Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Memphis-style hush puppies: balls of sweet-savoury cornmeal batter flavoured with onion and a touch of sugar, deep-fried golden in the same oil as the catfish, served in a paper basket with remoulade or honey butter.
Hush puppies emerged in the American South in the 19th century, with the etymological folktale claiming Confederate soldiers tossed cornbread scraps to barking dogs around the campfire with the phrase 'hush, puppies'. The dish became a Mississippi River catfish-fry tradition, with Memphis adopting it as the universal companion to fried catfish and BBQ plates. The Memphis-distinctive style includes a small amount of sugar in the batter, finely grated onion, and a hint of cayenne. They are deep-fried in the same oil as the day's catfish or chicken. Soul Fish Cafe, Earnestine and Hazel's and Alcenia's run reference versions.
4 editor picks for Memphis Hush Puppies in Memphis, ranked by editorial score. All Memphis signature dishes · Memphis Hush Puppies across every city.
Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo's Pinch District Memphis soul food room has run fried chicken, collards and a hug at the door since 1997. Priced at $$.
OrderFried chicken plate with greens and yams; ask for a Ghetto Aid.
TipCounter service, cash preferred. B.J. greets every table; the experience is half the meal.
The Soul Burger at Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main is a griddled patty with caramelised onions, pickles and the bar's mysterious Soul Sauce on a soft.
OrderSoul Burger
TipWalk upstairs to the old brothel rooms while waiting for your burger. Cash works fastest.
Soul Fish Cafe's Cooper-Young Memphis original on South Cooper runs fried Mississippi catfish, hush puppies and Gambino-bread po'boys daily.
OrderCatfish basket with hush puppies and turnip greens.
TipCounter service. The shrimp po'boy is the second-best order; sit on the patio when it cools.
Speros Zepatos's South Main Memphis diner is the city's oldest restaurant, open since 1919 and once Elvis Presley's regular booth. Breakfast and lunch daily.
OrderFried peanut butter and banana sandwich; sit at Elvis's marked booth.
TipCounter service from 07:00-15:00 daily. Cash and card both fine; no reservations.
Memphis Hush Puppies makes more sense with someone from Memphis explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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