Table Talk
Table Talk: Heard it through the (National Guard) grapevine
When it comes to finding out what’s happening in our communities, there’s often no way to know without actually contacting folks and asking them how they are doing.
Ellen Chamberlain
Ellen Chamberlain is a global citizen who is happy to call Memphis her forever home. The Michigan native has worked in media for nearly 25 years as a radio broadcaster, journalist and ghostwriter. As The Daily Memphian’s food and restaurant writer, she gives readers inside perspectives of their favorite restaurants and the people behind them, suggestions for the best bites around town and the latest food news from in and around Shelby County.
There are 189 articles by Ellen Chamberlain :
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October 2025
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Public SafetyNational Guard sparks restaurant boycotts — and support campaigns
Over a month ago, Elwood’s Shack posted on social media that the East Memphis restaurant would give any member of the National Guard a free barbecue sandwich — pulled pork, brisket or chicken.
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Dining GuidesWhat to order: Johnnie Mae’s honey gold wings
Johnnie Mae’s Soul Cafe is hard to miss with its large windows and brightly lit dining room, and the wings are a must-have.
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Food NewsGuard’s impact hits some restaurants hard — and some not at all
“We’ve been deeply affected in a very negative way by everything that’s happening,” said the general manager of a local restaurant who is encouraging Memphians to support other small businesses. “The sales have dropped like 60% or 70% in the last 15 days.”
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Food News Sláinte! Raise your beer steins at this Irish take on Oktoberfest
Bog Fest is a celebration of fall flavors, live music and community that’s happening in the Regalia Shopping Center parking lot outside Bog & Barley.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Thank you for being a friend
It’s standard to see chefs, caterers and other food-related entities come together to create culinary experiences. But I’ve noticed a unique quality across Memphis’ food network: selflessness.
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Food NewsWhat to order: Ecco’s ‘little ears’ with sausage, broccoli and cream
Never skip the pasta when it’s made in-house.
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Food NewsFrom Broad Avenue to the national stage: Wiseacre wins gold (and silver)
Sky Dog Amber was awarded Gold in the International Amber Lager category, and Tiny Bomb picked up Silver in the German-style Pilsener category.
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Food NewsFrom barbecue to baking: Memphis vegetarian competes on the national stage
Marjorie Levy, a financial services professional by day, will compete at the World Food Championships on Thursday, Oct. 16.
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Table TalkTable Talk: From city streets to coffee cups, Memphis brews up a buzz
The third annual Grind City Coffee Tour is about to have Memphis buzzing for all the right reasons.
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FoodWhat to order: Sushi for breakfast at Kitchen Laurel
Hold the wasabi and ginger, because all the cake roll needs is warm syrup for dipping.
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BusinessSoybeans and coffee: How tariffs are impacting some in the Mid-South
“What it costs to produce a crop is at record numbers, and the price that (Tennessee farmers) get for that corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton … are almost at near-record lows,” said a Farm Bureau Federation staffer.
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Table TalkTable Talk: On today’s menu, surplus ingredients
“Chefs who find ways to reduce food waste are the ones who inspire me the most. They’re not just resourceful; they’re spectacularly imaginative.”
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Food News No more rocking chairs on this porch: Cracker Barrel closes Memphis store
Cracker Barrel closed its Shelby Oaks Drive location in Memphis due to the results of internal performance audits, according to the corporate office.
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Dining GuidesWhat to Order: Rise’s Sweet Country Blues biscuit sandwich
The North Carolina based chain has opened a second Memphis-area location.
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Food NewsTaste every flavor from India at new Collierville restaurant
The restaurant’s owner said he wanted Social Desiii to represent as much of the subcontinent as possible.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Uptown brewery heads to Great American Beer Festival
Soul & Spirits is planning to bring “freaky fun” to the Great American Beer Festival this year in the form of gravy-flavored beer.
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September 2025
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Food News Mulan permanently closes Cooper-Young location after fire
After a kitchen fire caused more than $100,000 in damages to Mulan Asian Bistro, the popular Cooper-Young restaurant announced it would permanently close.
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Food Fire breaks out at Cooper-Young restaurant
“Our hearts are with them,” said Karen Carrier, who owns two nearby restaurants and was on-site for The Beauty Shop’s lunch service at the time. “We’re really concerned about Mulan.”
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Dining GuidesWhat to Order: The Dame just opened, and you need to try the goat cheese spread
“We are surrounded by high-quality restaurants, so we didn’t want to enter the arena competing with them,” Hotel Pontotoc’s general manager said. “We had to find our own little niche with upscale bar bites.”
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Food News What to eat at the Mid-South Fair
The best food at this year’s Mid-South Fair is sugary, sweet and indulgent.
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Dining Guides Savoring fall: A guide to some of Memphis’ best seasonal restaurant offerings
Pumpkin spice may seemingly dominate the season, but there are plenty of autumnal flavors on offer, from sweet potato lattes at breakfast to hearty dinners and spiced cocktails at night.
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Food NewsTable Talk: In pumpkin vs. sweet potato, pumpkin wins
While some Memphians are going full pumpkin — from lattes to dessert cocktails and beyond — others say it’s not touching the menu this fall.
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Performing Arts ‘Dinner and a show’ takes new meaning at Hattiloo
Hattiloo has created the Black Chef’s Table, pairing three-course meals with select performances.
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Food NewsCountry comes Downtown with new co-op market
The new South Main Street shop offers locally sourced produce, canned goods, beauty products and more.
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