Ripley, Tennessee, is a destination for its ‘Small Town, Bright Lights’ decorations displayed on the courthouse lawn, in the middle of the town square, through the end of the year.

Memphis airport officials said Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts and Chili’s are among restaurants planned in future phases of concession development, after traffic rebounds toward pre-COVID levels.

Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman team up with the Bartosch brothers on Little Bettie at Wiseacre Downtown, Hog & Hominy is under construction, and they’re looking for an end to 2020’s ‘hustle and pivot.’

Local chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix gets more national recognition. He’ll be on ABC’s national news show this week to showcase his creativity with candy and his business model during COVID-19.

Lindenwood Christian Church is one of many mobile distribution sites that give away food to local folks in need; the church started the pantry when COVID-19 caused other places to close.

California-based CloudKitchens has purchased a vacant, former auto parts building in a distressed part of Summer Avenue. The 11,000 square feet could house dozens of small, commercial kitchens for the pandemic-fueled industry of meal delivery.

DJ Naylor lives life with purpose and passion, loves a properly drawn Guinness, his family, his pub and most definitely, his whiskey.

Three more businesses have been cited for a variety of COVID-safety violations.

The Nashville-based pizza chain that serves Black culture, art and community as well as pizza expands into Memphis on Dec. 16 when a Slim & Husky’s opens at 634 Union.

The Shelby County Health Department closed six restaurants and businesses over the weekend, including two locations of T.J. Mulligan’s. Related article: Beale St. club among latest health department closures

A sprawling collection of mostly historic buildings and farmhouses makes up Charlene’s Colony in Halls, Tennessee, which is decked out with more holiday decorations than you’ve likely seen in one place.

Tawanda Pirtle tells us about the steak sandwich at Jack Pirtle’s Chicken, which Jennifer Biggs ate this week for the first time.

The president of the Memphis Restaurant Association doesn’t know of any local restaurateur who has been contacted and told that a diner in their place of business tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Adherence to new mask rules is spotty on its first day, though some diners in East Memphis restaurants seem to know they should stay masked until they start eating.

Restaurateurs wonder if they’ve paid a higher price than other businesses during COVID, and fear another shutdown could be coming as virus numbers rise.

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.

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.

Memphis chocolatier catches Oprah’s attention; Phillip Ashley Rix’s over-the top chocolate turtles make Oprah’s Favorite Things 2020 list.

Torchy’s Tacos, long a favorite in Austin and now expanded through seven states, is bringing its first “craft casual” location to Williamsburg Village.

Coletta’s has been around almost 100 years and will make it through COVID, just like he did, owner Jerry Coletta says.

The fund plans to award grants monthly through the end of the year.

Taste of the District gives restaurants in the Medical District a chance to show their neighbors what they’re cooking up.

Jess Hewlette expected to be running radical.tacos now, but COVID came, things changed, and now she loves her new role as executive chef at SOB.