THE 14 BEST FOOD EXPERIENCES IN MEMPHIS
Memphis
As musical as it is magnificent, this city is the cradle of the musical movements called Blues and the more energetic Rock and Roll. Therefore, among the many music-related attractions you should not miss when you drop by including Beale Street and Graceland Mansion. The National Civil Rights Museum, on the other hand, highlights Memphis' key role in the fight for racial equality. The food in the city is also to die for, as you take a pick among restaurants serving Cajun, Asian, and traditional American cuisine.
In Memphis, you will find some delectable dishes that you just cannot miss! There are some mouth-watering dishes and tasty dishes like Chicken Enchiladas, Taco Salad, and Original Barbecue Pizza and many more. Continue reading to know more.
1. Chicken Enchiladas
In Mexico, the practice of rolling tortillas around a filling goes all the way back to the Aztecs. While people today typically eat beef, cheese, or chicken enchiladas, the Aztecs from the lake region of the Valley of Mexico typically ate fish enchiladas. The native Nahuatl Aztec name for corn tortillas is tlaxcalli.
The most popular places to try out Chicken Enchiladas are Salsa Mexican Restaurant, Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant and Las Delicias.
2. Taco Salad
The Tex-Mex dish was first made in Texas during the 1960's. This delicious salad is stuffed into a four tortilla shell with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa. Then to finish it off it is topped with taco meat (hamburger), shredded chicken or bean and Spanish rice.
The most popular places to try out Taco Salad is Swanky's Taco Shop East Memphis.
3. Original Barbecue Pizza
Coletta's Original barbecue pizza is a cheese pizza covered in inches of pulled pork and barbecue sauce. The recipe dates all the back to the 1950's, when people in Memphis knew that barbecue meant BARBECUE. This piping hot cheese pizza comes fresh out of the oven and is then slathered with delicious barbecue pulled pork.
The most popular places to try out Original Barbecue Pizza is Coletta's Italian Restaurant8.0.
4. BBQ Tofu Nachos
RP Tracks is famous for it's tofu nachos. Served fresh on top of homemade tortilla chips, black bean chilli, finely shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream and jalapenos. This dish is not only well pleasing to vegetarians but satisfies meat lovers as well! The restaurant is found near the University of Memphis in Tennessee. They serve up tantalizing entrees and delicious drinks. They also offer a large vegetarian menu to order from.
The most popular places to try out BBQ Tofu Nachos are Central BBQ - Midtown and RP Tracks Restaurant & Bar.
5. BBQ Spaghetti
Barbecue spaghetti uses ingredients which ususally don't meet in other dishes: spaghetti and shredded smoked pork or rotisserie chicken, olive oil, peppers, onions and marinara sauce. These ingredients are combined to create something which has been named as Memphis' most unusual creation. At the same time, this blend of ingredients is still a uniquely Southern dish.
The most popular places to try out BBQ Spaghetti is The Bar-B-Q Shop.
6. Carne Asada
Carne Asada is made with either skirt steak or flank. The beef is generally either salted or rubbed with spices such as lemon, pepper, garlic or lime. Sometimes beer or other ingredients are also added to the marinade. It is then grilled. Carne Asada can be served as a main dish, or chopped and used as an ingredient for other dishes.
The most popular places to try out Carne Asada is Elena's Taco Shop.
7. Blfgt Salad
A distinctive dish with roots in the cuisine of the American South, BLFGT Salad is made with bacon, lettuce greens and fried green tomatoes. The salad is prepared by spreading a dollop of Remoulade dressing on a plate and placing a fried green tomato, slices of green tomato breaded and fried, on the dressing. Mixed greens tossed in the Remoulade dressing are piled on top of the tomato and another fried green tomato is layered on the greens. The BLFGT Salad is finished with a few more greens and a toothpick through the center of the stack to hold it all together.
The most popular places to try out Blfgt Salad are Cheffie's Cafe and Felicia Suzanne's Restaurant.
8. Choripollo
Chori Pollo is a popular Mexican food dish consisting of a mix of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, spicy chorizo pork sausage and white queso cheese with a cilantro and lime garnish. Served alone or as a filling for tacos and breakfast burritos or atop nachos, Chori Pollo savory, flavorful feast sure to satisfy.
The most popular places to try out Choripollo are El Porton Mexican Restaurant, choripollo and Happy Mexican.
9. Cheese Dip And Salsa
Salsa and cheese dip, some times referred to as queso, is a ubiquitous staple of the Mexican restaurant. This molten cheese is usually served as a appetizer, and paired with fresh salsa it becomes a killer combo. Tomato, cilantro, red onion, peppers, and lime make up the bulk of most salsa recipes. Paired with the savory cheesy and a freshly baked salty tortilla chip you're sure not to be disappointed.
The most popular places to try out Cheese Dip And Salsa are Salsa Mexican Restaurant, Pancho's and heese dip and salsa.
10. Huitlacoche Quesadilla
Called the Mexican truffle at best, and corn smut at worst, huitlacoche is a fungus that grows on corn that has been a delicacy in Mexican cuisine for thousands of years. Newer strains of corn are bred to resist the fungus, but the love for it causes it to be sought after enough that other farmers continue to cultivate it. Since is soft and easy to process, adding raw huitlacoche to quesadillas is an excellent marriage.
The most popular places to try out Huitlacoche Quesadilla are R. P. Tracks and Las Delicias.
11. Cornish Game Hen
Cornish Game Hen is the USDA approved name given to smaller poultry. Often time just smaller chickens, they are slaughtered before reaching maturity giving the meat a unique flavor. Usually prepared as a miniature rotisserie chicken the Cornish Game Hen develops wonderfully flavorful skin and crust, and juicy moist interior.
The most popular places to try out Cornish Game Hen is Cozy Corner.
12. Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are a Mexican dish made with fried tortilla pieces cooked in red or green salsa and topped with cheese, and sometimes with other ingredients such as crema, sliced onions, beef and avocado. They are typically served for breakfast or brunch with a side of scrambled or fried eggs or refried beans.
The most popular places to try out Chilaquiles is La Guadalupana.
13. Mustard Slaw
Flavorful Mustard Slaw puts a tangy spin on the classic Coleslaw recipe. Coleslaw typically consists of a mix of finely shredded red and green cabbage tossed in vinegar or mayonnaise based dressing. Many regional recipes also include shredded carrots. Mustard Slaw uses the same vegetable base and incorporates mustard into the dressing. With mustard flavors varying from tart to spicy hot, there is a Mustard Slaw for every palate.
The most popular places to try out Mustard Slaw are Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous and Payne's Bar-B-Q.
14. Chopped Pork Sandwich
Pork shoulder is a favorite among many greats in Memphis BBQ. The slow cooking process can involve marinades or dry rubs to imbue any of a number of satisfying flavors. Though most commonly pulled, it can also be sliced or chopped. It is then piled into a bun with a scoop of slaw or other toppings.
The most popular places to try out Chopped Pork Sandwich are Payne's Bar-B-Que and Johns Pork Chop.