Complicated Pilgrim — Restaurant in Memphis

I was really excited to try this restaurant based upon previous menus, photos, and reviews. With these in mind, my wife and I went on a Thursday early afternoon.

The restaurant is located off the lobby of a nice, boutique hotel. The dining area is nicely decorated.

We were seated relatively quickly at a small table for two near a window. The dining area was deserted with the exception of two other couples also seated at tiny two-person tables: one to our left and one to our right. Both were so close that I could practically reach out and touch the person next to me. We were never offered to sit anywhere else more private. It was difficult to have private conversations when we could hear everyone else's and they could hear ours too, even speaking quietly.

Upon ordering we quickly got a glass of tea for myself and a glass of water for my wife. These would be the last drinks we would get for a very long time throughout the meal despite our asking. The refills never arrived until we were ready to leave. Service was very slow and poor while dining.

The lunch menu was much more limited than I had expected. As it was an afternoon and we weren't exceptionally hungry, we both ordered the Cooper Street Burger. The burger consisted of two small patties that had been described as "smashed" style. These weren't. They were small, probably pre-formed burgers that lacked any char. They almost looked streamed. The cheese was gruyere and a decent flavor choice. The bacon was nice and crisp. The bun, while crisp was an otherwise generic, store-bought, budget bun drenched in butter and toasted. Taken as a whole the burger was disappointing especially at an $18 price point.

The French fries that came with the burger were excellent and easily the best part of the meal. They were thin, crispy, and nicely salted.

Upon leaving, my wife and I were invited in our opinion. It was a disappointing meal and a lackluster experience that frankly wasn't worth the expense.

Sadly, we will not be adding the Complicated Pilgrim to our...

EDIT: I I'm editing this to say that after this review was posted, the manager contacted me and offered us another meal on the house. He was very nice and apologized for what happened with our first meal. Unfortunately I have not yet been able to accept his offer because too many things keep getting in the way. But I am going to raise the star level on service because of his quick response. If I ever do get to go back I will revise this review further. END OF EDIT.

This was our first trip to the Complicated Pilgrim. Most likely, it will also be our last. From the reviews I read I had looked forward to going. Perhaps we just hit it on a bad day. The food was, at best, okay. Just average. Nothing to write home about. My wife got a fried egg sandwich and it was served on a regular old hamburger bun. Looked very cheap. So the food was one disappointment. But what really rankled was the fact that it took nearly 45 minutes to get our food after we ordered. There were very few other customers in the place. Maybe they only had one person cooking that day? I don't know. All I know is that it was one of the slowest responses we've ever had in a restaurant. We had already basically finished our cocktails before our food arrived. I don't blame the waitress for this, she was fine. I'm just not sure what was going on. No explanation was ever offered. No apology. No offer to comp or discount our meal. In all it was a very disappointing experience. And the fact that the food was just average after such a long wait made it all the more disappointing. So I doubt we will be going back. Also it seemed a little overpriced for the...

Stepping into Complicated Pilgrim was a delightful experience. The modern atmosphere, stylish decor, and overall vibe immediately set a welcoming tone. It’s clear that great thought went into creating an inviting space.

The service was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we were greeted with warm smiles, the staff’s exceptional customer service stood out, making the experience even more enjoyable.

The menu, though simple and easy to navigate, was surprisingly fitting for a restaurant with such a unique name. It was straightforward without being overwhelming—a pleasant surprise!

Now, onto the food. It felt like being back at grandma’s house for a classic Southern breakfast. The biscuits were buttery and flaky, easily a standout on the plate. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and perfectly cooked. However, the turkey sausage fell short of the meal’s high standard. It was thin, slightly dry, and reminded me of Great Value frozen sausage—a processed option that didn’t do justice to the otherwise exceptional meal. Substituting this with a higher-quality brand would elevate the entire breakfast experience.

The holiday decor was charming and prompted us to snap some personal pictures, adding to the overall warmth and joy of the visit. I look forward to returning to try more menu options and soaking in the ambiance again. This is a great spot for dining solo, with friends, or with family.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Fix the turkey sausage, and it’s...