If you are tired of those “Best Of…” type popularity contests in the local media, help me with my list of Memphis’ best eating establishments  that visitors and tourists never hear about.  I am making the list for newcomers and visitors, like the out-of-town folks I meet almost daily in my business.

Criteria:  It must be in Memphis or very close by.  If it’s a chain it must be a local chain (i.e. Top’s Bar-B-Q).  It must have some unique, memorable, and un-duplicatable menu item(s).

We will start with these categories:

• Barbecue (Bar-B-Q)  Joints
• Ethnic Restaurants
• Delis
• Diners
• Home Cookin’  (Soul food, veggies, local Southern fare)

I will be adding my favorites and updating this post.  Please add your suggestions in the comments. Include address and phone number, and a very short statement as to why you recommend the establishment.  My goal is to represent REAL Memphis food.