A Memphis staple. Barksdale's is what a good ol'American breakfast is all about. The Barksdale has numerous different entrees available for breakfast and all of them (quite literally, all of them) are delicious. Moreover, the Barksdale doesn't give out behemoth proportioned breakfasts only pro wrestlers could consume in one sitting. Have a stack of pancakes and you won't feel terrible afterwards. Add maple syrup (yup, they've got the real sugary stuff too) to that beautiful stack of floury goodness and you'll reach breakfast nirvana in no time flat. Service is always speedy and accurate. Going on a weekend. Don't forget to arrive early because the Barksdale fills up early and often. Enjoy!
(4)
Michael G.
Ya ever been to one of those restaurants where everyone knows everyone? And they just sit around and taaaaaaallllllk? Yep this is the place. Good breakfast place. Had the sausage and cheese omelet and they also put in onion and tomatoes for me. Hash browns were crispy and they put onions in there also. Wifee had eggs and ham and the ham was very good. Eggs on both Meals were done perfect. I can see why the customers are loyal to this place. I noticed many folks had their usual orders and the workers asked "your usual?". Kinda wished I too live nearby.
(4)
Ashley P.
This is the best place for Memphis breakfast. My husband I went to an a.m. boot camp and then we indulged in everything Barksdale breakfast at 12 pm. I love that they serve breakfast until 2 pm. I love that this is a neighborhood joint so you'll find local Memphian's talking about their upcoming weekend here. I love that the place keeps it's local character and charm by literally "duck-taping" the place together by it's old roots. If you are more concerned with the carpet and chairs during your dining experience than the actual food, then this place is not for you! The people and the food make this place. Be sure to enjoy the neighborhood of Cooper Young after your trip. PS: The prices are to die for. PSS: They are a family place, therefore they tend to close on holidays i.e. father's day, mother's day, fourth of july, memorial day, etc.
(4)
Raymond B.
Wow, five stars from some folks? Amazing really. I wonder if they actually came inside? I like diners. On some mornings, I'd venture to say I love 'em. This place is such a dump that it's hard to get past anything else. Sticky floors, busted seats, rickety tables, grease coated panelling... the list goes on, and it's just bad. I wish the food came faster, so that I wouldn't have so much time to look around. What was that? Did I just get dripped on? *looks up* ... Stained dropped ceiling definitely dripping... on me. Wait, why is this taking so long? Eggs, bacon, toast. That's it. That's all I asked for. *tick*tock*tick*tock* I wish this coffee wasn't so bad, I'd have that at least going for me... no such luck. You know what, keep your nasty food. Here is $2 for the crap coffee *walks out* I will never return. I shudder just thinking about the fact I almost ingested food from such a place. This is not an "institution" as other reviews say... it's just a part of Memphis that's waiting to die.
(1)
Char P.
This place gets one star just because they made sure we got the booth we requested on Sunday morning. The restaurant was full when we arrived and we waited about three minutes to get a seat. The waitress was nice but obviously overwhelmed. I ordered a Greek omelet without mushrooms, hash browns and biscuits. My bf ordered one as well with grits abd biscuits. It took about fifteen to twenty minutes to get it plates and once I tasted some of my omelet, I realized there was no meat. My bf didn't have meat in his either. After five minutes of trying to get the waitress attention, she swore that I ordered a veggie omelet..but I clearly said Greek (Greek and veggie didn't rhyme, does it?) She insisted that wad what I ordered and brought me the ticket she wrote it on to prove she was right. She must have been :/ a daze when I ordered because that was NOT correct..which still doesn't explain why either plate was missing meat. She went to the kitchen and slapped to small bowls of chopped gyro meat on the table without saying a word. No apology. No acknowledgment of the mistake. She didn't even refill or coffee cups. First and absolute LAST time eating there.
(1)
M B.
Coffee very good, biscuits and gravy worthwhile. Pass on the veggie omelet and grapefruit juice from a can. 3* in part b/c of above, plus gnats swarming in the bathroom, right next to kitchen- I'm sure a temporary problem.
(3)
Rachelle H.
The Barksdale. Well, I just felt like I was at home, in my grandma's kitchen about 20 years ago full up of my cousins aunts and uncles. Its just a homey, nice kinda place. I went there last October on my first trip to Memphis, during the rainiest coldest week they'd had in a while. I was staying in the neighborhood and very happy to have a great place to get a down home meal nearby. I went on a Tuesday for lunch and got the country fried steak and three sides, I think the greens, potatoes and dressing. I wish I had had room for desert, but no such luck. I think I got the cornbread and it was delicious but I wondered if the biscuit would have been a better call, I'll have to go back some time to find out. The country fried steak was good, nothing amazing, nothing lacking. Same for all the sides. Just a good home cooked meal. And for a blue plate special that with my drink cashed in at just over $7, I had absolutely no complaints. If I went back for a blue plate I'd try the recommended special of the day. Service was fast and gracious, in a southern way.. The place was full for lunch as I'm sure it often is, there seemed to be a lot of regulars.
(4)
Erica B.
I've never been one of these 1/2 star people, but Barksdale's is going to break that rule for me. I'd really like to give it 2 1/2 reviews. This place is dirtier than any restaurant I've ever stepped into. The carpet on the floor is deplorable- I'm talking worn down black in all the common walking areas, so black I have no idea what color it was to begin with. Another reviewer mentioned the stickiness- I've never had carpeting be sticky, but Barksdale's achieves this and then some. The booth seats are duct taped together and the chairs at the tables are so rickety I found myself praying the one I was on would hold my pregnant booty up for the duration of my breakfast. It pains me to write all this as I so wanted to fall in love with this spot and make it our new Sunday brunch hang out. No such luck. I ordered the 2 eggs, bacon, cheesy hash browns and biscuits with a side of gravy. At $6 bucks, I'll agree and say it is quite a steal, but nothing mentioned above was even remotely memorable. The eggs were decent, the hash browns were cooked just enough to be considered cooked and extremely mushy with a tablespoon size amount of cheese added to them and the biscuits and gravy left a lot to be desired. The gravy had only a few hunks of sausage mixed in and was pretty bland. My husband ordered the fried chicken with turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The greens were the stand out of both our meals, kind of sweet, but otherwise really good. I saw peach cobbler listed in the specials and couldn't pass it up. Peach cobbler is a weakness of mine, yet this one not so much. More of a hot mess. It had a floral taste to it and I couldn't decide if it was supposed to be there or if that was a mistake. It was an odd texture and there was no crust in this cobbler, just hot fruit the consistency of jam and a couple of peach sections that were very obviously canned. On a side note- the lady next to us ordered rice pudding and when I saw it delivered I was so relieved I didn't mistakenly order that. It was the consistency of soup and looked absolutely vile. The highlight of this whole experience was our waitress. She was an absolute doll. Other than her, I can't quite put my finger on why or how this place continually does good business. We went at almost noon on a Sunday and there was a line out the door. I wish they would give the whole place a makeover. That and a new chef might make this place stellar. Other than the price point, it's nothing special. When we got to the car we both agreed we didn't see ourselves suggesting Barksdale's as a restaurant choice in the future.
(2)
Shannon L.
According to Memphis Menus Online, Barksdale Restaurant has been "serving plate lunches for over 30 years". When you walk into the restaurant, you can tell exactly that. I don't know what gave it away first: the wood paneled walls, the old pictures hanging everywhere, or the giant worn-down American Flag that takes up half of one wall. This is definitely your down-home, Southern, comfy dining joint. I dined at Barksdale's one morning for breakfast recently, after walking for cancer research with some coworkers. Though it was not my decision, I have anxiously waiting to try it for the first time after I Love Memphis has recommended it. After staring at the menu, trying to determine if I give into my pancake craving or try something more exotic, I finally settle on the Greek Omelet Good Mornin' Breakfast. This omelet comes with feta cheese, gyro, mushrooms, onions, bell pepper, and tomato. The Good Mornin' Breakfast portion means that it includes grits or hashbrowns and biscuits or toast. I choose the hashbrowns, smothered in cheese and onions, and biscuits. Hey, a girl has got to eat after a long walk for cancer. After a few bites into the omelet, I realize I am making those embarassing "mmmmm" noises as I eat. Yes, it was that good. The eggs were fluffy and perfect, and all the goodies inside made it all the better. The hashbrowns were also great. My friend Leigh Anne even said they were great, and she is a self-proclaimed picky hashbrown eater. My only wish is that the cheese had been melted a little longer, but the onions were caramelized and not too strong. The biscuits were light, fluffy, and perfect. It is easy to mess up a homemade biscuit, as they can easily be too mushy or too hard. These were neither. The addition of butter baked into them was great also. Overall, Barksdale Restaurant is a plus in my book. If you are looking for a good down-home, Southern cooked breakfast, this is a good place to go.
Barksdale is a Midtown Memphis institution. A good place for a southern breakfast, or meat and 3 lunch. It is usually a breakfast stop for me. They have really good biscuits. The bacon is always a bit too crispy for me, and the eggs are done to order. My wife likes their white gravy, but I would never touch the stuff. If you haven't been in the South much, this is kind of a typical neighborhood American restaurant, where the waitress is likely to call you Hun. Also if you are not a Southerner you probably won't understand if i tell you the grits could be a little grittier (a little to smooth for me). Good place to see Midtown characters of all types- from hipsters to politicians.
(3)
Dave Y.
Literally my favorite place! The wait staff and coffee are the best. Meatloaf is to die for.
(5)
Ciara N.
The Barksdale is primarily a weekend breakfast/brunch hangout near Cooper-Young, serving such standards as eggs and bacon, pancakes, and omlettes. As much as I wish I liked the Barksdale, I just can't. The service is slow and surly, the dining area absolutely filthy (it kind of makes you wonder at the state of the kitchen- try not to think about it while eating there). Air conditioning window units ensure that those sitting near the door will be freezing and slimy with condensation, while those sitting in the rear near the kitchen are burning hot. Tables are rickety and chairs are a crapshoot: should you find one that isn't actually falling apart, consider yourself blessed. The faux wood paneling, covered with the crusted grease of a thousand burnt bacon slices, stained acoustical tile ceiling, and unspeakable floor do little to distract one from the utterly mediocre fare. The Barksdale has maintained popularity for so long because, in a way, it does have a 'down-home' feel; unfortunately, that comes from its scumminess and is not alleviated by anything remotely charming. Primarily, though, Barksdale did a brisk business because it had a monopoly on the Midtown breakfast market. In recent months, however, this dubious dominance has been challenged by the opening of a number of superior breakfast hang-outs like Cafe Eclectic. Anything would be better than the Barksdale.
(1)
Heidi P.
Super friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Great for relaxing into an easy start to your day. Haven't tried the hot breakfast/lunch menu yet, but everything I've seen come out of the kitchen looks very satisfying. Fast service.
(4)
Paddy O.
Loved this place. The patina of age and hot memphis air give this og diner a great feel. Gloria our server seemed to know all the regulars calling them by name. I ate some of the best biscuits and milk gravy I had in a while. Hash browns ok, eggs fluffy and fresh. You can taste it when they are good. All in all with two breakfasts and coke and coffee a cool 12 bucks. What a bargin for a not only a amazing meal but a slice of a Americana served up in a place that seems to be a dying breed. If you're in Memphis find your way here and treat yourself to a real tasty workingman's place
(4)
Elizabeth C.
i recently told a friend that my number one priority for the next place i live in memphis will be "be within walking distance of barksdale's." he told me that this was a worthy and critical priority in house hunting. and that should really tell you most everything you need to know. but i'll tell you just a teeny bit more. barksdale's is the trifecta of restaurant breakfast perfection: 1.) insanely cheap, 2.) delicious, hearty portions, and 3.) incredibly fast, seriously down-home service. if you're a die-hard memphis fan, as i am, you will just have to stomach your revulsion of the color orange while you enjoy your meal because those barksdale folks love them some tennessee vols. that stuff is, as we say in memphis, ERRRWHERE. i always get the breakfast special - it's less than $5 for two eggs, choice of meat, hashbrowns or grits and biscuits or toast. i recommend the biscuits -- we actually usually order extras, they're that good. i waffle back and forth (pun TOTALLY intended) between grits and hashbrowns. even at barksdale's i'm sometimes nervous to order grits, because they're tough to do just exactly right and timing is everything. in a restaurant that can be tricky, no matter where you are. but i can tell you that i've never been disappointed here. the grits skills are commendable. but mostly? i get the hashbrowns, and i cover those things in cheese and onions because i am hungover and my body craves grease and starch. and ketchup. even when they're packed the service is top-notch. it's not the fanciest looking place you've ever been, and there's duct tape on several of the booths. but my mama always told me that meant something was "well-loved." and i'd say barksdale's has definitely been well-loved in memphis for many years -- with good reason.
(5)
Kristine S.
I really love going to places, especially Mom & Pop run, when I'm visiting a new place to get a sense of the neighborhood and its locals. This place is one of them. People are right in the sense that it looks as if it hasn't changed since the heydays of the late '60s early '70s with their wood paneling on the walls, but there are customers still packing their restaurant so they must be doing something right. I had Sweet Tea, biscuits and gravy, grits, and a veggie omelet all for under $8.00 and a sweet waitress who took care of me. I also had a wonderful conversation with a Memphis native about football (Memphis being SCC fans rather than Tennessee Titans fans) and about the Mason/Dixon line and cultural differences with me being a "Yankee". I'd take this place over any touristy restaurant for the food and good conversation. I'd love to come back again.
(4)
Katie P.
I don't remember what I ordered here, so I guess it wasn't amazing or anything, but I know it was good, because I would remember if it was bad. My friend ordered some kind of pancakes and enjoyed them despite being deathly ill. Weird--I remember what she had but not what I had. I'm sure it was some kind of egg/bacon/grits combination. We didn't have to wait for a table which was nice. It's pretty standard diner breakfast food, which is just fine by me.
(3)
Emily Y.
gahhhhhh I just ate more carbs in one sitting than I did on thanksgiving. No seriously. They're not joking around with the southern deliciousness here. Ordered chicken fried steak and Will ordered the meatloaf. Both got sides of turnip greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, and mac 'n cheese. Rolls and cornbread are phenomenal. Only thing we didn't inhale immediately was the mac 'n cheese because I think the kitchen forgot to bake it! Otherwise, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Since it was our first time in, Bob brought us a complimentary pancake and homemade syrup. IHOP, you're dead to me now. When we return, we'll both be getting pancakes! Service was great, and the atmosphere reminded us of our favorite place in Knoxville - Long's. Bob clearly has an incredible work ethic (you'll find him wearing orange sneakers and either chatting up customers or working the register). We look forward to visiting him again.
(5)
Jimmy H.
After being gone for several years I was pleasantly pleased to find that Barksdale was still in business. Went there for Lunch today and the food was as delicious as it was back in the late 90's. What a bargain with 1 meat and 3 veggies , plus cornbread and rolls. ALL homemade. I will definitely be going back there. Love the atmosphere and the friendly staff. No waiting for your food here. Ate so much I had to take home leftovers and no way I could get to the dessert..
(5)
Clark P.
Barksdale's holds a special place with me. I'll start with what Barksdale's is. Barksdale's is friendly. I've been going for a few years and often, before I take my seat at the bar, Burt will have a coffee and OJ waiting. I often go alone and without fail Carol will ask about my girlfriend by name. Barksdale's is the breakfast I could make for myself at home. It's a simple breakfast of marginal bacon and eggs. I go because I'm lazy and enjoy the laid back style of the place. Barksdale's is not an uppity breakfast/brunch. Even the atmosphere will feel outdated which lends to the cheap price tag. Do not go if you expect anything trendy. I have had a couple of bad meals there but overall it will always be my go to place when I want a quick easy breakfast.
(4)
Kerry C.
Coffee: The coffee at the Barksdale Restaurant (henceforth Barksdale's) is definitely the instant stuff. Drinking coffee there is a purely utilitarian experience, but it does get the job done. Biscuit: Barksdale's biscuits are consistently inconsistent. Some days (like yesterday) they were small, round, and a little dense. Other days, they're flatter and wider, saltier and more delicious and buttery. I prefer the latter biscuit, but the ones that were served yesterday weren't terrible. Bacon: This is probably the best bacon I've had so far - not too crispy, not too limp. It's total Goldilocks bacon. Scrambled Eggs: I'm realizing that it's kind of hard to mess up scrambled eggs. These had a good texture and weren't at all runny or rubbery. Bonus points to Barksdale's for offering egg substitute (an extra .50) Pancake: The pancake was seriously awesome. It was sweet, but not too sweet. It was great with just butter on it. It seemed like it had a little bit of a French toast flavor to it. I want to have this pancake's babies. Grits: Barksdale's grits were alright, if a little runny. They needed some butter or something as a thickening agent. Again, a purely utilitarian item. Service: The service at Barksdale's is great. It's fast, efficient and super friendly. It seemed like everyone that came in knew the waitresses by name. The coffee refills were frequent and the food and check came quickly. Atmosphere: The Barksdale Restaurant is a total greasy spoon. It's also bizarrely UT-themed (Bob, the owner, went to school there). There are pictures on the wall of local celebrities (Jerry Lawler and Miss Tennessee were over my booth) and plenty of Tigers and Grizzlies posters. Price: The total came to $8.65. Not bad for a full belly and great service.
(4)
steve b.
Let's be clear here...this place is old and decrepit HOWEVER, that certainly doesn't take away from the great food and customer service! We really enjoyed our breakfast! Order the Greek omelet
(5)
Lindsey C.
My family loves this place. Good people and delicious food make it worth coming back for! Try the Greek omelet and don't pass on the fluffy buttery biscuits. Your meal will be more than affordable, your coffee fresh & hot, and you will get service with a smile.
(4)
C G.
Service was awful. Food was cold and the owner is unprofessional, unfriendly, and rude!! Do not waste your time or money here.
(1)
Elton G.
This place is great. Wonderful atmosphere and very good food. Best bacon around. Good country ham, too.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Every time I come home to see Mom and Dad, Dad inevitably suggests lunch at Barksdale's and I involuntarily cringe as I suggest somewhere, anywhere else. It's actually not THAT bad. I mean, who wouldn't want to be transported back to the 70's for some greasy Southern cooking? I think he suggests it every time because they have a vegetable plate or something. He clearly doesn't know how to deal with the fact that I am a vegetarian (and have been since, oh... roughly 1992?) because his other favorite place to suggest is The Cupboard--also for the vegetable plate. I do recommend the pies at Barksdale's. Unless something has changed, they are homemade with no shortcuts, and they are delicious! All stars are for the pies.
(2)
J R.
It has been a few years since I visited Barksdale, but it will be a mainstay from now on. It is different to not see Bob there, but the waitstaff and cooks are keeping up the great tradition of friendliness and a welcoming smile for everyone that walks in the door. Admittedly, we already ate breakfast, ran some errands, and got hungry again, but not hungry enough to order a huge meal. Yes, it's hard to mess up biscuits, country ham, and oatmeal, but we have been places where it has been done. Not at Barksdale- everything was served hot, tasted great, refills brought without having to be asked, and our server was great. Did I mention how cheap Barksdale is? Best bang for your buck when it comes to breakfast in Memphis!
(4)
Scott G.
Good food friendly service good prices and value not pretentious and good way to meet some locals. Highly recommend it for some good chow like grandma made
(4)
Leigh F.
Barksdale is my savior. I used to live in Germantown- so driving home after a late night was never an option. Luckily, the best breakfast place in the world awaited me every morning after a long night out! This place is simple- same breakfast menu every day but they have specials for lunch. The workers are fantastic- my favorite is B. They are very personable, remember your name and are sweet enough to leave you a note on the back of your receipt. The decor is awesome- looks like you've stepped into another era. It takes me back to memories of my childhood. I have a favorite booth that I always sit in, but I recently sat at the bar for the first time. The experience was nice but I will always love my booth more. Come here for some delish eggs and other breaky breaky fast foods!
(5)
Daniel M.
Went for breakfast on a Saturday morning and wasn't too crowded. I tried the Greek omelet since that is what everyone on Yelp seems to recommend. Was not disappointed. The menu seems to indicate that the omelet contains "gyro", but I don't think they are using the term correctly. A gyro is a sandwich. Does the omelet contain a sandwich? I wasn't sure what to expect. It came quickly and had a strong Mediterranean flavor seasoning that was accented by copious amounts of feta cheese topping everything off. Well done. In total, great service, good food, and they even had a bucket of toy cars for my 2-year-old to play with. A big plus in my book.
(4)
Camille W.
Oh the was food was delicious the staff and our waitress was amazingly nice everything is wonderful it was truly was my pleasure to eat at this establishment
(5)
Ramona P.
I stumbled upon this place searching for a good breakfast/brunch spot on Yelp. Some of my fellow yelpers' reviews persuaded me to give this place a try and also I wasn't far....coming from Massage Envy on Union. When I pulled up I was kind of hesitate, from the outside looking a bit old and ragedy, but I immediately brushed that worry away because some of the best places to eat are "hole in the wall" spots. I had to park a tad bit down, due to the limited parking. There were many cars, scooters, and bikes parked outside. From all of the bikes, I could tell that they get a bunch of business from people that live close by. There is no hostess, so you have to seat yourself. I know by the look on my face, I looked lost. I decided to take a seat at the bar, not wanting to take up a complete table since I wasn't with anybody else. I looked around feeling out a place just because of the country type vibe (I'm definitely a city girl). I was greeted by a friendly face, which made me feel 100% better. Thanks to Cristina H. picture and review I picked the pancakes and bacon. It was pretty good...food came out hot (just how I like it) . The syrup was also warm and very good. I think I like the syrup most of all lol.
(3)
Shane S.
The atmosphere is like a small town cafe with very friendly service and a laid back feel. However, I grew up in a small town and I left it as soon as I could. The feel and the service of the place is great, but the food is mediocre. I had pancakes and country ham biscuit. The pancakes were very dense, chewy and lacked any kind of flavor, not the light fluffy, buttermilk vanilla flavor I expected from homemade pancakes. The country ham was fine, but again I was disappointed with the biscuits. They lacked a heft and the buttery flaky flavor that I love in a biscuit. Maybe I will go back and try the lunch, but I was not impressed with the breakfast.
(2)
Sean M.
Good food. Looks like a place people visit for generations. Always know what to expect.
(3)
Cristina H.
Still the same place! The people really do have a good memory! I still go get my pancakes to go and the other day I went to actually sit in and the lady said aren't you the young lady who gets the pancakes and bacon to go. Lol, my waiter was so nice and friendly!!! I even witnessed someone celebrating their bday and they put a candle in the pancakes! Just too sweet! I love this place and that syrup!
(4)
Jim H.
Our first visit to Baarksdale's was a Saturday at 10:45 am. (We've since been several other times, on our way to the Cooper Young Farmer's Market). I ordered the "Good Mornin' Breakfast" with bacon. My wife ordered a 1/2 order of French toast with a single biscuit and gravy, just because she could. Actually, our waiter had told her "we don't have menu rules and you can do what you want, as long as you're wearing clothes". Ha! We were all smiling at that point - he was great! I had overheard a regular ordering his biscuits "grilled" and decided to do that as well - you know, when in Rome, do as the Romans do - or something like that. Anyway, this was a great decision and I highly recommend that you do the same. Overall, the food is good, the staff are friendly, the coffee is smooth and mild. The place is usually packed, but there always seems to be one more table available - the young man bussing the tables makes sure of that, and a great job he does! If you've seen my other reviews, a 3-star rating for a breakfast menu review, which all I have done so far for Barksdale's, is good for me. If I ever have a chance to try any of there non-breakfast items, I'll update my review. It was a great little find, just between Cooper Young and Overton Square areas.
(3)
April S.
I recently bought a house within walking distance of Barksdale Restaurant and decided to give it a try one Sunday morning. There really isn't much to say about this place. It's not very exciting but the food is decent and cheap. I ordered a bacon and cheese omelet with hash browns and a biscuit. The omelet was okay. The coffee wasn't the worst I've ever had but it could have been better. Good coffee is some thing I appreciate especially with breakfast. Grand total for the meal with coffee came to under seven dollars. Pretty darn cheap if you ask me. Breakfast isn't the only meal offered. They also serve sandwiches and plate lunches. My server was really nice. He gave me a menu to take home and suggested that I also give lunch a try. He also mentioned that I could give them a call and place on order for pick-up. I think I may try lunch in the future but I haven't had the urge to return for breakfast.
(3)
Dane W.
This is a review of breakfast only. Barksdale is a standard example of an inexpensive, down-home diner style breakfast. The servers treat you like family, and regulars received hugs when they were leaving. The milieu was old, with wood paneled walls and a permanent lingering smell of smoke from decades ago (the place is non-smoking now). Overall, the food was just acceptable. Not a lot to draw us back, but we ate most of it. The hotcakes were excellent and the syrup was very good. Also, the biscuits were exceptionally good. The bacon is decent--flavorful and cooked well-done, while still a mass produced diner style. We enjoyed the country ham, but it was not exceptional. Scrambled eggs are cooked American style, in large curds with (very) low moisture. They were fine. We didn't like the coffee, toast, or grits. I don't expect we will be back for breakfast, but many will enjoy this simple, unpretentious meal.
(3)
Joelle P.
Part of the reason I love going to my lake house so much is because it is the middle of nowhere and everyone in town knows one another. There is nothing I love more than sitting at the local diner (The Catfish Place) and hearing the local gossip. Well, I guess I don't need to drive 2 hours anymore because I felt the exact replica here in town - even the wood paneling and fries are an exact match! I had heard of Barksdale and it has been on my bookmark list forever. (Much thanks to Tom E this morning for suggesting that we meet there for lunch.) I don't know what I expected but I can't believe this place is on Cooper. Everyone knows each other (people from different tables were saying "hi") and the waiter knew everyone's name. And they were so friendly! I guess this is a place made up 99% of locals - I love it...And I want to be a local bad. The food is what you expect from this type of place...not good for you but really delicious. I devoured my grilled cheese in 2 minutes flat. And the fries only took about 5. I was here for lunch but the breakfast menu looked pretty amazing. I will definitely be back to try it!
(4)
Rob B.
You can find tens of thousands Barksdale clones throughout the South, with many small towns having no less than 4 of these for every 1,000 people in population -- I am making that last part up, but it seems pretty true to my experience. What makes Barksdale unique is that this small community country-fare diner is located in Mid-Town Memphis. It appears that when Mid-Town was considered to be East Memphis (the outskirts of town) some 40-50 years ago, Barksdale could have been there with the same furniture and decor. It is as if the town just grew up around it. I also don't know how much of that's true, but this place has a small-town feel in a fairly busy and popular section of Memphis. The food is what and small-town ex-pat would expect in the country dinner: a daily special meat-and-two with cornbread and a regular unchanging menu of the standards which include cheese burgers and the like. The food is good (though not memorable), expedient, as consistent as the day is long and the prices are very reasonable. This a great place to grab an unassuming lunch of comfort food.
It is seriously homemade . It's a great price! It was simply amazing ! I had the bacon and cheese omelet with grits and a biscuit. The biscuits were to die for ! My whole meal (drink included ) was 6.78. I mean it honestly should have been around 12 bucks because it was that good! The waiter is amazing .
(5)
Chuck B.
Well I really feel badly about giving such a long standing Memphis restaurant two stars, but in this case my experience there can justify no higher rating. Yes it has been there for around 30 years, but all I can say is the food must have been amazing at some earlier point during that time, because my lunch was a huge disappointment. The food temperature was not a confidence builder, and the vegetables gave no indication of having been prepared on site from fresh, with the typical signs of a "prepared elsewhere, warmed up here" production. The lack of fresh food flavors was sad, sad, sad. Obviously some people feel differently that I do. Perhaps for these souls and thru some colossal miracle of dissonance, the breakfast is so stupendously delicious, it overwhelms the mind's capacity to recognize any of the less appetizing aspects of a visit, because I can't imagine anyone giving this place five stars. Yes the place was dirty and the seating should have been tossed out in 1983, but even that may have been overlooked if the food had been hot, fresh and prepared with skill. The service was friendly, but slow and uninspired. I was hoping to add Barksdale's to my list of places to stop in for great Southern food, made the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, that was not what I experienced. If you choose to try them, maybe you will find things to be improved. I hope so, because they NEED to be better if they wish to be a successful member of Memphis' diverse, homegrown eatery scene in the future.
(2)
Michelle W.
My husband and I enjoy breakfast at Barksdale's on a regular basis. In fact I look forward to it. Occasionally you have to wait but the tables turn over very quickly. You never know who you are going to run in to. Mayor Wharton and Bill Gibbons are regulars. I highly recommend the Greek omelet, the hash browns and the biscuits. If you want something lighter, I recommend the oatmeal. I am not a fan of the plate lunches but the sandwiches and burgers are good for lunch. On the weekends try to sit in a booth. Ms. Debbie is the best server and that is her section.
(4)
Jessica M.
GREAT prices. Good, souther-style food! If you're looking for the kind of place where the walls are covered in autographed photos and the waitresses call you "darlin" all for under $7, this is the place to be.
(4)
He And She I.
Great cheap breakfast. It's what neighborhood diner food is supposed to be.
(4)
Tanya T.
For those of you that have had just about enough of the ever-crowded chain breakfast restaurants, drop in at Barksdale's and enjoy one of the best down home breakfasts that Memphis has to offer. Located near the Cooper-Young area, Barksdale's caters to mostly locals and regulars that spend their mornings sipping coffee, reading the paper or congregating with friends in the crowded dining room. Choose from staple menu items like eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, omelettes and more, but make certain that you order the biscuits and gravy at some point or another. A regular's favorite, the dish comes with a few of the flakiest, most melt in your mouth biscuits and the most unbelievably flavorful sausage gravy. While you're there, make sure to check out some of the celebrity photos and Memphis memorabilia adorning the walls before you go. A great little restaurant brimming with delicious food and unmatched down home style, Barksdale's also serves lunch.
(4)
N. P.
I'm not a grits and gravy type, so I ordered a burger. It was pretty good, I asked for it cooked a specific way and it was. It's nothing out of this world, but I'd stop in again to have one -- definitely a good little place to stop in and have lunch while you're meandering around Midtown. Barkdale's is your neighborhood restaurant, that's better than a chain deli in the fact that it has character, and people who have come back for years.
(4)
Jason B.
One of the best places to grab a plate lunch. If your in the area I would definitely swing by. Gets busy at lunch try to get there before noon.
(4)
Steve N.
If you live in Memphis you know Barksdales. It is pretty good food - plate lunches and sandwiches. The pies are great. Nothing fancy. It is a locals' place to go. Almost no parking. Very affordable. Good breakfast, but best for lunch. Been around for years, and frequented by locals and well known personalities. Dated, but my kind of place.
(4)
David M.
Also (now) known as Bob's Barksdale Restaurant. Another great place for breakfast and lunch (they're closed after 3PM). a neighborhood restaurant that's been around for years, serving good basic southern food. Bacon and eggs, grits & gravy, lunches are burgers, sandwiches and in every sense a traditional 'coffee shop'. The waitresses have been here for years and some customers are 2nd & 3rd generation regulars. It gets crowded with a before and after church crowd on weekends.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joe U.
A Memphis staple. Barksdale's is what a good ol'American breakfast is all about. The Barksdale has numerous different entrees available for breakfast and all of them (quite literally, all of them) are delicious. Moreover, the Barksdale doesn't give out behemoth proportioned breakfasts only pro wrestlers could consume in one sitting. Have a stack of pancakes and you won't feel terrible afterwards. Add maple syrup (yup, they've got the real sugary stuff too) to that beautiful stack of floury goodness and you'll reach breakfast nirvana in no time flat. Service is always speedy and accurate. Going on a weekend. Don't forget to arrive early because the Barksdale fills up early and often. Enjoy!
(4)Michael G.
Ya ever been to one of those restaurants where everyone knows everyone? And they just sit around and taaaaaaallllllk? Yep this is the place. Good breakfast place. Had the sausage and cheese omelet and they also put in onion and tomatoes for me. Hash browns were crispy and they put onions in there also. Wifee had eggs and ham and the ham was very good. Eggs on both Meals were done perfect. I can see why the customers are loyal to this place. I noticed many folks had their usual orders and the workers asked "your usual?". Kinda wished I too live nearby.
(4)Ashley P.
This is the best place for Memphis breakfast. My husband I went to an a.m. boot camp and then we indulged in everything Barksdale breakfast at 12 pm. I love that they serve breakfast until 2 pm. I love that this is a neighborhood joint so you'll find local Memphian's talking about their upcoming weekend here. I love that the place keeps it's local character and charm by literally "duck-taping" the place together by it's old roots. If you are more concerned with the carpet and chairs during your dining experience than the actual food, then this place is not for you! The people and the food make this place. Be sure to enjoy the neighborhood of Cooper Young after your trip. PS: The prices are to die for. PSS: They are a family place, therefore they tend to close on holidays i.e. father's day, mother's day, fourth of july, memorial day, etc.
(4)Raymond B.
Wow, five stars from some folks? Amazing really. I wonder if they actually came inside? I like diners. On some mornings, I'd venture to say I love 'em. This place is such a dump that it's hard to get past anything else. Sticky floors, busted seats, rickety tables, grease coated panelling... the list goes on, and it's just bad. I wish the food came faster, so that I wouldn't have so much time to look around. What was that? Did I just get dripped on? *looks up* ... Stained dropped ceiling definitely dripping... on me. Wait, why is this taking so long? Eggs, bacon, toast. That's it. That's all I asked for. *tick*tock*tick*tock* I wish this coffee wasn't so bad, I'd have that at least going for me... no such luck. You know what, keep your nasty food. Here is $2 for the crap coffee *walks out* I will never return. I shudder just thinking about the fact I almost ingested food from such a place. This is not an "institution" as other reviews say... it's just a part of Memphis that's waiting to die.
(1)Char P.
This place gets one star just because they made sure we got the booth we requested on Sunday morning. The restaurant was full when we arrived and we waited about three minutes to get a seat. The waitress was nice but obviously overwhelmed. I ordered a Greek omelet without mushrooms, hash browns and biscuits. My bf ordered one as well with grits abd biscuits. It took about fifteen to twenty minutes to get it plates and once I tasted some of my omelet, I realized there was no meat. My bf didn't have meat in his either. After five minutes of trying to get the waitress attention, she swore that I ordered a veggie omelet..but I clearly said Greek (Greek and veggie didn't rhyme, does it?) She insisted that wad what I ordered and brought me the ticket she wrote it on to prove she was right. She must have been :/ a daze when I ordered because that was NOT correct..which still doesn't explain why either plate was missing meat. She went to the kitchen and slapped to small bowls of chopped gyro meat on the table without saying a word. No apology. No acknowledgment of the mistake. She didn't even refill or coffee cups. First and absolute LAST time eating there.
(1)M B.
Coffee very good, biscuits and gravy worthwhile. Pass on the veggie omelet and grapefruit juice from a can. 3* in part b/c of above, plus gnats swarming in the bathroom, right next to kitchen- I'm sure a temporary problem.
(3)Rachelle H.
The Barksdale. Well, I just felt like I was at home, in my grandma's kitchen about 20 years ago full up of my cousins aunts and uncles. Its just a homey, nice kinda place. I went there last October on my first trip to Memphis, during the rainiest coldest week they'd had in a while. I was staying in the neighborhood and very happy to have a great place to get a down home meal nearby. I went on a Tuesday for lunch and got the country fried steak and three sides, I think the greens, potatoes and dressing. I wish I had had room for desert, but no such luck. I think I got the cornbread and it was delicious but I wondered if the biscuit would have been a better call, I'll have to go back some time to find out. The country fried steak was good, nothing amazing, nothing lacking. Same for all the sides. Just a good home cooked meal. And for a blue plate special that with my drink cashed in at just over $7, I had absolutely no complaints. If I went back for a blue plate I'd try the recommended special of the day. Service was fast and gracious, in a southern way.. The place was full for lunch as I'm sure it often is, there seemed to be a lot of regulars.
(4)Erica B.
I've never been one of these 1/2 star people, but Barksdale's is going to break that rule for me. I'd really like to give it 2 1/2 reviews. This place is dirtier than any restaurant I've ever stepped into. The carpet on the floor is deplorable- I'm talking worn down black in all the common walking areas, so black I have no idea what color it was to begin with. Another reviewer mentioned the stickiness- I've never had carpeting be sticky, but Barksdale's achieves this and then some. The booth seats are duct taped together and the chairs at the tables are so rickety I found myself praying the one I was on would hold my pregnant booty up for the duration of my breakfast. It pains me to write all this as I so wanted to fall in love with this spot and make it our new Sunday brunch hang out. No such luck. I ordered the 2 eggs, bacon, cheesy hash browns and biscuits with a side of gravy. At $6 bucks, I'll agree and say it is quite a steal, but nothing mentioned above was even remotely memorable. The eggs were decent, the hash browns were cooked just enough to be considered cooked and extremely mushy with a tablespoon size amount of cheese added to them and the biscuits and gravy left a lot to be desired. The gravy had only a few hunks of sausage mixed in and was pretty bland. My husband ordered the fried chicken with turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The greens were the stand out of both our meals, kind of sweet, but otherwise really good. I saw peach cobbler listed in the specials and couldn't pass it up. Peach cobbler is a weakness of mine, yet this one not so much. More of a hot mess. It had a floral taste to it and I couldn't decide if it was supposed to be there or if that was a mistake. It was an odd texture and there was no crust in this cobbler, just hot fruit the consistency of jam and a couple of peach sections that were very obviously canned. On a side note- the lady next to us ordered rice pudding and when I saw it delivered I was so relieved I didn't mistakenly order that. It was the consistency of soup and looked absolutely vile. The highlight of this whole experience was our waitress. She was an absolute doll. Other than her, I can't quite put my finger on why or how this place continually does good business. We went at almost noon on a Sunday and there was a line out the door. I wish they would give the whole place a makeover. That and a new chef might make this place stellar. Other than the price point, it's nothing special. When we got to the car we both agreed we didn't see ourselves suggesting Barksdale's as a restaurant choice in the future.
(2)Shannon L.
According to Memphis Menus Online, Barksdale Restaurant has been "serving plate lunches for over 30 years". When you walk into the restaurant, you can tell exactly that. I don't know what gave it away first: the wood paneled walls, the old pictures hanging everywhere, or the giant worn-down American Flag that takes up half of one wall. This is definitely your down-home, Southern, comfy dining joint. I dined at Barksdale's one morning for breakfast recently, after walking for cancer research with some coworkers. Though it was not my decision, I have anxiously waiting to try it for the first time after I Love Memphis has recommended it. After staring at the menu, trying to determine if I give into my pancake craving or try something more exotic, I finally settle on the Greek Omelet Good Mornin' Breakfast. This omelet comes with feta cheese, gyro, mushrooms, onions, bell pepper, and tomato. The Good Mornin' Breakfast portion means that it includes grits or hashbrowns and biscuits or toast. I choose the hashbrowns, smothered in cheese and onions, and biscuits. Hey, a girl has got to eat after a long walk for cancer. After a few bites into the omelet, I realize I am making those embarassing "mmmmm" noises as I eat. Yes, it was that good. The eggs were fluffy and perfect, and all the goodies inside made it all the better. The hashbrowns were also great. My friend Leigh Anne even said they were great, and she is a self-proclaimed picky hashbrown eater. My only wish is that the cheese had been melted a little longer, but the onions were caramelized and not too strong. The biscuits were light, fluffy, and perfect. It is easy to mess up a homemade biscuit, as they can easily be too mushy or too hard. These were neither. The addition of butter baked into them was great also. Overall, Barksdale Restaurant is a plus in my book. If you are looking for a good down-home, Southern cooked breakfast, this is a good place to go.
(4)Dave L.
Last Midtown Diner? Not technically a diner since they aren't open late, but really the closest thing we've got. Call it a diner, call it a greasy spoon, heck call it a Viennese café for all I care, it's just great "home cooking." The line out the door is worth waiting in for the fast, friendly service and true diner fare.
(4)Joe S.
Barksdale is a Midtown Memphis institution. A good place for a southern breakfast, or meat and 3 lunch. It is usually a breakfast stop for me. They have really good biscuits. The bacon is always a bit too crispy for me, and the eggs are done to order. My wife likes their white gravy, but I would never touch the stuff. If you haven't been in the South much, this is kind of a typical neighborhood American restaurant, where the waitress is likely to call you Hun. Also if you are not a Southerner you probably won't understand if i tell you the grits could be a little grittier (a little to smooth for me). Good place to see Midtown characters of all types- from hipsters to politicians.
(3)Dave Y.
Literally my favorite place! The wait staff and coffee are the best. Meatloaf is to die for.
(5)Ciara N.
The Barksdale is primarily a weekend breakfast/brunch hangout near Cooper-Young, serving such standards as eggs and bacon, pancakes, and omlettes. As much as I wish I liked the Barksdale, I just can't. The service is slow and surly, the dining area absolutely filthy (it kind of makes you wonder at the state of the kitchen- try not to think about it while eating there). Air conditioning window units ensure that those sitting near the door will be freezing and slimy with condensation, while those sitting in the rear near the kitchen are burning hot. Tables are rickety and chairs are a crapshoot: should you find one that isn't actually falling apart, consider yourself blessed. The faux wood paneling, covered with the crusted grease of a thousand burnt bacon slices, stained acoustical tile ceiling, and unspeakable floor do little to distract one from the utterly mediocre fare. The Barksdale has maintained popularity for so long because, in a way, it does have a 'down-home' feel; unfortunately, that comes from its scumminess and is not alleviated by anything remotely charming. Primarily, though, Barksdale did a brisk business because it had a monopoly on the Midtown breakfast market. In recent months, however, this dubious dominance has been challenged by the opening of a number of superior breakfast hang-outs like Cafe Eclectic. Anything would be better than the Barksdale.
(1)Heidi P.
Super friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Great for relaxing into an easy start to your day. Haven't tried the hot breakfast/lunch menu yet, but everything I've seen come out of the kitchen looks very satisfying. Fast service.
(4)Paddy O.
Loved this place. The patina of age and hot memphis air give this og diner a great feel. Gloria our server seemed to know all the regulars calling them by name. I ate some of the best biscuits and milk gravy I had in a while. Hash browns ok, eggs fluffy and fresh. You can taste it when they are good. All in all with two breakfasts and coke and coffee a cool 12 bucks. What a bargin for a not only a amazing meal but a slice of a Americana served up in a place that seems to be a dying breed. If you're in Memphis find your way here and treat yourself to a real tasty workingman's place
(4)Elizabeth C.
i recently told a friend that my number one priority for the next place i live in memphis will be "be within walking distance of barksdale's." he told me that this was a worthy and critical priority in house hunting. and that should really tell you most everything you need to know. but i'll tell you just a teeny bit more. barksdale's is the trifecta of restaurant breakfast perfection: 1.) insanely cheap, 2.) delicious, hearty portions, and 3.) incredibly fast, seriously down-home service. if you're a die-hard memphis fan, as i am, you will just have to stomach your revulsion of the color orange while you enjoy your meal because those barksdale folks love them some tennessee vols. that stuff is, as we say in memphis, ERRRWHERE. i always get the breakfast special - it's less than $5 for two eggs, choice of meat, hashbrowns or grits and biscuits or toast. i recommend the biscuits -- we actually usually order extras, they're that good. i waffle back and forth (pun TOTALLY intended) between grits and hashbrowns. even at barksdale's i'm sometimes nervous to order grits, because they're tough to do just exactly right and timing is everything. in a restaurant that can be tricky, no matter where you are. but i can tell you that i've never been disappointed here. the grits skills are commendable. but mostly? i get the hashbrowns, and i cover those things in cheese and onions because i am hungover and my body craves grease and starch. and ketchup. even when they're packed the service is top-notch. it's not the fanciest looking place you've ever been, and there's duct tape on several of the booths. but my mama always told me that meant something was "well-loved." and i'd say barksdale's has definitely been well-loved in memphis for many years -- with good reason.
(5)Kristine S.
I really love going to places, especially Mom & Pop run, when I'm visiting a new place to get a sense of the neighborhood and its locals. This place is one of them. People are right in the sense that it looks as if it hasn't changed since the heydays of the late '60s early '70s with their wood paneling on the walls, but there are customers still packing their restaurant so they must be doing something right. I had Sweet Tea, biscuits and gravy, grits, and a veggie omelet all for under $8.00 and a sweet waitress who took care of me. I also had a wonderful conversation with a Memphis native about football (Memphis being SCC fans rather than Tennessee Titans fans) and about the Mason/Dixon line and cultural differences with me being a "Yankee". I'd take this place over any touristy restaurant for the food and good conversation. I'd love to come back again.
(4)Katie P.
I don't remember what I ordered here, so I guess it wasn't amazing or anything, but I know it was good, because I would remember if it was bad. My friend ordered some kind of pancakes and enjoyed them despite being deathly ill. Weird--I remember what she had but not what I had. I'm sure it was some kind of egg/bacon/grits combination. We didn't have to wait for a table which was nice. It's pretty standard diner breakfast food, which is just fine by me.
(3)Emily Y.
gahhhhhh I just ate more carbs in one sitting than I did on thanksgiving. No seriously. They're not joking around with the southern deliciousness here. Ordered chicken fried steak and Will ordered the meatloaf. Both got sides of turnip greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, and mac 'n cheese. Rolls and cornbread are phenomenal. Only thing we didn't inhale immediately was the mac 'n cheese because I think the kitchen forgot to bake it! Otherwise, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Since it was our first time in, Bob brought us a complimentary pancake and homemade syrup. IHOP, you're dead to me now. When we return, we'll both be getting pancakes! Service was great, and the atmosphere reminded us of our favorite place in Knoxville - Long's. Bob clearly has an incredible work ethic (you'll find him wearing orange sneakers and either chatting up customers or working the register). We look forward to visiting him again.
(5)Jimmy H.
After being gone for several years I was pleasantly pleased to find that Barksdale was still in business. Went there for Lunch today and the food was as delicious as it was back in the late 90's. What a bargain with 1 meat and 3 veggies , plus cornbread and rolls. ALL homemade. I will definitely be going back there. Love the atmosphere and the friendly staff. No waiting for your food here. Ate so much I had to take home leftovers and no way I could get to the dessert..
(5)Clark P.
Barksdale's holds a special place with me. I'll start with what Barksdale's is. Barksdale's is friendly. I've been going for a few years and often, before I take my seat at the bar, Burt will have a coffee and OJ waiting. I often go alone and without fail Carol will ask about my girlfriend by name. Barksdale's is the breakfast I could make for myself at home. It's a simple breakfast of marginal bacon and eggs. I go because I'm lazy and enjoy the laid back style of the place. Barksdale's is not an uppity breakfast/brunch. Even the atmosphere will feel outdated which lends to the cheap price tag. Do not go if you expect anything trendy. I have had a couple of bad meals there but overall it will always be my go to place when I want a quick easy breakfast.
(4)Kerry C.
Coffee: The coffee at the Barksdale Restaurant (henceforth Barksdale's) is definitely the instant stuff. Drinking coffee there is a purely utilitarian experience, but it does get the job done. Biscuit: Barksdale's biscuits are consistently inconsistent. Some days (like yesterday) they were small, round, and a little dense. Other days, they're flatter and wider, saltier and more delicious and buttery. I prefer the latter biscuit, but the ones that were served yesterday weren't terrible. Bacon: This is probably the best bacon I've had so far - not too crispy, not too limp. It's total Goldilocks bacon. Scrambled Eggs: I'm realizing that it's kind of hard to mess up scrambled eggs. These had a good texture and weren't at all runny or rubbery. Bonus points to Barksdale's for offering egg substitute (an extra .50) Pancake: The pancake was seriously awesome. It was sweet, but not too sweet. It was great with just butter on it. It seemed like it had a little bit of a French toast flavor to it. I want to have this pancake's babies. Grits: Barksdale's grits were alright, if a little runny. They needed some butter or something as a thickening agent. Again, a purely utilitarian item. Service: The service at Barksdale's is great. It's fast, efficient and super friendly. It seemed like everyone that came in knew the waitresses by name. The coffee refills were frequent and the food and check came quickly. Atmosphere: The Barksdale Restaurant is a total greasy spoon. It's also bizarrely UT-themed (Bob, the owner, went to school there). There are pictures on the wall of local celebrities (Jerry Lawler and Miss Tennessee were over my booth) and plenty of Tigers and Grizzlies posters. Price: The total came to $8.65. Not bad for a full belly and great service.
(4)steve b.
Let's be clear here...this place is old and decrepit HOWEVER, that certainly doesn't take away from the great food and customer service! We really enjoyed our breakfast! Order the Greek omelet
(5)Lindsey C.
My family loves this place. Good people and delicious food make it worth coming back for! Try the Greek omelet and don't pass on the fluffy buttery biscuits. Your meal will be more than affordable, your coffee fresh & hot, and you will get service with a smile.
(4)C G.
Service was awful. Food was cold and the owner is unprofessional, unfriendly, and rude!! Do not waste your time or money here.
(1)Elton G.
This place is great. Wonderful atmosphere and very good food. Best bacon around. Good country ham, too.
(5)Jennifer S.
Every time I come home to see Mom and Dad, Dad inevitably suggests lunch at Barksdale's and I involuntarily cringe as I suggest somewhere, anywhere else. It's actually not THAT bad. I mean, who wouldn't want to be transported back to the 70's for some greasy Southern cooking? I think he suggests it every time because they have a vegetable plate or something. He clearly doesn't know how to deal with the fact that I am a vegetarian (and have been since, oh... roughly 1992?) because his other favorite place to suggest is The Cupboard--also for the vegetable plate. I do recommend the pies at Barksdale's. Unless something has changed, they are homemade with no shortcuts, and they are delicious! All stars are for the pies.
(2)J R.
It has been a few years since I visited Barksdale, but it will be a mainstay from now on. It is different to not see Bob there, but the waitstaff and cooks are keeping up the great tradition of friendliness and a welcoming smile for everyone that walks in the door. Admittedly, we already ate breakfast, ran some errands, and got hungry again, but not hungry enough to order a huge meal. Yes, it's hard to mess up biscuits, country ham, and oatmeal, but we have been places where it has been done. Not at Barksdale- everything was served hot, tasted great, refills brought without having to be asked, and our server was great. Did I mention how cheap Barksdale is? Best bang for your buck when it comes to breakfast in Memphis!
(4)Scott G.
Good food friendly service good prices and value not pretentious and good way to meet some locals. Highly recommend it for some good chow like grandma made
(4)Leigh F.
Barksdale is my savior. I used to live in Germantown- so driving home after a late night was never an option. Luckily, the best breakfast place in the world awaited me every morning after a long night out! This place is simple- same breakfast menu every day but they have specials for lunch. The workers are fantastic- my favorite is B. They are very personable, remember your name and are sweet enough to leave you a note on the back of your receipt. The decor is awesome- looks like you've stepped into another era. It takes me back to memories of my childhood. I have a favorite booth that I always sit in, but I recently sat at the bar for the first time. The experience was nice but I will always love my booth more. Come here for some delish eggs and other breaky breaky fast foods!
(5)Daniel M.
Went for breakfast on a Saturday morning and wasn't too crowded. I tried the Greek omelet since that is what everyone on Yelp seems to recommend. Was not disappointed. The menu seems to indicate that the omelet contains "gyro", but I don't think they are using the term correctly. A gyro is a sandwich. Does the omelet contain a sandwich? I wasn't sure what to expect. It came quickly and had a strong Mediterranean flavor seasoning that was accented by copious amounts of feta cheese topping everything off. Well done. In total, great service, good food, and they even had a bucket of toy cars for my 2-year-old to play with. A big plus in my book.
(4)Camille W.
Oh the was food was delicious the staff and our waitress was amazingly nice everything is wonderful it was truly was my pleasure to eat at this establishment
(5)Ramona P.
I stumbled upon this place searching for a good breakfast/brunch spot on Yelp. Some of my fellow yelpers' reviews persuaded me to give this place a try and also I wasn't far....coming from Massage Envy on Union. When I pulled up I was kind of hesitate, from the outside looking a bit old and ragedy, but I immediately brushed that worry away because some of the best places to eat are "hole in the wall" spots. I had to park a tad bit down, due to the limited parking. There were many cars, scooters, and bikes parked outside. From all of the bikes, I could tell that they get a bunch of business from people that live close by. There is no hostess, so you have to seat yourself. I know by the look on my face, I looked lost. I decided to take a seat at the bar, not wanting to take up a complete table since I wasn't with anybody else. I looked around feeling out a place just because of the country type vibe (I'm definitely a city girl). I was greeted by a friendly face, which made me feel 100% better. Thanks to Cristina H. picture and review I picked the pancakes and bacon. It was pretty good...food came out hot (just how I like it) . The syrup was also warm and very good. I think I like the syrup most of all lol.
(3)Shane S.
The atmosphere is like a small town cafe with very friendly service and a laid back feel. However, I grew up in a small town and I left it as soon as I could. The feel and the service of the place is great, but the food is mediocre. I had pancakes and country ham biscuit. The pancakes were very dense, chewy and lacked any kind of flavor, not the light fluffy, buttermilk vanilla flavor I expected from homemade pancakes. The country ham was fine, but again I was disappointed with the biscuits. They lacked a heft and the buttery flaky flavor that I love in a biscuit. Maybe I will go back and try the lunch, but I was not impressed with the breakfast.
(2)Sean M.
Good food. Looks like a place people visit for generations. Always know what to expect.
(3)Cristina H.
Still the same place! The people really do have a good memory! I still go get my pancakes to go and the other day I went to actually sit in and the lady said aren't you the young lady who gets the pancakes and bacon to go. Lol, my waiter was so nice and friendly!!! I even witnessed someone celebrating their bday and they put a candle in the pancakes! Just too sweet! I love this place and that syrup!
(4)Jim H.
Our first visit to Baarksdale's was a Saturday at 10:45 am. (We've since been several other times, on our way to the Cooper Young Farmer's Market). I ordered the "Good Mornin' Breakfast" with bacon. My wife ordered a 1/2 order of French toast with a single biscuit and gravy, just because she could. Actually, our waiter had told her "we don't have menu rules and you can do what you want, as long as you're wearing clothes". Ha! We were all smiling at that point - he was great! I had overheard a regular ordering his biscuits "grilled" and decided to do that as well - you know, when in Rome, do as the Romans do - or something like that. Anyway, this was a great decision and I highly recommend that you do the same. Overall, the food is good, the staff are friendly, the coffee is smooth and mild. The place is usually packed, but there always seems to be one more table available - the young man bussing the tables makes sure of that, and a great job he does! If you've seen my other reviews, a 3-star rating for a breakfast menu review, which all I have done so far for Barksdale's, is good for me. If I ever have a chance to try any of there non-breakfast items, I'll update my review. It was a great little find, just between Cooper Young and Overton Square areas.
(3)April S.
I recently bought a house within walking distance of Barksdale Restaurant and decided to give it a try one Sunday morning. There really isn't much to say about this place. It's not very exciting but the food is decent and cheap. I ordered a bacon and cheese omelet with hash browns and a biscuit. The omelet was okay. The coffee wasn't the worst I've ever had but it could have been better. Good coffee is some thing I appreciate especially with breakfast. Grand total for the meal with coffee came to under seven dollars. Pretty darn cheap if you ask me. Breakfast isn't the only meal offered. They also serve sandwiches and plate lunches. My server was really nice. He gave me a menu to take home and suggested that I also give lunch a try. He also mentioned that I could give them a call and place on order for pick-up. I think I may try lunch in the future but I haven't had the urge to return for breakfast.
(3)Dane W.
This is a review of breakfast only. Barksdale is a standard example of an inexpensive, down-home diner style breakfast. The servers treat you like family, and regulars received hugs when they were leaving. The milieu was old, with wood paneled walls and a permanent lingering smell of smoke from decades ago (the place is non-smoking now). Overall, the food was just acceptable. Not a lot to draw us back, but we ate most of it. The hotcakes were excellent and the syrup was very good. Also, the biscuits were exceptionally good. The bacon is decent--flavorful and cooked well-done, while still a mass produced diner style. We enjoyed the country ham, but it was not exceptional. Scrambled eggs are cooked American style, in large curds with (very) low moisture. They were fine. We didn't like the coffee, toast, or grits. I don't expect we will be back for breakfast, but many will enjoy this simple, unpretentious meal.
(3)Joelle P.
Part of the reason I love going to my lake house so much is because it is the middle of nowhere and everyone in town knows one another. There is nothing I love more than sitting at the local diner (The Catfish Place) and hearing the local gossip. Well, I guess I don't need to drive 2 hours anymore because I felt the exact replica here in town - even the wood paneling and fries are an exact match! I had heard of Barksdale and it has been on my bookmark list forever. (Much thanks to Tom E this morning for suggesting that we meet there for lunch.) I don't know what I expected but I can't believe this place is on Cooper. Everyone knows each other (people from different tables were saying "hi") and the waiter knew everyone's name. And they were so friendly! I guess this is a place made up 99% of locals - I love it...And I want to be a local bad. The food is what you expect from this type of place...not good for you but really delicious. I devoured my grilled cheese in 2 minutes flat. And the fries only took about 5. I was here for lunch but the breakfast menu looked pretty amazing. I will definitely be back to try it!
(4)Rob B.
You can find tens of thousands Barksdale clones throughout the South, with many small towns having no less than 4 of these for every 1,000 people in population -- I am making that last part up, but it seems pretty true to my experience. What makes Barksdale unique is that this small community country-fare diner is located in Mid-Town Memphis. It appears that when Mid-Town was considered to be East Memphis (the outskirts of town) some 40-50 years ago, Barksdale could have been there with the same furniture and decor. It is as if the town just grew up around it. I also don't know how much of that's true, but this place has a small-town feel in a fairly busy and popular section of Memphis. The food is what and small-town ex-pat would expect in the country dinner: a daily special meat-and-two with cornbread and a regular unchanging menu of the standards which include cheese burgers and the like. The food is good (though not memorable), expedient, as consistent as the day is long and the prices are very reasonable. This a great place to grab an unassuming lunch of comfort food.
(4)Tom E.
The last 7 years of my life (minus the past month), I would get off of work when most people wake up. I would leave work filthy, dizzy, and always hungry. I couldn't eat before work, or I would get sick. So finding places that served hearty breakfasts was always on my mind. With that being said, I still crave a hearty breakfast every once in a while. Last week, I had the chance to dine out for a late breakfast with the lovely Memphis Belle, and we had agreed on eating here. She told me she had never been, so this was a treat for both of us! When I realized it was in the same strip as Café 1912, this was cool- I am slowly finding my way around town! You can tell this place has been around for a while, and this is good news, because they must be doing something right (I know selling Coke is one of those things!). When I walked in, I felt like I was warped to 1975. It was awesome! I looked like I just got the crap kicked out of me, and they didn't mind that either! The server (can't remember his name, sorry!) was prompt and courteous. The menu was a decent size, serving breakfast all day and also having lunch. Honestly, I was so engrossed in conversation, I didn't even read the menu- so I couldn't even tell you what they offered! She ordered a grilled cheese, that sounded yum, so I did the same (plus bacon). How original, Tom! As we were waiting on the food (which came out fairly quickly), we were surprised at all of the pictures of Elvis that were on the wall- not pics you see every day! They even had an autographed Bob Feller (MLB HOFer) up there too- very cool. The food arrived, and when it did, I became not hungry. WTH. I was starving! I hadn't eaten in almost 15 hours and when the time comes, ahhh whatev. But what I could eat, it was great- just a good ol greasy GCB. I got hash browns too, and they were good, but I couldn't eat all of them. I know, this is coming from the same person who can eat 2 racks of ribs and nachos in the same sitting... When it was time to pay, it did take a few for the cashier to come up (felt kinda bad), but she finally did, and all was settled. All in all, it was a wonderful time, and I am glad I got to go! I am sure to go back, maybe I will actually read the menu next time :)
(4)Jaronica S.
It is seriously homemade . It's a great price! It was simply amazing ! I had the bacon and cheese omelet with grits and a biscuit. The biscuits were to die for ! My whole meal (drink included ) was 6.78. I mean it honestly should have been around 12 bucks because it was that good! The waiter is amazing .
(5)Chuck B.
Well I really feel badly about giving such a long standing Memphis restaurant two stars, but in this case my experience there can justify no higher rating. Yes it has been there for around 30 years, but all I can say is the food must have been amazing at some earlier point during that time, because my lunch was a huge disappointment. The food temperature was not a confidence builder, and the vegetables gave no indication of having been prepared on site from fresh, with the typical signs of a "prepared elsewhere, warmed up here" production. The lack of fresh food flavors was sad, sad, sad. Obviously some people feel differently that I do. Perhaps for these souls and thru some colossal miracle of dissonance, the breakfast is so stupendously delicious, it overwhelms the mind's capacity to recognize any of the less appetizing aspects of a visit, because I can't imagine anyone giving this place five stars. Yes the place was dirty and the seating should have been tossed out in 1983, but even that may have been overlooked if the food had been hot, fresh and prepared with skill. The service was friendly, but slow and uninspired. I was hoping to add Barksdale's to my list of places to stop in for great Southern food, made the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, that was not what I experienced. If you choose to try them, maybe you will find things to be improved. I hope so, because they NEED to be better if they wish to be a successful member of Memphis' diverse, homegrown eatery scene in the future.
(2)Michelle W.
My husband and I enjoy breakfast at Barksdale's on a regular basis. In fact I look forward to it. Occasionally you have to wait but the tables turn over very quickly. You never know who you are going to run in to. Mayor Wharton and Bill Gibbons are regulars. I highly recommend the Greek omelet, the hash browns and the biscuits. If you want something lighter, I recommend the oatmeal. I am not a fan of the plate lunches but the sandwiches and burgers are good for lunch. On the weekends try to sit in a booth. Ms. Debbie is the best server and that is her section.
(4)Jessica M.
GREAT prices. Good, souther-style food! If you're looking for the kind of place where the walls are covered in autographed photos and the waitresses call you "darlin" all for under $7, this is the place to be.
(4)He And She I.
Great cheap breakfast. It's what neighborhood diner food is supposed to be.
(4)Tanya T.
For those of you that have had just about enough of the ever-crowded chain breakfast restaurants, drop in at Barksdale's and enjoy one of the best down home breakfasts that Memphis has to offer. Located near the Cooper-Young area, Barksdale's caters to mostly locals and regulars that spend their mornings sipping coffee, reading the paper or congregating with friends in the crowded dining room. Choose from staple menu items like eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, omelettes and more, but make certain that you order the biscuits and gravy at some point or another. A regular's favorite, the dish comes with a few of the flakiest, most melt in your mouth biscuits and the most unbelievably flavorful sausage gravy. While you're there, make sure to check out some of the celebrity photos and Memphis memorabilia adorning the walls before you go. A great little restaurant brimming with delicious food and unmatched down home style, Barksdale's also serves lunch.
(4)N. P.
I'm not a grits and gravy type, so I ordered a burger. It was pretty good, I asked for it cooked a specific way and it was. It's nothing out of this world, but I'd stop in again to have one -- definitely a good little place to stop in and have lunch while you're meandering around Midtown. Barkdale's is your neighborhood restaurant, that's better than a chain deli in the fact that it has character, and people who have come back for years.
(4)Jason B.
One of the best places to grab a plate lunch. If your in the area I would definitely swing by. Gets busy at lunch try to get there before noon.
(4)Steve N.
If you live in Memphis you know Barksdales. It is pretty good food - plate lunches and sandwiches. The pies are great. Nothing fancy. It is a locals' place to go. Almost no parking. Very affordable. Good breakfast, but best for lunch. Been around for years, and frequented by locals and well known personalities. Dated, but my kind of place.
(4)David M.
Also (now) known as Bob's Barksdale Restaurant. Another great place for breakfast and lunch (they're closed after 3PM). a neighborhood restaurant that's been around for years, serving good basic southern food. Bacon and eggs, grits & gravy, lunches are burgers, sandwiches and in every sense a traditional 'coffee shop'. The waitresses have been here for years and some customers are 2nd & 3rd generation regulars. It gets crowded with a before and after church crowd on weekends.
(5)