Big shoutout to Kat Gordon and the dedicated staff called “gnomies” at Muddy’s Bake Shop. Even during the upheaval of COVID, they mustered and managed to be named one of “The South’s Best Bakeries 2021” by Southern Living magazine.

In the annual list of “bests,” Memphis was snubbed in the barbecue category, by Cozy Corner and the Bar-B-Q Shop both got a mention for barbecue spaghetti on “The Most Iconic Barbecue Dishes in Every Southern State 2021” list.

It’s pretend, but the COVID game is good practice at Muddy’s bakery

Gordon founded Muddy’s in 2008 and thrived with three locations despite opening during a recession. Over the years, she opened a central bakery on Broad Avenue then a second Muddy’s in Midtown.

“We are so proud,” Gordon said. “Also, it’s the first time Broad Avenue has been printed in a major publication as our address and that little detail is also really exciting to us.”

When COVID came, all locations shut. Gordon ended up selling the Midtown property and permanently closing the original East Memphis store on Sanderlin. She reorganized her business to operate solely from the bakery on Broad Avenue, is currently open limited hours Thursday through Saturday and also for takeout by pre-order. 

In addition, she also offers online baking classes. Click here to find out more on her website. 

Gordon said she was also excited to see Sugaree’s Bakery in New Albany, Mississippi on the list. 

“It was so nice to see other bakeries we love on there. (Sugaree’s owner) Mary Jennifer (Russell) and I are friends on Facebook and we’ve toured each other’s kitchens. We loved seeing them on the list.

“We’re all bakery nerds here.”

Muddy’s is peddling Plain Jane and Prozac again; you just have to pre-order