Table Talk
Table Talk: When the city shuts down, the kitchens stay open
After a few days of cooking up a storm, it was time to venture outdoors and see how some of Memphis’ restaurants were faring.
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.
There are 147 articles by Ellen Chamberlain :
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January 2026
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MillingtonWhen winter weather hits, local farmers’ jobs get even harder
At Lightfoot Farmstead in Millington, family members are waking up in the middle of the night to make sure a pregnant cow doesn’t go into early labor.
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Food NewsJake Schorr’s legacy: Trust, hard work — and Westy’s
The history of Westy’s in the Pinch District offers a deeper look at the people and culture that kept it alive — feeding night owls and creating a community — for decades.
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winter weather
MetroWith winter weather on its way, grocery stores see surge in shoppers
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, grocery-store parking lots were busy, shelves were picked over and checkout lines were backed up down aisles. Eggs, bread and milk were already scarce.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Where you sit sets the scene
Where do you sit when you go out? Are you a solo diner who likes to make friends at the bar or someone who prefers the comfort of a booth?
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Food NewsCreating a safe space: Why Da Sammich Spot owner took on ICE
When ICE showed up at his Orange Mound business after hours, Da Sammich Spot owner Rob Brown felt like he had to take action.
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Food NewsDowntown Crazy Coop closes, takes planned French restaurant down with it
Fleur was meant to be a French/American Southern fusion restaurant located in the former Fancy’s Fish House space in One Beale.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Smoke signals and mixed messages
A case of too many festivals and not enough unity.
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Food NewsNot so fast, barbecue fans. Amid uncertainty over combined BBQ fest, community reacts
The announcement that the SmokeSlam BBQ Festival and MIM’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest would likely participate in a shared 2027 event was met with happiness, suspicion, disbelief and — from many MIM board members — confusion.
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Food News SmokeSlam to pause in 2026, could combine with MIM for 2027
SmokeSlam, the barbecue festival hosted annually at Tom Lee Park, announced on Jan. 13 that it will not host a competition in 2026.
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FoodFormer teacher found the recipe for a brighter tomorrow — it starts with smoked chicken
Down more than 160 pounds, Memphis native Reggie Morrow blends delicious with healthy, and his protein-packed chicken salad is flying off local shelves.
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Food NewsIconic North End restaurant announces sale
After more than 40 years of serving Memphis, Westy’s owner Jake Schorr has decided to put the restaurant’s building up for sale.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Going ‘dry’ for January
If you’re anything like food writer Ellen Chamberlain, the past few weeks have been filled with calorie-laden meals, rich dips and beverages that go the extra mile to be worthy of the holidays.
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Food News Erling Jensen Small Bites gets new chef to ‘Bragg’ about
In the past, John Bragg led La Montagne, La Tourelle and River Oaks.
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FoodTable Talk: I’m catering Christmas dinner this year
“In my home, Christmas isn’t typically about one meal; it’s about several.”
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State GovernmentNew THC laws will reshape how Tennessee eats, drinks and gets high
THC products were a small fraction of one liquor wholesaler’s West Tennessee sales just a year ago, but they are now on track to rival traditional liquor, beer and wine sales.
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Food NewsPaulette’s welcomes new chef to honor original vision — with a modern twist
Harbor Town mainstay Paulette’s Restaurant has a new executive chef at the helm, and he’s resurrected and revamped some of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
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Table TalkTable Talk: A year-end roundtable ... minus the table
As the year closes, the table remains what it has always been — a place to gather, to recalibrate, to keep going.
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Food NewsMeet the big food company in Memphis you don’t know exists
With 3,500 employees and facilities in nine communities in the eastern part of the U.S., the Memphis-based company makes snacks for some of consumers’ favorite brands.
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North MississippiWorth the drive: Hop in the car and give one of these Mid-South restaurants a try
At some point on the way to a good meal, convenience stops mattering and adventure takes the wheel.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Belle Tavern’s prime rib — but only on Thursdays
Prime rib isn’t having a renaissance moment — and Belle Tavern restaurant offers a Thursday night special that feels intentionally old-school.
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Food NewsBest bites of the year: DM writers dish about their favorite plates of 2025
Plenty of fish isn’t just a dating app. It also describes some of our favorite meals of the year.
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Food NewsMemphis burger joint crowns competitive-eating champ
A former Memphian returned to the city to claim the record for eating the most deep-fried Oreos at Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in Midtown.
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December 2025
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Surf and turf at Porch & Parlor
While Porch & Parlor is a known destination for celebrations and formal gatherings, it’s also equally appropriate for an impromptu dinner on a Monday night.
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Food NewsAt Rollin Cafe, cinnamon rolls are a family affair
Rollin Cafe is a family-run breakfast and lunch spot known for its cinnamon rolls, but that’s only part of the story.
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