Great Memphis Family Eat Spots (that actually have great food)
Too often “family restaurant” means a place with chicken tenders on the menu where you won’t get dirty looks if your kids make a little noise. The great “family restaurant” does not always mean you’ll get good food. Well, I am here to tell you that Memphis has some spots that can make everyone happy, and they taste great to the adults, too. Our family consists of several picky eaters and a vegetarian, but these places manage to satisfy us all, time and time again.
This place is always ranked one of the top BBQ spots in the city of Memphis, and it lives up to the hype. It is an absolute must eat. My kids will devour the buffalo wings, Sarah loves the pulled pork sandwich, and I, the vegetarian, love ordering large portions of their delicious sides. Their mac n’ cheese is one of my favorite meals in the whole city. The downtown location is especially great for families as it has a ton of seating options and is just a stone’s throw from the National Civil Rights Museum and other tourist spots (but the Midtown location does has the awesome mural pictured above). All three locations are very reasonably priced considering the Southern-sized portions that fill everyone up (usually with some to take home). Added bonuses are cool the Blues-inspired art and big local beer section.
This is a recent addition to our favorite restaurants rotation. The menu has lots of options that will please everyone: sandwiches, burgers, pizza, salads, and quality apps. The variety and laid back atmosphere make it a great place to bring the kids, but the reason we love it is the food is something special. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing its ingredients from local farms and you can notice the freshness when taking a bite. Sarah has a serious love for the avocado and bacon filled Jillybilly Grilled Cheese. But my TSM star is the french fries that are easily the best in the city. Sometimes I skip the ketchup so I don’t miss any of the flavor.
Huey’s is one of our oldest Memphis favorites. The burgers are known around Memphis and the quality holds up at any of their 9 locations. Our family loves their long list of appetizers that are enough to be an entire meal. I love their burgers (especially the black bean patty), but think their menu’s biggest star is the fried pickles with super tasty ranch for dipping. The restaurant has this strange tradition of shooting the toothpicks from your burger at the ceiling with your straw. It is a weird one, but always puts me at ease when I see other people take their shot. It reminds me that no one could be too concerned with my kids’ table etiquette when people are literally encouraged to spit things around the restaurant. Since there are multiple locations, it is a good spot to look up if you end up staying outside of the city in an airport hotel and don’t want a big chain restaurant.
Before I hear it for putting a pizzeria in Memphis on any type of food list, give me a chance to explain myself. If you are looking for the best pizza spot in America, go to the New York/New Jersey area and eat literally anywhere. However Little Italy has the best NY style pizza incarnation in the area. Hit the other spots first if you are visiting for a day or two, but if you need a good meal that is reasonably priced and the kids will love: this is your place! I have literally fed 8 people here for about $25. The owner learned his craft in New York and although the crust just doesn’t do what New York water does to crust, it is very good. All your other favorite pizzeria foods are good here too including calzones, strombolis, garlic knots, and a number of tasty Italian sandwiches. Closest taste to NY you are going to get in the Mid-South.
*Bonus Eat: Favorite Dessert Spot
I am not advocating for a meal here. In fact, it will be disappointing. I am 100% endorsing this spot for their desserts though. Our family’s favorite tradition (usually after a Memphis Grizzlies game or a late night airport pickup) is stopping and only ordering 2 things: Apple Dumpling with Ice Cream and Hot Fudge Brownie with Ice Cream. These desserts are served on a hot skillet (though random times the brownie won’t be served hot) and are big enough for the 6 of us to share. We all grab a spoon and dig in while racing to finish the ice cream before it melts atop the warm sweet treats. There is also an opportunity to hear some great live music while you eat, or you can choose the quieter diner-style area of the restaurant. It is also a prime people watching spot, especially later in the evening, due to its location at the end of Beale Street.