Memphis Chess Club — Restaurant in Memphis

So let me start off by listing the good things. I truly wanted to like the food here because I absolutely loved the vibe. The atmosphere was very chill, relaxing, welcoming and inviting. You are able to play chess, read, play board games, study and co-mingle with your friends. THE PERFECT atmosphere! We arrive @7:50. The kitchen closed @8 but the dining room closed @8:30. When we arrived there were a few other customers studying and working on their laptops. We ordered the 12’ club, a bacon egg and cheese croissant and fries. Our order came out to about $50. Please forgive the quality of my pics because I had to take the pics in the car under to car overhead light. We received our food right at 8:30. So that means we actually waited almost 40 minutes for our meal. Mind you we were the only one waiting for food. This was absolutely the worst and most tasteless sandwich I have ever have had in my life. It had tomato’s, lettuce, Cajun turkey, ham, red onions and mayo. The bread was over toasted until it had a dark burn mark like the croissant in the pic which was also over toasted. The turkey and ham both tasted the same. The ham wasn’t sweet and the turkey definitely didn’t taste Cajun. Both tastes absolutely too bland which I found very odd and off putting. Found this place off of TikTok. The young man in his video had some kind of mustard sauce on his club sandwich. When I asked the cashier he stated that it only came with mayo. So, I said ok I will keep it the same as you all normally make it. But even with the other sauce it still would’ve been honey mustard with bland meat. The croissant was just ok with the overly toasted bread. One thing that we really enjoyed was the fries! They were fresh and well seasoned. Sad to say the best part...

I was really looking forward to a relaxing afternoon at this coffee shop with my kids, but our visit turned into a complete disappointment. From the moment we arrived, the experience was far from what you'd expect in a cozy, welcoming spot.

First off, the cocktail menu was a mess. It was cluttered, confusing, and downright unappealing. The design seemed thrown together with no regard for clarity or style, leaving us squinting to decipher the options. It felt as if little care was given to even this simple aspect, which was especially surprising in a place that should take pride in its offerings.

Adding insult to injury, the overall cleanliness of the shop was seriously lacking. Tables were sticky, the floor looked like it hadn’t been properly cleaned in ages, and the general state of the place was just unsanitary. Instead of enjoying quality time with my kids, we were left feeling rushed, frustrated, and frankly, a bit grossed out.

To top it all off, the manager’s pushy approach to getting us to order immediately only made matters worse. What should have been a leisurely visit turned into an uncomfortable, stressful experience. I can’t help but wonder how much better things could be if they focused on quality and a welcoming atmosphere rather than rushing customers and neglecting basic cleanliness.

I’ll definitely be taking my business...

I've frequented the chess club off and on for several years now, and it remains one of my favorite spots in Memphis for unwinding with a book or diving into a study session. The expansive space and inviting ambiance provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation.

While the chess club's atmosphere and food offerings have consistently impressed, I find myself somewhat disheartened by the inconsistency in the espresso drinks. As a coffee enthusiast, I appreciate the artistry behind a well-crafted espresso beverage. Unfortunately, here, the execution often misses the mark. I believe that enhancing the coffee offerings could significantly elevate the overall experience for patrons. Whether it's improving the brewing techniques, focusing on the crafting of drinks, or sourcing higher-quality beans, investing in the coffee aspect could truly make a difference.

Despite this critique, the chess club remains a top Memphis spot for me, and I hope to see improvements in the coffee/espresso department in the future. With a few adjustments, this place could easily become the ultimate go-to destination for both chess aficionados and coffee...