MAKING THE MOST OF IT
It’s been a tough few months for restaurants in Memphis. h While a handful of announced permanent closures, several new ones opened during April and May. h These openings show a glimmer of hope for the restaurant industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. h Here’s a look at the restaurants that opened and those we said goodbye to this spring.
Parish Grocery
1545 Overton parishgrocery.com
Parish Grocery, a new causal New Orleans-themed po’ boy shop, opened in the Evergreen neighborhood on April 17.
Parish Grocery was slated to open the first week of April at 1545 Overton Park Ave., in the location that was formerly The Atomic Tiki. The COVID-19 pandemic initially delayed the opening, but owner Jeff Johnson decided in early April to go ahead and open for takeout and delivery.
On the menu is an assortment of po’ boys. Parish Grocery has all the classics like fried oyster, fried shrimp and roast beef with debris. Muffalettas (both traditional and vegetarian) are also featured.
Boiled crawfish, gumbo, red beans and rice, and crawfish mac and cheese are just a handful of the Cajun-inspired appetizers offered. Sno-balls are a New Orleans snack to enjoy for dessert.
Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-sunday; closed Monday.
Magnolia & May Closings Grove Grill
Park
Mississippi Terrace
Ave.;
Road; (901) (901) 207-4347; 1 Bass Pro Drive; (800) 223-3333; big-cypress.com Big Cypress Lodge inside Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid has opened an outdoor lounge. Spanning 7,000 square feet, the Mississippi Terrace at The Pyramid opened May 22.
Overlooking the Mississippi River, the new outdoor lounge is located on the spacious terrace on the third floor. The venue offers a unique setting with views of the Mississippi River and Mighty Lights LED light show at night.
A light menu of snacks and entrees with a Southern twist is served. The full-service bar offers beer, wine selections and signature cocktails.
“The Mississippi Terrace had already been in the works as a way to bring the Memphis community and travelers together in an outdoor space set against the Mississippi River,” said Nail Task, general manager of Big Cypress Lodge. “While we planned to open the terrace earlier this spring, the timing seems more relevant and meaningful now as our city comes together to rebuild and enjoy life a little more.”
Open 5-10 p.m. Thursday-saturday, as weather permits. The venue is available for private events.
718 Mt. Moriah magnoliamay.com
On May 29, Magnolia & May opened its doors. Chip and Amanda Dunham, who previously ran Grove Grill with Chip’s father, Jeff Dunham, have transformed an East Memphis insurance office into a charming and quaint dining establishment, complete with a large bar and an inviting patio.
Being touted as a country brasserie, Magnolia & May is a more casual dining establishment than Grove Grill.
“We will be serving rustic cuisine from around the world,” said Chip Dunham. “While we will use Southern ingredients, it is not just Southern food.”
The menu includes items like a Black-eyed Pea Falafel — a Mediterranean classic made with Southern ingredients. Pork porterhouse chops are crusted in tortilla chips and served with Mexican Rice, Ancho Cream and Avocado Salsa to give them a Southwestern spin.
The house burger has a unique spin. The griddled burger is served with a “cheese skirt.” “We cook the cheese on the flat top to get it nice and crispy,” Dunham said. Vegetarian items like a Collard Green Melt and a house-made beet-based veggie burger are also included in Magnolia & May’s offerings.
Open 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-saturday; 4-9 p.m. Sundays; closed Monday. 676-8100;
After almost 23 years, Grove Grill, 4550 Poplar Ave., announced it will not reopen.
The East Memphis restaurant was founded in 1997 by Jeff Dunham and Chip Apperson. Apperson moved to New Orleans years ago, and since then the Dunham family has run the restaurant. In 2017, Jeff ’s son Chip and his wife, Amanda, took over.
Chip Dunham said they only had 10 months left on their Laurelwood lease, so they didn’t feel the investment in reopening was worth it for that short amount of time.
Dunham and his wife, Amanda, opened a new restaurant, Magnolia & May, on May 29.
Farm & Fries
Farm & Fries, 7724 Poplar Pike in Germantown, was known for gourmet burgers made with grass-fed beef, as well as its hand-cut fries.
The building on Poplar Pike is currently for sale.
Avenue Coffee
Avenue Coffee, 786 Echles, had been serving coffee to the University of Memphis area since 2014. Located at the corner of Echles and Douglass, the coffee shop was known for its artisan coffee and as a gathering spot for the university-area community.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar in Overton Square
On May 18, Hopdoddy Burger Bar announced its Overton Square location would not reopen. The restaurant had closed in March.
The East Memphis location, 4584 Poplar Ave., is still open.
Next Door American Eatery in Crosstown
Next Door American Eatery closed its Crosstown Concourse location in March. The restaurant, not to be confused with chef Ryan Trimm’s Next Door in Cooper-young, was one of the restaurants in Memphis owned by Kimbal Musk. Musk’s original two Memphis restaurants, The Kitchen and The Kitchenette — both located at Shelby Farms, closed in December 2018.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining Reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.