We could hardly have dreamed of a better weekend for being outdoors, with the exception of the crazy fireworks all around me on Friday night. My daughter said it was the same at her house and I’ve heard people talking about it today. I think more people were in town this year than usual, which resulted in the increase. I don’t mind them, really, and love to see the big, spectacular shows, but the loud noises tend to scare the dogs. Even still, we were outside nearly every waking moment, even during the thunderstorms Saturday night. We stayed in the screened porch, but we stayed out.
Where do you go around town when you want a meal al fresco? We talk from time to time about good patios, but those are mostly for drinking. Where can you find a nice meal and a cool breeze? (Let’s just pretend it’s not going to be crazy hot this week…)
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Responses to “Best bets for outdoor dining”
July 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Houston’s has good outdoor seating, as does Bosco’s Squared and Owen Brennan’s.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Bosco’s, Cafe Ole, & Fresh Slices, but we’re sitting on patios less and less since that’s where all the smoke is now & I don’t want to breathe it or have the baby breathe it. Boo. Anyone know of any non-smoking patios? I’m guessing there aren’t many…
July 7th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I’m virtually certain that Bosco’s doesn’t have smoking on the patio. I know that’s how it started and as far as I know, it hasn’t changed.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Bosco’s may be non-smoking, but the smokers go outdoors and stand at the railing of the patio all around, and then the smoke blows into the patio. You just can’t get away from those people!!!! 
July 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Cozymel’s on Poplar has a good patio. The food is just OK, but its a great place to sit outside and drink a margarita.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Bhan Thai is the only outdoor dining I’ve really liked in Memphis—comfortable, well-shaded, a nice view of something besides a busy street, and you can listen to the musicians tune up Saturday afternoons.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I really appreciate this thread. I love patios, but it seems like I have bad luck with them - the worst patio experience I’ve had was with the Half Shell where a bunch of drunken college kids were actually holding a SPITTING CONTEST on the patio and spit landed on our table! Other nightmare patios in our area include the East End Grill (loud drunken Fed Ex pilots) and the Olive Garden (that is if they’ll let you on the patio… as far as I can tell their goal is to punish customers as much as possible!)
Anyone have suggestions within a reasonable radius of Hickory Hill that are non-smoking, non-public intoxication patios, open past 9? I’m willing to drive to Collierville if I have to.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
We love outdoor eating … the only problem is that is where they put the smokers! Is there some way to get a movement going that included the patio as non-smoking.
On that note … Yia Yia’s in G’town has a pretty good non-smoking patio … have to wait till about 8:15p for the sun to get low enough not to bother you … they have overhead fans and citronel candles (up high) to help with flies and such.
Houston’s has a good patio but won’t serve full menu.
Bankok Alley in G’town has a nice patio also with full service. Don’t know about smokers.
Carrabas at the Carriage Mall has some outdoor tables with overhead fans … full service. Better than you think.
Casa Mexicana on Hacks Cross has a pretty good patio but always has smokers.
Holiday Ham on Hacks Cross has a nice covered outdoor patio for lunch.
Felcia Suzanne (sp) has good a very nice outdoor patio area in the evening.
On The Border across from Wolfchase Mall has a good patio for nachos, margaritas and full menu.
That’s all folks,
Phil
July 8th, 2008 at 6:45 am
We went to Jarret’s last night and as hot as it was, the patio was great. We got there around 7:15, and the patio wasn’t crowded at all. Of course it was a Monday evening and most places aren’t crowded on Mondays.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Bahama Breeze by Wolfchase has a very large patio and sometimes has music. Very nice at sunset.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I like to eat on the patio at Bronte since Davis Kidd is always freezing to me. The only problem with it is sometimes you have to beg for a server to come out there.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Bosco’s, Cafe Ole and the Inn at Hunt Phelan. Also, Side St. Grill where no one would dare complain about drunk smokers…even cigar smokers. Thank goodness places like that still exist.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Bhan Thai has a beautiful patio! Live music on weekends, outdoor bar, fantastic food and service as well.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The new Ciao Bella location at Erin Drive has a great patio. Went there on Sunday night and as hot as it was, we were cool. they have soft lighting, overhead fans, and NO SMOKING.
I like Felicia Suzanne’s a lot too. - AT
July 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I don’t know if you can sit on the patio all the time or only at special events there. But The Brushmark has a nice patio & a pretty view of the Overton Park Golf Course.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
The Brushmark’s Patio(in the Brooks Museum) is awesome; great views of Overton Park. Wally Joe is the chef there now. They serve lunch on the patio every day and dinner on the patio thursday nights.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
The Brushmark is great on the patio. They serve a very creative tapas menu on Thursday nights and I believe the menu changes every week. Everytime I’ve been in the last 3 weeks has been busy. They also have entertainment…a dj and also a live band a couple of times. I’ve not seen smokers, don’t think they allow it. Prices are very reasonable and food is great, but then again, it’s Wally Joe food, so it’s expected to be great.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Tsunami has a geat little patio area. All that great food w/ a warm summer breeze!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Memphis’ best restaurant, River Oaks, has seating outside, although not ideal being right on Poplar, I think it is mainly for smokers. Felicia’s, Jarrett’s and Hunt Phelan would qualify as great restaurants in any city and all have very comfortable patio’s. I haven”t been to Brushmark’s patio yet, but Wally Jo is a genius and overlooking Overton Park must be very special.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I agree with most of everyone’s comments, but I would add a couple that my wife and I enjoy:
DO Sushi & Beauty Shop has a pleasant little sidewalk patio if you can catch a breeze down Cooper.
Also in Cooper Young, we enjoy Celtic Crossing’s patio if we’re looking for something really casual and laid back. We went there Tuesday night, and although it was hot, they had fans on the patio, and it was 2 for 1 Fish & Chips night. There was also a group of musicians playing Irish folk music. It was very laid back and relaxing.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I love eating at the Beauty Shop and Do Sushi, but their patios are too cramped and noisy for my taste. (Plus I don’t like to worry about getting elbowed by people entering or leaving the restaurants.)
July 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Matt - I guess the nights we have eaten on the patio have been light crowds because I’ve never had a problem with noise or a lot of people coming and going, but I do see how it could be a problem on a very busy night.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Hunt Phelan’s patio is very nice..last time we had a nice table under a pomegranite tree. Service is excellent and Parks is one of the best bartenders in town!
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