Curry N Jerk: This Caribbean restaurant reinvents itself in new Downtown Memphis spot

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·2 min read

Downtown Memphis restaurant Curry N Jerk is making a big move — just one block away from its original location.

The Caribbean restaurant reopened Aug. 24 at 150 Monroe Ave. in the former Bon Ton Café building.

Chef and owner Arturo Azcarate said the move will enable him to grow his business. The new space is double the size of his former location at 126 Monroe Ave.

“Here I can seat 117 guests — that’s double my size of the dining room,” he said. “We have over 8,000 square feet more. The last space was about 7,000 square feet, and this restaurant is close to 16,000 square feet.”

Arturo Azcarate, the owner of Curry N Jerk, poses for a portrait inside the new location of his restaurant at the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Arturo Azcarate, the owner of Curry N Jerk, poses for a portrait inside the new location of his restaurant at the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Since Azcarate opened Curry N Jerk in 2018, the restaurant has become a destination for authentic Caribbean dishes like Oxtails, Jerk Chicken and Curry Goat.

A taste of Panama

Azcarate has remodeled the dining room of the former historic diner.

“It feels like old-time Panama upstairs,” he said, explaining that he wanted to give homage to his home country.

The seating area and bar is seen at the new location for Curry N Jerk inside the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
The seating area and bar is seen at the new location for Curry N Jerk inside the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

The main floor restaurant will feature his popular Panamanian and Jamaican-inspired menu, with a few new items added to the list.

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507 Lux Lounge

Those familiar with the former Bon Ton Café will remember there is a separate dining room downstairs in the basement.

Azcarate has turned that space into a lounge called 507 Lux Lounge.

The 507 Lux Lounge, located downstairs at Curry N Jerk, is seen at the new location for the restaurant inside the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
The 507 Lux Lounge, located downstairs at Curry N Jerk, is seen at the new location for the restaurant inside the Bon Ton Cafe in Downtown Memphis, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

507 Lux Lounge will feature shareable plates, live music and a DJ, a smoke room and a champagne room.

“It’s more elegant than it was before. Think of it as a high-end lounge,” Azcarate said, adding that it has a black-and-white theme.

Azcarate plans to celebrate the grand opening of his new restaurant Sept. 1 with an event titled “Ebony and Ivory Soiree.” Tickets start at $50 per person and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

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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Curry N Jerk

Where: 150 Monroe Ave.

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 507 Lux Lounge remains open until midnight Tuesday-Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Online: currynjerk.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Downtown Memphis restaurant Curry N Jerk moves: Here's what to expect