The Slider Inn

The Slider Inn – Tiny masterpiece burgers and sandwiches on the most delightful porch in midtown.  They are also the only home of the lobster roll in the Mid-South. So if you’re a lost chowda-head, Red Sox fan or Maine expat, here’s your fix.
 
Slider inn has a deal where you can mix and match any of the sliders on the menu. So if you want a grilled skirt steak sandwich but also want to try the falafel and a gourmet PB&J, they can help a brother out.
 
You could eat sliders here five days in a row and not eat the same thing twice.

Local’s choice: $10 lunch deal includes 2 sliders of choice, side, soda and tip. Try any two, you won’t be sorry.

 

Belly Acres

Belly Acres – located in the newly revived Overton Square, this place is awesome.  Its right across the street from the new parking structure on the Square which gives it easy access for families with Littles. My daughter loved the farm decor complete with vintage tractor, trees, barrels, and a barn-storming biplane caught in the wall.  The first thing my 2 year old noticed on the way in was the airplane.  The experience took off from there.

Belly Acres prides itself on being certified farm to table, so its ingredients are very fresh and the quality is excellent. Its a modified, fast-casual setup where you are seated by a host, but you order at the counter.  This gives you time to look over the menu and not get hassled by the waiters, but you can settle into the table with your family and get comfy.


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Once the whole crew figures out what you want, you roll up to the counter and place your order.  Instead of a number for your order, they give you a small street sign with a local Memphis street to put in the caddy on your table.  Nice touch guys.  

Street sign table caddy

I ordered the Southern Gentleman burger (but of course) with the Acre salad for the Wife and chicken fingers and sweet potato fries for Little Bit.

Salad

It was awesome.  I’ll be the first to admit that it never crossed my mind to put a sweet potato, pickled greens and maple ketchup on a burger, but it totally works.  The burger and fries were excellent. Little Bit’s sweet potato fries were seasoned with cinnamon, but they were baked, not fried, so there’s a feel-good parenting moment about letting your kids eat french fries.  We all three agreed that the chicken tenders were some of the best in Memphis.  They were a great addition to the Acre salad to make it a little more substantial.

Southern Gentleman with Pickled Greens, Sweet Potato Slice, Bacon and Maple Ketchup

It obvious that the folks at Belly Acres have put a lot of thought into their craft, and they’ve done a heck of a job.  Their food is excellent.  The service was superb. The atmosphere was casual and fun  They also sell beer and wine, so Mom and Dad can have a little extra treat while taking the family out to dinner.

Some of the best chicken tenders in Memphis

We thoroughly enjoyed it, and its going to become a regular stop for our gang.

Local’s Choice: If you’re a chicken tender connoisseur these are in the same ball park as Gus’s but milder with less of a kick.  The Southern Gentleman was a excellent.  I’m looking forward to going back and trying their other excellent options.

Babalu


Babalu Tacos & Tapas is a great new restaurant in the Overton Square area. Located right next door to Sweet Noshings, Babalu opened this past summer (2014). Babalu is often packed on evenings, but you can get a drink at their bar while you wait on your table. Although their name emphasizes the tacos, the regulars will tell you to order the burger, complete with an amazing sour dough bun. Definitely get the tableside guacamole as an appetizer; it’s also a favorite.

The Green Beetle

The Green Beetle – this is the best burger in Memphis. Period. Tuesday is hamburger special day, and for $9 you can get a hamburger and fries that would feed a small 3rd world village for a week. Oh, and the homemade bun is almost a meal by itself.  This isn’t some gimmicky big burger challenge though. This is a craft burger, for people who really want to enjoy a good meal.

They run different specials every day and have menu items like a 1/2lb hot dog covered with chili & cheese and a garden’s worth of toppings.  They also have a punch card loyalty program.

Josh Huckaby (pictured) is the owner. His grand father founded the mighty Beetle which used to be a hangout for riverboat deckhands and various other Riverati. He’s all about the hustle. He tends bar, busses tables and serves excellent food. He deserves props for the work he does.


Local’s order: Beetle Burger and a Wise Acre Tiny Bomb