New Memphis restaurant Esco all about the 'vibe' — from the V-VIP Room to the Turkey Ribs
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
It’s all about the "vibe" at Esco Restaurant and Tapas.
The Memphis location of this restaurant owned by rapper Tauheed "2 Chainz" Epps and entrepreneur Mychel "Snoop" Dillard opened Oct. 25 at 156 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. It’s the fifth Esco to open in the restaurant group, and the first in Tennessee.
Expect shareable tapas dishes, unique menu items like Turkey Ribs (keep reading for more on that) and Seafood Mac-n-Cheese, craft cocktails, DJs, and an occasional visit from 2 Chainz.
How Esco came to Memphis
Two Memphis couples — Dundalan Sain and Chloe Gray and Mowbray and Cherina Rowand — have brought the franchise to Memphis.
Sain said when he and the Rowands saw the restaurant in Atlanta, they knew they wanted to bring it to the Bluff City.
“Our restaurant will have the same vibe and quality as in Atlanta,” said Sain, adding their location one block off Beale Street will have some additions unique to Memphis.
What’s on the menu at Esco?
The menu is an eclectic blend of sharable tapas plates, as well as salads, sandwiches and entrees.
Signatures tapas include dishes like Smoked Salmon Chips (Blackened Salmon over Crispy Wonton Chips with Tomatoes, Red Onion, Remoulade Sauce and Sour Cream) and Escobar Rolls (which are crispy spring rolls filled with your choice of Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, or Mixed Veggies, served with Sweet Chili Sauce dipping sauce).
Signature dinner entrees include options like Shrimp & Grits, Lamb Chops with Chimichurri Sauce and a Turkey Burger stuffed with Feta Cheese and Spinach.
Sain said dishes unique to Memphis include a Seafood Mac-n-Cheese with shrimp, crab and lobster and Beale Street Corn (which is a street corn with what Sain describes as “Memphis flavor”).
“Turkey Ribs are going to be our signature dish,” Sain said. “I think we will be the only restaurant in Memphis serving them.”
This spin on Memphis barbecue ribs features the dark meat on the ribs of a turkey. The lunch portion features two ribs and a side, and the dinner portion features three ribs and two side dishes.
In addition to lunch and dinner, brunch will be offered. Expect dishes like Peachy Praline French Toast with a Hennessey Syrup.
MEMPHIS RESTAURANTS: The 30 best restaurants in Memphis in 2023: Soul food, seafood and so much more
Go for a meal, but enjoy the vibe
Esco Restaurant and Tapas is more than just a restaurant.
It features a full bar service with signature drinks like the “Head Huncho” (Bulleit Rye, Basil, Raspberries, Lime Juice, Grapefruit Juice and Bitters) and “Ladies Night” (Gin, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice and Lime Juice). It also offers a selection of punch bowls called “Fish Bowls.”
Because the restaurant was co-founded by a musician, music is part of the dining experience. In addition to a curated sound track on weekdays and at lunch, Esco will feature DJs on the weekends and for special events. “We have a Gold Benz DJ Booth,” Sain said.
The restaurant also offers hookah. “You can eat dinner, have a good time and smoke hookah after you finish your meal,” Sain said. Hookah flavors include Blue Mist and Watermelon, as well as signature mixes like “Snoops Hideaway” (mighty freeze and peach with ice, lemon and mint leaves base).
It’s all about the vibe at Esco
The 5,600-square-foot space that was formerly a jukejoint owned by Morgan Freeman has been totally renovated. Sain said the only thing they kept was the 37-foot-long bar.
“It has a totally different feel,” he said. “Everyone will be blown away.”
The dining room can seat 229 guests. Sain said seating options were intentionally designed to offer experiences for a date night for two, a meal with friends or special events. “We have tables for two or four, as well tables that can seat up to 20 guests,” he said.
NEW RESTAURANTS: This Memphis restaurant group has 6 more restaurants in the works. Here's what's planned.
Esco was designed with unique dining features for groups and private events. There are two dining areas in a “sunken” lounge that each offer seating for 10 guests. Guests can reserve one part, or both.
There is also a “secret” V-VIP room behind the bar. “This room is for our basketball players and celebrities,” Sain said. “It has its own private back door.”
The restaurant will also feature an outdoor patio with a 20-foot pergola and panoramic windows that connect the patio and the interior space. There are 20 seats on the patio.
Plans for a grand opening celebration featuring 2 Chainz have yet to be announced.
Atlanta-based Esco Restaurant and Tapas has three locations in the Atlanta area and one in Columbus, Ohio. A restaurant in Dallas is also in the works.
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.
Esco Restaurant and Tapas
Where: 156 Lt. George W. Lee Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday; 11-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Phone: (901) 808-3726
Online: escorestaurant.com
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 2 Chainz's Esco Restaurant and Tapas opens in Memphis: What to expect
