5 to try: New restaurants serve up doughnuts, burgers, more
Grits, burgers, and doughnuts are just a few of the things that you can find at these five Memphis-area restaurants that opened in November.
Here’s a taste of what to expect at each spot.
Penny’s Nitty Gritty
220 S. B.B. King Blvd.; (901) 334-5950; marriott.com How do you like your grits? Cheesy or plain? Topped with chicken or shrimp? Maybe with a little garlic or truffle butter?
At Penny’s Nitty Gritty restaurant in the Westin Memphis in Downtown Memphis, guests can create their own signature grits dish. The “Gritty Experience” includes your choice of four different flavors of grits, a choice of five different meats and fish, and several garnishes. And you can’t forget the “butta!” Choose from garlic, brown, truffle or salted butter to top off the dish.
Penny Hardaway’s new signature restaurant officially opened on Nov. 2.
“I wanted a concept that would serve the best food to my family, friends, and visitors to Memphis,” Hardaway said. “I wanted people who come to the restaurant to have a first-class experience.”
Upscale Southern fare is what diners can expect at the new restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
Hours: 6:30-10:30 a.m. for breakfast daily; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch daily; 6-10 p.m. for dinner daily. On Saturday, breakfast is served until 11 a.m.
Huey’s Olive Branch
8179 Mcgregor Crossing, Suite 200, Olive Branch; (662) 782-0570; hueyburger.com
Huey’s opened the doors at its first Olive Branch location on Nov. 8. The 4,300-square-foot restaurant at 8179 Mcgregor Crossing, Suite 200, will seat approximately 180 guests inside and an additional 50 on the patio.
It’s a milestone for Huey’s — it’s the 10th restaurant for the Memphis family-owned burger chain.
The restaurant’s story started back in 1976 when the late Thomas Boggs bought the Huey’s restaurant and bar at 1927 Madison Ave. in Midtown Memphis. Huey’s was founded in 1970 by Memphian Allen Gary.
More than 40 years later, Boggs’ children — Lauren Mchugh Robinson, Ashley Boggs Robilio, Samantha Boggs Dean, and Alex Boggs — run their father’s “world famous” burger restaurants.
“We can only imagine how proud Daddy would be knowing we’re now opening our 10th location,” said Robilio, Huey’s chief operating officer.
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-saturday.
Whataburger
1040 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova; whataburger.com
The third Memphis-area location of Whataburger opened Nov. 14 at 1040 N. Germantown Parkway in Cordova.
Whataburger, a Texas-based fast food chain, is known for its fresh, customized burgers, shakes, Fancy and Spicy Ketchup, and breakfast taquitos.
The restaurant has an open-concept dining room and double drive-thru
lanes. Interior details include custom wall art honoring the University of Memphis.
In addition to the two Southaven locations that opened earlier this year, a fourth Whataburger restaurant is expected
to open at 2859 N. Germantown Parkway in Memphis in early 2023.
Hours: Dining room is open 6 a.m.midnight daily; the drive-thru is open 24 hours a day.
Shipley Do-nuts
1010 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova; (901) 730-0213; shipleydonuts.com
Shipley Do-nuts opened a shop in Cordova on Nov. 14.
Established in 1938, the chain is known for its freshly baked doughnuts and kolaches. The plain glazed is the most popular order, but with more than 60 varieties to choose from, there’s always a new flavor to discover.
Based in Houston, there are more than 330 Shipley stores, most located throughout the South.
Hours: 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondaywednesday; 5 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdaysunday.
Jojo’s Espresso
1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 114, Germantown; jojosespresso.com
Jojo’s Espresso opened its doors as a coffee shop on Nov. 18.
Seasonal coffee beverages like the Bourbon Vanilla Latte, the Toasted Almond Coconut Latte, and the Smoked Maple Latte have made the Jojo’s Espresso food truck a popular coffee destination in Germantown and East Memphis.
Now, customers can get their favorite coffees six days a week, always in the same location.
The new coffee shop is located at 1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 114, in Germantown.
Jojo’s Espresso is the dream of Taylor and Hannah Whiddon. The couple started their business as a mobile coffee shop in the summer of 2020. The new brick-and-mortar location is the goal the couple had since the beginning.
The shop features coffee from Memphis roaster Vice & Virtue and freshly baked pastries, such as cinnamon rolls, cookies, scones, and muffins, supplied by Palmer House Bakery. Bagels from Memphis-based Dave’s Bagels will also be available.
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-saturday; closed Sunday.
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.