Maciel's Tortas and Tacos on South Main downtown Memphis runs handmade tortas with telera bread, tacos al pastor and house aguas frescas from a counter-service room.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The Midtown branch at 820 Cooper runs the same menu and the same lines.
Address: 45 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
The Rendezvous downtown Memphis serves a cheese and sausage starter that locals order before the dry-rub ribs. Crackers, smoked sausage rounds and sharp cheddar.
Try: Cheese and sausage plate
Tip: Order it as a pre-meal snack at the bar while you wait for a table downstairs.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken on South Front Street is the city's defining counter-service fried chicken, a Mason-born spice-crusted bird on butcher paper.
Try: Spicy fried chicken plate
Tip: Lunch line moves; dinner can be an hour on weekends. Three-piece dark plate is the order.
Las Tortugas Poplar in East Memphis runs Jose Magallanes's Germantown taqueria menu from a Poplar Avenue branch, with tortas and tacos al pastor at counter speed.
Try: Tortas and tacos al pastor
Tip: Closed Sundays. Cash and card both fine. The Germantown original at 1215 S Germantown Rd is the easier seat.
Central BBQ in midtown Memphis runs the city's standard BBQ nachos: tortilla chips with pulled pork, sauce, sour cream and jalapeños. The stadium snack done right.
Try: BBQ nachos
Tip: Order at the counter and grab a patio table. Available at all four city locations.
The Rendezvous downtown Memphis serves a cheese and sausage starter that locals order before the dry-rub ribs. Crackers, smoked sausage rounds and sharp cheddar.
Try: Cheese and sausage plate
Tip: Order it as a pre-meal snack at the bar while you wait for a table downstairs.
Memphis hot tamales are a Delta street-food tradition: cornmeal-wrapped beef tied with twine, simmered in spicy broth. Often sold from roadside stands and BBQ shops.
Try: Hot tamales
Tip: Found at Cozy Corner and A&R BBQ as a side. Ask at any Memphis BBQ joint with Delta roots.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken on South Front Street is the city's defining counter-service fried chicken, a Mason-born spice-crusted bird on butcher paper.
Try: Spicy fried chicken plate
Tip: Lunch line moves; dinner can be an hour on weekends. Three-piece dark plate is the order.
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 bun.
Try: Soul Burger
Tip: Walk upstairs to the old brothel rooms while waiting for your burger. Cash works fastest.
