Babalu

4.0 (382 reviews)

ModerateSalad, Tacos, Burgers

Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Babalu - #steak #porkbelly #shrimp #tacos - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Babalu - Sangria mimosa and table side guac - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Moderate noise

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Monica W.

First time back to Babalu in years and first time at this location. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is very nice and open and service was great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server Brittany was wonderful and kept everything moving. We were a large party, 10 plus on a Saturday afternoon, the food arrived fresh and hot. Some dishes lacked direction/flavor like chicken sandwich. I don't understand ingredients and toppings that offer no flavor. The spicy chicken was bland and then cheese, letuce, tomato, pickles and chips and drizzle of hot honey and there was only the taste of warm honey and the warm toasted buttered bun. I had a side of mexican street corn and this dish was luke warm but that's my fault but flavor was good just the corn tastec old, not pop when you bite kernal fresh even when cooked that pop is there. Now the spicy shrimp was hands down worth the trip. They were so good but just a little too breaded. The sauce is immediately poured on and brought out and the heated fresh breaded shrimp was too good and just the right texture to soften the breading. The spiciness is perfect too. The baba-rita is good but the younguns at my table said it was cute however I thought it was quiet tasty. There were other dishes shown as well but I did not taste them all. The steak eggrolls were also good however I was not a fan of the guac as it lacked flavor. Overall there is enough on the menu that I like so J will definitely be back.

Tiffany J.

I have gone back several times since my last review and tried several menu items. The salmon and grits are delicious! The salmon is cooked well. It's tender, juicy, and flavorful. It's on a bed of cheese grits that I love as well. It also comes with brussel sprouts. I have also added the quac to a regular item that I order. My colleague convinced me to try it and I have been hooked since. It is made table side and it is made with sundried tomato, red & green onion, kosher salt, cilantro, lime juice served with house chips... oh and if you want to make it even better add bacon or jalapeños! The service is always great and the chill vibes!

Shelly F.

Oh Babalu, How I love you! This was our first visit and it did not disappoint! We were greeted at the door and seated quickly. Our server was very attentive and happily offered recommendations. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is bright and open.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The noise level is a little high because of the openness but it didn't affect our experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food... the guacamole was good. Very good. I think it would have benefited from a little more lime juice and salt but maybe that's just my personal preference. I did really like the addition of sun dried tomatoes. The house chips were very good. The Birria Bowl was just amazing! It was hearty and flavorful. It was placed beautifully over luscious, creamy grits. I am definitely a grits snob and this was some of the best that I have eaten! I want to return over and over and try everything on the menu.

Ken K.

Had another great lunch at Babalu. It's been quite a while since we've been here... the menu has changed a bit but it's still a great menu with a lot of great options. Service still top notch and great bar. Will def be back again soon

Dianna S.

Went to celebrate a friend's birthday last week. We had a wonderful time chatting and catching up. Service was good. Our server was very busy so she did not check on us as frequently. My two tacos were just the ight amount of food. I was happily full but not stuffed. My friends ordered burgers and the redfish which they enjoyed. We chose this place because the food is consistently delicious and seasoned well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was clean and very inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are regular tables and chairs and high top tables and chairs.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was steady busy with patrons the few hours we were there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I know we will return soon.

Chicken Satay w/an extra side of teriyaki sauce

Alexis B.

Another great visit at babulu. This time just dined at the bar! This short rib grilled cheese was sooooooo good! I'm thinking of it now! The table side guac is always a hit and my husband's plate after finishing the burrito could've been sent back to the like how cleaned he got it! Drinks are always a hit and our bartender was so nice!

Megan H.

Salmon with Brussels. Service was great and [[HIGHLIGHT]]a good atmosphere for after work dinner and drinks![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Catrina T.

Went for a late lunch on Sunday (around 4). We were immediately seated. Our server came over quickly. We ordered a lemon berry sour and a margarita and beef short rib rolls. The short rib rolls were very good. My husband enjoyed his margarita. My lemon berry sour was a bit tart. I asked my server to add a bit of simple syrup or agave. Once added the drink was great. We both ordered tacos (tuna, chicken, grilled shrimp, blackened fish). All 4 had way too much happening with sauce and toppings. They all were falling apart and the shells were flimsy. The taste was ok but eating them was a challenge. The experience was just ok as I would have preferred not to fight with my food.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts One Veggie Taco One Chicken Taco

Mollie F.

I love babalus!!! It's a delicious spot no matter what location you choose to pop into. We stopped in on abusy day, but the wait was short and well worth it. We had to get the legendary table-made guacamole and it lived up to the hype. We are it all! For our meals we got a veggie and chicken taco, a black bean burger, and a side of crispy brussel sprouts. The burger was a little dry, but that comes with a homemade black bean patty. The tacos were fantastic! The real star of the show was the crispy brussel sprouts, they were so delicious my mouth is watering as I write this. They have the perfect kick and the flavor is incredible. I will be going back just for those bad boys!

Christy D.

Hello Sunshine! This was my last meal in Memphis this trip and oh what it was! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is medium sized.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a beautiful day to dine outside but this day, the area was closed to the public for an event so we sat near the window. It's light, bright and refreshing![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Sunshine was our server and she had a cute disposition. She didn't have any top teeth but smiled a lot, all the same. She was pretty good with anticipating your next move or question but could be misinterpreted. So many interesting menu items, I wished I had more time. I didn't take a picture of the Cucumber spritzer, yes! Icing on the cake. We were all happy. Enjoyed the food to the fullest and we will come again.

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Review Insights

Russ S.

2 years ago

It is a bit pricy, but we go there for the great tasting food, [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance and atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It is an excellent place and we have our favorite spot and favorite servers. read more

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Melannie A.

2 years ago

The food was great no complains , but the service was pretty poor , she took a long time to come get our order after the guacamole was brought! To the table , and I was looking around and there's was no that many tables or busy to take that long !! She kept apologizing but the place was not full at all ... read more

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Christy S.

Hi, Melannie – at BABALU, we strive for efficient, friendly service,…

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Ayla W.

3 years ago

I would not personally recommend this spot to my friends/family. When we called the restaurant to place an order, we had some questions regarding the menu, as we'd never been there before. Not only did the woman who answered the phone have little to no idea what the items on the menu were (my fiancé had to read the menu to her) but she had to place us on hold multiple times. The holding wasn't as big of a deal as her not knowing her own menu! We spent over $50 for a take-out meal for 2, and we got 3 apps and 1 entre. I cannot stress it enough that portions were absolutely not $50 in size. The 'street corn' is also a no. If you're expecting a creamy, authentic Mexican 'elote' style dish, please don't buy this. It was corn with seasoning. No cotija cheese, no crema. read more

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Christy S.

Hi, Ayla. We sincerely apologize for your recent to-go order…

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Emilee D.

Elite 23

119

4 years ago

Came for a quick drink and a bite. Sat at the bar. The babalu chopped salad was delicious, loved the dressing. Added the tuna, which was good but not necessary. Probably would have gone either without added protein or maybe the salmon instead. Guac is always great. The veggie slices were huge - I do which they were sliced a little thinner to make biting into them a little easier. The margs on the happy hour are a great deal. read more

Babalu - Babalu chopped salad with added blackened tuna (forgot to take a good pic before we started eating!) - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Trenika M.

Elite 23

232

4 years ago

Babalu is very consistent! Service is always good and so are the cocktails! I love the table side guacamole and brunch here is one of my favorites! Brunch used to have $15 bottomless mimosas with multiple juices and fruit for garnish. They come by with a bar cart to take your mimosa order and make it at your table. read more

Babalu - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Mimosas Cart - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Mimosa - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Lauren F.

Elite 26 All-Star

289

797

5 years ago

So the food was great! The service was very fast once we put in our order, but prior to putting in the order, it took the waiter a long time to make it to our table. The mimosas were great! I had the crabcake Benedict and my friend had the salmon hash. Both plates were hot when they came out and it was very flavorful. The branch has some options, but what I like most is that you can order off of either menu. So the restaurant is in full service even during their lunch/brunch hours. read more

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Marissa F.

Elite 26

217

407

788

8 years ago

It was a fun hip vibe with a fresh take on tapas. I LOVED the they play I Love Lucy on the walk. The food was decent. The albóndigas were delicious- but cold. The rice was REALLY HOT- temperature wise and the onions and peppers needed to be cut smaller. The shrimp and chorizo could have been better. The shrimp were undercooked and the chorizo was very hot- both temperature and spice. Definitely needed sour cream. But the sour cream had a gritty taste to it. The redeeming factor of this meal- the mojarita. A mojito-margarita combo. Delicious, refreshing and new. read more

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Otie H.

Marissa R.,…

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Chris B.

143

3 years ago

They have a fresh grouper salad that is affiliated with a sister restaurant on 30a (George's), FL. If you know you know! Sometimes service is great and other times not so much! read more

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Mark S.

284

5 years ago

My wife had chicken tacos (thumbs up) and steak tacos (thumbs down). I had the Cubano sandwich which tasted okay but seemed to have been made rather haphazardly. The cheese was all on one side and the whole thing didn't fit on the bun. I know that seems petty but attention to detail is what seperates good restaurants from great restaurants. PS the table made guacamole was very good. read more

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Adam H.

Elite 26 All-Star

515

719

10342

9 years ago

Let's just go on and put this out there. I love Babalu Tacos and whatever else they sell. I mean damn, really, how did you do this to me? I met some of the people that own the place when I dined tonight and I am just in awe. Seriously.??? They look like regular folks but apparently they aren't. How did you come up with this intriguing and well executed, loved by all menu. There were so many people showing up and going wild over it! You win. I'm in. I'll just go along and agree with anything you say. I see why there is a long wait now. This place gets the people going. I mean... It's like... New. Fresh. Exciting. Loud. Bustling. Great Service Mentality. Personality. Fabulousness. Bravo! For real! read more

Babalu - Purple gloves adds flavor man - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Lucy - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Tacos. Bad light sorry - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Tacos. Mucho - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Karen W.

Elite 26

210

896

913

7 years ago

Our group of 10 had a wonderful brunch experience here recently. Our server was on top of his game and didn't miss a beat. We were all on town on business, and each of us requested separate checks plus some who ordered alcohol needed that separate from food. Our server was totally cool with that and was happy to accommodate. At brunch both the brunch menu and regular menu were available. With so many good options it was hard to choose. I ended up getting 3 small plates because I couldn't decide. Everything I tried was delicious but my favorite was the brussel sprouts. The mushrooms were probably my least favorite as they were a bit underwhelming but not terrible. The mimosas were awesome and they have multiple flavors to choose from. A few of my work friends ordered the burger and said it was outstanding and the tacos were also a big hit. Definitely will be back! read more

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Adam C.

407

5 years ago

Terrible service at the bar tonight 6/22. Both bartenders didn't make my date or I feel welcomed. I hate when bartenders ignore you.. I get that your busy, but at least make eye contact and let me know you'll be with me. That'll be my last time eating at Babalu. read more

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Kelley S.

3 years ago

Everything we ate was delicious! We ordered the table side quac, chorizo burrito, brussel sprouts and margaritas. It was all excellent.

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Ben J.

3 years ago

Great food and service and when I went this last week, they are in the process of expanding their outdoor patio area. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is their to go orders do not travel well. If you get street tacos , be prepared to eat them with a fork because they soft tortillas will fall apart if you try to pick them up. I may ask if they can do the ingredients and tortillas separate on our next to go order. read more

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Lauren N.

4 years ago

I love the food here. The steak was so tender. Our waiter so so awesome, I loved her personality. I highly recommend. read more

Babalu - Food is so good here. Steak was nice and tender, potatoes were very good and the Broccoli was yummy. I highly recommend. - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Gayle O.

Elite 26

7 years ago

Rating a 3 since the food is delicious but their table/chair setup and service is quite lacking at THIS LOCATION ONLY; it's been hit or miss service with a consistently disorganized hostess stand. Note there are two table-side guacamole sizes and you will receive the more expensive one unless you specify the 2-person size. This location does NOT ask. I am very disappointed with this particular Babalu location which is very UNFRIENDLY to disabled and handicapped patrons or those with any back or knee issues since 3/4 of the restaurant are high-tops with no reservations. The atmosphere is very loud. Go to the Cooper Young location which is fun with a great bar and better overall service. Tonight one hostess clearly marked our ticket as 'must have low top' in bold black ink however the second hostess sat another couple at our table and we were going to have to wait another 30 min!!! We left. read more

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Otie H.

G.O.,…

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Gina D.

3 years ago

Best place for food and love the casual ambiance. This is also a good place for happy hour with friends and coworkers.

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Jordan R.

Elite 22

104

356

7 years ago

Got lunch at Babalu on a Sunday. It wasn't too busy that afternoon. Perfect spot to stop in for a quick lunch. We were wanting something light to eat and got their tacos - which was the perfect thing for lunch. I got the cauliflower and the fish tacos. Each of them are small, but two was sufficient for just being kind of hungry. The fish taco has the option of fried or blackened. I got it blackened which i think is the way to go. Cauliflower was delicious!! We both wanted something sweet after we were finished eating. They told us that they had cheesecake bites and gave us three small bites to eat. They were amazing!! They were drizzled with chocolate and caramel and were the perfect ending to a good meal! read more

Babalu - Cheesecake bites with chocolate and caramel drizzle - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Blackened fish and cauliflower tacos - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Melissa N.

798

7 years ago

Burger, tableside guac, and luna-rita (?) Are all great options. This location was still pretty full on a Saturday brunch at 230 pm. Brunch bar cart is brought tableside if you're purchasing the unlimited mimosas (bring cash to tip that person separately). They offer lots of different juice options for the mixer. The bar cart guy was great!! Fun, energetic, knowledgeable and kind. Other than that, most of the service and food-wait left much to be desired. Not sure if they were understaffed or of this is the norm? read more

Babalu - Brunch bar cart. - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Otie H.

Melissa N.,…

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Robert M.

2 years ago

Food and service were great. Server was friendly and knowledgeable. Food was different than most places which made it great.

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Barrett O.

Elite 24

1127

1618

18484

8 years ago

I have heard good things from other Yelpers and friends and I'm really pleased with my visit to this locaton. The interior is snazzy with a big screen projection on the wall with old B&W films running and a cool.feel all around. Cat was our server and she was spot on from seating us to taking the bill, great service! The calamari was good, the chopped salad outstanding, the baba burgers terrific and both blackened & fried shrimp tacos excellent. Taco Tuesdays is a big deal and they come out fast, hot & fresh. Speaking of fresh they let you know up front that everything is prepared to.order. This is great but if you order one of their bug fatty delicious salads on taco Tuesdays you will get your tacos first, just a heads up. The salad we shared was huge, fresh and terrific and I ordered one to go for us to have the next day, really terrific. Overall absolutely everything here was good & I will br back soon!! read more

Babalu - Fried shrimp taco. Excellent! One of the best I had!! - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Otie H.

Barrett O.,…

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Kacee R.

3 years ago

We went for brunch. The food was good as usual. They had a mimosa special which was very well priced. They were delicious. I'll definitely return for a other meal read more

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Brittani G.

200

3 years ago

Came here on a weekend in town. It's been one of the favorites in the past but it's been better. The Brussels sprouts were over cooked but the table side guac was good. The service was okay. The staff was as loud as the room at times and I'm not sure if that has always been the culture for Babalus. The atmosphere was to decent. I'll probably give it one more visit but I'm ready to let go. I do prefer the midtown location over the Germantown one. read more

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Daryl J.

Elite 23

107

254

7 years ago

Great great service, Pamela took great care of us. Great location in the heart of Germantown. Safe area. Highly recommend the Tacos , pick three. Red fish, veggie, and chicken. OR the salmon w/ GRITS. The salmon is seasoned to perfection and the best grits I ever had. Start your meal the house made guacamole or black eye pea humus .! PAMELA was our served and did well. Will return read more

Babalu - Black eye pea hummus - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Otie H.

Daryl J.,…

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Brock S.

3 years ago

Food was fantastic. Service was behind as we were a big table late at night so the server brought tortilla chips and salsa and even the tortilla chips were fantastic. Baba burger or similar name was fantastic. And the short rib was very good. read more

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Kanchan B.

Elite 19

477

1717

8205

8 years ago

Thank god for Babalu's! Lovely food at amazingly affordable prices! I was in town for a conference and it had been a looooooooong day! I got to this restaurant around 9:30ish, desperately hoping they'd still have their kitchen open, and I guess my prayers were answered cause the hostess didn't event hesitate, but just led me to a table where I collapsed in relief, that I would finally now be able to wind down and enjoy some good food. I wanted to get the Blackened Scottish Salmon. Last time I was here, our table had this dish sent over to us complimentary, and I remember how delicious it had tasted and so now wanted to get the complete dish for myself, rather than just getting a bite and sharing it with the rest of the table. I guess I thought the Salmon by itself wouldn't be enough, so decided to get something else, and my lovely server, Emily, who was just a total sweethear,t suggested getting the Home-made Taco Chips with Queso and upgrading this dish by adding some of their in-house Chorizo. I decided to go with her recommendations and am super glad I did. That chirozo was spicy and lovingly crumbled over the milder Queso and that combination with their home-made chips - you guys, let me tell ya, I could have just kissed the cook - it was that delicious! I was honestly full after getting these two items, but when earlier pursuing the menu, my eyes had also seen the Dessert Sampler menu item consisting of Cayenne Chocolate Truffle, Cheesecake Bite, and Cinnamon Bread Pudding. Having had these items during my previous visit, I knew just how devilishly good they were. So dear reader, I indeed succumbed and ordered this as a takeaway and enjoyed going thru the selections for the next 3 days! Simply cant wait to come back here again, when I'm next in Memphis! Note - this would have been Yelp Review 77/2018, but I don't count reviews for places I have previously reviewed read more

Babalu - Love the industrial look - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Cool signage on the wall - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Queso with Chorizo - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Blackened Scottish Salmon* - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Takeaway dessert sampler - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Erica B.

Elite 21

164

6 years ago

I love Babalus! I usually get the tacos (Shrimp and fish).... they're delicious. The babarita is my fave drink...but the sangria is amazing too! They have some of the best guacamole I've tasted in Memphis. Mathew was an amazing server which made our visit even better! I'll probably be back next week! LOL read more

Babalu - Drinks!!! - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Shrimp and fish tacos, guacamole and fries - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Scott G.

3 years ago

We stopped in for a quick bit. The food was great I had the Cuban sandwich and fries my wife and the tacos and they were great. We didn't leave hungry read more

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Jacquie J.

4 years ago

The service was excellent which is a rarity these days with the shortage of workers! The food was wonderful even though I can't eat spicy food, it was delicious!! You must get the guacamole made at the table when you go!! It's unbelievable!!! Highly recommend either location! read more

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Lea B.

Elite 24

133

338

6 years ago

I have never been let down by Babalu in either location in Memphis. Service is always good. You can choose to sit on the patio or indoors. They are currently serving the full menu. read more

Babalu - Chorizo quest, Guacamole with everything, Margarita - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Melanie L.

Elite 26

197

218

5521

8 years ago

The Baba Burger is one of my favorites to get when I eat here. The bread they use on the burgers is delicious. Recently changed the menu to include a side with their burgers so that's a plus. The guacamole is table side and is cool if you're entertaining guests while in town. read more

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Otie H.

Melanie L.,…

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April S.

2 years ago

Great drinks, food and service! Thebtableside guacamole is fabulous. Short rib eggrolls also great. All the foods tasty.

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Neal M.

Elite 17

427

1067

143

3 years ago

Having visited the midtown location with friends for brunch and them knocking it out of the park, I was stoked to have seen this location near my hotel. I came in and had the Hot Shrimp app and a margarita at the bar. Both were fantastic. My bartender/server, Jordan I believe, was great. After much deliberation, I chose their chop salad entree with roasted red fish. I had this previously for brunch and it knocked my socks off. Well, the components were the same but it seemed like it wasn't a good night for a salad. It tasted like the salad components weren't dried properly before the salad was mixed with the dressing. At most, it just tasted like water, which is a total bummer. I ate it and enjoyed it the best I could, it also appeared that the plateware was different too. I swear my salad was in bowl at the other location and this one had it on a square plate which made it terribly difficult to eat. I know, I know, it's super specific. I don't know what to tell you. I also was told that the seasonal or daily sangria was Limoncello. I opted for a rose sangria and that Limoncello was very tasty with this. No regrets. My sole regret was not getting a different entree. Otherwise, this place smacks. read more

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Phillip B.

154

2 years ago

Food is great, prices are great, atmosphere is great! Wide variety of food options. My 3 favorite meals are the duck quesadillas, Al Pastor tacos and of course the Baba Burger! They do a table side guacamole that is a half to as well. Enjoy! read more

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Keng L.

Elite 26

197

5940

8 years ago

Haven't been to this second location before. Enjoyed the crab cakes and the bottomless mimosas. read more

Babalu - Drink up - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Otie H.

Keng L.,…

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Gwynn P.

4 years ago

Here from out of town. Ate at several establishments while here. I have to say this place not only has wonderful food, the service was great too. Will definitely go back! read more

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Drew M.

106

4 years ago

Tapas are all good - but the Parmesan Caesar salad with Salmon? Crazy good! Always friendly wait staff - even when packed on the weekends.

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Maurisha T.

Elite 26

225

254

782

8 years ago

You've got to love this place! We visited Babalu for Happy Hour. The patio was already full, but there was plenty of seating available inside. We enjoyed the Sangria flight and the amazing guacamole! I love the fact that the guacamole is made right at the table. The tacos were tasty too and were available for $3 during Happy Hour. The service that we received was excellent. It's so nice to have a location out in East Memphis! read more

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Reginald B.

246

415

8 years ago

So I hadn't been to the Midtown location but the Poplar location is nice sized and really nice inside. Being alone, I decided to sit at the bar and have the mix and match tacos which was really good. A welcome change was the chicken and vegetables soup which seemed like a Hispanic version that I really enjoyed. read more

Babalu - Chiroze and Shrimp Tacos and Chicken and Veggie Soul - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Otie H.

Reginald B.,…

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Nisha S.

Elite 17

172

100

8 years ago

I was visiting Memphis for the weekend and wanted to find a fun casual place with something a little different. This popped up on my yelp search and I thought we would check it out. Decor - modern and trendy but not over the top. It was tasteful and matched the vibe they were trying to set. Also their playlist was on point. Food - what really convinced me to come here was that they make guac right in front of you. I was excited but skeptical of whether it would be good (I'm from California what can I say, I'm a guac snob). IT WAS GOOD. We basically licked the bowl clean. Other dishes we ordered were crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and the veggie burger. All were DELICIOUS! It's sometimes hard to find good, flavorful vegetarian food in this area but Babalu delivered in all those categories. Service - I would have taken 2 stars off for service but the manager handled the situation so well that I will award one back. All of our dishes came within 3 min of each other except one. I don't know if they forgot to put it in or what but three of us were done eating and the 4th dish for the last person in our party had not come yet. Our waiter told us multiple times that it was coming, but still nothing. Finally the manager came over, sincerely apologized, told us how they messed up, and gave us a dessert sampler platter on the house. THAT is good customer service. We were all happy. If I am in the area again, this will definitely be on my list of stops. read more

Babalu - Creole Shrimp & Grits - EXCELLENT - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Babalu - Pan-Seared Crab Cakes and sangria - Salad Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Page 3 of 10

6450 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
River Oaks
Directions
(901) 410-8909
Call Now

Full menu

Hours

What time does Babalu open?

Babalu opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Babalu close?

Babalu closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Babalu closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Babalu take Bitcoin?

No, Babalu does not take Bitcoin.

Does Babalu take credit cards?

Yes, Babalu takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Babalu have catering options?

Yes, Babalu does have catering options.

Does Babalu have a drive thru?

No, Babalu does not have a drive thru.

Does Babalu serve alcohol?

Yes, Babalu serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Babalu allow dogs?

Yes, Babalu allows dogs.

Does Babalu have TVs?

Yes, Babalu has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Babalu have bike parking?

No, Babalu does not have bike parking.

Does Babalu have outdoor seating?

Yes, Babalu has outdoor seating options.

Does Babalu have parking?

Yes, Babalu has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Babalu wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Babalu is wheelchair accessible.

Does Babalu have free WiFi?

Yes, Babalu has free WiFi.

From the Business

History

Established in 2017.

BABALU East serves up made-from-scratch tacos, burgers, bowls, margaritas, sangria and more. A casual East Memphis restaurant, BABALU is the perfect spot for families, friends, couples and business travelers looking for a great meal.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Babalu

Can we make reservations?

Hi, Deb! We don't take reservations, but hope you will still join us.

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Itta Bena

My sister, dad and I stopped here before a concert at the Fox Theatre, and it was the perfect start…read moreto our evening. First, the ambiance was spectacular. The vibe felt like a speakeasy turned restaurant. While larger than a traditional speakeasy, it still managed to feel cozy, intimate and inviting. Shortly after we were seated, the restaurant manager stopped by our table. My sister asked for cocktail recommendations... if you're a cocktail fan, you're in for a treat. Their signature cocktails were thoughtfully crafted and exceptionally well-balanced. We went with their spicy margaritas. As for the food, I could have easily ordered a second helping of the Cajun Abita shrimp appetizer and called it dinner. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned, and the sauce was outstanding. The accompanying beer bread was equally delicious...slightly reminiscent of cornbread but with its own unique flavor. My sister and I weren't huge fans of the She Crab Soup. It was simply too rich and creamy for our tastes. One bite was enough for us although my dad seemed to enjoy it. The Blue Window Wedge Salad is their take on a classic wedge which was spectacular. It will be hard to find another wedge salad that measures up. The sweet potato pecan casserole was good but it felt like it was missing something that we couldn't quite put our finger on what. The maple bacon Brussels sprouts were a table favorite...perfectly cooked and well-seasoned. My dad and sister both enjoyed the braised beef, which was served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. To finish, we shared the white chocolate bread pudding and it was absolutely delicious. In fact, the table next to us seemed to enjoy theirs just as much. Overall, this was a wonderful dining experience with great service, a memorable atmosphere, excellent cocktails and standout dishes. I'd happily return the next time I'm headed downtown.

This is fine dining at its best…read more We had exemplary service from all staff members. The food was really delicious. The blue windows add an interesting glow to the entire room. Love the speakeasy entrance off the side alley steps. It's everything you would want in a dining experience. Get the she crab soup!

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

26 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Tameka W.

Elite 26

178

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4 months ago

Dining at Babalu for two continues to be a consistently solid experience. The atmosphere alone sets the tone--clean, cozy décor with a relaxed yet elevated vibe, and the patio adds an extra layer for those Memphis evenings. It's the kind of place you can sit, unwind, and actually enjoy the moment. The food delivered across the board. We ordered a variety of tacos--the blackened fish taco, fried fish taco, and steak taco all stood out with bold flavor, proper texture, and balance. The chicken taco was the only item that fell slightly short, lacking seasoning compared to the others, but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The tableside guacamole is always a highlight--fresh, well-balanced, and prepared right in front of you, which adds both flavor and experience. The Mexican street corn was another strong addition, layered with seasoning and richness that complemented the tacos well. Drinks were just as impressive--well-crafted and consistent, which matters. Overall, Babalu delivers on quality, atmosphere, and consistency. Whether you're stopping in for a casual night out or hosting guests, it holds its standard. read more

Sebina M.

Elite 26

489

282

812

2 years ago

I recently visited Babalu with a friend and had such a great experience! We sat at the bar, and the service was quick and friendly, which made the visit even better. We shared the jumbo Moscow mule, and it did not disappoint--it even came with a ladle! We stayed for a while and had a wonderful time. You have to try their fish tacos--absolutely my favorite! We also ordered the table guac, which is made fresh right in front of you. Another standout was the steak taco, but the fish taco stole the show for me. The restaurant is very clean with plenty of seating, and the bathrooms are well-maintained and spacious. I'm already looking forward to returning and trying more menu options. Highly recommend! read more

Sally W.

8 years ago

Happy Hour is definitely Happy! Sitting at the bar for happy hour makes for a lively scene. Athena, Alex and Greg provided engaging service and we appreciated the special deals on wine and food. The star of the show are the potatoes, small dice with a nice crisp, mixed in with cheese and teriyaki like sauce and a nice portion. To die for! I personally don't care for corn tortilla, but for $3 each, each was a nice bite. The noise level is significant at Babalu, so the bar kept us a bit removed from the fray, but still part of the party! We'll be back soon! read more

Sean M.

8 years ago

LOVE THIS PLACE! The food and drinks are always on point. Service is fairly consistent (some better then others, but never had bad service). Have a margarita and tacos on the patio and soak in all the awesomeness that Babalu has to offer. read more

Cherish M.

8 years ago

What an amazing experience I had on yesterday when I visited the Kirby and Poplar location. The service was amazing and OMG the food was by far the best part. Chef Mary and her staff made each dish to perfection... 2 thumbs up... read more

Darla F.

4 years ago

Can't beat the table-side guac! They could have better tortillas for the tacos, but they were flavorful and filling. I probably enjoyed my steak taco the best. I also liked the atmosphere and attentive waiters. read more

Nephtwim R.

8 years ago

The food is very tasty. Very unique for this area. The drinks are done very well. It is a great place to sit outside at the bar, or the patio tables, and have a couple drinks and enjoy the day and the company. read more

Mimmye G.

2 years ago

Nice large space for outside dining. Large overhead fans keep diners comfortable. Always love the guacamole made table side and served with crisp tortilla chips. Good variety of cocktails. Excellent service! read more

Janet M.

7 years ago

just finished a delicious lunch at Babalu. Black-eyed pea humus and pork belly tacos. First time I had Ivan as a server....great job. Highly recommend Babalu food and the service was great! read more

Megan B.

9 years ago

Great place to go eat. Wonderful atmosphere. Had great service. Everyone was pleasant, quick, and attentive to the entire tables needs. Would recommend to anyone. Love love love read more

C J.

9 years ago

Love the open feel. The service was great. We had to wait for our table, but the enormous bar area helped with that situation. We will be back! read more

Samantha W.

8 years ago

Great food and awesome service! It was my first time and Lisa was great! She explained all the menu items and gave excellent recommendations. read more

Paula W.

7 years ago

The worst place I have ever been !!! 2 hours to be served your meal is aweful ! Food was cold over cooked and service was just as bad .

Mike F.

7 years ago

Great food and atmosphere. Go with a group and share all of the different types of food and drinks. You will not be disappointed.

A G.

6 years ago

Great food, great service. Every time we go we are so well taken care of. The food is consistent and the drinks are great.

Karen D.

8 years ago

THe absolutely BEST tableside prepped gucamole EVER. Food was great and tremendous service in a comfortable setting! KDD

Beatriz S.

8 years ago

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Patrick B.

9 years ago

So glad one opened up closer to Collierville, Germantown area. Midtown was to far to drive. WE love this place

Tonya L.

2 years ago

Awful place I don't recommend. Terrible food and service! Please avoid this place I found nothing good to say.

Chris T.

7 years ago

Debby was amazing. She made great recommendations and took care of all our needs. I will definitely be back!

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(50 reviews)

•$$

I've heard a lot about this place and couldn't wait to try them out. They always have a crowd, so…read morewe decided to go for lunch to avoid the nighttime crowd. We went during lunch time, so there were still quite a few people there. However, we were seated pretty quickly. We immediately received salsa and chips. I ordered queso and it was good and cheesy (I have to emphasize that because I've been to several places and had watered down cheese). Next, we ordered lunch. I tried the fully loaded baked potato. It was good and filled with plenty of vegetables, meat, and cheese. The potato was very fresh. I truly enjoyed it. We also had the Caldo De Camarón soup. It was packed with Shrimp broth with shrimp, onions, potatoes, bell peppers, cilantro and avocado. Too, we had a rice, steak, chicken, and shrimp plate that was topped with lots of queso cheese. Everything was great! The vibe is casual and laid back. We enjoyed our experience.

Lopez grill offers your typical Mexican restaurant food but at a better price and with better…read moreservice. The building is huge and gets loud when it's busy. The parking situation is miserable during peak hours. I'll be going back for the Molcajete- it could feed a family for $19.

Uncle Goyo’s Mexican Restaurant

3.4

(132 reviews)

Delicious Tacos…read more Taco's-n-ganas related business. If you know, you know! Go check it out! Service was super slow the day I went but I'll give it another try because the food was good and maybe they had an off day.

Been here a few times. Service was fast and nice . The place looks nicely decorated inside. The…read morelast time I came here I got the street tacos with carne asada. I added guacamole. It was good. Did not like the thickness of two tortillas and some of the meat was hard to chew. I had more enjoyment with just one tortilla. The flavor profile was good. I still would get again.

The Half Shell

3.3

(35 reviews)

The service and food was top notch it was a great lunch with family and friends. Great food, great…read moreservice and we will return! You get a great value as well! This is casual dining. Love the fact we could have our lunch and watch the game at the same time! They are a must visit!

We finally checked out the new Half Shell location in Germantown, Tennessee and it's definitely a…read morewhole new vibe from the old Winchester location in Memphis! The atmosphere was nice, the service was great, and Tyler gave us some really good recommendations throughout the night. The Voodoo Salmon was the star for me -- the sauce was so good! I just wasn't a fan of the shrimp being placed underneath the salmon. My husband ordered the Catfish Pauline Blackened and it was good, but not something we'd rush back for. We skipped dessert this time , but we did try the Margarita and Mai Tai cocktails. Overall, the food was solid and we'd rate the restaurant a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

Margaritas Gourmet

4.1

(14 reviews)

I love that we now have a Mexican restaurant in the Lakeland Town Square. The team is always…read morefriendly. So far I have only tried their chicken soup but look forward to trying more on their menu. I have heard their drinks are great, but I have not tried them yet. If you are looking for a local sports bar with good food and tvs this is a great spot. The food is also reasonably priced.

Margaritas is the best place ever! They have great food and a good environment. There cheese dip is…read moredefinitely the best Totally recommend!

Mahogany River Terrace

3.5

(75 reviews)

This place is absolutely beautiful! The food was delicious, and the service was great. I think host…read morecould use a bit more training, though--the table and floors were a bit sticky. I also didn't like that they only had cans for drinks. I usually order tea, but it was a bit tricky to get a refill. Still, I'm definitely coming back to try more!

Went here for my birthday brunch on 6/14/26. The service was terrible. The food was either over…read moreseasoned or under seasoned. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant was impeccably impressive. Definitely a great spot for pictures. The vegan Salisbury steak and vegan eggrolls were great! Our table had: "Johnnie Cat" which was blackened catfish over dirty rice with crawfish. The fish was salty and wet. Fried chicken and crab Mac and cheese. The chicken was not cooked completely. It was pink on the inside and still had feathers on it. The crab Mac and cheese was just crab meat placed on top of the dry white macaroni. The chicken was sent back and took another 30 minutes to come back out. This time is was cooked a little better with less pink but there were still feathers on it. I guess the cooks expected the grease to fry the feathers off. Idk. Crab and spinach dip- uncooked warm crab meat on top of spinach dip. Just not good at all. Collard greens with pot likka and hoe cakes. Super salty. From the greens to the thin cornbread was super salty. Cabbage and hoe cakes. Unseasoned cabbage, salty, thin cornbread. Hawaiian Ribeye cooked medium well with mashed potatoes. Ribeye full of fat , like 80% of fat and rubbery. Potatoes were good. Let's not forget the beignets. Baby fried Hawaiian rolls! Absolutely terrible and hard! Find another option because these are NOT IT! And our server , Daleecia..... let's not start but I can honestly say that I think she was the only server on the lower level. Our water wasn't refilled until we asked 20 minutes later because obviously nobody thought we needed more and when the 4th person, the drink wasn't brought until maybe 10 minutes later. Dishes were left empty on the table as we sat and asked for them to be removed due to the clutter. Overall for a $280 ticket that included gratuity, I was highly disappointed with the experience and service. I was so excited to go experience Mahogany which was why I chose this location for brunch. I had heard so many great reviews. Now I feel robbed. I should have took pictures but the experience had us doing more talking than anything looking for something to like.

Sake vs Tekila

3.7

(34 reviews)

•$$

This was my first time going to Sake vs Tekila! I like the concept of merging Mexican and Asian…read morefood..best of both worlds right?! Let me answer...right, lol! I had both. They brought out salsa and chips to start off. I ordered dumpling and they were delicious. I also had the combo hibachi. It came with the regular soup and salad. The steak was so delicious. It was seasoned and cooked to perfection! The rice was really fresh as well. So, I can say that my food experience and service was very pleasent. Let me not forget to add that I ordered blueberry sake. It was good. The margarita was good as well! I will definitely go back!

I had been wanting to try this place for a while because I always noticed the big Sake vs. Tequila…read moresign from the main road. It's located where Bonefish Grill used to be. When you walk in, you're immediately at the waiting area, which I could see becoming pretty chaotic during busier times. They had Mexican music playing, which was a nice touch and helped set the atmosphere. We dined on a Friday around 3:30 p.m. and were seated right away. They also have a full bar area. The menu is huge--seven pages long! They offer everything from Mexican food and sushi to a variety of Asian dishes, plus a separate menu for alcoholic drinks. It definitely took us a few minutes to look through everything. Our waitress was pleasant, but I did feel a bit rushed. She came back several times asking if we were ready to order, even though we were still working our way through the extensive menu. We started with the chicken gyoza and a cocktail. I wish I had taken a picture of the drink because I can't remember the name, but I definitely remember how strong it was! The chicken gyoza was excellent--fresh, flavorful, and one of my favorite parts of the meal. I had originally considered ordering sushi but decided to go with the Mexican side of the menu instead. I ordered three street tacos with cilantro and onions and asked to add cheese. This is where things got a little confusing. I was told it would cost an extra $2.50 per taco if they put the cheese on top, but only 50 cents if they served the shredded cheese on the side. I couldn't understand why there was such a big price difference for the same cheese, so I opted to get it on the side. Unfortunately, the tacos were a little dry. I also tried my friend's consommé, and it was disappointing--it lacked the rich flavor I was expecting. Later, I asked for cucumbers, and our waitress initially said they didn't have any. Since they serve sushi, I figured they probably did. I ended up looking up the Spanish word for cucumber, and once I asked again, she understood and brought some out. I think there may have been a language barrier, which made communication a little difficult throughout the meal. Overall, while the Mexican dishes we tried were a bit hit or miss, the gyoza was excellent, and the menu has so many options that I'd be willing to come back and give the Asian side--especially the sushi--a try

Playita Mexicana

4.1

(139 reviews)

•$

I have been going there for the last 15 years, never disappointed grill chicken quesadilla,…read moremilanesa de pollo are some of of my fav

My $0.02 on something I think is awesome. Yes, you got it! The whole Red Snapper. I no longer live…read morein Memphis, but this being our special "go to" place was always a treat. I have found that this dish is fairly rare to find. So y'all have a gem of a restaurant in Memphis. Just saying. Yes, I do miss this dish. But not as much as my friends with whom we shared this restaurant. Peace.

Texas de Brazil - Memphis

3.8

(415 reviews)

•$$$

I've been here dozens of times and for some reason have never left a review. It's a great…read moreexperience everytime. From the salad bar to the main entrees, it always meets my expectations. Our servers are always awesome too, making sure the water is always filled or asking if we want anything specific. I will say in the summertime I guess the air conditioning struggles a bit but other than that it doesn't really affect your experience. P.S. the soup of the day is always lobster bisque

Food: A Short walk…read morefrom Beale Street and not too far away from hotels near by if your dropping by for visit, or happen to be near Beale Street. Embrace The Meats! They have a extensive variety of succulent meats to choose from. Majority of the cuts were great. Salad bar also has a great selection to choose from incase you want to mix up the fat, acid, and salt game on. Oh don't forget about the infamous Brazilian cheese bread pao de queijo! Vibe: A Nice establishments with high ceilings and dim moody atmosphere to get your feast on. Service: A Accommodating, friendly, and welcoming. - John

One & Only BBQ

4.0

(374 reviews)

•$$

I had a great experience here. I have passed this location many times and never visited…read more I had the Jumbo Chicken Leg Quarter. It was a nice portion and it was tender and juicy. I had an order of greens and backed beans for my sides. The greens were season really good. The beans were amazing as well. It also comes with a buttery toast. I love the barbecue sauce options. All were great, but I really liked the spicy sauce. I also tried the barbecue bologna sandwhich and it was tatsty as well. We dined in and the space is super spacious and clean. The service was great as well. They were kind and very attentive. I must say they handled our party size with ease. For dessert, I had cheesecake with fresh strawberries added. It was delicious. I want to go back and and try more of their dessert options. Oh and FYI, they have a drive-thru if you are on the go!

Had dinner tonight at One and Only. Always consistent. Had a fun time. Meg was such a nice server…read moreand was attentive. I ordered the Leg Quarter Dinner with deviled eggs and green beans. My food was seasoned well and quite tasty. The green beans were a tad salty for me. The turnip greens were way too salty but we found out it was the bottom of the pot. The manager gave my friend another fresher order to go. That was really nice! Our dinner was all in all very good. I enjoy coming to One and Only because the food, service and ambience is always consistent. I am sure we will be back soon.

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