Introduction
I’m not from Memphis. I grew up in California and have only been to Tennessee a handful of times, but each time has been memorable for different reasons. The first time was when I was 14 and visited my cousin who lived there with his family. They took us on a road trip to Nashville where he played guitar on stage at an open mic night at the famed Bluebird Café – it was so much fun! Another visit was several years later when we went tubing down the river by rafts that were tied together like one big happy party bus; it was such a blast! But this time, I came here for another reason: fried chicken!
I had to eat fried chicken in Memphis.
I had to eat fried chicken in Memphis. It was a long-standing goal of mine, and one that I did not want to let go of. After a couple days of exploring the city and its famed music scene (the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll), I made my way down South Parkway toward Gus’ Fried Chicken.
Gus’ has been around since 1962 when Gus Cannon opened up shop with his wife Helen at their home on Saffarans Avenue near downtown Memphis. They started out as an informal catering service for parties before moving into their current location on Elvis Presley Blvd., where they’ve been serving customers ever since!
When I arrived at 11:15 AM on Saturday morning there were already several people waiting outside; luckily there was plenty of space inside so no one had to wait too long before getting seated (our party was able to get right in).
I was staying in the Peabody hotel, which is a historic hotel in Memphis, Tennessee that has been around since 1869.
I was staying in the Peabody hotel, which is a historic hotel in Memphis, Tennessee that has been around since 1869. The Peabody is located on Union Avenue and is close to Beale Street.
The hotel is near Beale Street, but it’s not right in the thick of things.
The hotel is near Beale Street, but it’s not right in the thick of things.
It’s about a five-minute walk to get to the famous blues clubs and restaurants of Beale Street though.
It’s a short walk to get to the famous blues clubs and restaurants of Beale Street though.
The Peabody is a short walk from Beale Street, which is home to many famous blues clubs and restaurants. There’s also a rooftop bar at the hotel where you can have drinks while enjoying views of the Mississippi River.
The Peabody is also near downtown Memphis’ riverfront area, which includes shops, restaurants and attractions like FedEx Forum (home of basketball’s Memphis Grizzlies) and National Civil Rights Museum.
As soon as I was settled in my room, I realized that there was no way I could stay here without trying some fried chicken.
As soon as I was settled in my room, I realized that there was no way I could stay here without trying some fried chicken. It’s a must-do in Memphis and there are a ton of places to choose from–some more famous than others. Gus’ Fried Chicken is probably the most famous but Hattie B’s and Willie Mae’s Scotch House are also pretty popular among locals and tourists alike.
I decided to head over there first thing the next morning because they open at 11:00 AM (Gus’ opens at 9:00). The line was already wrapped around the building when I got there so we had time for coffee before our turn came up!
My first thought was Gus’ Fried Chicken on historic Broad Ave.
The first place I thought of was Gus’ Fried Chicken on historic Broad Ave. The restaurant has been open since 1952, and it’s known for its signature fried chicken. Even though they offer other items on their menu as well, it’s their chicken that has made them famous.
Their hours are 24/7 so if you’re ever in the mood for some good ole Southern comfort food at any time of day or night – this is your place!
It’s not far from where I was staying at all (less than half a mile away) and it looks like an old school diner.
It’s not far from where I was staying at all (less than half a mile away) and it looks like an old school diner. It has neon signs all over the outside of the building and picnic tables outside with umbrellas for shade from the sun.
Inside, it was packed with diners enjoying their meals on paper plates and drinking soda out of cans or plastic cups like they would have done decades ago before fast food chains existed. You could order fried chicken by piece or by whole meal including sides such as mashed potatoes and biscuits or mac n cheese or fries. I chose piecemeal because for some reason I wanted to try everything!
I ordered piecemeal because for some reason I wanted to try everything!
I chose sides like mashed potatoes and biscuits or mac n cheese or fries as my sides, and a drink like soda or lemonade to wash it all down.
Conclusion
The food was amazing, it was so good that I went back the next day for more fried chicken.
