Barksdale has gone down within the last year. No longer are the daily specials fresh. They offered Chicken Fried Steak, Fried Chicken Breast, and Chicken Livers. Chicken Fried Bread was pancake sized and preformed...a flattened nugget. Chicken Fried Steak was the same. Both were a frozen product. The Hamburger is an overcooked 4oz paddy that is the worst burger I have ever tasted. The only thing I think is cooked from scratch is the cornbread. I really want to support locals, but can't seeing paying for a meal that is less than prison food. (Don't hate me.....the QUALITY has really gone down hill) The service was great! I will try it one more time. read more

Now hell yeah this is what I'm talking about. My first meal in Memphis, direct from the airport was at Barksdale and I was charmed from the start. This place is a time portal to a mysterious realm my Bay Area native eyes had never experienced. Wood paneled, covered in old frames, matronly waitresses with wonderful accents - All just great. Now the food: Full marks! I had a giant country ham with grits and biscuits and gravy, toast, and of course eggs. All just stellar. When my coffee sat too long the waitress brought me a hot one! Wow, how considerate. Thank you ma'am, thinking of you miss you. Abandon all diets, ye who enter here read more

My first time coming to the place and I say I was fabulous my veggie omelette was wonderful season omg even the tomatoes was ripped just right coffee cream I had a great time not to expensive we had Greek omelette with hash browns French toast and a veggie omelette/ side of tomatoes and two cups of coffee /with free refills it was $29 and some change plus I added a tip for the cooks and waitress it's cheaper than some of these other places... nice service she kept the coffee rolling and they we're busy it's a small establishment fill up fast it's worth the time and money... We will be returning back ... Way to go!!!!! read more

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Wow. That is really all you have to read. This restaurant was small and homey which added to the goodness of the food itself. First and foremost the staff is A++++. They were all so friendly and helpful. You never felt rushed or pushed out. The staff engaged in friendly conversation and provided amazing service. I recommend the pancakes above all else. The pancakes are fresh and tasty. Definitely a place to stop when you are in the area. Tip: if you are from out of the area let the staff know so you can sign the guest book!! read more

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Just a great little diner serving up just what I need for breffast. The staff is super friendly and there's always a bustling local crowd. My go to for my morning biscuits and gravy or hash browns and sausage. I don't eat eggs but it seems like they have them any way you'd like em. read more

Well due the the Danny Thomas Marathon...we had to find alternate joint to have breakfast at. Think we found it. We were greeted to sit anywhere and there was a constant flow of folks coming in! We decided to have steak n eggs. Well the waiter chatted us up for awhile and was very nice. Food came and steak was over cooked. Ive had to ask for coffee refills tho. But that's ok. Bf had his steak recooked again. They were both well.. supposed to me med rare. But I guess it's hard to cook a thin steak. I just ate mine.. didn't want to send back two steaks!! Then we found out the cook is legally blind.. hehe. But is a cook forever. We giggled. We bookmarked and next time we will see if we can get over this way with our big trk ?! We have a car this time. Yummy local place ! read more

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Yeah, these place has seen it all. Feels like old school somewhere you would have gone in the 1970s that was leftover from the 50's. It just belongs there. Breakfast platter was amazing snd the ham was perfection. Server was friendly. I felt like I lived in Memphis. Cool spot. read more

Barksdale's - a decorated christmas tree in a restaurant - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I am writing this in hopes that Barksdale's will reopen soon! I'm having painful withdrawals!! I need to see Bert, Debbie and Carol and the rest of the staff and get my weekly breakfast fix!! We're ready and waiting for them to reopen! They have the best atmosphere in town and the food is awesome too! Give us a reopening date, or something that we can look forward to! read more

We loved this small corner mom & pop ish restaurant. Home cooked food with great service. It was a lil bit of a drive from where we were staying but well worth it. Probably one of the best meals we have had while in Memphis. I have never had such amazing country ham! Crispy and smoky just delicious! If we ever find ourselves back in Memphis we will definitely come back read more

Barksdale's - Country ham breakfast - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Bad ingredients, bad food, polite but mediocre service. I was anticipating a hidden gem greasy spoon but the grease is from seed oils and the butter is fake. I can't believe a breakfast joint serves biscuits with fake butter. The western omelette was tiny, the cottage cheese tasted like chemicals, the bacon lacked any saltiness (which was weird because everything else was over-salted) and the sausage tasted like a grease sponge instead of seasoned meat. We waited for our food for a solid hour, the waiter said it was normal because Sunday's were always busy (though there were plenty of empty tables) but three other tables sat after us and were served before us. But really, if it is this busy every Sunday then it shouldn't be a surprise and they should be plebe able to prepare. read more

I ordered the ham and cheese omelet with hash browns and biscuits. The service was excellent and food came out really fast. Food was tasty but the omelet wasn't an omelet. It was more of scrambled eggs with some ham and cheese tossed in. I was a bit disappointed in the omelet and cheese was pretty sparse. I definitely wouldn't come here for the omelets. Still, my belly was happy. read more

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Wow! Service, fantastic! Food, fantastic! On point. When in Memphis come to this joint!

Barksdale Restaurant is an old-fashioned diner that's open until 2pm every day; whenever it's open you can order breakfast and lunches with truly generous portions :-) My favorite meal here is breakfast! The biscuits are fresh and tasty, the hashbrowns are crunchy and totally addictive, the grits are wonderful, and the coffee is served "bottomless". There's a small parking lot out back. There's also a front entrance, with lots of street parking too! read more

First, there was a cockroach in the napkins. Second, my coffee mug had dried coffee on the side. My grits were cold and the biscuits and gravy were gross. The pancakes were heavy and mealy. The hash browns were from a freezer. Overpriced and will never go back. read more

The service was fantastic! My daughter (almost 4) told our waitress that her birthday is this month and she paid for her food.

What a fun local place. The servers literally knew everyone walking in and were asking about their weeks. So fun. I got the veggie omelet. It was delish. I of course choose no mushrooms, as everyone should do. It was yum. Not greasy and hot the spot. The biscuit was good and the side of gravy was take it or leave it for me. The outside makes it look a bit sketchy but it's worth the risk of walking in! read more

Barksdale's - Starting out a weekend in Memphis the right way! - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The Barksdale Restaurant is an awesome classic restaurant in Memphis. Great food, great atmosphere, and great service is the norm. I highly recommend The Barksdale Restaurant. read more

Barksdale's - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Closed due to fire. Will be back in 2 to 3 months. Dang! Miss them all. Trying to pick a place that is good and friendly.

The food was really good ! We didn't have to wait long at all ! And the server was very polite and sweet ! It was a overall great experience and we will be back read more

This is my first time at this establishment, my husband and I have lived in Memphis 4 months now. I brought my friends here visiting from out of state as I was looking for a place that did weekday brunches. We decided to check this place out after seeing all the positive reviews and we loved it! Delicious local breakfast in midtown, super friendly staff, I would definitely come here again! read more

Barksdale's - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

We were around the corner rounding up more supplies for our trip and found this place online. We arrived later in the morning and they were *just* about of biscuits, but we scored. Everything was good, and the servers super sweet. read more

Barksdale's - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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If you drive over 35 MPH on Cooper, you'll miss the nondescript restaurant at the corner of Cooper and Courtland. You won't see tourists in this breakfast/lunch spot. The longtime staff treats customers like family. I just overheard one man who works here saying to a customer, "Oh yeah. It IS your turn to pay. He got it the last time." Love that! The ambiance is homey and old-timey. The photos and Memphis memorabilia on the wood panel walls show the restaurant's long history of truly being part of the fabric of the midtown Memphis community. Oh yeah, the menu. That is why we're here. The restaurant is very flexible about the menu. You can mix and match ingredients with ease. The eggs are cooked to perfection every time I eat breakfast here and they don't skimp with the meat and cheese. The coffee is unusually good. Never burnt. On any given weekday, you'll see people hang out long after their meals are over - reading the newspaper. Seriously. Actual "paper" newspapers. Weekdays, the restaurant has a steady flow. It's usually pretty packed on weekends. They're open seven days a week. If you visit Memphis and want a true Bluff City experience, stop by Barksdale's for an omelette or a burger served with a smile. read more

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I want to give this restaurant the benefit of the doubt because it was very busy and seems to be a local staple. Our food took over an hour to get out and In that hour I never got my drink. Even after ordering said drink on three separate occasions. Our food came out after we went to someone and asked if they forgot about our food and it came out room temperature. We asked for our checks immediately after getting the food and that took an additional 20 minutes. Won't be back read more

The daily lunch specials are always nice with a great selection of meats and vegetables. The breakfast is also great. Sit in Debbie's space and your service will be excellent with no need to ask for refills! We especially like the feeling as if you've stepped back in time with the wood paneling and decorations. And the prices are very reasonable. read more

$12.45 for a ribeye with fries and salad is nuts. Needs to get their liquor license so i can have a mimosa.

Great food and great service. The staff is so friendly. Love the nostalgic atmosphere.

Wow I was sadly disappointed We have lived in the Midtown Area for over for awhile and have wanted to stop in to see what all the hype was about. Well today we did all the cars it must be a good. We met Bret a really nice guy working hard He asked have you guys ever been here before? No it's our 1st time. We ordered anticipating good food it was a packed house. The food came The Pancakes was cool the butter didn't even melt. The sausage cool and dry like it had been sitting out for days. The grits cool wait how is it possible to get grits cold. My husband steak thin warm and dry. His hash brown cool there was a flavor to it, it would have been good if it was hot. We were so disappointed we asked each other were we served food from a totally different area than the other customers? Or did these people come because they just didn't care about the food and was just supporting the history of the place. I honestly don't know but I have to be honest if you are going for the history of the place eat here and enjoy the people. But if you want hot food I don't recommend it. But we came we saw we ate it. My recommendation would be maybe the cook need to say order up so you all can get it to the customers while it is hot. read more

Barksdale's - Dry cool steak - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I stopped @ 1:30pm for a late Lunch & had the Roast Beef Special, a staple & one of my faves. Veggies were seasoned & cooked Country Style. Served with Yeast Rolls, of course. No foo-foo food in here. I could see a total of 3 Employees, & they never stopped moving. Memorabilia on the walls tells the story of its 40+ year Midtown history. A photo & tribute to former owner Bob, who passed in 2014, was posted on the door. read more

Worst country fried steak ever. I used to eat here years ago under the original ownership but haven't in 30 years. I will not go back. Veggies right out of the can. Floor is slick due to inadequate cleaning. read more

Very friendly and inviting restaurant in the heart of Memphis (I think it's in the heart of the city, but I could just be lost). Service is about as quick as they come. I get the impression that this is a neighborhood joint where these folks know most who visit - just not today when everyone seemed to be a rookie, like me. Happy rookies, though. I had the eggs, country ham, grits and biscuits for breakfast. The ham was tough and salty - that's a compliment, by the way. The eggs were a little more easy than medium. I'm more of a smooth grits guy and these were much more chunky. And, biscuits, in my world, are big and fluffy - theirs are rather small and not too fluffy but still good. Overall, I really like the place (5) but my food was just okay (3). You really can't beat the service - friendliest ladies in town. You gotta love that they say "I appreciate ya" as you walk out the door. Have to say, I'd still come here a few times each week if I lived in town. read more

I like this place, I really do, but the breakfast I ate for lunch just didn't leave me with a good feeling. I was in the mood for breakfast and chose a western omelette which comes with hash browns and biscuits or toast. The menu says they stop making biscuits at 10:30 so it was no surprise to hear they were out of them. I ordered toast instead. The guy brings me my food and I immediately remind him about the toast. I mentioned it later to the waitress and she says it's coming. It never did and I ate the extra yeast roll from my friend's meal. I also did not get the cheese and onions I had asked for in my hash browns. The omelette looked like it had been cooked by an amateur and there wasn't enough food there to serve a child. Not only did the toast never come, I was never offered any butter or jelly. I paid the man who brought our food and since he had to split the check, I told him I ate the omelette with no toast. No apologies, no questions, not even an acknowledgment that they neglected to give me what I paid for. I will stick with the meat and three from now on. read more

Barksdale's - Not an appealing omelette, but tasted fine. Was never brought the toast I ordered or the cheese and onions for the hash browns. - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Comfortable, divey diner. Old-school and classic breakfast items such as my country ham and eggs, served with hash browns and homemade biscuits. Endless refills of serviceable coffee. The waitresses know what they are doing and they took care of the crowd like nobody's business. read more

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Real locally owned neighborhood diner Lots of local patrons this is not a tourist trap read more

Amazing service and amazing food! On vacation we were looking for a good breakfast spot. We ended up going here every day of our trip so we could try something different each day. Everything was fantastic and Bert was super friendly and kind. When we come back to Memphis we will definitely come here! read more

Great food, awesome service. It's got a great small town diner feel, without being kitschy.

Been going to Barksdale for years! Always great! Service is Down Home as servers are Great and fun to talk with!!

My husband and I went to Barksdale last weekend and were sadly disappointed. It was really super packed but we still got seated and our waitress was a terrific one! The disappointment was in the food. My husband ordered French toast and it was raw in the middle, and I ordered biscuits and gravy and it was cold and had a bunch of lumps of flour in the gravy it was supposed to be sausage gravy but there wasn't any sausage. Don't think we will go back. read more

Barksdale's - Very packed local breakfast place! - Southern Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Bart was great!! After a very rough first night in Memphis, I found this place on yelp, and THANK GOODNESS!!! Good food good people good atmosphere!! Portions on the smaller side great for breakfast!! TOTALLY RECOMMEND read more

We love this local, old-fashioned diner! Everyone is so friendly! What a great breakfast spot!

This is one of my favorite places!! The service is always great and food is always yummy!!