Welcome to Table Talk, The Daily Memphian’s weekly food and dining newsletter for subscribers only.  

The dog days of summer are upon us.

It’s the time of year when you pray that “excessive heat” advisories dissolve into simple “heat” warnings. It’s when Memphis feels more like the set of an old Western — visible heat waves and all — more than a waterfront metropolis. And it begs for a change to my normal routine.

The soup, chili, chais and teas that dominate my diet in the cooler seasons have no place on a day with triple-digit heat. Instead, it’s time for fresh salads and bowls, smoothies and cold treats.

If I wake up early enough to get to Uptown before the sun turns the sidewalks into pizza stones, Groovy Gratitude is a great place to get fresh, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. 

In a recent conversation with a fellow writer in the newsroom, I realized that I’d rather skip the milkshake and get some gelato from Zio Matto instead.

A few of the selections at Zio Matto Gelato in the South Main Arts District April 18, 2024. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

When I’m venturing beyond the parameters of the neighborhood, Jerry’s Sno Cones in Cordova is always worth a visit. And I appreciate that I have options across the city when it comes to satisfying Mempops cravings.

But on late nights when my self-control is waning and I feel like I can justify the expense to my wallet and calorie allowance, I dart out into the warm, humid Memphis air and savor each step as I walk back home with ice cream from Margie’s 901.

And am I alone in feeling prideful when I see locally owned and produced brands for sale at the store? I grab a pint of Kaye’s Pints & Scoops way too often on grocery runs.

Kaye's Pints & Scoops villain ice cream on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

How do you keep cool on the hottest days? Let me know in the comments. 

On Memphis’ food scene

Brandon LaGrone II tells the story of a Mississippi family’s pecan farm and how they’ve pivoted to keep the business and the orchard — which are some of the oldest domesticated pecan trees in Mississippi — going. 

In Food Files, Sophia Surrett has the inside track on the latest offerings from a Memphis chef known as the “mushroom queen” and where to expect to see a popular fast-casual chain expand in metro Memphis.

And Asian flavors are taking over everything from our latest $15 deal at Pearl’s Tea & Coffee House, from my colleague Kelsey Bowen, to helping you decide what to order at Prince Tea House in Cordova. But the best place to start may be with a sampling from one of the area’s Asian-influenced bakeries.

.....