You’ll read about it tomorrow in the Whining & Dining column, but here’s a headstart. Soon we’ll be changing a few things at the CA, and restaurant coverage is certainly among the changing. We’re going to build a strong Web presence with clickable links to restaurant reviews (from reviewers and readers–you’ll even get to give your own stars), maps, pictures, tours, interviews and so on. A large component will be a feature that I like to see when I’m traveling: Top 10 lists.
And I’m going to need your help (it comes with incentive). Each day for the near future, I’ll post a heading and everyone who responds–you can give me one choice or up to 10–will be eligible to become a guest restaurant reviewer when we launch our new format. I’m not talking about just posting your thoughts on a restaurant on our list, but someone who gets to go out–with a budget!–to an assigned restaurant and write an original review for publication online and possibly in our print edition.
We’ll also be running lists each week of Top 5 picks that might range from favorite cocktails around town to the best bread pudding, and I’ll post those here, too. Again, contributors are eligible to be reviewers.
It’ll be fun, and we’ll start right away. Check out the next post.
Top 10 lists
Responses to “Our Top 10 lists”
March 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Oh, do I LOVE this idea! It’s kind of like a restaurant scavenger hunt & a shot at being a junior food writer at the same time.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:25 am
What a great idea Memphis has needed something like this for a long time. Looking forward to seeing this every day thank you
March 12th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Lobster King is doing traditional dim sum. They get my vote for #1 asian dining
March 12th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Having just moved to Collierville from Houston Texas, I am anticipating this feature. My husband and I have rather adventuresome palates (we are not food snobs) because of his travals thoughout the world. Our tastes range from exotic foreign dishes to downhome local mom ‘n pop diners to the ubiquitous taco stands in Los Angeles. My quest in life is to find the “perfect burger” in the whatever location I find myself on any given day. So, if the readers know of one of those fabulous,”best kept secrets” eatery, please share it here. I am anxious to start exploring the Memphis area - one restaurant at a time!
March 12th, 2008 at 11:27 am
We recently moved here so I’m really looking forward to getting the “411.”
March 12th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Chris,
You are soooooo in luck moving to the Memphis area! The BBQ sandwich may be number one in Memphis, but the All American Burger is a very close second. We love our Q and we love our Burgers!
There are so many burger joints and many with their own unique spin on the art of making a burger. Here are a few places I would mention to aid you in your search for the perfect Burger. This isn’t an exact order of preference and I have left out a whole lot of favorite places.
1. Huey’s (Seasoning)
2. Dyer’s (its the grease)
3. Cockeyed Camel Pub
4. Belmont Grill (French Bread)
5. Big Foot Lodge(huge sandwich)
6. Corkey’s (a suprising burger at a Q place!
7. Danver’s ((A very good Burger)
8. Alex’s Tavern
9. P & H Cafe (Classic atmosphere)
10 Wimpy’s Corner in Greenfield, TN (probably the one place most of the posters here haven’t ever tried, Bigger than Bigfoot)
11 Checkers (A really good Burger)
12. Stella’s (A Kolbe Burger & Pinot Grigio)
March 12th, 2008 at 11:29 am
So far, my girls love Osaka in Collierville. I’ve heard Lee Kan is good too…
March 12th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Hey Jennifer,
This is the first thing I’ve read for some time that has been relevant and inspiring enough to me personally to contribute my opinions. I look forward to the info from this blog and to having a good reference for dining…so my family and friends won’t have to tolerate as much of my whining about nothing to do or nowhere to go…And I’ll be happy to share the top-10’s with friends traveling to or through Memphis.
Thank you!
Carla
March 12th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Hmmm… Good Asian? That’s so broad.
I am not a huge fan of Vietnamese food, and it absolutely drives my husband nuts. He’s a big out-to-lunch-everyday kind of guy and often eats at Pho Saigon and two other Vietnamese spots- one on Poplar just east of Cleveland and another at Madison and Avalon. Then, of course, is the perennial favorite- Saigon Le. Frankly, the service reminds me of the Soup Nazi.
Don’t know about Chinese. Do we have really good Chinese in Memphis? Asian Palace is a hike for my family. We live in East Memphis and sometimes order from Panda Garden (was Formosa). I wouldn’t say it’s fabulous; it’s predictable.
Now, Japanese…
I am married to a creature of habit, and when he finds something he likes, we seem to wear it out. For years, we have been getting sushi takeout weekly from Benihana. It was consistently delicious, and Winston, my husband, became such a regular at the bar waiting on our sushi order that he made friends with lots of the staff. When it burned down, our friends were calling and emailing condolences to my him. It’s cramped our style not having our weekly sushi. I just don’t think Sekisui can hold a candle. We’re desperate for an alternative. Any ideas?
March 12th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Elizabeth makes a good point, one that we’ve discussed around here, too. Asian is broad, but I think the real issue is that we might not be able to come up with 10 top restaurants in many categories. Sure, we can do 10 great barbecue spots. We can do 10 good burger joints, 10 Cajun/Creole.
But can we really do 10 good Indian restaurants? Are there 10 Indian restaurants in town? I don’t know, but I know it couldn’t be much more than that and I doubt that 10 are good enough to be on a “top” list.
I’m thinking in terms of a Top 5 instead, and then refining the categories. It’s a work in progress and still very fluid. Tell me what you think, and tomorrow I’ll throw out a more manageable topic than the broad Asian food.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Bangkok Alley in Collierville and Cordova has great Thai food. I have bookmarked website this and will check it out frequently. I love eating out at different restaurants. We have some good friends that once a month my husband and I go to a restaurant that nobody has been to. Too many great places in Memphis and the area to keep going back to the same places!! Don’t you think?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I have the same theory about eating out as I have about shopping - don’t turn up your nose until you try it at least once. That’s one thing I really enjoy about Food Network & funky shows like “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” They go all over the place & they visit some of the most decrepit looking places. But it’s amazing how much interesting food comes out of some of the worst holes in the wall you’ve ever seen. Same with bargain basements & discount stores - who knows what’s going to turn up & become a favorite when you least expect it.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Chris: Fred hasn’t had a good burger yet as evidenced by the establishments he’s listed. I haven’t found one in Memphis yet, but its not from lack of trying.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Asian…call me a simple girl but we love Royal Panda at Forest Hill Irene…service is great and their hot/sour soup is perfect if you are feeling a bit under the weather.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
speaking of cajun…i wanted to get some info entering the gumbo cookoff at the crawfish festival this year but can’t find any info on web…help?
March 16th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
A north Jackson TN Chinese place (No 1 Chinese) has the best egg drop-wonton soup. Its a pretty common order of wonton soup or egg drop soup, but ask for the egg drop wonton soup, and at any other restaurant you will hear a train wreck.
A hidden gem of a place in Jackson is off exit 85 at the baseball fields. A shopping center made up of restaurants is developing. Reggi BBQ is about to open and it will join Los Portales, Sparky’s Pizza and Lenny’s subs. Guthries
Speaking of ajun, anybody know where to get good meat pies?
19 comment.