In honor of National Hot Breakfast Month, The Daily Memphian’s guide to a hot breakfast is heavy on local and family-owned and -operated restaurants. 

The 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge benefitting Special Olympics Greater Memphis saw many Memphians jump into ice-cold water in the middle of winter at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Sauced by WS is moving from Southaven to Raleigh, Little Jamaica opens in Wolfchase Galleria and Jack’s opens its first location in Memphis. 

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself at Rincon Catracho, look to the first page of the menu, at the entradas — the starters.

Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield react to recent Memphis food news, from a notable restaurant closing in the Edge District to some exciting soon-to-open new places in Cooper-Young and Overton Square.

“We’ve had people over the last three to four years reach out and want to invest,” co-owner Bartholomew Jones said. “For the most part, I’ve told those people ‘no.’ Now feels like the perfect time to do this campaign in a way that’s real Memphis from the ground up.”

Kevin Sullivan plans for Kitchen Laurel to serve “those staples you grew up with as a kid, made with some love and thought” in the former Farm and Fig space in Cooper-Young.

Plus, Kung Fu Tea opens its first Memphis location and Huey’s in East Memphis expands its patio. 

You simply must end your meal with the baklava. If you’re too full already, take it to go.

Both of Gibson’s Donuts’ large standing mixers broke this past weekend, and no mixers means no quintessential, fluffy, yeast-raised doughnuts. 

“I don’t know if it’s a southern thing, but we kind of all grew up with having breakfast for dinner,” said Staks’ controller. 

With a crowd of hundreds of people, Good Fortune Co. at 361 South Main St. began its monthlong bar crawl Saturday, Feb. 3, to honor the upcoming Year of the Dragon, which starts Feb. 10.

Need ideas for Valentine’s Day? Check out our list of fun food events occurring during this leap month. 

“The former Cosmic Coconut space, where it all began, will always hold a special place in our hearts,” City Silo’s co-owner said. 

City Silo Table + Pantry to have organic cocktails and wine, Sister Sump opens by Southland Mall and Guatemalan-based Pollo Campero coming to Memphis. 

Jennifer Biggs was remembered as a communicator who cared deeply about connecting people, sharing her passion for breaking bread and celebrating the city she called home. 

Related story:

Chamber’s Ted Townsend honored as Communicator of the Year

The sausage is not too greasy or dry, as some store-bought vegan “meats” can be. The peppers and onions give the sandwich an Italian-American familiarity, but the barbecue sauce and slaw take it down a Southern tangent.

On this week’s episode of “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield returns from her dark Memphis winter with a tales of burst pipes and combined pantries. She and Chris Herrington also talk about some recent Memphis food news.

“A good dive bar should feel old and unassuming, have cheap but good drinks and a great atmosphere,” owner Louis Connelly said.

The concept of Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint is simple: aside from french fries, a couple of grilled cheeses and a deep-fried Oreo, the only items on the menu are burgers and beers.

It’s been a rough couple of years for restaurants but local eateries say the industry’s previous staffing challenges have lessened and they can be more selective in hiring. 

The 5,000-square-foot nightspot at 6642 Winchester Road will serve hand-crafted cocktails and small plates alongside live entertainment from various musical artists.

The Heights area roaster is only one of two U.S. companies nominated.

Uncle Red’s, previously Red Bones, will leave Carolina Watershed to open its first brick-and-mortar location. Plus, Rock’n Dough opens in the FedEx Forum, and Captain D’s is coming to Summer Avenue.

In honor of National Southern Food Day, Chris Herrington put Southern transplant Eric Barnes to the test on this week’s edition of Sound Bites, a hit-the-road edition recorded at Crosstown Concourse.