Here are the Memphis restaurants that opened in December
Several new Memphis-area eateries opened this past month, serving up tacos, pizza, wings, wine and more.
Here’s a look at the new restaurants that opened in December, as well as two we said goodbye to.
Openings Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos
820 S. Cooper St.; (901) 443-5346; macielsmidtown.com
Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos has brought its popular tacos to Cooper-young.
On Dec. 10, the second location of the beloved Downtown taco shop opened at 820 S. Cooper St. The freestanding building with a spacious front porch was most recently home to Tart Restaurant and Bakery.
Located Downtown at 45 S. Main St., the original Maciel’s is a small, fast-casual counter known for its affordable, authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant opened in 2015 and quickly became a neighborhood favorite, with lines out the door for lunch on weekdays.
Maciel’s menu features made-to-order tacos, tortas, quesadillas and nachos. It is known for crispy Fried Tacos, its signature version of hard tacos made with in-house fried shells.
Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-saturday; closed Sunday
Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
634 Union Ave.; (615) 647-7017; slimandhuskys.com
Nashville-based Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria opened Dec. 16 at 634 Union Ave. in Memphis’ Edge District.
Founded in 2017, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria is a fast casual, gourmet pizza
joint serving up artisan pizzas and unique cinnamon rolls made with locally sourced ingredients.
The artisan-pizzas are one-of-akind, as well as the source of the pizzeria’s name. Each oblong-shaped pizza comes in a personal size — the 10-inch “Slim” or the 16-inch “Husky.”
All ingredients are prepped and made fresh daily — including the pizza dough, the signature sauces and the company’s proprietary four-cheese cheese blend.
Open daily noon to 9 p.m.
The Wing Guru
875. W. Poplar Ave., Suite 6E, Collierville; (901) 221-7488; thewingguru.com
8253 U.S. 51 North, Suite #103, Millington; (901) 872-0849; thewingguru.com
The fifth location of The Wing Guru opened on Dec. 11. at 875. W. Poplar Ave., Suite 6E in Collierville.
That was quickly followed by the opening of a sixth location on Dec. 18 at 8253 U.S. 51 North, Suite #103, in Millington.
It’s been a busy year for the Memphis-based wings chain. A location in Arlington opened in November and one in Southaven opened in February.
The Wing Guru’s other locations are at 5699 Mt. Moriah Road and 7199 Stage Road, Bartlett.
Former Memphis Tigers basketball player Billy Richmond founded the chain that is known for hot wings and burgers. More than 20 flavors of wings are offered. Many are true originals including the Triple J, a Honey Goldbased flavor Richmond developed in partnership with Memphis Grizzlies player Jaren Jackson Jr. — hence the name.
Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Belly Acres
6130 Poplar Ave.; (901) 707-7638; bellyacres901.com
Belly Acres’ “Citified Farm Fresh” burgers and shakes are now available in East Memphis.
A new Belly Acres restaurant opened Dec. 19 at 6130 Poplar Ave. in the Regalia Shopping Center in East Memphis. It is the second location for the restaurant. The original opened in 2014 in Overton Square.
The Memphis-based fast-casual restaurant is known for its commitment to delivering a fun and unique farm-to-table experience for the entire family. Its signature burgers are made from 100% grass-fed beef, and the chicken is freerange. There are also vegetarian options.
Open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. SundayThursday and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. FridaySaturday.
The Hen House
679 S. Mendenhall Road; (901) 4646999; henhousewinebar.com
When Michaela Dockery and her husband, Dee, would travel to the Wine Country in California, they often found themselves asking, “Why don’t we have tastings rooms like this at home?”
The couple decided to make their dream a reality and open their own spot. The Hen House wine bar opened in midDecember for private parties and will open for reservations on Jan. 16.
The new wine bar features an extensive wine and cocktail list, educational tasting experiences and a menu chef Matt Schweitzer describes as “California meets elevated Southern.”
Hours: Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Closings
Bryant’s Breakfast
Bryant’s Breakfast has closed.
After 52 years of serving Memphis, the Bryant family has decided to sell the East Memphis restaurant known for its biscuits and pancakes.
Phil Bryant, owner and son of founder Jimmy Bryant, considers this an enormous opportunity for the person who decides to buy the establishment.
“It has been a unique privilege to run the Bryant’s establishment for so long,” Bryant said. “While this was a tough decision to make, we believe this is the best choice for my family, the restaurant, and our amazing patrons. I look forward to seeing Bryant’s serve Memphians for many more years to come.”
On Nov. 28, Bryant’s announced it would temporarily close due to COVID-19 safety concerns. The sale was announced Dec. 17.
Puck Food Hall
Puck Food Hall was Memphis’ first true “food hall.” Unlike a food court that features fast food options, a food hall mixes local artisan restaurants, coffee shops, bars and other food-oriented boutiques under one roof. Over the years, the vendors and offerings have changed.
It originally opened as The South Main Market in 2017. The food hall was rebranded in 2019 as Puck Food Hall. The concept, which at its height of business had 10 vendors, was thriving until the COVID-19 pandemic. It closed Dec. 31.
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.