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Mon-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mon-Wed. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
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So after trying their late night meatloaf sandwich for $5, I had to come back and try their full meatloaf meal on Tuesday. Why on Tuesday? Well it is half off. Regular price is $16.50. To me that is kind of pricey, but for $8.25 on a Tuesday, it is a bargain. This time around at Memphis, I brought along Yelper Jo E since she loves meatloaf.
Needless to say, we both ordered the meatloaf. Corn bread was soon brought to our table. It was decent. I've had better, but I've had much worse. Several minutes later, the meatloaf came out. This meal had two thick slices of meatloaf with mash potatoes in between each slice, gravy smothered on top and green beans on the side.
The meatloaf was pretty good. I think I like it better in the sandwich format, but this meal was still tasty. It had a very nice sweet ketchup taste to it. It truly hit the spot and left my tummy very content.
Memphis has a HH M-F from 2:30-6:30PM and Wed and Thur from 9:30PM - 12:00AM
I'll be back again to try some more yummy treats here.
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It has been awhile since I've been to Memphis. Usually I come here to have a drink, listen to the… Read more »
First time to Memphis and we had a very clear goal in mind: MUST GET MEATLOAF. I've heard from some friends that this place has to-die-for meatloaf, and anyone that knows me knows that I looove me some good meatloaf.
Well, on Tuesdays, the meatloaf is half-off, so naturally, that's the way to go if you want to get your meatloaf on. Regular price is around $17- kinda pricey for meatloaf, but the half off deal can't be beat.
In anticipation for the evening, I checked out their menu online, and would like to go back and try a bunch of their other items... everything looked soo good! The Costa Mesa location reminded me of something like a small diner in Hollywood from back-in-the-day, that was uplifted and transplanted onto Bristol for all of the hipsters to enjoy. There was a bar with those round turny seats like at an ice cream parlor, and cozy seating, which, apparently, is removable when the place turns into a dance club on the weekends. One thing that I wasn't a fan of is the dim lighting. The ceiling lights are kinda weird, kinda prison-domeish, and cast a yellow kinda eerie light onto everything. I am a big fan of actually being able to SEE my food, especially if it's my first time at a restaurant, but, I just had to trust that the meatloaf was gonna be as good as I hoped.
The meatloaf itself was pretty good! It came as 2 pieces with mashed potatoes and some gravy/sauce which was sweet like ketchup . There was also some French beans thrown in for color. Good portion, I left totally full. I had also ordered a small Caesar to start, which I do not recommend if you are a Caesar fan. I was more like romaine lettuce with balsamic dressing and Romano cheese on it. Not at all what I was expecting. My Stella Artois was $5 out of the bottle, with no glass given, so I give the place 3 stars overall. The meatloaf was yummy, but overall I kept feeling that there was something missing that could have made the experience a little better.
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For the price i would expect my Meatloaf to be the size of Mr. Aday's head, but unfortunately it is really small portions. I would prefer to go to Marie Calendars, pay ten bucks less and have a hearty meal.
I know i am a big guy and should probably drop a few pounds, but for $17, it's just too tiny. At that price, it better be really impressive meatloaf. I thought it was just ok.
The only time i ever go to Memphis is if it is a friend's birthday. I would never volunteer to go to Memphis, just because of the high prices. I would rather spend that kind of money on a really good steak.
That being said, there is a silver lining to this place. I do like the design of the restaurant as well as the atmosphere that is created. Even though the cornbread is cold most of the time, it is actually pretty fantastic.
This might be a great place for a Hipsters' first date, but it is just not my scene.
The Costa Mesa local is hit or miss from a food standpoint. I think the santora local is better but, this one is much closer for me to go to.
They seemed to have adjusted there menu a bit seems pretty good for now, there lunch menu is decent too. i just wish it was as taste as the other locals. What this Memphis has which they all have is good service and cool bar tenders.
I love there Soul Burger the best.
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Memphis is filled with awesomeness! This is another unique OC gem. the food is pretty good, really good and they have options for the veggies if I remember correctly. They also transform into a bar after dinner hours are over.
I would give you some suggestions but it's been a while since my last visit.
Tip to Waiters - always tell your customers what the specials are. I was pretty disappointed when I left the restaurant and noticed a sign with a list of specials on it. I probably would have ordered either the Beef Brisket or Pan Roasted Halibut.
but, I ordered the Fried Chicken with Collard Greens, Mashed Potatoes, & Gravy. I was afraid I wouldn't like the gravy, but I did, and I wish there was more of it on my plate. The Fried Chicken was also good, but a little expensive for what you get.
My mojito was not that good. It was too sweet, and the mint was not muddled enough.
I would go back to try the Meatloaf and maybe one of the SPECIALS!
If you have a KCRW Fringe Benefits card, you get 15% off.
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I've been here many times and here's why I like it:
-Cozy atmosphere
-Damn good food
-Good beer selection including anchor steam on draft
-Friendly service
-Awesome Happy Hour
-Bar area (perfect for solo lunch)
-Lunch specials
-Gumbo and cornbread
-Nice patio
-Their "house salad" is not what it sounds like. It has avocado and tomatoes and walnuts and I love it!
Now if they could just do something about the damn parking lot so I don't have to park in the dirt and get my car dirty, that'd be great. Also not a great place for large groups as the seating is pretty tight and limited.
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GREAT service here & GREAT food..what else can u ask for?? The people here are nice & friendly, ambiance is relaxed & kick back..the drinks are GREAT ... =) a HAPPY HAPPY place to be & it won't break your wallet either =)
1 of the BEST places 4 Happy Hour in OC!! =)
You should try going during happy hour, because appetizers are all half off.
HAPPY HOUR
Mon - Fri 2:30pm-6:30pm
LATE NIGHT MENU
Wed & Thu - 10pm to midnight
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NIGHTLIFE REVIEW:
Memphis has its on and off nights. I used to come here a couple of years ago, and it was ROCKIN'. Now, some nights are still ROCKIN' but not as much as it rocked before.
That's fine, because we're in Orange County after all, and Orange County is the land of compromise.
So, count those 4 stars for its ON nights and 2 stars for its OFF nights. I try to be a positive guy, so I'll give it the 4 stars.
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***There is a 5 Star Manager at this location! Best Customer Service Ever!***
I had a bit of a misunderstanding with the Tuesday special (1/2) off the best Meatloaf Dinner in town. Amy, the manager, fixed things. She is fantastic. I hope that Memphis recognizes her. She is "one of a kind!"
5 Stars for the meatloaf here. Two nice slices with yummy mashed potatoes and corn bread. What was even more of a surprise were the string beans. Y-U-M-M-Y. Because of the Meatloaf and Amy, I am a definite regular to this place. Restaurants are there to serve. It seems like these days restaurants forget about the customer service. That is why we all eat out..Good food and to be treated right. This location has it all.
I live pretty far from this location, Santa Ana is closer, but will be going to Costa Mesa for my meals. I am so tempted to give this place 5 stars, but want to try their other items. I am sure I will get to know their menu well.
Again, thank you Amy! I would be more than happy to write a letter to anyone you feel appropriate. PM me with details! All I know is that if I ever open a restaurant, I am going to do my best to steal you away from them Memphis!
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Meatloaf, Meatloaf, Meatloaf!!
I Have Smokey Mountain Fever and the cure.. Memphis Cafe's Meatloaf!…
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I remember coming here a few years back and ordering crabcakes and it was by far the best crab cakes I've ever had in my entire life; and ever since that evening I have been trying to replicate the recipe and I'm nearly no where close to making decent crabcakes. And why haven't I gone back until recently???
Looking over their lunch menu the only items that stood out to me were their Lunch Combos which ranged from $8-$9.50 and it consisted of two from the following items; 1/2 Sandwich (choice of pulled pork, bbq chicken, memphis po-boy, or smoked turkey breast), 1/2 Salad (house, caesar, or spinach), soup of the day, or gumbo.
I ended up ordering the 1/2 Memphis Po-Boy Sandwich (it was a cornmeal fried catfish filet with horseradish mayo on a fresh baguette) and 1/2 Caesar Salad for $8 - what an affordable and tasty lunch! The fish was fried to perfection, the cornmeal gave it a nice crumby texture, and it was not at all greasy or oily; and it was especially divine with the horseradish mayo spread along the warm baguette. YUM-MO!
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Came here kinda last minute (as in 15 minutes before closing time), but had a great time nonetheless. People were pretty cool and chill - each doing their own thing and enjoying their time. The place is a little small and can get crowded/cramped if you're trying to get your dance on. Music varies, mostly remixes from the DJ which aren't so bad.
It kinda reminds me of going to a house party where everyone's just having a great time.
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It's Daft Punk meets Southern comfort food. Whaaa? But, also, yes.
I can't tell you how much I love these four walls. We used to come here for lunch during the week to get gumbo and corn bread like it was going out of style. Memphis always reminded me of that Seinfeld episode where George goes to the swanky lounge with all the models and tries to bring Jerry back the next day but it's turned into a dusty warehouse. Very Wizard of Ozish.
You'd never know that a tiny little diner-esque joint would be one of the best places to hear live mixing in OC. It also helps that its owned by the same people that own Detroit, one of the best venues in OC to catch indie/undergroup hip hop/jazztechnofunk/house/whatev shows. I get goosebumps just thinking about all of it.
So, yeah. I love Memphis. And me thinks ye will too.
Great comfort food! I have to say that the food is delicious and that's pretty much all there is to it! The place is decorated nicely and the service is great. It may look a bit shabby on the exterior, but once you enter into the restaurant your mentality will change.
Oh, and no matter what... GET THE GUMBO!
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The Happy Hour is one of the best happy hours around. $5 for full-sized portions of many of their appetizers with quite a few drink specials. I think even mixed drinks like screwdrivers are just $3. A few special drinks, like the pink lemonade martini (yum!) were $5. I was sad that one of the special drinks that I regularly order was not on the happy hour menu. It's my favorite!
Anyway, I tried the cornmeal-crusted shrimp and the frybread. The frybread is huge (about the size of a personal pizza). It was very good but very filling. It's better for sharing than an individual person's order. The cornmeal-crusted shrimp is light and crisp but don't breathe in while you're eating it or else you risk breathing in cornmeal and getting it stuck in your throat - like me.
The indoor dining area can get very warm because I don't think they use A/C. It's also a bit on the dim side. The tables are sticky, but clean (weird, I know). Service is good.
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I really like the Memphis Cafe. I usually go for the Catfish Po'boy with a cup of Gumbo...I am always pleased with their food. There should be a disclaimer however for some people. They need to understand this is sort of California's take on Southern food. It's is a cleaner less filling experience...It is by no means a soul food restaraunt...I like the location. I really do wish the interior had additional windows. I understand the decor but I wish there were more breezes running through the joint. Other than that I could probably go to lunch here everyday and find another thing I like as much as my usual...Keep up the great work
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I dropped in here for dinner with a friend, and had some seasonal special with the salmon. It was well-cooked and flavorful, with a nice sauce. I had a good experience with the sides, too, and really good with the cornbread -- which is the free bread.
The service was great -- very competent and pleasant. The interior (and I'm including the patio, where we'd sat) is not super-upscale, but it's got an interesting contemporary character -- and a nice feel at night. The parking can be a little hard, though. Inside, too, some parts are kind of tight to maneuver around people like when you're heading to the bathroom, but the experience was great overall.
Went here for lunch one day and was pleasantly surprised when I stepped in. It looks fairly plain from the outside and my boyfriend and I thought it might just be a bar that served a little bar food that only drunks would hang out in during the day.
The food was not bar food at all but really good quality! I ordered the portabella mushroom sandwich. It was delicious with the shoestring fries. My boyfriend got shrimp tacos that he says were the best he ever had and kept thinking about them all weekend.
As for the look and feel of the inside, it was small but neatly decked out to look straight out of the 60's. I heard that the drinks are good too so I'll have to definitely go back for dinner sometime.
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A solid bar in the OC. Good place to take friends from out of town, or just hang out with homies when there's nothing else to do. The music is usually some sort of house mix with a little hip hop. Dj's are a hit or miss thing - sometimes its bumpin and when it's not, people tend to chill out in the back patio.
The crowd is somewhat mixed, some hipster and some not. Very casual dressing, but has a dance floor, so you can get your boogie on. I'm not gonna lie, I've gotten wastey here a couple times.
Saturday night: Arrived here at about 11pm with a few friends. we got there and the place was packed like sardines. I was at a few places before Arriving to Memphis, and i didn't enjoy them. I tend not to like OC hangouts..I feel very out of place.. But, Memphis reminded me of home.. Good Music, a bit of a dive, Cheap drinks, Smoking patio , hot girls & hipsters. Although, Memphis was a bit small i still enjoyed it and didn't mind ..If i were to hangout at the OC again, Memphis would definitely be on top of the list.
Bottom Line: Cheap Drinks, No Cover, Cool Crowd. I like !!!!
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I SO wish this cozy laid back place was closer to me.
I met a good friend here last night for some drinks and chit chat. We were actually going to meet at the Gypsy Den in the same complex called "The Anti-Mall" but I got there first and had some time to kill.
Since there is no alcohol at the Gypsy, I decided to walk over to the non-descript Memphis and have a drink while I waited. As I got closer, the smell of Barbeque permeated the wind. It was mouth watering.
The place isn't much from the outside, but as soon as you step in, you may never want to leave. It's just comfy in there. Small casual tables pepper a small room, and that small room blends into another small room. Also, to the right of the bar, diners lit by splashes of candlelight enjoy a warm evening on the covered patio.
I sipped on my second $7 Tanqueray/lime while comforting clanking sounds floated over the open kitchen which nestles behind the bar. The scattered lights shone off the liquor bottles and the music was hypnotic. As the gin sunk in, I started to feel so mellow that I had to stop myself from putting my head down on the bar for a nap.
Luckily just then my friend arrived and I bought her a drink so she could quickly catch up. If we were going to the coffee bar for dinner, it was best we get primed. Well, after what looked like a refreshing Kettle One on the rocks, and another Gin and Lime for me, we realized we were staying for the duration. In fact, we never moved away from the bar.
The bartender suggested we take advantage of "reverse happy hour" - a late night menu that kicks in after 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The selection was quite generous and consisted of about 5 or 6 entrees for $5 ea, and a decent selection of mixed drinks for $3 ea.
We ordered pulled pork sliders and a goat cheese and beet salad. The 3 sliders came out first, and the bartender gave us each a small plate. Nice touch. Next out came the salad. It was definitely enough to share except as it turns out, my bar buddy isn't a salad shooter so I was left to gorge on that one alone.
The sliders were tangy and sweet, and the meat was tender like pulled meat should be. Also on the plate was a small pile of fries, or maybe they were deep fried onion strings. I'm not sure, but they were just oily enough to coat the stomach, and had a sweet onion flavor.
The leafy salad was overladen with a creamy dressing, but the flavor was good so it didn't ruin anything. The two things we thought were meatballs, were actually soft balls of goat cheese rolled in nuts, or crumbs. The two or three beet slices in the salad were obviously canned, and void of flavor.
In the spirit of Memphis, we ordered a couple of $3 Mint Juleps. I don't have much positive to say about them except that someone likes playing with mint leaves, so just for that the $3 was justified.
Perhaps it was the gin, perhaps it was the company and conversation, perhaps it was the unpretentious ambience of the restaurant, and most likely all three, but there will always be a warm spot in my heart for Memphis.
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Reviewing this location is simple: Perfection! From the ambiance, to the decor, to the building, to the employees, and alas, the awesome food, it's simple: Perfection in every way.
Comfort food, relaxed environment, acceptable prices. When I think of Memphis, a smile and satisfaction comes to mind, and of course I am licking my lips.
Brunch Review: I've been here twice. Oh my gosh, AMAZING! Love the complimentary cornbread (sometimes you have to ask for it, but it's free!), love the brunch menu and the 2-for-1 champagne cocktails. Very southern-esque menu feel. I like the seafood fritatta...yum!! I also recommend the patio seating, it's a lot of fun and this place is a great value!
Very unimpressive and played down on the outside, but what is waiting for you on the inside is a delicious bounty of tastiness!
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What a find! Sure, the exterior is bleak and a little boring and looks like a "Norms" that has been converted to a more contemporary eatery. But you don't judge a book by its cover, right?!? Right!
Memphis is like a cozy bee's hive, buzzing around with activity. We sat on the patio and passed "through" the kitchen on our way to the back. The place was packed from the minute we pulled up and the second we left. A popular gem of a place, this is.
The noms we had at our table:
Gumbo (****) my dish - LOVED IT!
Beet, Goat Cheese & Arugula Salad (**) How can one go wrong with goat cheese?
Mussels w/ Crostini to sop up the savory broth (****)
House Burger (not to be confused with furburger, okay?) (*)
Southern Style Meatloaf (*************************************)
Cajun Seafood Trio (**)
Banana Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise & Berries (**)
Chocolate Cake (**) - decadent and rich, but oh, so good.
We were very all very pleased with the generous selection of small plates and bigger entrees. Good for the budget-minded eaters, but also good for those who want more variety. I almost always get 2+ small plates instead of one bigger one because I love to try a little bit of this and that.
How long as it been since the Finale of the last Top Chef in New Orleans? Damn, I remember CRAVING some good, hearty Southern fare back then. I had to ignore my craving, though, because of the lack of Southern flavor in the area. Now that I've found Memphis, though, now I know where to come when I get a hankering for some authentic gumbo with a kick.
************** {{{{{ BEWARE }}}}} *******************
This doesn't have anything to do with the food or service at Memphis, but please note that the parking around the restaurant is not always the best. The lighting is poor and there is no security, so it is best advised to NOT leave your car there, if you plan on going somewhere else afterwards. My friend's car got broken into some time during that night and all her belongings were stolen. :(
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Ok i love there happy hour! so cheap! i think it is like 4 dollar menu. I get the goat cheese and beet salad and the mussels n clams and it is DELISH!
Also, if you get Laurie as your server she will be sure to put a smile on your face! she's so funny and a great time, especially after serving me a few drinks! LOVE her.
Consistently good food and drinks. The meatloaf is yummy. You can not go wrong with this place!
Everything I have eaten here was amazing. The gumbo-to damn die for. The fry bread is great. Very rich food, but it is so damn good. The fried chicken is very good, the meatloaf is also great. Get the barbecue sliders!!! Large portions, very good food.
The reason for the lack of 5 stars is that inside feels a tad cramped and dark, but I love this place.
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My absolute favorite spot for music and dancing on a Friday is Memphis. The DJ's are very consistent and play the hip-hop I like. The bartenders are quick, generous, and most importantly I've never felt like i was being ignored while they serve all the hot chicks. Which brings me to my next point, I've met some very beautiful, down to earth ladies here. Most of the time this place is filled with cool people who enjoy dancing and listening to good music. Even the bouncer is a really rad guy. You'll often find him outside reading a business book to better himself.
As for the food, I am sure its great. I spent my 25th bday at the Memphis in Santa Ana, and had the chicken and waffles and a salad and it was pretty good.
I love this place and hope they keep doing their thing!
"You're going to Memphis right now???"
I looked at my watch. 5:30pm. I nodded my head. Why not?
Apparently a lot of people come to Memphis later on, but my friend and I had a good amount of time to kill before going out. FYI it's on the corner, and yes there is a light that enables you to turn left into the place. As we pulled up to the pretty vacant lot I immediately thought of the Flinstones. The uniquely shaped windows made me reminisce of Bedrock, Barney and Dino.
The food here is pretty memorable. I'm used to the El Torito crowd during my HH's, so getting something different was a tingle to my tastebuds.
We were seated immediately. The place is not super tiny, but it is cozy. There is a bar area with about 6 chairs, and its surrounded by a handful of tables, as well as an outdoors sitting area. I looked around at the other 4 people in there, and decided this would be my new HH place.
Drink and food prices were decent. I had a fuzzy navel, he had a beer. We both split a Meatloaf sandwich and a flatbread with chicken (which came out looking like a pizza, but tasting nothing like the commonly ordered superbowl dish)
Service was okay - I had the hardest time flagging down our waitress, but overall would I go back?
Sure.
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small, but cool place to grab some drinks with some friends. Drinks are decently priced and strong, but really depends on the bartender. It has a house-party, backyard feel to it and i think that's why i go back.
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I went to Memphis Cafe with a couple of my coworkers for lunch and got their 1/2 sandwich (I got pulled pork) and gumbo lunch special (~$10), and boy, am I glad I did!!!
Wow, their gumbo was AMAZING. This is the first time I have tried gumbo and now I am in love with it. It had a lot of flavor, and it tasted so good with the rice, chicken, okra, and vegetables. I was expecting a small portion since it was part of the combo, but it was pretty big- I had to take my sandwich home! The sandwich was pretty decent.. but the gumbo is to die for. Seriously, where have you beeeen all my life?? 5 stars for the gumbo.
The cornbread was "ok.." It wasn't as fresh as I had expected.
Service was great, and I would go back for their GUMBO!!! They also had other items on the menu that I wanted to try- and they had a good selection of wines and alcoholic beverages for lunch. =) Good for small groups since the tables were pretty small.
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I came here for lunch with my coworkers. I remember having the pulled pork at the 90s event at the Detroit Bar, so when my coworkers said I can pick the place, Memphis was my answer.
We came at around 11:30am. There was an outdoor eating area and you can eat inside. We picked inside, the place was pretty empty but once we sat down and ordered the place started getting pretty packed.
I ended up getting the stuffed fried chicken special. It was a cheese stuffed pablano pepper stuffed fried chicken! It was soooooo good. I ate the whole thing and started having some food sweats. I shouldn't have been so greedy but I couldn't help it, the chicken kept on calling me. So I was just being polite and answering my tummy's calling.
I would definitely be coming back for some desserts and perhaps some drinks!! I give Memphis a big fat fried five stars.
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Well after walking Through what is known as "the anti mall" and realizing Habana's had a power outage my date and I strolled over to what I assumed was a damn truckers bar. Nope. Not if trucker's bars smell like heaven! Wow the minute you walk in the smell of the BBQ nearly knocks you down..it was pure bliss. I'm assuming this is a popular eatery because for a Monday night around 8pm it was pretty packed. We sat outside which was cute because they have couches and candles, alongside the tables and chairs obviously.
any who on the food.. =) I had the gumbo (GREAT for restaurant gumbo) I wish the cornbread they serve while you wait for your food was warm and fresh from the oven but it wasn't. They serve it with cold butter as if it were a dinner roll or something. Weird. Ty had the porterhouse..which looked like a pork chop to me. I don't know why they don't simply call it a pork chop. He said he liked it outside of it tasting like raisins. Hmm..I can't comment on the prices because I didn't even look but overall I liked the spot. I will more than likely return.
FOOD: awesome! Its one of the 3 locations in all of CA that I've found who knows how to make fried chicken. Just know that if you're in the mood for that, they don't serve it for brunch and its dinner only. I'd hate for you to walk out with a long face and full tummy like I did.
NIGHT: I went once thinking that it was going to be packed but there was about a dozen people at 10:30. The tables were still being occupied by patrons eating, so there's no place to sit and the bar is small and intimate. Good if you're going with people that you already know but bad if you're there trying to get a friend out of his newly single funk.
Breakfast here is amazing! I absolutely loved my crawfish omelet. The eggs were fluffy and light and the salsa tasted fresh spicy and homemade.
What I really enjoyed were the potatoes. They were fried and still warm and soft on the inside.
You can get all you can drink mimosas for 11 bucks, I declined because as appealing as it sounded being drunkie at a movie was not what I wanted.
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Our Valentine's Day dinner was here and I am so glad that it was.
They had a a couple of different…
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I'll update my rating as soon as I try their entrees and/or a heartier appetizer. My partner and her friends flock to Memphis quite often for their happy hour special. Happy hour is 2-7pm. Most popular bar drinks are only $3. They make a great Margarita. The happy hour food specials are only $5. I ordered a goat cheese, beet, and arugula salad. It was perfect. The restaurant is small and quaint. I wouldn't recommend it for large parties; just you and the love of your life--a great after work or weekend niche. They play great music (electronica, rare grooves, indie, progressive when I was there). I can't wait to try their main dishes.
Okay, it has been about 2 months since my first review of this spot. I said I was going to update my original review just as soon as I tried Memphis' lunch/dinner menu. So here it is:
Soul Burger: Completely devoid of any kind of soul. Doughy bun which was three times the size of the actual hamburger patty. Hamburger patty was gristly. Barbecue sauce was bland. This burger cost $12 dollar and tasted like a .99 cent burger at a fast food chain.
Cajun Trio: A-OK
Hush Puppies: Now anyone who has had real Southern Soul Food knows that hush puppies are supposed to scream cornmeal, crunch, and Cajun Spice, with a perfectly balanced moist bread center. Memphis fails miserably here. Their hush puppies were crunchy alright--overcooked crunchy. But worst then that, they tasted like they had zero salt in them. Just bland. Tasted like a bland ball of fried dough.
Side of Fried Spinach: I know, I know. Who fries spinach anyway? I called myself trying something different. Well curiosity killed the cat. Let this be a lesson, warning, or plain ol sound advice to all: don't ever fry spinach! What you end up with is a pile of paper thin, oily leaves. Yuck!
So here's the deal: Happy hour is about all Memphis has going on besides the Warm Goat Cheese, Beet, and Arugula Salad (this stands to be my favorite menu item). This is why I've reduced my rating from 4 stars to 2 stars.
What a great little place to go to. Food is like nothing you ever had. Very original, great tasting, and very nice presentation. I love this place. I went with bunch of friends and we had different things. None of us was complaining. The girls that work there are so pleasant. The seating in the patio area was very nice because of the breeze.
I will most likely go back real soon.
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I think this place is overrated. We ordered the meatloaf, rib eye, hangar steak, fried chicken, halibut, and mussels. All of it was meh. Not terrible, but really nothing to say about it. The only compliment heard during dinner was that my dad thought the cream sauce that came with the rib eye was tasty. That's pretty bad when you have 6 people who love to eat who all ordered different things. That should've been good enough odds for one of the dishes to be comment-worthy.
Free cornbread was nice, but it was cold and doesn't look so good when it's all sitting in that plastic box under the counter. Service was good and the back patio was nice for a summer evening, especially since the main dining room is so dark. Came to $145 including tip. $25 per person isn't so bad, but kinda steep considering we didn't order drinks, appetizers, or dessert.
People thought this was:
A cool spot in Costa Mesa, this place is really small but the crowd is cool. It's not the typical OC crowd, Memphis houses a very down to earth crowd, the music is good, with a DJ playing eclectic, party music.
My only complaint is that the dance floor is so damn small, but there is a sweet, large patio where you can lounge and meet some cool cats.
The drinks are fairly priced at about 5 bucks for beer and 7 for mixed, this is cheap for me, I'm used to paying 10 bucks in LA so I'll fly with 7.
This review is for the food at Memphis, specifically the lunch menu.
I've been here a handful of times at night for a couple of drinks. I guess I would always come here on the wrong nights, though, as there would never really be that many people. (I hear though that Saturday nights are poppin'.) Memphis is a small establishment so I guess not many people would be able to fit in. It's also rather dark with music that is a bit loud. It's one of those places where you figure that if they lighted the place up, you would be disgusted because it was so dirty. I remember going one time and seeing stacks of bread rolls in plastic bags lined up along the wall by the bar. The bar was always sticky when I went, so the image of the bread just being in the same room as the bar made me think twice about eating here. (2-stars for the night life. Not really my style.)
I went here the other day for lunch. At first, I wasn't sure what to expect, because while my coworker and I were seated outside I could smell the fast food fumes from the kitchen and the hot breeze-less summer air didn't help my appetite. But, once the free corn bread came out, I couldn't focus on anything else. I generally like corn bread, especially when it's soft. The corn bread here is a bit crumby (or is it crumbly), but it was delicious. Sweet and soft just the way I like it. When the waitress came out with our meals, she asked us if we wanted more corn bread. If the size of our meals weren't so intimidating and if my belt was a size larger, I would've definitely gotten more. (Mental note: Leave the belt at home next time.) I ordered the soul burger. It was large and the chipotle aioli gave it a nice flavor. The onions and the tomatoes are rather important to me in a burger and the onions here were crisp and sharp (no making out after eating that) and provided a nice kick while the tomatoes took a little bit of edge off of the onions. The burger comes with a side and I got the shoe string fries. I'm not a fan of shoe string fries. They are too hard to eat and I like more potatoes in my fries. My coworker got the house salad. It had avocados in it. mmm... I'll probably get that next time. The pricing here is reasonable for the amount and quality of the food. Probably around $12 or so each including tip.
People thought this was:
Newport Beach, CA
Category: Dance Clubs
Costa Mesa, CA
Category: Music Venues
Costa Mesa, CA
Category: Lounges
Santa Ana, CA
Category: Southern
Santa Ana, CA
Category: Lounges
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