The Second Line — Restaurant in Memphis

I think it has taken me forever to write a review for The Second Line because I almost don't know how to put into words how much I enjoy this place!

If you're seeking an authentic New Orleans experience in Memphis, you're in the right place!

This is that non-touristy restaurant that's perfect for tourists.

My visits here over the years have been perfect for:

*Gal pal dinners *Fun date nights *A business lunch that's not stuffy *Weekend brunch *Group fun *A casual cocktail *Delicious to-go orders

The servers, bartenders and staff give me the feeling they are vetted and seasoned restaurant industry leaders.

I promise, you will NOT find another restaurant with a more scrumptious beef po boy. The beef is so tender and the oh-so-delicious gravy is always seasoned to perfection. The menu item is called "roast white oaks pasture beef with gravy + swiss." YUMMY!!!!! You must ALSO try the "the verno- braised chicken thighs + swiss" po boy!"

I should point out I'm more of a fish person than a beef person, but I would box someone to win a bite of their beef po boy.

The fries and stewed greens are so good.

I should add that vegans have a place in this space with the delicious veggie plate.

I tend to get the same thing every time I go here, so these suggestions are a little unfair to the rest of the menu.

Yet again, I must add that the cocktails are made to perfection!

I am so very impressed by the owners' community engagement. He feeds people in need every New Year's Day and also collects items they might need, and gets them haircuts.

Just so you know, Chef Kelly English is a New Orleans native who trained under that city's celebrated Chef John Besh and English has won numerous awards for his amazing work here in Memphis.

I really can't rave enough about this place. Try it!

Oh! If you want something a little more fancy schmancy, go to English's restaurant right next door called Restaurant Iris. They renovated the bar there so there are more seats and it really opened up the classy, but cozy restaurant.

Laissez les bon...

I am writing this review as a deeply concerned family member after the appalling treatment my sister and her partner received during their recent visit to The Second Line. As someone who has worked in customer service, I am fully aware of the legal and ethical obligations restaurants hold to ensure the safety and well-being of their patrons. Unfortunately, this establishment failed to uphold its duty of care in an alarming way.

My sister’s partner experienced a choking incident, which she promptly resolved by performing the Heimlich maneuver. Instead of providing empathy, assistance, or even basic human decency, the bartender responded with rudeness, removed the plate, and insisted they leave under the false assumption that he had vomited. Despite the situation being under control, they were treated with hostility and charged for a meal that was unjustly taken away.

This behavior is not only unprofessional but also a violation of the duty of care owed to paying customers. In a situation involving a potential medical emergency, your staff should have prioritized offering help and ensuring the comfort of your guests—not compounding their distress by mishandling the situation entirely. Such conduct undermines the trust that customers place in establishments like yours.

To add insult to injury, the manager failed to step in to rectify the situation or even offer an apology, further eroding any sense of accountability on your part. This was a complete failure to meet the most basic standards of customer service and compassion.

As a family, we are appalled at how this situation was handled. It is imperative that The Second Line evaluates its policies, trains its staff on how to handle emergencies, and ensures that such neglect of duty never happens again. Until these steps are taken, I cannot in good conscience recommend your establishment to anyone.

I urge you to reflect on this incident and take immediate corrective action, as your current practices fall far short of acceptable standards.

Sincerely, A...

Second Line's food is actually really good!

It is based on New Orlean's cuisine. The food is very flavorful and tasty.

My friend had the Redfish & Crawfish Pontchartrain, and she loved it!

I had the Chubby Vegetarian Po Boy, which comes with mushrooms in a red wine sauce. Of course, there was a lot of bread like on all Po' Boys, but the mushrooms tasted amazing!

I also had the red beans & rice! This dish was soooo good!

For dessert, I had the Cookie Trio. It included a snickerdoodle cookie with honey, a chocolate brownie with nutella, and maybe a sugar cookie with caramel, I believe. It was soo good!

My parents stated that they enjoyed the bread pudding! And, they love bread pudding!

Please note, they rotate their desserts! So just because it's there one week, doesn't mean it will be there the next week unless it's their bread pudding or brownie.

For drinks, I did not care for my original order, and I had it remade. I still did not care for it. I can't even remember the name of it. My friend did enjoy her drink, which I think was a Strawberry Margarita. Eventually, I ordered a French 75 with brandy, and it was nice!

Now, though the food was really good, what actually made my experience was the management's customer service. After we did not have a pleasant experience with our server, the manager stepped in and rectified the entire situation. Because of the manager's concern and care, I came back the very next weekend with my friends! God bless the manager! I think his name is Michael or Chris!

Anywho, go visit! Hopefully, you won't be...