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Memphis: Now Serving Hospitality

December 6, 2010 0 Comments

Memphis, Tennessee may be full of the blues but its uplifting deliveries of hospitality stole the show. At Huey’s restaurant and Spaghetti Warehouse we received care and enthusiasm from the wait staff that many restaurants are missing. When we find hospitality gems like these I like to share them because even though the food is good it is the experience and our time with the staff that is most memorable.

Blues slipped out of every doorway on Beale St. in downtown Memphis just as freely beer flowed from taps lining the street. With a 32oz cold PBR in hand Brian and I sat enjoying the overlapping sounds of music and the sight of watching the “Beale St. Flippers” perform in the blocked-off street.

The famous flippers do just that, flip after flip down the street for the on-lookers enjoyment. The bars on Beale St. were packed with fun, music, and booze but as far as food went we didn’t see anything that drew us in.

Around the corner we found a bar that was more our style, Huey’s Restaurant where they were serving up classic late-night bar food right. The Giants where playing the Phillies for the play-offs on TV, toothpicks hung from the ceiling and local beers were on tap. The toothpick thing stemmed from a tradition at Huey’s for diners to take the toothpick from their burger and shoot it upwards hoping that it would stick to the ceiling and not fall on other patrons.  Brian did succeeded after a few tries.

From this fun sports bar we  got what one may expect as far as food goes but it was the attentiveness and hospitably of our waitress that made the experience worth writing about!

This woman was covering just about every table in the restaurant yet was pleasant and on top of was everything and she made a point to engage each table. This is a lot of work and I don’t think, given the bar atmosphere, that anybody would have noticed is she had just took orders and delivered beer and food. this waitress seemed to truly enjoy her job and was having fun! This happiness transferred  to the guest easily as we ate our wonderfully juicy and tasty burgers.

Hospitality defined our meal the next night as well at Spaghetti Warehouse. Brian grew up going to the Spaghetti Warehouse at the Toledo location for special dinners with his family. This restaurant was literally built in a warehouse and the walls are packed with old movie posters from the 1920’s and recycled stain glass windows. In the middle of the dining room was the companies’ trademark refurbished trolley car.

On one of my first trips to visit Brian in Ohio we went to the local Spaghetti Warehouse on a double date with a couple of friends. Our meal was not very good, unfortunately, but we had a fun time as everyone at the table filled me in on the many meals where had there when they where younger.

For Brian, the sight of the Memphis Spaghetti Warehouse brought back memories of his childhood running freely around the large open space. We decided the give it another shot!

Boy, am I glad we did! The manager welcomed us with open arms–he was so engaging that he had us talking about the Toledo Spaghetti Warehouse and our trip before we even reached our table. He took time to talk to us about Memphis and the restaurant scene as well.

Our server was fresh out of a military tour in Iraq and loved to travel,  That is why he joined the army. He was energetic and fun and we had a blast talking about the world with him as he brought us plates of cheese bread, salads, baked ziti, and chocolate cake.

The food at the  Spaghetti Warehouse  is simple filling food that can satisfy any stomach, and the next time I am looking for a great family atmosphere I will be sure to think of their closest location!

After all our traveling we could appreciate any time that we are welcomed and treated so well.  Restaurants that stand out due to outstanding service, I think, are just as important as restaurants that stand out be severing good food.

Blues in our ears, bellies full, and a great vibe of being welcomed by all; Memphis offered the  hospitality we are always looking for!

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