With Valentine’s Day, Fat Tuesday and slight temps in the air at least for a little while longer, we can find plenty of excuses for indulging, if needed. And lucky for us, Memphis restaurants are brimming with delicious selections to suit your fancy. Like a big, tender hug, these local comfort food finds will warm your heart and fill your tummy. Hungry readers be warned: these images alone are enough to make your mouth water. We’ll take one of each, please!
1. Collard Greens with Nduya and Hominy from Hog & Hominy.
Inspired by Chef Michael Hudman’s Maw Maw, they add nduya, a spreadable, spicy salami from Calabria and hominy, another southern treat for a dressed-up version of the original favorite. Photo credit: Hog & Hominy
2. Roasted Tomato Soup with Beemster Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Erling Jensen.
What’s better than soup and grilled cheese? Soup with grilled cheese in it! Photo credit: Erling Jensen
3. Alchemy’s Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese.
Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese features smoked Gouda, Fontina, aged Beemster, and Danish Blue with buttered breadcrumbs served in a skillet to share (or not)! Photo credit: Alchemy
4. The Roast White Oaks Pasture beef + Swiss Poboy from The Second Line.
Smothered with roast beef and gravy on the most perfect bread from Leidenheimer Baking Company in New Orleans, it’s truly a guilty pleasure and one to make Chef-wife Angela English forget she’s a vegetarian momentarily! Photo credit: The Second Line
5. Sticky Toffee Date Cake from Acre
Last but not least, for the sweet tooth that needs some love, too, Acre has the perfect solution. Think: warm date bread pudding finished with toffee butterscotch and vanilla ice cream! Photo credit: Acre Restaurant
Ahhhh. The comfort of a good meal or a warm treat. That’s the way to enjoy February. Bon appétit!
