Sorry for my absence, although it seems plenty of spirited discussion has gone on without me. Last week I spent a couple of days in video training, then a close friend died and I was preoccupied.
Let’s talk about the video training. I hope this will start next month, but don’t hold me to that: I’ve got a lot to learn! Anyway, here’ s the plan. Every Friday I’m going to post a video of an inexpensive restaurant, something that’ll run about a minute and show the food and feature a brief interview with the chef or proprietor. It’s going to be called “Cheap Food Friday” and will also include a brief written review.
So, start telling me where you’d like me to go, and I’ll keep working on my very rudimentary camera skills.
BLOG talk
Responses to “Something new this way comes”
December 11th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Jennifer,
So sorry about your loss.
Your new venture sounds interesting, and enlightening.
But don’t leave us again. Strange things happen when you’re away.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I think this sound like a great idea, but I’m not a fan of the feature’s name - “Cheap Food Friday”. Surely the editors and copywriters at the CA can come up with a better name for a new food feature.
December 11th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
“But don’t leave us again. Strange things happen when you’re away.”????????? Que pasa, Tim, now you’ve really hurt my feelings.
December 11th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Nice idea. I really like the small video vignette idea that patterns closely with YouTube. You should have a location for user-generated videos! Great idea! We could blanket the Memphis area with amateur filmmakers/foodies obsessively burrowing down every hole in the wall! They’d never serve dirty glassware again! Well … strike that … just do it yourself and let us readers enjoy YOUR work.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
For those of you in the Jackson TN area, many of the pie recipies from the now closed Highland Park are being made and sold at the Old Medina Market, which is just off I-40 Exit 83 Campbell Street.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I want to know about the Front St Deli. It’s one of those places that looks interersting and I’ve always wanted to go but they were either closed or I was nowhere close to make it in.
December 11th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Gary, I love it when someone mentions a place that I’ve forgotten about. Years ago I used to eat at the Front St. Deli all the time, but it’s been years since I’ve been there. I’ll go soon and let you know about it.
December 11th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I think you should cover Sweet in Cooper Young as it is a very deceiving place. I thought it was only a place for baked goodies but the food there is quite good and they have a full bar as well!
December 11th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I used to eat lunch at Front St. Deli once a week, always the hot dog with smoked cheddar cheese and cole slaw, wrapped in paper and steamed, dirty potato chips and a root beer. I haven’t eaten that way in years.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I think Payne’s is the cheapest and some of the best food I’ve ever put in my mouth, at any price, but I’m not sure I want you to tell the world about it. Gus’ Fried Chicken is another good one.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Jennifer, I’m very sorry for your loss. This is a particularly difficult time of year to lose a friend.
Front Street Deli has wonderful deviled eggs & those little buttery cookies with fork tracks on top that are wrapped up four to a package in plastic. They also have interesting soft drinks & some of the best sandwiches around. It’s tiny & crowded, but worth the wait. There is also one on Winchester near Tchulahoma, but it’s not the same.
I like the concept of video cheap eats. This takes Earle Farrell’s “My Favorite Restaurant” a step farther, since he usually goes to places more people have heard about. My votes for good cheap eats are Yang’s Deli on Summer, the Parkway Grill in the convenience store at Central & Airways, Fino’s on Madison, Broadway Pizza on Broad, & Bogie’s Deli on LaSalle (be sure & get the scoop about why they only have their phenomenal shrimp salad one or two days a wk.) For home cooking, my vote would go to Melanie’s on Watkins.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Yang’s is a longtime favorite of mine, as is Super Sub shop on Highland. Both are consistent(Super Sub has had the same person making sandwiches for the last 30 years, no kidding)and usually cost less than a sandwich “combo” at one of the deli chains in town.
December 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I’m a big fan of the Front St. Deli. It’s one of the few places in town that I know of that steams sandwiches. Sandwich steaming, which seems to be very popular in Knoxville (and I would guess other areas) doesn’t seem to have caught on in Memphis. But Lee Busby, owner of Front Street Deli, might have something interesting to say about this. They have good plate lunches there too.
December 13th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Don’t worry, we only talked a little bit about you behind your back while you were gone. Great idea, good and cheap… let’s see, Bayou Bar & Grill - best hot chicken sandwich in town, great stuffed shrimp too. Super sub on highland, good subs; the Side Car on Whitten, great plate lunch.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Maya’s,in Berclair area is a new really good Mexican Restaurant that is spotlessly clean, huge amounts of really authentic food at a really reasonable price.
They just opened this week at Macon/Wells Station,
Maya’s is ready for you, tried everything, been back 4 times this week, signage does not reveal how good this is, you will be really surprised at the georgeous murals on wall, everything is brand new! Feel free to share an entree, they are huge, awesome guacomole too. free salsa wont burn you up.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Finally!….some fine dining close to home, I just tried the new restaurant in Berclair, Maya’s. Hard time finding it, 4308 Macon at Wells Station, between Joyce’s and Lana’s market. Outside doesnt do it justice, food really fresh and good, tried the tostadas and guacomole, love the free salsa and chips, burritos were HUGE!, good prices and excellent service, and very clean. They do need to try and get bigger sign.
Very quiet and comfortable atmosphere. You will love it.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
What a surprise, Maya’s in Berclair is the best Mexican Restaurant in town, 12 seafood entrees, and the usual beef,chicken, etc. But the freshness and quality will blow you away, even the rice is outstanding, I tried the enchiladas, a huge plate, 4 different kinds with all the extras. This place is truly a secret. Outstanding service, no waiting, a really nice date or family place.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Well, I might be suspicious about people signing on about Maya’s, but this all seems earnest and even a bit coincidental. Last week we went to El Taco Loco, a true hole-in-the-wall that I’d never tried but that was mentioned on the blog. It was great, by the way, but so tiny that when you hold a conversation, you hold it with everyone.
Bob and I were talking about trying spots on my list when omeone who’d stopped in to pick up food told me about a place on Macon, but he couldn’t remember the name. I’m betting it’s Maya’s. Anyway, I’ll check it out this weekend and let you know what I think…
December 14th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana for De Huachinango and De Chorizo Toluca.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I’d like to see you feature something on Ryu Sushi Bar and Steakhouse on Summer. It has some of the best/least expensive Japanese food in town (I love the teriyaki beef), but seems to be a forgotten gem as far as advertising and critical reviews go.
December 15th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Having worked downtown for 24 years, I too am a fan of Front St Deli. Fried chicken on Wednesday is very popular too and I “used” to love the deli-dogs when I ate such things.
December 18th, 2007 at 1:26 am
Ryu Sushi Bar does do a nice cheap lunch - ironically sushi is the thing they do worst. It’s far from authentically Japanese, but their teriyaki is yummy.
Better is the Edo, across the street; my favorite inexpensive meal there is the katsudon with veggie tempura appetizer. Their tempura is the best in town, and the cheapest.
One of my favorite cheap meals is the Fuji cafe in Collierville. I can’t remember exactly what it’s called on the menu, but they do an enormous pot of soba noodles with shrimp and veggie tempura that’s big enough for two people. Their seaweed salad is also a bargain. Plus it’s a comfortable setting.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
I love the idea of cheap eats! I’d suggest La Espiga (behind Bryant’s) on Summer by Graham. Good and authentic. Also, lunch at Pho Vietnam (now on Poplar Ave., formerly Pho Pasteur) has good values and I love the fresh herbs, good soup. Kudzu’s for a burger can’t be beat…. down Marshall St. (by Sun Studio) area, their burgers start at $3.95 I believe. Happy hunting!
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