Memphis restaurants: Here are 4 new spots that opened in January and 5 that closed
2024 is off to a good start with four new restaurants opening in the Memphis area — and many more set to open in the coming months.
The restaurants that opened in January make an eclectic bunch, but each offers a tasty new addition to the Memphis restaurant community.
The new offerings include a coffee shop on the site of a former church, a popular barbecue food truck opening a brick-and-mortar location, a charcuterie company moving into an art museum and a dive bar chain known for its Wagyu burgers and beer selection.
Unfortunately, we also said goodbye to five eateries in January. Some are gone for good, while others are changing locations or business models.
Here is a look at the restaurants that opened and closed during January.
Congregation Coffee
3060 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown; (901) 310-4767
Congregation Coffee officially opened the first week of January at 3060 Forest Hill Irene Road in Germantown.
The new coffee shop by Kenneth Schweighofer, and his wife, Debra, is on the site of the former Forest Hill Baptist Church.
Congregation Coffee serves all types of espresso drinks and coffees, hot chocolates and a variety of desserts. The coffee shop recently started serving teas and plans to expand its tea offerings over the next few months. There are also local baked goods from places such Sweet LaLa’s Bakery on Poplar Avenue.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday
Smurfey’s Smokehouse BBQ & Breakfast
149 Madison Ave.; (901) 310-4730
Smurfey’s Smokehouse BBQ & Breakfast now has a brick-and-mortar location.
On the menu are all the food truck favorites, plus more said owners Kendrick and Christina Westbrook.
The new to-go concept restaurant opened its doors on Jan. 12 at 149 Madison Ave. It’s located in the space that was most recently Fam, a fast-casual Asian and sushi restaurant.
“Food and feeding people have been my ministry, and then God dropped this opportunity in my lap,” said Kendrick of the reason to open a storefront. His food truck opened in 2012.
Kendrick said to think of the concept as a ghost kitchen, where people can order online or in-person to take their meals to go. Guests will be able to order from delivery services like Uber and DoorDash, or come in to pick up their order.
On the menu are popular items such as Loaded Potatoes and Barbecue Nachos.
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, closed Sunday-Monday
Feast and Graze at the Memphis Brooks Museum
1934 Poplar Ave.; feastandgraze.com
Feast & Graze took over food service at the Memphis Brooks Museum Café on Jan. 24.
Owner Cristina MCarter said to expect her gourmet sandwiches, salads and charcuterie boards, plus some additional items.
A single-serve charcuterie box is sure to be a popular grab-and-go favorite. “Just for Me” charcuterie boxes feature a selection of artisan cheeses, charcuterie meats, crackers, grapes, pickled vegetables, nuts, dried fruits and chocolate. Each box is a mini version of MCarter's popular entertaining boards.
Sandwich options range from Turkey, Fig & Goat paninis made with roasted turkey, hot honey, goat cheese, spring mix and fig jam to an Italian panini made with Rosemary Ham, Dry Salami, Provolone, Swiss, Antipasto and Pesto Aioli.
Salads dressed with garlic oil and balsamic dressing include a Chef’s Salad with Maple Herb Walnuts and a Perfect Pear Salad with pears, dried cherries and goat cheese.
Guests do not need to pay admission to the museum to visit the café. Members of the museum receive a 10% discount on all purchases in the café and store.
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A new East Memphis location of Feats & Graze is set to open this spring at 109 S. Highland St. in the Poplar Plaza Shopping Center.
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday-Tuesday
Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint
2197 Central Ave.; (901) 512-6957; jackbrownsjoint.com
Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint opened Jan. 29 at 2197 Central Ave. It’s the 20th location for the burger chain founded in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The focus on this new restaurant is two things — beer and burgers.
“From the beginning, it’s always been about great craft beer and burgers. It’s simple, sweet and to the point,” said Aaron Ludwig, co-founder of Jack Brown’s.
Jack Brown’s may look like a dive bar, but don’t let that fool you. The burgers at this bar are about as gourmet as you can get.
Jack Brown’s is famous for its one-of-a-kind, creative twists on American classic burgers. Each burger is made with 100% American Wagyu beef from Snake River Farms, a family-owned and -operated business in Boise, Idaho. The marbling in this premium quality beef creates a burger that is juicy, buttery and delicious.
Jack Brown’s also takes pride in its beer selection. The Memphis restaurant will have a selection of about 110 craft beers on the menu. Beers will be available on tap, canned and bottled.
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Memphis restaurant closures and changes
Mo’Bay Beignet Co.
Mo’Bay Beignet Co. temporarily shut its doors on Jan. 8. The Memphis location of the beignet and coffee shop franchise was located at 585 Cooper St. in Midtown Memphis. The owners said they are actively looking for a new location. Mo’Bay Beignet Shop originally opened in April 2023.
HOG WILD East – BBQ & Market
HOG WILD East – BBQ & Market at 921 Yates closed Jan. 20. Owner Ernie Mellor said he plans to focus on the catering side of his businesses HOG WILD Real Memphis Barbecue and A Moveable Feast Catering, and that he has not ruled out the option of opening a bigger location that better serves the changing market. The prepared foods shop opened in May 2021. It was the first retail location for the catering company that was founded in 1997.
Bedrock Eats & Sweets
Bedrock Eats & Sweets closed its café and shop at 327 S. Main on Jan. 20. The 10-year-old business is known for its tasty Paleo and gluten-free offerings, including its signature waffles. While the brick-and-mortar shop is closing, Memphians will still be able to enjoy Bedrock Eats dishes.
“Moving forward we’ll continue with meal prep delivery, we will advertise and expand our personal chef services and we’ll keep weekend Wafflemania alive with our food truck,” owner Brandi Marter said. “Meal prep delivery is available now through our website and our other offerings will be added in the coming weeks. We’ll update social media as we transition.”
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Loaf
Loaf is looking for a new home after being the food partner at the Memphis Brooks Museum for the past year. The last day at the museum was Jan. 27.
“For the time being, we'll be offering some grab-and-go options at Otherlands (Coffee Bar) and a few other spots around town,” owner Kale Carmon said. “We are also planning on expanding our catering options and spending more time working with First Congo's Food Justice program.”
Farm and Fig
Farm and Fig closed on Jan. 27. The popular prepared foods shop and catering company is closing due to the health of its co-owner and chef Dino Grisanti.
“Unfortunately, our chef and co-owner Dino was diagnosed with cancer this summer. Due to focusing on his health, we lack the capacity to devote the full attention that Farm and Fig truly deserves,” read the social media post that announced the closure.
Farm and Fig opened in November 2020 at 800 S. Cooper in the Cooper-Young neighborhood. The company had been a catering company for two years before opening the retail location in the spot that had formerly been Cooper Street 20/20.
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 openings and closings in January: Here's the list
