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Soul food The Pinch / Downtown Top pick

Alcenia's

BJ Chester-Tamayo opened this restaurant in 1997, using her mother's recipes, and is known for greeting guests with a hug. Lunch runs Tuesday to Friday, with brunch on Saturday.

Must tryFried chicken with hot-water cornbread
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Named as a Black-owned business by a trusted local source (see source). Hours change, so call or check the website before you go. Know something we should update? Tell us.

More soul food in Memphis

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  • Soul food Top pick

    North Memphis (North Parkway)

    Cozy Corner BBQ

    Must tryRib tips and the pulled pork sandwich

    Nationally known barbecue spot co-founded by Desiree Robinson and featured in Bon Appetit, Food & Wine and Saveur. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm.

    735 N Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105

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  • Soul food

    Chickasaw Oaks (Poplar Ave)

    Mahogany Memphis

    Must tryCajun fried chicken, or shrimp and grits

    Upscale Southern restaurant with Creole touches, cocktails named after celebrities and Sunday brunch. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

    Mahogany River Terrace, 280 Island Dr, Memphis, TN 38103

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  • Soul food

    Lamar Avenue (near Orange Mound)

    Payne's Bar-B-Que

    Must tryChopped pork sandwich with mustard slaw

    Family barbecue joint opened in 1972 and run by Ron Payne and Candice Payne-Parker, with matriarch Flora Payne still involved. The mustard-based slaw is a family...

    1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114

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  • Soul food

    Beale Street / Downtown

    SugaShack

    Must tryDaily soul food specials

    Soul food restaurant described as the only Black-owned restaurant on Beale Street. It took part in Memphis Black Restaurant Week in 2024 and 2025.

    392 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

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