Chef Tam's Underground Cafe has closed: 'Not goodbye, just I'll see you later'

Chef Tam's Underground Cafe at 668 Union Ave. closed on Feb. 7.

"Thank you Memphis. It's been real," chef and owner Tamra Patterson said. "I have learned so much. This is not goodbye, but see you later."

The closure was announced on social media Thursday evening.

Patterson said she is stepping away from the restaurant business all together, closing not just her flagship Memphis restaurant, but her locations in Texas and Rhode Island as well.

"I need some peace, and to recalculate, restructure and rebuild," she said of the decision to close her restaurants.

Since opening in March 2017, Patterson has made a name for herself for her creative Southern soul food dishes. Dishes like Patterson's Deep Fried Ribs and Peach Cobbler are often over the top, but delicious. She has garnered national attention on shows like Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” (which she won in 2018) and A&E’s “Deliciously Twisted Classics." Her restaurant and dishes have been featured in national publications like Forbes, the New York Times and Taste of the South.

Her eatery in a historic building in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis was filled with family memorabilia and included a store that sold her signature seasoning blends and cookware.

While the restaurant will cease operations, Patterson said she remains steadfast in her commitment to serving the community through an array of ventures. "From bespoke catering experiences to immersive cooking classes, and the unveiling of Chef Tam's exquisite line of culinary products, including her renowned cookware, the legacy of Chef Tam's culinary prowess will continue to thrive," stated the closure announcement on Facebook.

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While Patterson expressed sadness over the closures, she has optimism for the future. “As we bid adieu to one chapter, we eagerly anticipate the unfolding of the next, where new opportunities beckon, achievements await celebration, and passion ignites purpose.”

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis restaurant Chef Tam's Underground Cafe closes: What we know