While Memphis is a top tourist destination, its culinary scene has emerged as a highlight in its own right with a range of restaurants representing diverse cultures.
This week the focus has been on African American-owned restaurants during Memphis Black Restaurant Week, which kicked off Sunday, March 16, with 20 eateries participating and runs through today.
The restaurants offered a combined 85 menu items with exclusive discounts, including $15 two-course lunches and $25 three-course dinners available during the week. Diners could explore a diverse culinary experience, including traditional Southern Black dishes, Caribbean cuisine, and options for vegan and vegetarian palates.
Memphis Black Restaurant Week provides Black-owned restaurants with restaurateurs a platform to showcase their offerings in hopes of attracting new customers while also raising awareness of and support for minority-owned eateries in the Mid-South.
Established in 2016, Memphis Black Restaurant Week stands out among countless restaurant weeks across the United States. It embodies Memphisโ commitment to diverse flavors, particularly from its thriving Black-owned establishments.
On its website, the cityโs Office of Business Diversity and Compliance emphasized the importance of supporting Black restaurants, stating that the week โplays a crucial role in achieving socio-economic upliftment, and the sustainable implementation of these beliefs will strengthen our communities and open opportunities for future generations.โ
The Genre Memphis, 200 Poplar Ave., is among those restaurants participating in this yearโs MBRW. It offers a unique dining experience dubbed the Garage Experience. Patrons were seated quickly as the restaurant wasnโt fully packed at the time. Guests were given a minute to enjoy the vibes of music curated by Dj1Luv Entertainment with hits from the early 2000s to current southern hip-hop artists like Waka Flocka ft. Drake’s โRound of Applauseโ to Young Dolphโs โJuicyโ to Yo Gottiโs โRake it up.โ
The Genre promises diners an โauthentic Memphis experienceโ with items such as catfish and grits, yet expands to include lamb and salmon dishes, Southwestern egg rolls and mozzarella sticks.
Lernard Chambers, who co-owns The Genre with his twin brother Bernard, said Black restaurant week provides a boost for their business.
โItโs interesting you know, after a rough winter, it helps us pay for a lot of bills or a lot of debt that we might have or just covers bills moving forward,โ said Chambers, who has participated in the event for three years. โComing out of those three or four slow months during the cold season, it is like a push of sales, and it helps with that.โ
Longtime Genre customer Andrea Saulsberry stopped for drinks. โMy margaritas are really good. I got the 2-for-1 special. It’s a perfect mix of alcohol and sweet and sour,โ she said.
She was having drinks only because she planned to have dinner at Memphis Jamaican Kitchen on Madison, which is also part of Memphis Black Restaurant Week.
For more information visit https://www.blackrestaurantweek.com
