouffee to make a dish worthy of Mardi Gras.
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Food News Proposed tenant identified for former Houston’s space
Recent documents filed with the Division of Planning and Development said a local restaurant group is the proposed tenant for 5000 Poplar Ave.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Local chocolatier has new cookbook
Chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix is sharing his candy-making secrets in a book due out this fall.
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Food NewsLongtime Cooper-Young restaurant closing in current form
The space that is now Cafe Ole will close as a Mexican restaurant Friday, March 7, and will reopen in the coming weeks with a new concept and menu.
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Dining GuidesWhat to Order: Fish Pudding at the Lenten Waffle Shop
The fish pudding is anything but what you expect. It’s a classic Southern casserole made with flaky white fish and topped with a buttery, crispy cracker crust.
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Food News Comeback Coffee closing cafe
“We are not going anywhere as Comeback,” said Hayes McPherson, co-owner of the Pinch District coffee shop, which will continue producing coffee sodas and locally roasted coffee. “Things are just going to look different.”
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