I've coming here a fair bit these last few weeks. Checked it out on impulse one night and was pleasantly surprised by the service, ambiance, food and overall experience. It's the kind of restaurant where I want to try everything, and everything I've had so far has been excellent. As they say on their site, their food is more of a take on Southern Style of cooking, but this is in no way a complaint. So far I've had their Gumbo, Fried Okra, Goat Cheese Salad, Chicken Cibatta, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Soul Burger, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, Pot Roast, Pan Roasted Chicken, and New York Strip Steak; it's all been excellent. I'm quite partial to the Meatloaf, Pot Roast, and Pan Roasted Chicken, but the Blackened Chicken Ciabatta with a Side Goat Cheese Salad has become a staple of week when I'm heading into work, need some energy, and to stay full for the rest of the day. As a server at another restaurant, I probably have different desire for service than typical customers, but their approach is how I enjoy being taken care. It's seems like a small crew so there are a lot of familiar faces any time I go in. Each server has a lot to offer in terms of personality and how they handle their tables, but all have a degree of professionalism in their work ethic that I appreciate. It's clear that I'm not the only regular and there is a lot of warmth in how they take care of their customers. As someone who visits by myself, it's noteworthy that their service remains as consistent as it would be for a larger party where they may anticipate a higher gratuity. Overall, it's homey and intimate space where the servers are extremely personable and the food is excellent: great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I plan stopping by indefinitely as long as I live in Costa Mesa. read more

Memphis Cafe - Blackened Chicken Cibatta with Goat Cheese Salad Side - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I can't believe I have never reviewed this place. It's one of my favorites what with down home cooking and great cocktails. It's funky not fancy but that's part of the fun. It's biggest problem is the small parking lot and limited other parking options. It's not a big place and can get crowded especially at happy hour. The wait staff work hard! read more

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I just had an amazing dinner at Memphis! Everything was exceptional--the food, the service, and the ambiance all exceeded my expectations. I started with the gumbo, which was rich, hearty, perfectly balanced, and incredibly smooth. Next were the loaded potato cakes, and they were absolutely delicious. For my entrée, I had the fried shrimp po'boy with fries, and it was outstanding. Every bite was flavorful, fresh, and expertly prepared. To top it all off, I finished with the chocolate Banana Foster bread pudding, served with whipped cream and fresh berries. It was the perfect ending to an incredible meal. I can't say enough about how outstanding dinner was tonight. If you're looking for fantastic food, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere, Memphis is definitely worth a visit! read more

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I love that they have an outside patio especially appointed for use for people with a pet. I brought my Romeo here to get out of the hotel so mommy could enjoy some yummy eats. I'm someone that loves eating alone and a Sunday By Myself brunch hit the spot. I ordered a Bellini and the deviled eggs to start. My waitress carded me. That was fun. I thought that at 53 years those days were over. Anyway, kudos to her for doing her job well. The eggs were sitting on top of pickle slices. That was a nice touch. I love how full they were with mixture and the crispy bacon and onions all made the combo a hit. Perfect with the Bellini! Then I moved on to the Greek yogurt. It was pre sweetened with maybe vanilla. I guess I liked that. Normally the yogurt at these restaurants is unsweetened and that can be a shock with each bite. It came with lots of bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Also hazelnuts and granola. The they threw in a blueberry muffin. Wow! That was a lot of food. I washed that down with a latte. I gave the restaurant only 4 stars because I asked for the scrambled egg with no salt. The waitress called it pup eggs which is not advertised on the menu. No dog food was advertised. I saw the side of an egg for $2.50 so I decided to give it a try. The thing I didn't like is that on the bill it was $5.00. I don't like things like that. Just charge for the food and don't up charge because you've given it a cute name. Just wasn't necessary. Otherwise, everything really good and I'd definitely go back. I'll just order the single scrambled and not mention it's for my dog. read more

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Our office group of almost 30 had another fantastic happy hour here recently. Food was great, service was excellent. Loved the crab cake and the beets goat cheese salad. Devil eggs, burger sliders were all very good. The banana bread pudding was amazing! We also brought our own cake that someone in the office ordered from a French bakery. read more

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Me and a cousin were at a car show by this area and decided to finally give this place a shot. Memphis Cafe has been around forever and was pretty excited to go! We walk in and our host/server asked if we wanted inside or outside and we opted to go outside. The place itself inside seems pretty cramped but outside has two patios which was awesome. While I was looking at the menu, our server brought out some glasses and water and asked if we were ready to order but me and my cousin opted to look at the menu a little longer. Sadly though, that original waitress disappeared for a while and it took about 10-12 minutes before a new server came by and took our order. I opted for the steak eggs and an appetizer crab cakes. Our newer server was really nice and explained everything about what we ordered and even gave her recommendations and even asked if we wanted the crab cakes to come out first. She was super cool! The crab cakes came out first and those were super delicious. Crunchy and whatever sauce was used with it to complement the crab cake, it was delicious! The runner at first delivered our food to the wrong table but corrected herself and came to our table which was pretty funny haha. The steak came out came out a perfectly cooked medium rare. It was a delicious cut. Along with a small side of country gravy, crunchy hash browns and the scrambled eggs, It was delightful! I paid around $36 for the whole meal (split cost on the crab cakes) and considering the amount I ate, I think it was a decent price. The steak and eggs alone would've been $28, you be the judge considering food costs these days. Other than that, I think the service needs a little bit of work. Aside from the very cool 2nd waitress, there are some miscues with the first server and even our runner who brought the food. Both can be fixed though and it was a very minor inconvenience to note. I would definitely say, get your breakfast fix here! Prices are fair and the food you get is absolutely delicious! read more

Memphis Cafe - Steak and eggs! - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We made reservations on this beautiful Saturday for 12:30 pm. We were seated right away, the staff was extremely friendly and attentive. We tried one of the most popular items on the menu which was the shrimp that also has fried okra, devoured (tried to lick the bowl) kind of feel good food that left us craving for more. We loved the fries. Not extremely greasy or salty. Had to balance it out with a salad and I couldn't have loved it more with the crusted chicken that matched perfectly with the blue corn tortillas, the dressing was light and I didn't feel overly stuffed. It's a nice setting, corner restaurant, parking can be challenging but street parking available too. Their menu has something for everyone and you can't go wrong with breakfast all day. Will have to come back to try the chicken and waffle or catfish (made after 5pm) read more

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Fried catfish. OMG. Amazing. There were 4 of us and we got 3 orders of this. Best fried catfish I've ever had. Perfectly crispy and tenderAnd we had one gumbo. And the banana fosters bread pudding for desert. This was delicious and DENSE. Service was delightful. Laurie, our server, is super friendly and fun. The music was a bit loud (oh god does this mean I'm getting old?!), but so were we. They have great non-alcky drink options too. My partner got a blueberry lemonade that she says is delicious. I wouldn't know. It disappeared before I could get to it. :) The ONLY thing I would say is that I found the hush puppies a bit too salty for my taste, but everything else was SO good. Bathrooms are gendered and single-stalled. Parking is in the lot, which seems like it can get full during peak times. Our friend used to come here on the regular when she lived in the area. We might make the drive back just for that catfish! read more

Memphis Cafe - Banana Fosters bread pudding - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Memphis Cafe is quickly becoming one of my favorite breakfast spots. It is a nice cozy breakfast spot that has some great outdoor seating. A must-try is their fried chicken and waffles. The chicken has a perfect crispy exterior and a juicy interior topped with their gravy. The waffle has the perfect crunch. Each bite is pure comfort and flavor. We also had the Memphis two egg breakfast which again was just as satisfying. The service has been excellent both times that I have visited. Overall this is a spot I highly recommend for some great breakfast. read more

Memphis Cafe - Memphis Two Egg Breakfast - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Went here to meet up with my business partner for brunch and a quarterly review. I had the breakfast burrito which was full of fresh and tasty ingredients. The service was great. The atmosphere was casual and cool. Good decibel level for a conversation. I will be back to try other meals from the menu. read more

Memphis is so Cool !! Come here if you want good food , awesome vibe and great service. Feel free to bring the kids and sit on the patio where there is a little extra room for them to wiggle around. I had my 50th Bday party here and WHAT AN AMAZING PARTY !! Food was awesome, service was on point and we hire a DJ for the back patio - it was perfect. They were able to accommodate 50+ people with no problem. The Manager Mindy kept coming and checking in on us to make sure everything was going smoothly! This place is 10 out of 10!! Guests are still reaching out to say what a Great Party it was- days later :) Thank you Memphis for making the day ! read more

Memphis Cafe - Memphis Patio - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Amazing food! Best po boy we've had in OC - fresh bread filled with ample perfectly fried shrimp. Shrimp and grits were excellent - flavorful bbq shrimp with tasty green chile grits and crispy fried okra. We enjoyed the side of candied pecan salad. Their biscuits are also outstanding - fluffy and flaky. We enjoyed the mocktails. They have dog friendly outdoor seating. read more

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This place is such a throwback for me as my wife and I had just started dating and had first visited when it opened nearly 30 years ago, and coming back now reminded me exactly why it's still so good. We ordered the meatloaf (1/2 off on Sundays), which is clearly a crowd favorite, and for good reason. The gravy had this peppery/steak sauce vibe that paired perfectly with the dish. The fried chicken was another standout, super juicy and cooked perfectly. And the steak? Expertly prepared and full of flavor. The only downside is that it runs a little cold inside, so maybe bring a sweater. But honestly, don't let that stop you from coming. Memphis has earned its place as a local institution, and we'll definitely be adding it back into our regular rotation. If you've never been, it's absolutely worth trying for the first time. If you have, it's probably time for a revisit. read more

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Came here on a Saturday morning and had a great experience, from the service, to the food and atmosphere are all wonderful. We sat out in the enclosed patio and enjoyed the Green Chilaquiles and my husband enjoyed the breakfast burrito with sausage and bacon. Will definitely come ba read more

Memphis Cafe - Green Chilaquiles and bacon and sausage breakfast burrito - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My son was craving eggs Benedict at 2 PM on a Thursday. We ended up at this place, so happy to have found what we've been searching for. Since the place is technically a bar at night, the place was empty when we came in just before the crowds. The door was inconspicuously located on the side, which we had to search for. That in itself was a fun "hunting" experience. We literally circled the entire restaurant before we can find it. It was so small I thought we were entering the back door. They did have a spacious patio seating, but we opted for inside since it was a hot day and the AC was blasting in there which was really nice. We ordered eggs Benedict just as we had planned and a strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious. Service was quick and friendly. There was a lot of parking around the establishment. When at the Lab, there is a planned return trip to this place. read more

Memphis Cafe - Eggs Benedict and a side of a tasty strawberry lemonade - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I really do love this place and come back all the time - I even have my usual booth I always sit in. I have OCD so that's just how it goes for me, same spot every time. But the seat has a tear in it and it's really uncomfortable to sit on - like you're aware of it the whole entire meal and you can't just ignore it and move on. The current fix is duct tape which honestly isn't helping. I mentioned it to the manager twice on separate visits and both times was told the owner already knows. I actually believe that - which is why I'm writing this instead of just venting. I think the owner genuinely cares and I'm hoping this one just slipped through. For someone like me who can't just switch seats and move on, getting that booth reupholstered would really mean a lot. It's a small inexpensive fix and the difference it would make is huge - at least for me. The food is great, the vibe is exactly why I keep coming back. I just really hope this gets handled. read more

Memphis Cafe - booth seating - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've came to this cafe a few times and I've always had a great experience. The food and service are both good. It's a southern style comfort food restaurant. I've tried different foods from this restaurant. So far one of my favorite dishes here is the BBQ Green Chili Shrimp and Grits! At first, I was not too sure about the Green Chili mixed with the grits because I've always had regular grits. It was so good! It's one of my go to restaurants when I'm in Costa Mesa. Also this cafe is located right next to The Lab Anti-Mall which is a great outdoor shopping center. read more

We stopped by Memphis Cafe to enjoy a meal after hitting up some nearby breweries. I absolutely love the retro vibe of Memphis Cafe! It's nice to have a choice between the indoor and outdoor patio seating. We ate outside since it was a nice day to enjoy the fresh air. We ordered the breakfast burrito, sauteed brussel sprouts, sweet potato fries, and Memphis Soul Burger. For drinks we ordered Memphis Mules and Mimosas. Everything was absolutely delicious and the drinks were amazing! We had such a great time and were so hungry that I forgot to take pictures of our meal and drinks! Our server was super friendly and attentive! She helped to make our dining experience fun and memorable. This is such a great place to stop by for a great meal or even drinks and pupus (appetizers)! My husband enjoyed coming here so much - he even set up a Happy Hour event for his work colleagues to celebrate their end of "busy season." This is an awesome place for small and large groups! We highly recommend it! read more

Been coming here since 2012 and it's easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The fried chicken is amazing and I would get it every time if not for the southern Benedict during brunch. Outdoor seating is nice with groups, but the inside is cosy when dining alone. Staff has been consistently friendly and enthusiastic. Total recommend. read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Benedict. An eggs Benedict with corned beef and a spicy sauce. - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Wow. I was absolutely blown away during my most recent visit! The service was absolutely impeccable and they were nothing but friendly. We brought our cat with us and we had rotating staff coming out to take photos of her. I ordered their southern eggs benedict and I was blown away. Their take on hollandaise paired with their corned beef and eggs was absolutely delicious. Their outdoor patio was a plus and gave us a the ability to enjoy the fresh air while eating great food. read more

Closest thing to soul food in Orange County. Cute restaurant. Great atmosphere. Amazing menu. Surprisingly good prices. The crab cakes are always a win, and the fried chicken with collard greens never disappoints. One thing that always amuses me: the bar is packed at brunch with people already several drinks deep at 10 a.m. I love that for them. Vacation-mode activated. The only downside is the waitstaff. Very LA-snob energy. You get the feeling you're inconveniencing them simply by showing up, which takes away from an otherwise great experience. So I don't go often. But when I'm craving soul food, it's one of the few places I'll happily return to. read more

The food here was Excellent! We got there after being over across the street at the LAB, where every place was PACKED. We walked in said sit anywhere you'd like and we did. They have Indoor and outdoor seating. We sat out back at the picnic table. Nice amount of shade wasn't too hot. Service was great. Food made from scratch. He had gumbo and deviled eggs; I had chicken. Both were delicious!. Bathrooms were clean(that's a thing !) they even had a kids menu, with crayons I might add. On it they had grilled OR battered chicken strips ! Finally a place that has a healthy alternative !!! Overall great food, great service and we will be back ! read more

I was on a work trip and was looking for a place to eat for dinner. I saw this place on yelp and saw their happy hour menu. When I entered the restaurant I was greeted by staff. Staff were friendly and very helpful. I ordered the gumbo fries, Nashville hot chicken with waffle and whiskey and coke. The gumbo fries were delicious and very filling. The chicken and waffle were delicious. Whiskey and coke was refreshing and delicious. The ambiance is customer service friendly. The happy hour menu had a great food and drink selection. This is a great place to eat. read more

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A friend recommended this place for breakfast and finally we were able to visit. As soon as you enter the place, it gives you that cozy retro feel. The service was attentive and our server did check up on us. The food is good, we ordered waffle & chicken, and egg Benedict. The corned beef on the Benedict however was a little overwhelming in my opinion. It kinds of take over the entire dish. The price is a little high since there were no side dish with it. Overall, I would come back if we are in the area. read more

Memphis Cafe - Egg Benedict - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is such a cool restaurant to visit. I love the vibe inside and the staff is extremely kind. I ordered the southern catfish and it did not disappoint!! It was soooo soft and melted in my mouth. It was amazing. I also got the cauliflower appetizer which was sooo good, and i dont even like curry. The lavender lemonade is by far the best lemonade ive ever had. Super refreshing. Definitely come by and visit if youre at the anti mall! read more

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One of my Favorite breakfast spots !!!! Love their corn, beef and hash Benedict, definitely need to return for lunch and dinner to try more menu items read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The food, service, and ambiance are amazing. This is a great Costa Mesa gem. I highly recommend the POG mimosa.

I was craving pancakes and these hit the spot!! also got the green chile grits - wow!! sooo insanely flavorful in a way i was not expecting. i honestly want to come back here to try more things off the menu bc the grits really struck a chord with me. the service was lovely and i like that they have outdoor seating as well. read more

Memphis Cafe - Buttermilk Pancakes - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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A place of pure authenticity. Everything they make is made with love. Such a wonderful place. I have been many times and each time I leave so happy I came. The food never disappoints. read more

I was craving Catfish, which is hard to find in Orange County, so off to Memphis we went. I started with a cup of Gumbo, which is also hard to find in Orange County. It was very good. The catfish plate was very good, too, and generously portioned with a sizable Catfish fillet, collard greens, jambalaya, and hush puppies. She got pancakes and enjoyed them. I washed mine down with a Michelada as one does. The service was great. I'd say friendly, attentive, and on the ball. Ambience wise, it's a relatively small space with a little bit of a hipster vibe. Don't let that deter you, though. We enjoyed our lunch. My pics are better if you click on them. Cheers! read more

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Memphis was a local recommendation upon a local yelp elite recommendation. High praise and they damn well deserves it. For meat eaters and vegetarians alike there's tons to choose from, omit or addict. By that I mean their green chili grits.. it was so surprisingly grandmama's grits that I asked for seconds. There's a first time for everything! And the second and each time after the grits bowl was practically licked clean. Loved the deviled eggs and sweet potato fries. Great friendly service with this invisible cloak of character. read more

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I did not take a picture of my plate! I did however clean my plate! This place was great. I asked our waitperson which she like best between two choices and the grilled pork chop on hatch green chili grits with carmeled apples won. It was delicious! My partner had the chicken sandwich. Also an absolute winner. It's small, been around since 1995 and it was fun. read more

Excellent food at reasonable price and the atmosphere is excellent. So is the service!

Great brunch spot with a dedicated gluten free menu, which made ordering easy. The Shrimp & Grits were delicious! Just be aware that all fried items use a shared fryer, so if you have celiac disease, you'll want to use caution due to the risk of cross contamination. read more

Memphis Cafe - Grits & Shrimp! - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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First time here, arrived about 6pm on a Tuesday and the parking lot was fairly empty. We were seated quickly. We chose the covered patio over the small inside. The service was great! I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken and my husband ordered the fried catfish, the two most popular dishes according to our waiter. The food came out rather quickly and was hot, always good! But we both had fried foods and we both thought maybe the oil needed to be changed.... The highlight was the Hoppin' John that came with the catfish. My chicken was just ok, little over cooked. The chicken and the catfish were perched on top of all their sides, which is fine if you like the sides, but we didn't know if we did yet. They were about 50-50. But the reason we won't be back is that as we were driving home, we were both feeling gut bombed and when we got home, we both felt sort of light headed. We ate different things, but both dishes were fried... maybe that oil really does need to be changed! read more

Memphis Cafe - Fried chicken in the back, catfish up front - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cute small little joint, came here for breakfast since I figured why not try a new place. My kids ate majority of their plate, but I guess for me when I ordered the Fried Chicken and waffles it was decent. The best part was mainly the chicken/gravy. Prices are high, the staff was great, they always checked up on us, and fairly amount of good parking space. Who knows maybe this place is known for their lunch menu. read more

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I have been looking for soul food in OC for the longest! Tried this spot out on Sunday and loved it sooo much! The chicken and waffles were amazing. I will be returning soon :) read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great servers and food. Environment is wonderful. Total experience i bring friends visiting

Great lil spot that has been around for 30 years. Full bar, breakfast all day, soul food, so tasty. Always great service, friendly staff, very attentive. Kitchen is very consistent. Great happy hour menu, private parking lot, indoor/outdoor seating. Can be an intimate spot or great area for large group. Pup menu, soul food, does not disappoint so give a try if you've never been! Quick update: would recommend checking with your vet first if ordering off the pup menu. Found out the hard way tonight, with my pup dealing with pancreatitis, that the bacon for little pups is very bad (my error...fat content, which ironically is why I skipped the beef patty, paired with the salt used for curing bacon is a recipe for disaster). She had thrown up her entire meal later that afternoon (which I did think was likely the bacon as that's not something she's had before as an entire piece to herself), but has continued to throw up tonight. Would recommend the restaurant just put a notation on the menu, maybe add salmon, chicken, or oatmeal to the menu, or a make it a mini option (for the same price through as it's the same labor). She's finally sleeping now, but off to the vet in the morning. Some things in life are too much of a good thing... read more

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Really good southern food that's reasonably priced too. The breading on the chicken and fish is perfect. The gravy paired incredibly weird too. The 3 of us shared us the dishes and I loved it. Service was quick read more

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