Mulan permanently closes Cooper-Young location after fire
After a kitchen fire caused more than $100,000 in damages to Mulan Asian Bistro, the popular Cooper-Young restaurant announced it would permanently close.
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 123 articles by Ellen Chamberlain :
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September 2025
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Food News -
Food Fire breaks out at Cooper-Young restaurant
“Our hearts are with them,” said Karen Carrier, who owns two nearby restaurants and was on-site for The Beauty Shop’s lunch service at the time. “We’re really concerned about Mulan.”
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Dining GuidesWhat to Order: The Dame just opened, and you need to try the goat cheese spread
“We are surrounded by high-quality restaurants, so we didn’t want to enter the arena competing with them,” Hotel Pontotoc’s general manager said. “We had to find our own little niche with upscale bar bites.”
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Food News What to eat at the Mid-South Fair
The best food at this year’s Mid-South Fair is sugary, sweet and indulgent.
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Dining Guides Savoring fall: A guide to some of Memphis’ best seasonal restaurant offerings
Pumpkin spice may seemingly dominate the season, but there are plenty of autumnal flavors on offer, from sweet potato lattes at breakfast to hearty dinners and spiced cocktails at night.
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Food NewsTable Talk: In pumpkin vs. sweet potato, pumpkin wins
While some Memphians are going full pumpkin — from lattes to dessert cocktails and beyond — others say it’s not touching the menu this fall.
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Performing Arts ‘Dinner and a show’ takes new meaning at Hattiloo
Hattiloo has created the Black Chef’s Table, pairing three-course meals with select performances.
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Food NewsCountry comes Downtown with new co-op market
The new South Main Street shop offers locally sourced produce, canned goods, beauty products and more.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Curry goat from Curry N Jerk
Choose this if you’re ready to swap out the familiar for something unforgettable from Panama.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Remembering Jennifer Biggs with the mahjong ladies
MahJ Squad 901 started meeting for weekly games years ago, making every fourth meeting a luncheon that started by checking out one of Biggs’ recommendations.
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Food News Wiseacre’s OG location isn’t just for beer anymore
Since its inception, Wiseacre’s Broad Avenue taproom has relied on a rotating cast of food trucks. But now the brewery is opening its own in-house sandwich shop.
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Public Safety Sunday Tops Bar-B-Q fire suspected as arson
The Tops location, which suffered another fire in February, had been within four weeks of reopening after a major reconstruction.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Smoke & Toast’s ‘Baller, Shot Collard’ sandwich
The Baller, Shot Collard sandwich is a spectacularly Southern, ultimate grilled cheese, unlike anything else.
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Food News Something new to look out for soon in Germantown? First Watch
A restaurant with no heat lamps, no deep fryers, no microwaves, and even a “no night shifts ever” approach is opening in Germantown.
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FoodWhere can I get a vegan meal in Memphis? These days, almost anywhere
More Southern chefs are adding plant-based items to their menus, reshaping the region’s food culture and challenging the idea that Southern cuisine has to be meat-heavy — or predictable.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Flying Saucer makes it right
There are two things never to joke about on the restaurant scene: stellar service and tater tots.
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Food News Shelby Farms gets permanent food truck park
The new food truck park is expected to bring new energy to the northern edge of Shelby Farms Park.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: The Genre’s lamb with pasta
The Genre is the kind of spot where folks may come to hear live music or sing karaoke. But they’re missing out on the complete experience if they don’t indulge in the kitchen’s offerings.
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FoodWing Guru closes final Memphis partner location
The Whitehaven restaurant was a victim of declining sales and controversy around the larger brand, including a lawsuit from Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
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Table TalkTable Talk: On the quest for the best baked potato in Memphis
Years ago, when I was living in Memphis, I was introduced to the baked potatoes at East Memphis Pizza & Subs. But when I came back, I was disappointed to learn the restaurant had burned down. Luckily the owners opened a new spot.
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Food NewsWhat to order: Garden Brunch Cafe’s fish and grits is pared down to perfection
When a dish only has two main ingredients, there isn’t much room for error.
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August 2025
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Food NewsErling Jensen’s Small Bites debuts updated menu
The updated menu is robust and features petite portioned appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Memphis group picks up the shopping for those who need it
This grassroots organization of mostly friends, neighbors and church members grocery-shop for families who are unable to shop for themselves.
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FoodHalinka’s Polish food truck is tried and tested
A former market researcher has realized her dream of opening a food truck and is serving authentic Polish sauerkraut, beets, kielbasa and pierogi.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Chai’s Halal’s Shawarma sandwich
Chai’s Halal is a blend of Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, and it can be found all over Memphis.
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