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Brother Juniper's
This University of Memphis haunt is nationally famous for open-faced omelets ($8-$13), cheese grits, and buttery biscuits. brotherjunipers.com
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Alcenia's
Many Memphians still don't know about the ethereal fried catfish, breaded sweet potato fries, and fried green tomatoes so crisp and tart you'll feel like you're cheating on Meemaw. Soul food goddess B.J. Chester-Tamayo hugs customers and plies them with Ghetto Aid—"a Popsicle in a cup." alcenias.com
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Revival Food Truck
Food trucks are finally legal downtown. A new one called Revival serves a mean Memphis Dawg topped with Jack Daniel's pimiento cheese, pulled pork, and barbecue sauce ($6), and Krispy Kreme bread pudding ($4). The menu changes daily. revivalsouthernfood.com
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Gus's Fried Chicken
Among the South's best, this fried chicken is so good that Rick Bragg's mama forgave him for having his rehearsal dinner at a place that serves "40s" of Bud. 901/527-4877
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Acre
This wood-and-glass sanctuary is the newest creation of renowned chef Wally Joe. He and executive chef Andrew Adams craft American food with Asian accents and execute it with classical French technique: line-caught ahi tuna sashimi with cured foie gras shavings and microgreens. acrememphis.com
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Restaurant Iris
A perennial favorite of critics and locals, James Beard-noted chef Kelly English serves exquisite French-Creole dishes and elevates humble ingredients (okra and griddle cakes) to haute cuisine. Bonus: Iris offers the best value of any tasting menu we've seen ($80/person for five courses, including wine pairings). restaurantiris.com
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Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Poster chefs for nose-to-tail cooking, Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman find an inventive and delicious use for every part of the animals they break down themselves. Also look for their new wood-fired joint, Hog and Hominy. andrewmichaelitaliankitchen.com
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