Go Memphis

The words "school cafeteria" conjure a vision of uniformly cut vegetables and large quantities of things you don't especially want in large quantities. Technically, the 20/20 Diner is a school cafeteria -- it's on the fourth floor of the Southern College of Optometry in Midtown -- but as soon as you set down your tray and start to eat your meal, you'll forget that connection. Full story »

Where else in town can you find, as Eyvette behind the bar says, "Nuthin' but Natural Light" on tap? This is just one of the reasons I adore Alex's -- it never changes. Never. The signs are the same. The music -- and you gotta love it -- never changes. Or at least it changes slooooooowly. As Rocky said, "We add something new to the menu about every 15 years." Full story »

When's the last time you went to The Peanut Shoppe for a bag of freshly roasted peanuts? Hmm. Yeah, me, too. A reader sent me a reminder and I stopped by the Summer Avenue store this week. Who knew you could get boiled peanuts there? Not that I did; I am no fan, but I sure did enjoy the peanuts roasted in the shell. Full story »

New restaurant Flight has taken the place of Stella's in the old Brodnax Jewelry Building at 39 S. Main. The word "flight" is used here to mean sample. So, when you order the Fresh Fish Flight for $29, for instance, you get a sampling of Atlantic grouper, halibut and Chilean seabass delivered on a wooden tray with three holders. Full story »

I predict a new trend in my family to show appreciation for good food: A single, resounding clap following the last bite. This is how 7-year-old Lily concluded her meal at Overton Park Pizze Stone this week. Her clap was meant particularly for the tiramisu; I give a hearty clap all 'round. Full story »

Hattie’s Tamales have been sold for years in a convenience store at Trigg and Lauderdale. That out-of-the-way spot meant planning a trip, but now that’s changed: Hattie’s has opened in the shopping center with Winchester Farmers Market, a frequent stop on my shopping route. They come spicy or mild — I’m all about the spicy, so that’s what I tried. Full story »

The neighborhood around E.H. Crump Boulevard and Florida Street, south of Downtown, isn't a likely place to put a restaurant. Aside from its Mardi Gras gold-and-purple paint job, the clean brick building that houses DeJaVu is Spartan, probably chosen more for its affordability than its charm. The food -- a conglomeration described in the headline on the menu as "New Orleans Creole Soul Food and Vegetarian" -- is hearty, rich and spicy. Full story »

Who'da thunk it? Bacon-wrapped bananas. More to the point, why would I actually order it? Well, I did it once and I'll do it again. I dashed into Automatic Slim's for a Popsicle martini -- more accurately, a mojito in a martini glass with a delightful cinnamon stick wrapped in sweetened ice -- and was intrigued by the bananas. It was just $5, so there wasn't much at stake. Full story »

After recent consumption and talk of authentic Mexican, I found myself longing for the cheesier Tex Mex. As the Happy Mexican has just recently opened its second location, the timing was right for a visit. Well, it was almost right. I wish I'd timed my Saturday visit in the late afternoon instead of lunch, so that I could have taken advantage of the mighty tasty margaritas they serve up at a special price on Saturdays. Full story »

No doubt that the Philly cheese steak belongs in the rarified company of the muffaletta, the BLT, or the po’ boy. Enough people have said so, after all. But I have to admit, I didn’t really get it until I sank my beef-lovin’ chompers into the sandwich from Heavenly Hoagie. Now I see what they mean... Here’s the difference between this sandwich and every other Philly cheese steak I’ve tasted: The onions. Full story »

Dining reviewers Jennifer Biggs and Peggy Burch visit a local institution once a month and discuss what makes that restaurant special. The focus this week is Pete & Sam's, a favorite of Burch's family where they always ordered the same thing -- barbecue pizza as an appetizer, a medium-rare double sirloin, Italian salads and spinach. "Sometimes, to break out of the routine, we ordered the buttery spaghetti with shrimp and mushrooms." Full story »

Dish restaurant in the Cooper-Young area had a Mediterranean-style tapas menu for several years, but introduced a new focus last year. Food is still served on small plates, but with a decidedly Japanese influence, now that the restaurant is part of a consortium of "sister restaurants," including Sekisui and Pacific Rim, overseen by Jimmy Ishii. We had the pork gyoza ($5) -- aka Japanese potstickers or dumplings -- five of them lined up on a rectangular plate with a side of the soy and chile sauce. Full story »

Take your heartburn pills with you when you head over to Dino's, because it's time for you to dig into an order of Tamales Three Ways. Dino's has been around forever and still has a loyal following. I haven't been part of that lately, just because I don't live in Midtown anymore and seldom think about it. Too bad for me. But this week I wanted something different for lunch and saw that Dino's offers homemade chicken and dumplings on Tuesday. Full story »

I admit it: I wasn't very enthusiastic when I took my booth before tackling my last buffet in a weeks-long series of all-you-can-eats. But the exuberant server who brought my iced tea just plain put me in the mood to go get excessive. "OK, ladies, here's your drinks. Now go eat till you bust; I've got a wheelbarrow in the back and I'll get you out." Dang. Talk about service! Full story »

Last week we had lunch at Miss Cordelia's in Harbor Town and chef David Thorton whipped up a non-traditional strawberry shortcake for us. He spread a little lemon curd on some cake, topped it with a few strawberries and whipped cream -- and what could be simpler? Full story »