Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Sophia Surrett

Downtown coffee, cocktail bar to offer ‘pause' in the day

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:17:57 -0500

The former longtime home of Downtown’s Bluff City Coffee will soon be home to coffee again, but this time, with cocktails, too.

Briza adds Houston's-style chicken tender special

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:03:44 -0500

“Because we haven’t had it in so long, it seems that much better. Nostalgia comes back in a way and is something to hold onto,” one customer said as Briza launched its new Houston’s-style chicken tenders.

Ghost River goes back to its beginnings — and adds music

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:47:50 -0500

“Really, Beale became redundant,” said Ghost River owner Bob Keskey after the company made a number of improvements at its original location.

Pitmasters, start your smokers! Memphis in May's barbecue contest is back this week.

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 11 May 2026 06:51:52 -0500

The 200-plus teams in MIM’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will compete for a share of $200,000 — as well as bragging rights. Here’s all you need to know.

Moms raising kids in a restaurant: Math, taste-testing and time together

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Sun, 10 May 2026 04:00:05 -0500

For these three female entrepreneurs, their businesses grew as their families did, alongside challenges, memories and meals.

Food Files: High tea in the front, par-tee in the back

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Fri, 8 May 2026 04:00:01 -0500

HighTee is leaning into high tea, and Raymah Café opens in a long-vacant former Applebee’s.

Table Talk: How about a squid pro quo?

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Wed, 6 May 2026 15:54:18 -0500

“I normally would have said no to a skewered sea creature, but as The Daily Memphian’s new food reporter, I know there are times I’ll need to get out of my culinary comfort zone.”

Downtown hotel-Airbnb hybrid won't be your average one-trick pony

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 5 May 2026 23:50:46 -0500

Giddy up, Memphis. The Stallion, which blends the hotel and Airbnb experience, will open in a former apartment complex in Downtown Memphis.

Kick back and relax, The Front Porch is officially open

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 5 May 2026 16:36:41 -0500

“We’re trying to combat loneliness,” said the operator of Second Helpings Cafe.

MIM's barbecue cooking contest just got more fiery

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 4 May 2026 16:08:34 -0500

For the first time at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, pitmasters this year will cook on an open-flame in a live-fire competition.

Ghost River Brewing on Beale to close

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 4 May 2026 10:14:53 -0500

Ghost River Brewery & Taproom opened on Beale Street in 2021. The company will focus on its newly-expanded South Main location.

Cordova dumpling restaurant has roots in icy Northern China

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Sun, 3 May 2026 04:00:06 -0500

Shuxia Guo believed in herself when no one else would. Now, Memphis dumpling lovers are reaping the benefits.

Food Files: Flame Ramen is back Downtown, paired with coffee and tea

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Fri, 1 May 2026 07:18:44 -0500

It’s all openings this week with TacoNGanas, Bloom Bakery & Cafe, Playa Bowls and Brain Food Memphis.

A very Wu-Tang weekend, a River of Time and Riverbeat Music Fest

bphillips@dailymemphian.com (Bianca Phillips) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:36:44 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, you get a pass to peek into people’s backyards, there’s a morning rave on Beale Street and Global Cafe hosts a beer mile for a cause.

Table Talk: Winner, winner, barbecue dinner

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:30:51 -0500

This week’s Table Talk comes to you from Sophia Surrett, The Daily Memphian’s new food and restaurant reporter.

This new wine bar is Over Keel

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:49:36 -0500

A New Uptown bar will open in an existing event space.

Longtime owner of Owen Brennan's was ‘a host until the end'

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:40:39 -0500

Baker’s son Austin Baker said his father told him, “we are all stewards. Everything we own, someone’s owned before us, and someone will own it when we’re gone. It’s up to us to pay it forward while we’re here.”

Food Files: Jay's Catering opening in former Non-Vintage Wine Bar space

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:14:29 -0500

Jay’s Catering will open in the Non-Vintage Wine Bar space on Broad Avenue sometime this month. Renovations at Brookhaven Pub & Grill are underway, and the Café Keough space is up for a low-rent, one-year lease.

Food Files: Burgers, coffee, chicken and smoothies

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:13:27 -0500

In-N-Out one step closer to its first Memphis location. Dutch Bros opens in the Edge District. Tommy’s Burgers California Style is opening its third location. Guthrie’s merges two nearby locations into one.

Food Files: Two Dunkin' developments and a new breakfast place

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:12:26 -0500

It’s all about breakfast — and wings — this week.