Sound Bites with Jennifer Biggs: Recent Episodes
The Daily Memphian
Like any amazing dish, Memphis is a combination of great cultures and cuisine from around the world. Join Jennifer Biggs as she takes you on a culinary tour of all the food and traditions that Memphis has to offer in Sound Bites, your insider guide to eating and drinking Memphis.
Daniel Blanchard aims to recreate the nostalgic, personal experience of a neighborhood bakery with his Blanchard's Organic Breads cart. He joins Holly Whitfield on Sound Bites to talk about his family's Memphis connection and his passion for the platonic ideal of baked goods.
Allie Mounce and Holly Whitfield continue the conversation. They talk about Pretty Useful Co., the design agency that Allie co-owns, and its work in the local restaurant industry. They also discuss home gardening and why they think it has become so popular.
Loud Mary's egg stand owner Allie Mounce joins Holly Whitfield to talk micro-homesteading, vegetable gardening and raising chickens. The two discussed their friendship forged through food, sushi dinners and memorable meals.
Rebecca Severs joins Holly Whitfield to talk about running Midtown staple Bari Ristorante e Enoteca, working with her husband and three sons, being the only Italian wine ambassador in town. They also discuss Bari's signature dishes like carbonara, fresh vegetables, seafood and an enormous Italian cheese list.
Cam Smith joins Holly Whitfield to talk about his varied career, from starting his own cobbler business at age 9 to working for James Beard Award-nominated chefs in Nashville and Memphis. Smith developed Cameo's signature smashburger before becoming executive sous chef at Hog & Hominy in late 2024.
Groovy Gratitude owner Alicia Dixon and Shroomlicious owner Daishu McGriff talk about their restaurants and what they've learned hosting food events in Memphis. They also discuss the upcoming Juneteenth Umami Amora dinner on June 19.
Chef Kelly English sticks around for part two to talk about The Second Line's move to East Memphis, his restaurant recommendations and more.
Chef Kelly English doesn't want to judge your food competition, but he's spent plenty of time working with a cause close to his heart: Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.
On June 6, he's helping host 26 chefs for Le Bon Appetit, a bi-annual fundraiser that supports the hospital. He joined this week's Sound Bites podcast to talk about the event.
Sophia Surrett joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about her role on the Daily Memphian's staff. She also talks about her experience covering the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest for the first time, her background in journalism and what she has learned about covering her new beat so far.
Micah Dempsey and Stacey Hinkle join host Holly Whitfield to talk all things Belltower Coffee. They discuss the origin of Honeysuckle Sweets, their favorite menu items and how Muddy's became a part of the Belltower community of businesses.
Michelle and Brandon O'Guin, the judging organizers for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, join host Holly Whitfield to continue the discussion about all things barbecue. They talk about their favorite stories from years past and big judging changes for the 2026 competition.
Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Michelle and Brandon O'Guin, the judging organizers for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. They talk about where Memphis in May is held, a potential merger with SmokeSlam and the next generation of barbecue pitmasters.
Edible Memphis's Stacey Greenberg and founder of Memphis's AAPI Heritage Month SunAh Laybourn join Holly Whitfield to talk about the Hungry Tiger Food Club, how it all began and what you can expect from this year's Food Tour.
Allie Trotter joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about Whisks of Doom, a bakery business she started with the help of her dad. Allie shares her experience living in Albuquerque and how she carries those influences into the unique flavors of her pies.
The Pop Spot co-owner Sylvia Leon joins host Holly Whitfield in the studio to talk about Brookhaven Circle's newest restaurant. They discuss the variety of items on the menu, the eclectic bar menu and the positive feedback Sylvia has received from diners since they opened two months ago.
Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Memphis content creator Jimmy Nguyen. Jimmy tells us about his background and love of food, his favorite restaurant recommendations, how he finds local hidden gems and what he hopes followers take away from his videos.
Chez Phillipe's Chef de Cuisine Keith Clinton joins Holly Whitfield on this week's episode of Sound Bites to discuss Keith's culinary career, his background in Memphis and the recent award Chez Phillipe earned under his leadership.
Eric Vernon continues the conversation with host Holly Whitfield. They talk about his role at The Bar-B-Q Shop, his views on the Memphis restaurant scene and they even address a rumor about the Memphis staple.
Eric Vernon, owner of The Bar-B-Q Shop, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the restaurant's origins in South Memphis to its international fame today. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode.
Chef Jimmy Gentry continues the conversation with host Holly Whitfield to talk about The Lobbyist, including being named in the Michelin Guide American South Recommended Restaurants list. They also touch on the state of Downtown Memphis and the impact it has had on the local food and dining scene.
Chef Jimmy Gentry of The Lobbyist and Paradox Catering joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about the beginning of his culinary career and his history with the Memphis food and dining scene.
The next era of Swamp Bar arrives this week. The Swamp Lounge is set to open soon as the Swamp Bar's casual cousin, located in the former Second Line space at 2144 Monroe Ave. Sam Reeves Hill is the bar manager at Swamp Bar and the guest on this week's Sound Bites podcast.
Stacey joins host Holly Whitfield to recap the Edible Memphis Cozy Issue and Champion Sip Soup Contest. She also talks about her Best Bites of 2025 and recaps her recent trip to Italy.
The food stylists and cookbook authors continue the conversation with host Holly Whitfield. They talk about their 'three kitchen problem' and Amy's love of gardening. They even share their top food photography tips.
The food photographers, food stylists and cookbook authors join host Holly Whitfield to talk about the history of the carrot dog and their favorite vegetarian menus in Memphis. They also discuss the process of writing their four vegetarian-based cookbooks and the help they had along the way. Be sure not to miss Part 2!
Daishu McGriff joins Holly Whitfield to talk about The Artist Table, a "creative pop-up" concept that centers on chef residencies. She also talks about how she started Shroomlicious, "plant-forward" eating, and how her life experiences influence the food she makes today.
Kelly English sticks around, as promised, for part two of his interview with Holly Whitfield in the new year. He tells us the reasons behind The Second Line's move to East Memphis. They also get into the differences between Cajun and Creole cooking (and which one Kelly prefers).
Chef Kelly English joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the new location for The Second Line, Swamp Bar's expansion into the old Second Line space and his holiday traditions.
Brothers Kellan and Davin Bartosch join Holly Whitfield to talk about the origins of one of Memphis' first breweries and their expanding menu offerings of both beverages and food.
Chefs Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer join Holly Whitfield to talk about what people can expect from their soon-to-open restaurant, Josephine Estelle, and the changes their other restaurants have seen over the years.
Shayne Diaz joins Holly Whitfield to talk about Kuya, her soon-to-open South Main restaurant, and her inspiration behind the Filipino menu.
Ellen Chamberlain joins Holly Whitfield to walk through what a week in The Daily Memphian's food section looks like and her favorite food stories so far this year.
Theresa Schuenke joins Holly Whitfield to talk about her career in food, how she came to Memphis and the inspirations behind the menu at Fawn.
Brad McCarley and Holly Whitfield discuss what's available at Buster's Butcher: imported rare cheeses, locally-sourced meats and McCarley's mom's chicken salad recipe. This is part two of the interview.
Buster's Butcher co-owner Brad McCarley joins Holly Whitfield to share his journey from rock climber to recording artist to restaurant Renaissance man. This is part one of the interview.
Grecian Gourmet Kitchen owner Corinne Knight joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the journey from a farmer's market staple to a South Main restaurant, and now the focus on catering and Grab and Go.
Soul & Spirits owners Blair Perry and Ryan Allen join Holly Whitfield to talk about how their brewery came to be and what's next for their outdoor space.
Host Holly Whitfield is joined by podcast producer Natalie Van Gundy to recount some of their favorite recent eats, as well as a list of places they'd like to try soon.
Amy and Hayes McPherson join host Holly Whitfield to talk about the transition from owning and operating a coffee shop to roasting coffee and canning beverages.
Travis Ritzie, owner of Ritzie's Barbecue, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about his beginnings with Texas barbecue, his time at Leroy & Lewis in Austin and the process of opening his own food trailer with his wife, Paige.
Hive owner Josh Steiner joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about his years in the restaurant industry, what led him to open Hive and a breakdown on bagels.
Holly Whitfield is joined by DJ Naylor and Reny Alfonso of Brazen Restaurant Group, which owns Celtic Crossing, Bog & Barley and the newly opened Maeve's Tavern in Collierville. The two talk about what their restaurants have in common and how they differ, as well as big shifts they've seen in the industry.
Cole Jeanes and Harrison Downing join Holly Whitfield to talk about Sundays, the Kinfolk pop up at Hard Times Deli. They also discuss what people can expect from Gussied Up, a bar that Jeanes, Downing and Schuyler O'Brien will open in the Edge District next year.
The owners of Memphis Whistle join Holly Whitfield to talk about the beginnings of their lounge and craft cocktail bar and what makes their prohibition style drinks so unique.
Cristina McCarter joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the upcoming Craft Food & Wine Festival in a new venue and the journey that led her to have two locations for her cafe, Feast and Graze.
Hopper Seely joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the origins of Grind City Brewing, the experience of opening the taproom in 2020 and what lies ahead for the future outdoor venue.
Taylor and Hannah Widdon, the owners of JoJo's Espresso, join Holly Whitfield to talk about their journey from coffee cart to cafe, as well as their favorite picks on the menu.
Ryan Glosson and the husband-and-wife team of Bryant and Heather Bain join Holly Whitfield to talk about their experience owning and operating two restaurants in Midtown, their favorite dishes on each menu and restaurant recs around town.
The Daily Memphian's new restaurant writer joins Holly Whitfield to share her favorite chefs and dishes in town.
Ellen Chamberlain joins Holly Whitfield to talk about her career in media and Memphis food news of the week. Join us for part two next week.
Matteo Servente joins Holly Whitfield to talk about how film making brought him to Memphis, what inspired him to open the gelateria and what flavors customers love most.
Savannah Kenney, owner of Jacques Louise Bakery, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about opening the bakery in the former 17 Berkshire space in Overton Square and what inspired her to begin gluten free baking.
Holly Whitfield is joined by Stacey Greenberg with Edible Memphis to talk about her recent trip to Mexico City and classic Memphis restaurants.
Owners Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton join Holly Whitfield to talk about the importance of scratch-made food, their television appearances and where they like to dine in Memphis.
Chef Kelly English joins Holly Whitfield on this week's Sound Bites to talk about the Second Line's renovations, their Hawaiian pop-up and a surprise celebrity visit to Restaurant Iris. English offers plenty of Memphis food recommendations and several hot takes on crime, Kroger and more.
With 20 years behind the bar at Bari, Hunter Coleman’s had time to break down the art and the science of craft cocktails. On this week’s Sound Bites, he shared tips of the trade and talked about Bari, amaro and his partnership with a Memphis gin brand.
In addition to riffing on what makes good barbecue and why Memphis is number one on her list, Gina and host Holly Whitfield discussed the upcoming SmokeSlam barbecue competition.
Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Memphis in May's Kevin Grothe and Tiffani Perry to talk about what people can expect from this year's WCBCC at Tiger Lane.
Husband and wife duo Clay Schuchardt and Felicia Willett-Schuchardt talk about the relocation and reopening of Felicia Suzanne's on South Main with host Holly Whitfield.
Host Holly Whitfield and podcast producer Natalie Van Gundy discuss this spring's local line up of food festivals and events and share their favorites.
Deni Reilly, co-owner of The Majestic Grill and Cocozza, talks about the highly anticipated opening of Cocozza's second location in East Memphis and how she got started in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Huey’s area manager Alex Boggs talks about Huey’s upcoming 55th anniversary celebration, the return of a beloved sandwich and Sweet Cheeks barbecue competition team.
Flyway Brewing's head brewer, Teddy Pepper, joins Holly Whitfield. They discuss the brewery's third location taking over the former High Cotton and Edge Alley spaces, what they offer on tap and at the restaurant, as well as the current craft beer scene.
Cynthia Daniels joins Holly Whitfield to talk about Memphis Black Restaurant Week, the businesses that are participating this year and its evolution over the past 10 years.
Guest bartenders, craft cocktails and charcuterie are all on the menu for Bar Limina, set to open in the coming weeks in Edge District.
Greenberg is editor-in-chief of Edible Memphis magazine and has been chronicling the best places to eat in town for decades. She started a personal food blog when her children were young, prompted by friends she said appreciated her humor and honesty. On the podcast, she joins Holly Whitfield to talk about that blog and how it led to a career in food writing and her taking the reins of Edible Memphis in 2018.
Daily Memphian food writer Joshua Carlucci returns to Sound Bites this week to discuss more of his favorite $10 Deals, a major writing project and butchering a goose at home.
Chefs Wally Joe and Andrew Adams are the guests on Sound Bites, to talk food, travel James Beard awards and their recent Lunar New Year dinner.
Regular customers already know about the shop’s signature macarons, pastries and cookies. And at least one of those customers thought the bakery deserved some major recognition.
Josh Carlucci is on the podcast to talk about his South American travels, writing about food as a Memphis transplant and his endless quest for The Daily Memphian’s “$10 Deals.”
Eric Barnes and Holly Whitfield also talk about dining trends and new Memphis restaurants opening soon.
Holly Whitfield interviewed Harrison Downing and Schuyler O’Brien for this week’s Sound Bites podcast. The two, along with Cole Jeanes, will soon open Hard Times Deli in The Edge District.
Plus, bar owners Mary Oglesby and Paul Gilliam talk about the state of the service industry in Memphis.
If one of your resolutions is to eat more of Memphis’ culinary offerings, we’ve got you covered.
Wine expert Tiffany Werne explains the differences in sparkling wines and how to serve this bubbly libation on New Year’s Eve.
Kaye’s Pints & Scoops owner Kameisha Wilson says ice cream isn’t just for the summer. From scoops to pies, she explains how this frozen treat can make your holidays sweeter.
The Liquor Store is once again hosting its annual holiday Miracle cocktail bar pop-up. Beverage Director Ben Wiley shares what to expect at the pop-up, and his tried-and-true tips for making cocktails at home.
Cara Greenstein, the founder of the Caramelized lifestyle brand, offers tips for stress-free entertaining at the Holidays, and year round.
From tamales to pozole to a simple turkey sandwich, here’s how some Memphis chefs recraft their Thanksgiving leftovers.
Curb Side Casseroles owner Bradford Williams shares her tried-and-true tips for making your Thanksgiving less stressful.
Calling all coffee lovers! Grind City Coffee Xpo celebrates all things coffee, with a “buzz-worthy” morning filled with tastings and demonstrations.
Cookbook author Andrea LeTard is all about autumn, and she offers a cornucopia of ideas for creating a cozy atmosphere and celebrating through the autumn and into the winter holidays.
Need a Memphis first date idea? Kate Ashby’s two Cooper-Young restaurants fit the bill for posh but unfussy spots with approachable food. She’s the guest on this week’s Sound Bites dining podcast.
This year on the Sound Bites podcast, Holly Whitfield interviewed members of our digital desk team, advertising staff, reporters and even our CEO to reveal what Daily Memphian staffers are really out here eating in these Mid-South streets. Now it’s time for the fifth part of our Daily Memphian staffer interview series.
This week, were flipping the script and sending you an episode of Sidebar. This episode from July has Tim Barker and food and dining reporter Jennifer Chandler join Eric Barnes to talk about many complicated issues facing restaurants as they close and others open.
Memphis Filling Station opened a taproom in South Main, and two of its owners are the guests on this week’s Sound Bites podcast.
Make plans to go to the 65th annual Memphis Greek Festival this weekend - and go hungry! In this week’s Sound Bites, we talk all about the food at this two-day event.
Here's part four of our special Sound Bites series where Daily Memphian staffers share their Memphis food hot takes, favorite restaurants and more.
The 8th annual Home Place Pastures Boucherie will feature 15 chefs competing to see who can make the best dish using lessor known cuts of meat.
Love’s recently selected Sweet Lala’s as its fundraiser cookie for the entire month of September. Proceeds from the purchases will benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network in each store’s community.
Every thing but pork is on the menu for the 33rd Annual ASBEE World Kosher BBQ Contest and Festival. The event touted as “The Greatest Kosher BBQ Competition in the World” is August 25.
Ben Smith, owner of Tsunami in Cooper-Young, said he is worried about the fate of small, independent restaurants. Smith said that one of the biggest issues has been inflation and ingredient costs fluctuating more rapidly than they ever have before.
Kat Gordon and Jennifer Chandler talk about the evolution of Muddy’s Bake Shop, and share how you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes opportunity to visit the bakery.
Mary Claire White discusses how she opened Sugar Ghost Ice Cream & Bubble Tea, and how she comes up with her creative flavors. Fun fact: Her story involves an ice cream school!
Memphis Made Brewing Co. celebrates the grand opening of its new taproom and brewery this weekend. Here’s what to expect.
Mary Oglesby and Paul Gilliam opened Mary’s B.O.T.E. after hosting a popular theme night at their other Midtown bar.
Looking for a hot dog in Memphis? Elwood’s Shack owner Tim Bednarski has a whole menu section dedicated to hot dogs.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Jennifer Chandler sits down with Greys Fine Cheeses and Entertaining owners Jackie Mau and Kurt Mullican to talk about all things cheesy - including their new dinner menu, a cheese competition and their shop.
Craft Food & Wine Festival is a tasting event that celebrates local food artisans and their delicious creations. Here’s what you can expect to find (and taste) at this annual festival.
Jennifer Chandler shares her plans for The Daily Memphian’s food beat, from the return of the Table Talk column to recipe exchanges to future podcast guests.
In honor of National Cheese Day, June 4, this week’s Sound Bites is about that most exquisite of human inventions: cheese.
Holly Whitfield and Natalie Van Gundy talk about Le Bon Appetit and use the local chef lineup as a guide to talk their way through a list of standout chefs and restaurant history.
This week on Sound Bites, Chris Herrington and I follow up with the Jerry’s Sno Cones rumors we discussed last week — and spoiler alert, the news was not good.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Chris Herrington and I go through a big list of local food news, complete with some Memphis restaurant history and annotations.
How do hundreds of judges choose the best smoked pork barbecue (and more!) from more than 120 teams at Memphis in May? Barbecue judge chairs Michelle and Brandon O’Guin sit down with Holly on this week’s podcast to discuss.
Here’s part three of our special Sound Bites series where Daily Memphian staffers share their Memphis food hot takes, date night ideas, lunch plans and more.
This week, Holly Whitfield sits down with digital desk manager Elle Perry, digital producer Nick Lingerfelt and reporter Sophia Surrett for rapid-fire interviews.
Eric Barnes and Holly Whitfield riff on Memphis barbecue and hot slaw as the Tennessee state foods, wine menus and water pet peeves. Plus, Eric offers a surprise airport food shout-out and everybody talks about their successful first date locations.
Hot takes, date ideas and breakfast opinions are all on the menu for this week’s special edition of Sound Bites, featuring quick interviews with Daily Memphian staffers.
This week on “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington discuss a few recent items of Downtown restaurant news, including the re-opening of the Front Street Deli, the renovations at Huey’s and the announcement of Frank’s Biscuits & Briskets coming to the former Bedrock Eats location on South Main.
This week on “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington take in the breaking news that a location of the Texas-based fast-food franchise Whataburger could be Midtown bound.
This week on “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington dined on pastries from Crosstown’s Lucy J’s Bakery and dished on some recent local food news.
This week on “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington highlight a few favorites from the Black Restaurant Week slate and go deep on where they’d eat, and where they’d send visitors, within walking distance of FedExForum, from early morning and late-night dining to coffee shops and a soda fountain.
In this week’s episode of Sound Bites, Eric Barnes and Holly Whitfield discuss “100 Things To Do In Memphis Before You Die”.
Last week, Muddy’s Bake Shop celebrated its “Sweet Sixteen,” and Chris Herrington talked to owner Kat Gordon about the accordion-style expand-and-contract evolution of a little bakery that’s become a Memphis institution.
On this week’s “Sound Bites,” he and Holly Whitfield discuss some different angles of that story.
Recently, Daily Memphian contributor Christin Yates highlighted 10 Memphis restaurants with a breakfast bent. On Sound Bites this week, Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington muse over the restaurants mentioned in the story, noting their faves and places they still need to try.
Digital director Holly Whitfield and columnist Chris Herrington react to a bunch of recent Memphis food news, from a notable restaurant closing in the Edge District to some exciting soon-to-open news places in Cooper-Young and Overton Square.
On this week’s episode of “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield returns from her dark Memphis winter with a tales of burst pipes and combined pantries. She and Chris Herrington also talk about, and riff on, some recent Memphis food news.
In honor of National Southern Food Day, Chris Herrington put Southern transplant Eric Barnes to the test on this week’s edition of Sound Bites, a hit-the-road edition recorded at Crosstown Concourse.
This week on The Daily Memphian's Sound Bites podcast, Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield hold a remembrance of restaurants past.
Noting a flurry of recent local restaurant closings, from Midtown’s Pho Binh to Edge District pioneers Edge Alley to partial closures and relocations such as Germantown’s Let it Fly sports bar and Cooper Street’s Mo’ Bay Beignet Co., they look back a little bit further at some of the local spots they liked that got away.
Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield sift through various national food trend stories to weigh in on topics such as “vegetable forward” restaurants, savory cocktails, Spam, solo dining and spicy drinks and desserts, looking for Memphis connections along the way.
Eric Barnes, Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington take turns this week paying tribute to some of the most memorable food experiences they had in Memphis this year, from new restaurants to established faves revisited, from “reservations please” places to fried chicken on the river and grocery store takeout corners.
Eric Barnes and Holly Whitfield talk toast-worthy drinks, bar favorites and New Year’s events around town.
On this week’s show, Natalie Van Gundy, Holly Whitfield and I talk about winter holiday foods, with an emphasis on sweets and grazing.
From Downtown to Collierville, soft to crisp, thin to thick, meaty to meatless, we discuss our favorite Memphis pizza spots and what are go-to orders are at each.
In this episode of Sound Bites, Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield break down the epic battles that happen on the Thanksgiving table. Is turkey actually good? Which preparation method is the best for the big bird? Do we like dressing or stuffing? (Does anyone actually stuff the turkey with stuffing anymore?)
In this episode, Bianca Phillips, Natalie Van Gundy and Holly Whitfield go through their lists of food-inspired gift ideas. Think: special bottles of locally-distilled bourbon, a cute tea party experience, international snack packs and Memphis made treats.
If you follow The Daily Memphian’s food or business sections, you’ve likely seen a new byline coming through on restaurant-related business stories: Sophia Surrett.
In this episode of Sound Bites, Eric Barnes, Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington discuss the must-haves for laptop-friendly locations (it’s more than just good Wi-Fi) and then share their favorite spots to knock out some writing, emails, meetings or even paying bills.
In this episode of Sound Bites, Natalie Van Gundy and Holly Whitfield join Eric Barnes to talk about which local brewery taprooms have the best atmosphere, our favorite patios and the most delicious food options.
Eric Barnes, Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield are live in the WYXR studio for a Sound Bites/The Sidebar "Home and Away".
Inspired by a road trip later this week, Chris Herrington quizzed colleagues Holly Whitfield and Natalie Van Gundy about gas-station grub habits, or maybe its weaknesses.
Openings, closings, expansions, comebacks, updates. Restaurants are always busy being born and sometimes busy dying. This week on Sound Bites, digital director Holly Whitfield and columnist Chris Herrington discuss a few bits of recent Memphis restaurant news.
On this week’s pod, inspired by El Pollo Latino’s chicken-forward menu, Chris Herrington ranks 10 familiar ways to prepare (and consume) chicken, counting them down from 10 to one, discussing where he goes for each in Memphis.
In this week’s Sound Bites, producer Natalie Van Gundy and columnist Chris Herrington talk about some recent Memphis restaurant news: A new Elwood’s Shack looming, the opening of Hive Bagel & Deli, and more. But then they talk fair and fest food. Natalie brings clarity to the Pronto Pup vs. corn dog question. (Or, um, party dogs?) Chris issues a warning on the subject of funnel cakes. And they discuss their wish list for fair and festival foods we wish we saw more of at Memphis events.
On this week’s Sound Bites, food section contributor Joshua Carlucci and Chris Herrington discussed a couple of exciting new additions to the Memphis food scene that they’ve respectively written about in the past week and have each visited.
On this week’s Sound Bites, digital director Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington pour over the week’s food news for items of particular interest, landing on a bevy of coffee-shop happenings, including the University District’s Belltower Coffeehouse taking over the empty snack-shop space at Shelby Farms, and the return of a south-of-Downtown dive bar.
On this week’s Sound Bites, digital director Holly Whitfield and Chris Herrington talk about some food stories they each recently written and one recent Memphis food event they both missed.
If you seek movie and show recommendations and are interested in food, cooking or chefs, this episode is for you.
Holly Whitfield joins CEO Eric Barnes and video and podcast producer Natalie Van Gundy for a lively discussion on their favorite cafes, where they’d take visiting java snobs and how they each make our coffee at home. (Spoiler alert: the approaches vary wildly!)
Chris Herrington talks with Joshua Carlucci, a former chef and teacher who’s become a regular contributor to the Daily Memphian food section.
If you’ve ever hosted folks visiting Memphis, you know the situation: your family is coming to town for a weekend or some old friends are finally making good on a long-promised visit to Memphis.
Maybe they love the city, maybe they’re not yet sold.
Either way, you want to show them a great time.
From stores to trailers, carts to coolers, Mempops has become an inseparable part of Memphis summers.
With 19 bags of assorted Lay’s potato chip flavors, four of us crinkled bags and crunched chips for a home and away Sound Bites and The Sidebar.
Not feeling the ribs or a barbecue sandwich? It’s OK, we got you. Try some of these non-traditional dishes in barbecue restaurants.
Eli Townsend’s new Dos Hermanos Kitchen inside the Cossitt Library is where he feels he’s meant to be, except in the winters, when he’ll be running another place in Rhode Island.
Bog & Barley is all it’s cracked up to be; Jennifer and Chris talk about the new East Memphis restaurant on Sound Bites, and talk of Easter meals leads to talk of cakes, as many roads do.
There was the recipe for the Seessel’s Lemon Butter Pie, of course, but Chris and Jennifer also talked about the history of the beloved hometown grocery, which was started by Henry Seessel, known as the ‘Great Butcher of Memphis.’
Sure, most of us liked brownies when we were kids and plenty of us still do, but what’s keeping it from having its heyday?
Keeping the pantry stocked with spices is key to be able to cook up a good meal; Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington discuss the most important ones.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington just wrote about tamales, and on this week’s Sound Bites, they talk about them too.
We continue talk of cakes not just fit for but named for kings, and talk about the food news of the week on this week’s Sound Bites.
Mardi Gras cometh and with it, king cakes, pancakes and all manner of delicious food. And can broccoli win a cage match with Brussels sprouts?
On this week’s Sound Bites, Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk about the Porcellino’s biscuit recipe (Chris made ‘em) and plenty of this and that.
Jennifer and Chris brainstorm some food they’d like to see Kelly English serve at his series of popups, but they can’t manage to feed themselves breakfast reliably.
You know you have a favorite kind of French fry, whether it’s a shoestring, fast food fries or waffle cut. So do Jennifer and Chris, and we talk about it on Sound Bites.
It was a better year than 2021 and 2020; in fact, 2022 saw a flurry of new restaurants open toward the end of the year and served up some tasty dishes all year long.
The Biggs and Herrington households like a nice breakfast on Christmas Day, and we say hold the fruitcake. But we respect your right to love it if that’s what makes your Yuletide bright.
New restaurants have just opened or are within days or weeks of opening their doors: Which ones excite you?
A $10 Deal inspires Jennifer and Chris to take a virtual trip around town, talking about favorite Asian restaurants from Chinese to Vietnamese and more.
A chocolate layer cake, a fancy Russian honey cake (oh my) or a dense and delicious carrot cake: They all have a place in our hearts and on our plates.
Chris Herrington’s three-part Memphis Coffee Shop Guide concluded last week and he and Jennifer Biggs talk about on Sound Bites.
Thanksgiving is a time to put your favorite folks — your family — around a table of your favorite foods and appreciate the good things in your life.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington discuss some of their favorite $10 Deals over the past few years.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington were joined by Daniel Lynn, an organizer of the now-annual Grind City Coffee Xpo.
Last year we ate odd Kit Kat flavors; this year, it was a contest to pick our favorite everyday candy for Halloween.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington show up in the studio with Makeda’s cookies and Blanchard’s pastries, and the conversation turns to those two.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington show up in the studio with Makeda’s cookies and Blanchard’s pastries, and the conversation turns to those two.
The Memphis Food and Wine Festival is back at Radians Amphitheatre at the Memphis Botanic Garden on Oct. 15, and chef co-chairs Jose Gutierrez and Wally Joe stop by Sound Bites to talk good things.
The Memphis Food and Wine Festival is back at Radians Amphitheatre at the Memphis Botanic Garden on Oct. 15, and chef co-chairs Jose Gutierrez and Wally Joe stop by Sound Bites to talk good things.
One episode of ‘The Bear’ is only 20 minutes long, but painful to watch for anyone who’s ever worked in a restaurant; Jennifer and Chris talk over food on television and in the cinema.
One episode of ‘The Bear’ is only 20 minutes long, but painful to watch for anyone who’s ever worked in a restaurant; Jennifer and Chris talk over food on television and in the cinema.
Chloe Sexton and Tamra Patterson have followed their dreams despite hard times, and both are seeing their success grow; Jennifer & Chris go to Steve & Todd’s.
Chloe Sexton and Tamra Patterson have followed their dreams despite hard times, and both are seeing their success grow; Jennifer & Chris go to Steve & Todd’s.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Chris Herrington and Jennifer Biggs talk about the format of Every Single Thing, the exhaustive new review system we’ll use from time to time.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Chris Herrington and Jennifer Biggs talk about the format of Every Single Thing, the exhaustive new review system we’ll use from time to time.
Jennifer and Chris talk about sandwiches, the kind you make at home and the kind you order out, and it turns out that someone doesn’t like a muffuletta.
Jennifer and Chris talk about sandwiches, the kind you make at home and the kind you order out, and it turns out that someone doesn’t like a muffuletta.
On Sound Bites, Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk with Daily Memphian columnist Dan Conaway about his upcoming Tasteful List 2022.
To celebrate the arrival of Whataburger to the metro area, Jennifer Biggs, Chris Herrington and Eric Barnes rank fast-food burgers from worst to best.
It’s Elvis Week, so Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk about what was in the 12,000 calories Elvis reportedly consumed daily.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk about the return of official dining reviews to The Daily Memphis.
On Sound Bites, Jennifer and Chris gab about the food news and features of the last week, including Karen Carrier’s influence on the restaurant scene over the years.
Chris Herrington is joined by Black Sheep Catering’s Meredith Clinton to talk about the plans for her new South Main speakeasy Lucky Cowboy and about her journey from Hayti, Missouri, gas stations to the Memphis food scene.
Jennifer Biggs talks to Eric Barnes about what he eats for breakfast, his go-to snack, the Skittles controversy and her belief that, apparently, all change is for the better.
Jennifer and Chris talk about the Summer Avenue series, and each name their five most notable places in the tour.
The second installment of our Summer Avenue tour takes us to diverse places such as Nagasaki, Willie Mae’s, and two favorite Mexican restaurants.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Jennifer and Chris talk about the first leg of their Summer Avenue tour, from East Parkway to Highland.
Chris and Jennifer talk about food they’ve recently eaten and the talk turns to the creative street food dishes that they both like so much.
It’s like an underfunded ‘Seinfeld’ on a podcast: We’ll call this one the pod about nothing with Eric and Jennifer.
Jennifer and Chris share their holiday menus, talk over recent food news, and dive deeper in farmers markets and homemade ice cream.
Memorial Day is the de facto start of summer, so it’s time to talk summer foods on this week’s Sound Bites.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk it over: Memphis in May is headed back to Tom Lee Park, but some people like Liberty Park better.
We believe recipes are meant to be shared, and so do some generous local chefs and loyal readers.
There’s a new fish restaurant in town, and it comes with a river view. In Crosstown, the new place is all about pinball machines.
Maybe you miss a Chicago style hot dog, maybe a Chicago deep dish pizza, maybe you want restaurants to stay open later or want a local diner. What do you think the Memphis restaurant scene needs?
Meal kits can be a time saver, but having them on hand doesn’t always mean you’re going to be motivated to cook; we dive into the mail bag.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk over Chris’s first Folk’s Folly experience, and talk about Chipotle opening on Summer Avenue.
The fried chicken discussion continues, and Jennifer and Chris also talk about the new Restaurant Iris and Bartlett’s Side Porch Steakhouse on this week’s Sound Bites.
Whether it’s a sit-down meal or a bucket to-go, there’s something about fried chicken that satisfies the Southern in all of us.
National Pizza Day is Feb. 9, so we discuss the best pizzas in Memphis and while our lists match up a little, they also differ.
This week Chris and Jennifer talk a little about recent meals then open for the mail bag. Iris is coming soon, Joes’ is not a lost cause by any stretch, and the P.O. Press carrots--mmm.
Fried chicken or barbecue? Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes? And why didn’t we even mention squash or coleslaw? Chris and Jennifer talk Southern food on Sound Bites.
Is a trip to Jerry’s Sno Cones REALLY a trip to Jerry’s if you don’t get a Supreme? We talk it over: Ice cream in your snow cone vs. straight up.
Science of Beer returns to the Pink Palace on Friday as MoSH returns to its pre-pandemic event schedule.
Chris Herrington and Jennifer Biggs discuss the end of 2021 and what’s ahead for 2022 in food.
Bert Smythe and John Littlefield talk about the 21 months they spent remodeling McEwen’s, which is reopening Dec. 20.
The Timex watch of the Memphis restaurant scene is back. Mac Edwards brings favorites from The Farmer to Railgarten starting next week. He tells us how he got there from way back when in Gadsden, Alabama.
The Never Have I Ever series will begin soon, COVID permitting, and Chris Herrington and I talk about the things we plan to eat and discuss why some restaurants seem insider-ish.
It’s turkey time, so what else do we want to talk about? Well, pork chops and Popeye’s to start.
Pancho’s is closed and closing, but there’s plenty of Mexican food in Memphis; Jennifer and Chris talk about some places they like and some they remember.
Listen to Kelly English talk about his new restaurant, Pantà, opening Friday, and find out about the Science of Beer at MoSH, coming up next week.
Wally Joe and Jose Gutierrez talk about the upcoming Memphis Food & Wine Festival, back on Saturday after a 2020 COVID hiatus.
Memphis Greek Festival returns this weekend after missing two May festivals because of COVID.
‘The Vous’ is still months away from release, but it was submitted for consideration for the Sundance festival this week; the filmmakers talk about it on Sound Bites.
On this week’s Sound Bites, Williams tells how his road led to the creation of B.R. Distilling, the local producers of Blue Note bourbon. It’s only been four years he’s been at it, but the company has grown and now the products are distributed in 15 states.
Martha Hample and her partners started Hampline Brewing Co. on the eve of COVID and opened during the pandemic, but they’re doing fine, tearing down walls and building patios.
La Baguette is open again — and will soon be for dinner — Bryant’s is humming along, and Ciao Bella prepares for a move in January.
Jennifer, Chris and Eric talk about new masking rules and how the high local numbers are affecting restaurants — and them.
Cristina McCarter is a local food entrepreneur, offering tasting tours, gift boxes, and charcuterie boards in her various business and and organizing events like Memphis Dining Week.
Bari opens Tuesday in its new place at 524 S. Cooper, just a stone’s throw from its old place but with lots more room and its own parking.
Dr. Jeff Warren tested positive for COVID despite being vaccinated and believes it’s time for mandatory masking; Deni Reilly worries restaurants are going to bear the brunt high COVID numbers once again.
It’s the best time of the year to eat local, we talk about tomato pies, quiche, beer — and this: Do grownups eat cereal?
The Daily Memphian is in its new office and we’re back in the studio to record podcasts for the first time since March 2020, which means we had a lot to say this week.
Kelly English will soon close Restaurant Iris, open something new in the space, then get work reopening Iris in its big new home in Laurelwood.
Torchy’s Tacos opens the doors to its first ‘craft casual’ restaurant in Tennessee on Thursday.
Chris Herrington visits Sound Bites and he and Jennifer Biggs catch up with the latest food news and talk about — what else? — food.
New East Memphis cheese shop begins a workshop series this week, has added sandwiches for Saturday lunch and will soon have them daily.
Roar and Pour is the first big event at the Memphis Zoo since COVID, and Old Dominick’s master distiller and the founder of B.R. Distilling talk about the event and what’s going on with their companies.
Steph Cook is at Rawk’n Grub Side Stage, back inside a gas station, this one in Olive Branch.
Two old friends and longtime Memphis in May volunteers take a few minutes to talk about this year’s festival and about some memorable times in the past.
Derk Meitzler talks about Backlot, the new sandwich shop to open in the Paramount building, and what else he has coming up.
A new cheese dip has launched in this cheese-dip-lovin’ city. Andrew Arbogast has taken his dad’s recipe and brought us Arbo’s.
Curries can be a simple and tasty weeknight dinner, but you need to know a shortcut or two first.
Deni and Patrick Reilly talk about reopening The Majestic Grille after a year of COVID and Cocozza in the interim.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington revisit their favorites from Memphis Black Restaurant Week and talk about their favorite Southern dish: Fried catfish
The year since local restaurants were first shut for coronavirus has been hard; Kelly English talks about what it’s been like for him.
Memphis Black Restaurant Week is in its sixth year, adapted for COVID this year, but going on with more participating restaurants than ever.
Jennifer and Chris Herrington talk about nachos, from the ones you make at home to barbecue nachos to dessert nachos, and Chris is so inspired by a curry on Facebook that he makes a comment.
Le Bon Appetit @Home has been postponed a week because of the boil order; Jennifer and Kelly English talk about cream cheese and all the things it makes better.
First comes Michael Donahue's birthday, then baseball spring training, the Calvary Waffle Shop, Easter and finally, spring will have sprung.
Beer for dessert? Maybe. Sisco Larson and Kat Gordon talk with Jennifer Biggs about what to pair with your last course.
Phillip Ashley Rix literally had a dream that he would be a chocolatier, so then he made it happen. More than 10 years later, Oprah gave her seal of approval and sales skyrocketed.
Jennifer and Chris talk about some of the soup they tasted for a tour of some of the best the city has to offer; listen today and read more on Thursday.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington remember some of their favorite sandwiches from an epic sandwich tour and talk about eating out during COVID.
Chip Dunham opened Magnolia & May just a couple of months into COVID; he talks to Jennifer Biggs about what it’s been like to have a new restaurant in a pandemic.
Chris's daughter Rosie bakes a cake; Chris Herrington and Jennifer Biggs talk about fish; Producer Natalie Van Gundy jumps in to discuss the Pimento’s burger.
Chris Herrington and Jennifer Biggs talk about where they're eating and what they're cooking for the (small) holiday at home.
Normally the busiest time of the year, restaurants are instead open for sparsely populated dining rooms. PPP money would help, two local restaurateurs say. And sharing holiday recipes is good for all of us.
Tawanda Pirtle tells us about the steak sandwich at Jack Pirtle’s Chicken, which Jennifer Biggs ate this week for the first time.
Ed Crenshaw didn’t mean to be a baker, but an accident here and an accident there can turn into a career if you’re not careful.
Come Friday, Alex Grisanti is back in the brick and mortar restaurant business. He talks to Jennifer Biggs about what Elfo Grisanti Northern Italian Cuisine will be like on this week’s edition of Sound Bites.
You expect certain things of Memphians. We eat at the Rendezvous. We love Jack Pirtle’s chicken. We crave Gibson’s doughnuts and we love our Jerry’s Sno Cones and Coletta’s barbecue pizza.
The Daily Memphian president and WYXR host of Sidebar Eric Barnes and Jennifer Biggs are guests on each other’s shows.
Jennifer Biggs talks with Karen Carrier about how she’s gotten through COVID, her winter plans, and how she ended up in the restaurant business.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk about what they’ve been cooking, how recipes are little more than suggestions, and as it happens, about tacos and Asian food.
Nick Scott talks with Jennifer Biggs on our new Sound Bites podcast/radio show about what it was like to have Alchemy closed for 11 weeks and about his plans for Salt | Soy, opening soon on Broad.
Grisanti talks with Jennifer Biggs about how the business took its toll on him, his recovery, and what he has planned for the new restaurant.
Cocozza and Erling’s are closed after asymptomatic employees at both restaurants tested positive for COVID-19. At Cocozza, the staff is tested every two weeks and the positive test came from that. At Erling’s , the employee took a test on his own and it took 10 days for the results to arrive. They say they need testing for front line workers with a same-day turnaround. The restaurants are not required to close, but Deni Reilly and Erling Jensen say they feel they have no choice, that they are responsible for keeping their employees and guests safe and with quick results, they could reopen faster.
Kelly English and Jennifer talk a bit about what it’s like to be a restaurateur and a diner during COVID.
Charlie Vergos (not that one—his grandson) is a standup comedian who has just released his first album, recorded in November at the Hi-Tone. He was living in New York and moved back to his hometown when COVID started getting bad in March. We talk about what he’s done, what’s coming up for him, and a little bit about his legendary grandfather.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington catch up after Chris’s family vacation, talking about patios and porches for outdoor dining around town, how the paella turned out for Chris (and how his brother is the current king of cuisine in the family), and talk about a new trend—can it be called that yet?—of feeding a crowd a table full of nachos.
Jennifer Biggs, Ben Smith and Jason Severs talk about what customers can do to help restaurants.
Jennifer Biggs is joined by Chris Herrington to talk about new and old restaurants opening, the all-important ampersand, what bbq they like and where they like it, at-home paella and more.
Jennifer Biggs talks to Kelly English and Ryan Trimm about how they survived the COVID shutdown, what they're doing to keep their take-out, curbside and delivery business going and what's going to happen when they reopen.
Jennifer Biggs, Chris Herrington and Natalie Van Gundy talk takeout and cooking in quarantine.
Jennifer Biggs, Chris Herrington and Natalie Van Gundy talk takeout and what they’re watching on the tube.
Jennifer Biggs, Chris Herrington and Natalie Van Gundy talk about getting creative in the kitchen and eating at home during the pandemic.
Jennifer Biggs talks with Tim Bednarski about getting nutritious meals to hospital workers during the COVID-19 crisis
Jennifer Biggs talks to Karen Carrier and Ernie Mellor about the catastrophe local restaurants face in the COVID-19 days
Jennifer Biggs & Kelly English talk about how the local restaurant business is faring under fears of coronavirus.
Jennifer Biggs talks with DJ Naylor about the Whiskeys of the World tasting and fun stuff for St. Patrick’s Day
Jennifer Biggs talks with Kelly English and Penny Henderson about Mardi Gras, here and in their hometowns.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington talk about soul food places around town, from Daisy’s to Ms. Girlee’s and plenty of others.
Jennifer and Enjoy AM general manager Nick Talarico talk about Bishop, the upcoming masquerade ball, cocktails and more.
Jennifer talks with Jon Hodge about selling Front Street Deli, the Tom Cruise sandwich names, and they pick between sushi and tacos.
Jennifer and Kelly talk about rude diners, reminisce about last year’s funeral for the Saints at The Second Line, go off topic, take in Tabitha’s new look, and Jennifer tells you how to use our podcast hotline. Have a guest you want to hear? Call and tell us.
Domenico Canale’s 177th birthday is a good reason to have a party at Old Dominick, where all the liquor is made in-house.
Jennifer Biggs and registered dietitian Megan Murphy talk about good habits for the new decade.
Jennifer and Chef Tamra Patterson talk about her new place, vintage candy, her grandmother's legacy, if spaghetti is a side and more.
Jennifer and Kelly talk about changes at Second Line/ Restaurant Iris and their Christmas tradition before they get off track and talk about all the things.
Jennifer talks with the Joplins about dressing and what’s on the menu for Thanksgiving.
Jennifer Biggs and Downtown Memphis Commission organizers talk about the week’s special meals at Downtown restaurants.
Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington dish on seafood boils and talk nachos in prep for National Nachos Day.
Memphis’ favorite chef has opened a new outdoor spot behind her Cooper-Young restaurants.
Jennifer Biggs and Kelly English talk about Iris’ new Sunday suppers, pet peeves, drag shows and beignets.
Jennifer Biggs talks with Michelle Tribble and Marne Anderson about the upcoming party.
Daily Memphians Peggy Burch and Natalie Van Gundy join Jennifer to talk favorite foods.