Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, offers many dining choices in a centralized area, each with its own flavor and specialty, but nearly all with a healthy Southern influence. Whether looking for barbecue, Asian fusion or seafood paired with locally produced vegetables, diners in midtown Memphis can easily find restaurants that serve quality fare.
Leonard's Barbecue was founded in 1922 when original owner Leonard Heuberger traded his Model T Ford for a cramped sandwich shop on the south side of Memphis. It expanded until it was touted as the largest barbecue drive-inn restaurant in the world in the '40s and '50s, with as many as 20 carhops. The carhops may be gone, but the barbecue specialties remain, with succulent favorites like pork shoulder, beef brisket and smoked sausage served with sides of baked beans, corn whiskey pudding and macaroni and cheese.
Leonard's Barbecue
103 N. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103-5002
901-528-0875
leonardsbbqdowntown.com
Automatic Slim's Restaurant offers a playful ambiance and a menu that features Asian-fusion fare spiced with a Latin flair. Signature dishes include petite Argentinian stacked tenderloin; grilled salmon with wilted spinach and pistachio cream sauce; sassafras smoked chicken with lemon chile honey glaze and tomatillo salsa; and slow-roasted Jamaican jerk duck served with onion rings and plantains.
Automatic Slim's Restaurant
83 S. Second St.
Memphis, TN 38103
901-525-7948
automaticslimsmemphis.com
Chef Felicia Suzanne's eponymous restaurant is committed to partnering with local farmers and suppliers of the freshest ingredients. Chef's choice entrees include wild gulf shrimp and andouille sausage with grits; maple leaf duck breast with potato dumplings; Georgia bob white quail stuffed with Creole rice dressing; and roasted Maine sea scallops. Meals can be started with tasty openers like crispy Louisiana oysters, carpaccio of beef tenderloin and fresh Alabama lump crabmeat crepes.
Felicia Suzanne's Restaurant
80 Monroe Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103-2438
901-523-0877
feliciasuzanne.com
