Barksdale's — Restaurant in Memphis

We have been regulars at Barksdale's for over 20 years. The servers called us by name and always greeted us. The food was good. The service was the best and the atmosphere was welcoming and friendly. In 2024 when they had a kitchen fire and had to close, it was like losing a good friend. When it was purchased we were elated yet concerned because we knew there would be changes. We were among the first to walk through the door at their soft opening. Deb and Bert greeted us with big hugs and huge smiles. The interior had only changed a bit and still felt like home. Deb waited on us and we ordered our "regular"--two eggs over medium with toast, bacon/sausage and hash browns...with coffee, of course. There were, of course, some bumps along the way since it was the first day. We expected that. But, when our breakfast was served it came with only one piece of toast. The air went out of my balloon. Who can sop up two fried eggs with one piece of toast? We asked for a second piece not happy that it was an add-on. Since the service was excellent (as always) and the bacon was cooked perfectly, we knew we would try again another time. Our second visit was made with a hopeful attitude. Deb was our server again and we got our greeting from Bert as well. Since she told us that they were still only giving one piece of toast, we decided to try something new. We both ordered omelettes with hash browns and one of their biscuits. Hubby ordered a western omelet which included green peppers. I ordered the veggie omelet without green peppers. Both omelettes came without green peppers and had unmelted cheese. Both were NOT hot. They tasted bland and looked like they were made from liquid eggs. The biscuits were more like a huge piece of cake rather than a traditional biscuit. I hope they work on that a bit. As if the bland omelettes weren't bad enough, they had changed the hash browns to the patties like you get at McDonalds. Not a good choice on their part. (I understand that they have changed back to regular hash browns now!) If we had not been regulars, and wanting to give everything a chance, that second visit would have been our last--a twofer. Very disappointing. Yet, wanting to give it a fair chance, today was our third visit. We had one of the new servers, Chris, who was friendly and attentive. The place was packed. It was sooooo loud! Poor Chris had to lean in to hear our order. We could not even talk to each other without shouting. Hubby ordered the pancakes and I ordered French toast with high hopes. My order came with eggs but he had to order his eggs on the side. My bacon order was also a side add-on. The French toast was greasy. The pancakes were huge and looked very fluffy, but apparently were not pleasing. His sausage was placed on top of the pancakes since they took up the entire plate. He did not receive his eggs until we asked about them. Both of our eggs were cold. All was well enough, even with the cold eggs, until I went to pay and said something to the owner who was manning the cash register. I showed her where we had been overcharged for the eggs, having been charged for two side orders. I also asked that she remove the charges for the eggs since they were late and cold. While she was fixing the ticket, with an attitude, I asked why they don't give two pieces of toast with their regular breakfasts? Wow! She went off on me. She came back at me with a vengeance and an attitude! She said it was a decision they made for pricing and that I was welcome to buy the extra piece.” I'm embarrassed to say that her attitude set off mine and I told her that was "just wrong" and that "it's just a piece of bread. You really need to consider changing that." Her response was snarky and disrespectfully delivered, "I am NOT going to do that. You have a BLESSED day! A really nice and blessed day,” turning away. Needless to say, I was taken aback and really pissed by her rude and unnecessary treatment. I hugged Deb on the way out because I will definitely think again before considering a...

If you drive over 35 MPH on Cooper, you'll miss the nondescript restaurant at the corner of Cooper and Courtland.

You won't see tourists in this breakfast/lunch spot.

The longtime staff treats customers like family. I just overheard one man who works here saying to a customer, "Oh yeah. It IS your turn to pay. He got it the last time." Love that!

The ambiance is homey and old-timey. The photos and Memphis memorabilia on the wood panel walls show the restaurant's long history of truly being part of the fabric of the midtown Memphis community.

Oh yeah, the menu. That is why we're here.

The restaurant is very flexible about the menu. You can mix and match ingredients with ease.

The eggs are cooked to perfection every time I eat breakfast here and they don't skimp with the meat and cheese.

The coffee is unusually good. Never burnt.

On any given weekday, you'll see people hang out long after their meals are over - reading the newspaper. Seriously. Actual "paper" newspapers.

Weekdays, the restaurant has a steady flow. It's usually pretty packed on weekends. They're open seven days a week.

If you visit Memphis and want a true Bluff City experience, stop by Barksdale's for an omelette or a burger served...

WOW ! The place location and atmosphere was really nice. But what made my experience the best was the people. With employees like you have greeting their guests all from which know each other by name. What stood out the most was Carol. She was our waitress and a pleasure to speak with. Her Witt and responses made my day. I am visiting from just east of Nashville and head one of my grandchildren with me my grandson. A beautiful couple across the restaurant from me we're so nice and spoke nice things to him and myself. I was so taken by this I asked Carol for their ticket and ask for no acknowledgement as to who paid for it because I do believe as well as y'all displayed with your behavior. People Are People. It doesn't matter the color creed young or old. Treat somebody with respect and honor and display the love in which we all have in our hearts that's the way life should be that's the world I live in and I found a sanctuary in Midtown Memphis. Barksdale restaurant will be a staple and a destination of anticipation of good food good friends and certainly a good time. Once again wow! I am so blessed to have found this place. Your friend Robbie from...