Memphis, I have a confession: I’m pretty easy to impress when it comes to food. Give me a cute restaurant, a good cocktail, a plate of food I didn’t have to cook myself, and I’m a happy girl.
Crosstown Concourse's dining options serve up all this and more.
So grab your appetite and let’s talk about a few eateries at Crosstown Concourse that deserve a place on your dining-out list.
Bao Toan
You know I love eating in a cute place, and popular Vietnamese restaurant Bao Toan is so very pretty on the inside. Whoever did the design for this place definitely knows how to set the scene for excellence.
I had the hardest time deciding between the Cà Ri Sài Gòn, which has a coconut curry sauce, and the Pad Kra Pow, which has diced beef tenderloin, veggies, rice and ma’s
spicy sauce. (Is it obvious which one I chose?) The Pad Kra Pow was so delicious. I opted for the runny egg, and it balanced well with the spicy beef. Also, if you get ma’s sauce, you might be warned to take it easy. Don’t! I dumped all the sauce in my meal, and it elevated it to heavenly status.
Pro Tip: You will be asked if you want a walk-through of the menu. Take it! The servers are excellent and extremely knowledgeable. They will help you select the perfect meal for your taste buds.
Crosstown Brewing Co.
Want a beer and a burger? Perhaps you’re more into large, head-sized pretzels? Or are you the wings-and-pizza-with-your-beer type of person. No matter what you want with your beer, Crosstown Brewing has it. It’s one of the few breweries in Memphis that can boast about its extensive menu.
Also, furbabies are welcome here.
Pro Tip: If you visit during a season change, get a flight. There’s not much better than trying the new and comeback beers of the season.
Global Cafe
Want fresh, flavorful food paired with a margarita that guarantees to sit you down somewhere? You must try Global Cafe. I had the Chicken Shawarma and my friend had the Street Tacos — and it was a lot! Flavorful, and definitely a lot of food. We also both got margaritas. Full transparency: We couldn’t finish the margaritas. Maybe they should have sizes for “lightweights”?
Pro Tip: Margaritas are a must-order. And can someone try the fried chicken and tell me about it? Another diner at the restaurant ordered it but because we were strangers, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask him for a bite.
Art Bar
There's just something about rustic walls and a bar that glows that makes cocktails taste so much better. Because of our encounter with Global Cafe’s margarita, we decided to select from the “Hold the Sauce” menu at Art Bar. We’d had enough alcohol for the night. We had the Leaf Your Love and the Cherry Jane High Delta 9 Seltzer. I know you’re probably thinking: “How is a Delta 9 Seltzer a better choice over alcohol?” It was — trust me. Plus, the sugar and calorie content in the Cherry Jane was extra low. As for the Leaf Your Love, it was the perfect balance of flavor and spice — definitely a fall sipper.
Pro Tip: Get a little snackerdoodle while you’re there. The Brie Apple Puff Pastry is delicious.
Briza
Fancy? Check. Good food? Check. Tasty drinks? Check. Briza is a seafood, steak and sushi fusion restaurant. Hubby and I, along with a couple of friends, dined there on a Sunday for brunch. We started off with the Creamy Spinach Dip. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll and La Nela Roll, the guys had Steak and Eggs and my friend ordered the Pescado Sandwich. The fish sandwich was huge — literally the size of a grown man’s expanded hand. Did she finish it? No, not even close. But no worries, there’s always Round 2!
Pro Tip: Add the lump crab in the Creamy Spinach Dip. We did, and it was the best thing ever.
Lastly, let’s talk about parking. Big changes have been made since Satellite Music Hall opened across the way. After parking, I scanned the QR code in the parking lot. I signed up, entered my license plate number and it knew exactly when I entered the lot. No need to "pay out" when you’re leaving, it knows that too. Just be sure to get it validated before you leave by scanning another QR code available at the eateries. (Free parking is available from 4:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at Crosstown, with paid parking from 6 p.m.-4:30 a.m. All Crosstown businesses offer free parking validation codes.)
Crosstown Concourse highlights one of my favorite things about Memphis: You don’t always have to travel far to feel like you’ve gone somewhere. Sometimes, all you need is a good meal, a fun place to explore and a little free time.
Maybe I’ll make a weekend of it next time. I might even hit up Pettigrew Adventures and check out their Crosstown Concourse Airbnb. Because if I’m already eating, drinking and exploring all day, why not just stay awhile?
Patricia Lockhart is a happily married mom of four teenagers. You can contact her via Instagram, @memphisismyboyfriend.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 5 Crosstown Concourse restaurants that Memphis food lovers should know
