Alex Grisanti has opened Elfo Pizzeria, the first half of Elfo Grisanti Northern Italian Cuisine, in Southaven. It’s the first Grisanti restaurant in DeSoto County and the pizzeria is takeout only; the restaurant he plans to have open in early December will be full service. 

Chris Herrington visited Tony’s Tacos in Collierville, a sweet little place tucked inside a Shell station, had his first ham sandwich from Canale’s/Home of the Hams, and hit up a couple of other places out east.

Omer Yusef tells us about the second sustainability hub to open thanks to Healthy Frayser, and Michael Waddell tells us about a new deli opening in Arlington.

Restaurant Iris begins a monthly subscription box in December, having joined with the national group Table 22.

Spencer McMillin has published “The Caritas Cookbook” and you can get your copy at his new website, where he also blogs.

And read about Cocina Mexicana in Bartlett, where a $10 Deal will fill you up at lunch. — Food editor Jennifer Biggs

Hello! Welcome to this week’s highlights of our food coverage including recipes, restaurant reviews, $10 deals and more. Join the conversation with other local foodies in our Table Talk Facebook group. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, please consider signing up for unlimited access to all our food and restaurant coverage.

Alex Grisanti’s Elfo Pizzeria, part of Elfo Grisanti Northern Italian Cuisine, opens Friday in Southaven; here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find.

Good gas station food is one of the lesser-acknowledged advantages of Southern life and gas stations aren’t just for fried chicken anymore.  By Chris Herrington

Like everything else, a safe Thanksgiving dinner is small and distanced. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorites, and you can support local restaurants while making the day easier for everyone. By Jennifer Biggs

Restaurant Iris has teamed up with Table 22 to offer a monthly food or cocktail subscription box stocked with food, cocktails, or both. By Jennifer Biggs

Healthy Frayser celebrated its first anniversary Friday, Nov. 13 by opening a second food sustainability hub. Each week residents from food insecure neighborhoods can pick up a free meal.  By Omer Yusuf

Gary Rapp Jr. is developing a four-bay center on Airline Road, including one bay where he will operate a new deli. By Michael Waddell

Spencer McMillin’s ‘The Caritas Cookbook’ is available and he’ll sign copies today at Bounty on Broad; Sugar Avenue treats are in Tops Bar-B-Q. By Jennifer Biggs

New Mexican place on Summer is really a few miles past the official end of the avenue, but it’s close enough and the food is good. By Jennifer Biggs

Come Friday, Alex Grisanti is back in the brick and mortar restaurant business. He talks to Jennifer Biggs about what Elfo Grisanti Northern Italian Cuisine will be like on this week’s edition of Sound Bites. By Jennifer Biggs

The brewery already has installed “state of the art” brewing systems and plans to open this winter behind the Rec Room at 584 Tillman St. this winter. By Tom Bailey

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