A few days ago, while taking a right off Sanderlin in East Memphis, I noticed four businessmen walking from the Clark Tower to Belmont Grillwith a spring in their step and likely a steak sandwich in mind.
There's been a major rush among Memphians to get to the landmark institution before it closes. Known for its cozy neighborhood feel, yearlong Christmas lights and incredible food, Belmont Grill is serving its last meals this week, and Memphis is taking it personally.
After 43 years in business, owner Jeff Anderson confirmed to The Commercial Appeal Saturday, Aug. 29 will be its last day at its current location.
“The property has been sold to a commercial
real estate investment,” he told The Commercial Appeal on Aug. 17.
So one thought emerged while sitting at that stoplight on Mendenhall — I must have the Belmont Grill club sandwich, the single greatest club sandwich in all of Memphis, one last time.
It was here, a few decades ago, where as a youngster I was introduced to this favorite culinary treasure — and future go-to hotel room service order. I can't tell you how many Belmont Grill club sandwiches I've consumed. (I think the secret to its yumminess is the cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese combo, but more on that in a bit.)
I just knew I had to act quickly before Belmont closes for good.
Because of the crowds, I arrived at 11 a.m., as soon as they open. I’d heard it had been packed all month with people on the exact same mission, except theirs might have included the catfish po’boy or grilled shrimp salad.
Even though I got there super early, for a rare prime parking spot right in back, Belmont already had a line forming inside for seating. It was so mobbed, in fact, that I was forced to sit at the bar.
There I was, still in the late morning hours, alone, ready to savor one last double decker delight featuring ham, smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo and the aforementioned cheese duo, piled high on wheat, perfectly cut into four triangles and held together with those signature colored toothpicks. (My idea of heaven.) I also got one final taste of their large potato wedge fries, also soooo good.
The entire meal was exactly as I'd remembered, and the great thing about a solo lunch outing is you get to really appreciate the flavors, the crunch, and the nostalgia of your beloved childhood sandwich.
The whole place was buzzing, with customers talking about the latest Memphis power outage and the sad passing of Dolly Parton, all while enjoying their French dips and beef kabobs. I even witnessed someone order a glass of champagne.
I guess this is what you do, knowing it's last call, soaking in the food and a little bubbly, knowing that the days here are unfortunately numbered.
A little history lesson: Belmont Grill opened in 1983, when Ronald Reagan was in the first term of his presidency and Michael Jackson was the biggest star in the world. For you young readers, this was long before smartphones, the internet, Netflix and delivery apps. Heck, even the first Blockbuster Video hadn’t opened (and eventually closed) yet.
Forty-three years ago, today’s grandparents were still young and Belmont Grill was just beginning to become a fixture in the community.
'End of an era' for Memphis regulars
When asking regulars about their memories and favorite meals, I got all kinds of answers.
Stacy Spinosa Johnson, a Germantown high school principal, recalled her beloved one-of-a-kind dishes.
“I loved the Belmont Burger. Not another like it, anywhere," she said. "What I really loved, and have missed, for years, are the ( ... drumroll) chicken livers. Back in the day, I could call ahead of time to the Germantown location, connect with Mr. Roper, he would tell me if he had them and tell the kitchen to drop them if he did. They would be piping hot and ready when I got there. Bacon wrapped and a water chestnut inside.”
Longtime Memphis resident Kimberly Shannon shared her favorites.
“The burger of course, but their homemade toasted raviolis were the best,” she said.
(Truth is their menu is so vast and varied I wasn’t even aware they served toasted raviolis!)
Richard Hudman, brother of local superstar chef Michael Hudman said, "Something that was simple and always good was their chips and dips. Not sure if it was a Rotel or can cheese dip but always went really good with a cold beer."
Medical esthetician Valeria Mesa Donovan reminisced about the company she enjoyed at the restaurant and her nights as a teenager in Memphis.
“My girlfriends and I used to go there on Friday nights in high school during the early 90’s (snuck out from Germantown with our one 15-year-old friend from Olive Branch with a Mississippi license)," Donovan said. "And the nachos, club sandwich, and the old cheese sticks were always a must. I’m glad I’ve gone a few times this year, but it’s the end of an era.”
Retired dentist Dr. Charles Plesofsky, of East Memphis, listed his staples: "the chargrilled shrimp, grilled fish sandwich with onion rings and a Tito's with an olive."
And for Collierville’s Danny Shivers, his memories didn't include just eating there.
“I worked for the Belmont in my 20’s,” he said. “It was such an amazing place. They always had a high food cost because they believed in putting out a quality product. Owners and staff like Big John, Jeffery, Neil, Chris, Sherri Ann, Lil Beth, Brenda, etc.
“We were all people you ‘knew’ if you frequented the place at all. I mean it’s Memphis, everybody knows everybody right? Food-wise the steak sandwich, filet and onion rings were always amazing. I remember the cooks who showed up in the wee hours of the morning hand-making the onion rings, potato skins, stuffed potatoes, cutting steaks. When you can eat at a restaurant you work at … that says everything about their food. The Belmont will be missed!”
Maybe that’s what makes places like Belmont Grill so difficult to say goodbye to.
You aren’t really saying goodbye to a restaurant. You’re saying goodbye to pieces of your own life. The people you went there with, the meals you remember, the versions of yourself that sat at those tables at a very different time in your life.
Belmont might be closing at Poplar and Mendenhall, but judging from the memories pouring out of longtime patrons, its impact isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
And who knows? There are even rumors it may be resurrected in some form, somewhere else. Maybe we’ll get lucky. Whatever the case, we’ll keep you posted. But whatever the result, I will forever remember my final club sandwich.
Brian Strickland is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at brian.strickland@commercialappeal.com.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Last club sandwich at Belmont Grill solidifies great food, Memphis memories
