'Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives': What restaurants has Guy Fieri visited in Memphis?
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Guy Fieri has featured 13 Memphis restaurants on his iconic Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
It’s been 11 years since a Memphis restaurant has been featured on his show, but Memphis restaurants are still reaping the benefits of Fieri’s visit.
Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken owner Lou Martin credits Fieri with helping his restaurant thrive. “The experience was tremendous," he said. "We were on the verge of closing our doors for good had the show not featured us."
Martin also gives Fieri full credit for the name of his now world-famous “Sweet Spicy Love” fried chicken. When Martin first started his business, he originally called his fried chicken “honey dipped.” But after a visit by Fieri in 2008, he promptly changed the name.
“It was actually Guy Fieri that came up with the name,” Martin said. “After he tasted it, he was like, ‘No brother! This is sweet spicy love!’ We changed it that day.”
“Life-changing, still after 13-plus years” is how Alcenia’s owner B.J. Chester-Tamayo describes the experience of having her soul food restaurant featured. “The funny thing to me about that show is you film for over 10 hours for airtime of 6 life-changing minutes.”
Martin describes the filming of the segment as “a blast.”
“The Guy you see on TV is the same Guy in person. The one thing that stands out the most is when he told me I had no idea what was about to happen and he was absolutely right," Martin said. "Here it is 15 years later, and we're still being shown on reruns."
Here is a look at 13 Memphis restaurants featured on the show.
The Mayor of Flavortown picked some of Memphians' most beloved dining spots. 10 are still going strong, while three have shut their doors.
We think it's about time for Fieri to make another trip to Memphis, don't you agree?
Alcenia's
Location: 317 N. Main St.
Episode air date: Nov. 3, 2008
Season 4: Episode 12 “Traditional Dishes”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “If you're from Memphis, you may have already heard of Alcenia's famous 'Cha Cha' cabbage relish or the sweet potato cobbler. Guy swooped in on this mother-daughter operation for Triple D (as did the Neelys). Locals claim it's true Memphis cooking and Guy had this to say: ‘Mmm, that's good.’”
Note: Alcenia’s is owned and operated by B.J. Chester-Tamayo using recipes passed down from her mother Alcenia Clark Chester.
Cozy Corner
Location: 745 N. Parkway
Episode air date: May 26, 2008
Season 3: Episode 7 “The Memphis Barbecue Tour”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “Cozy Corner knows its Tennessee barbecue and locals come in droves for their ribs, wings and smoked sausage. But Guy was caught off-guard by their equally tasty whole chickens and bologna barbecue sandwiches. The real kicker? Cornish hens. Guy says you'll just have to come over and get your own.”
The Farmer (formerly Elegant Farmer)
Location: 2166 Central Ave.
Episode air date: Oct. 15, 2012
Season 15: Episode 9 “Handcrafted”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “At this farm-to-table eatery Chef Mac Edwards buys his ingredients directly from the source. The pan-seared catfish with mac 'n' cheese and greens as well as the banh mi Guy called 'outstanding.' Guy got messy with the sloppy joe full of 'big flavor.' Locals love the country fried pork chops.”
Note: When Guy visited The Farmer, the restaurant was located at 262 S. Highland St. In December 2021, Edwards “passed the torch” to Railgarten owner Jack Phillips who reopened the restaurant at its current Midtown Memphis location.
Leonard's Pit Barbecue
Location: 5465 Fox Plaza Drive
Episode air date: May 26, 2008
Season 3: Episode 7 “The Memphis Barbecue Tour”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “Leonard's Pit Barbecue owner Dan Brown says if you visit for dinner you'll experience the same delicious recipes passed down from 'last century' to 'last week.' Open since 1922, this iconic Memphis, Tenn., eatery has loads of fans, like Guy, who called the chopped pork sandwich ‘all-star barbecue.’"
Note: Dan Brown sold the 100-plus-year-old restaurant to Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken owner Wendy McCrory in June 2021.
NEW RESTAURANTS: From breakfast fare to Italian to-go to fro-yo: 7 new Memphis restaurants to try
Marlowe's Ribs
Location: 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Episode air date: May 26, 2008
Season 3: Episode 7 “The Memphis Barbecue Tour”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “You might not see locals at Graceland, but you'll definitely see them at Marlowe's Ribs. Like Guy, locals know they can call Marlowe's for a free pink-limo ride to the restaurant. Good thing too because Guy couldn't wait to try the Elvis favorite: ribs smothered in Marlowe's tangy barbecue sauce.”
Memphis Barbecue Co.
Location: 709 Desoto Cove, Horn Lake
Episode air date: Aug. 27, 2012
Season 15: Episode 4 "Surf N’ Turf Jackpot"
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “Pit master Melissa Cookston is the only female to be a world BBQ champion. Guy got messy with the deliciously tender baby back ribs and he loved the crunch burger with pork rinds and juke sauce. The cheese fritters, pulled pork and brisket are local favorites.”
Memphis Street Underground Cafe
Location: 2476 Memphis St., Hernando
Episode air date: Aug. 6, 2012
Season 15: Episode 1 “Unconventional Comforts”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “At this underground cafe, scratch-made Southern food is prepared fresh daily. Guy recommends the banana bread French toast smothered with caramelized bananas spiked with cognac and topped off with two scoops of vanilla-bean-and-fresh-ginger ice cream. The shrimp with grits is a local favorite.”
South of Beale (SOB)
Two locations: 345 S. Main St. and 5040 Sanderlin Ave.
Episode air date: Oct. 1, 2012
Season 15: Episode 7 “Flavortown Medley”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “The food at this gastropub is cheap and in some cases free, but it all tastes great. One of the signature dishes is the duck fried rice, which Guy was crazy about and it costs only $5. Guy also liked the free and addictive house seasoned popcorn. Try the Jack and Coke bread pudding too.”
Note: Fieri visited the original South of Beale at 361 S. Main St. The restaurant has expanded into a larger location in the South Main Arts District and opened a second location in East Memphis. A third location in Collierville is set to open later this year.
Tom's Bar-B-Q
Location: 4087 New Getwell Road
Episode air date: May 26, 2008
Season 3: Episode 7 “The Memphis Barbecue Tour”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “Tom's draws the crowds with a special Mediterranean twist on barbecue. They slather a Greek-inspired spice rub featuring thyme, oregano, pickling spice, celery salt and more on everything from brisket to turkey, including the signature rib tips, which Guy calls 'some of the best barbecue' around.”
Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken
Location: 3633 Millbranch Road
Episode air date: Aug. 4, 2008
Season 4: Episode 5 “Where the Locals Eat”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “The saying goes that if Colonel Sanders had Uncle Lou's fried chicken recipe, he'd be a general. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Guy loved Lou's 'crazy' fried chicken that's dipped into a sauce once called 'Corruption.' Now, thanks to Guy, it has been rechristened Sweet Spicy Love.”
Featured Memphis restaurants that are now closed:
Little Tea Shop
Location: 69 Monroe Ave.
Episode air date: May 12, 2008
Season 3: Episode 9 “American Classics”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “Chef Suhair may be from Jerusalem, but she can cook Southern food 'like no other.' Her fried chicken, which Guy describes as light and crispy, has a secret Middle Eastern twist. The menu rotates during the week, but crowd-pleasers like corn sticks and poppin' Johns are served fresh daily.”
Note: The Little Tea Shop closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has never reopened.
BEST THING I ATE THIS WEEK: Beignets, a Tuna Melt and Dover Sole
Rizzo's Diner
Location: 106 E. GE Patterson Ave.
Episode air date: Aug. 20, 2012
Season 15: Episode 3 “Savory Standouts”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “At this upscale diner, Chef Michael Patrick is reinventing Southern comfort food. The savory chorizo meatloaf juxtaposed with tangy green tomato gravy tantalized Guy's taste buds, while the lobster pronto pups had a light batter and perfectly tender meat.”
Note: Chef Michael Patrick closed Rizzo’s Diner in March 2022. Today he is the executive chef at the Memphis location of The Capital Grille.
Three Angels Diner
Location: 2617 Broad Ave.
Episode air date: Oct. 22, 2012
Season 15: Episode 4 “All Family, All the Time”
According to the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” review: “At this kid-friendly diner the mom-and-pop duo are putting a fresh spin on American classics. The fried chicken with corn on the cob and turnip greens impressed Guy. Diners also like to order the adult grilled cheese with smoked Gouda, goat and cheddar cheese.”
Note: Three Angels Diner closed in September 2015. Owners Amy and Julio Zuniga opened Maximo’s on Broad in the same location in October 2015.
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.
If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City — like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis restaurants Guy Fieri visited on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
