I'm shocked I've never written a review here! I live down the street and it's a great option for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner or even late night (although I haven't attended for late night yet). Their breakfast menu is great and extensive and even the standard 2 eggs breakfast (my go-to) hit the spot. Their happy hour menu is decent and has some $6 drink options which is pretty darn good these days. I deducted a star because it doesn't have the best "vibe" if you're going for ambiance. It's small and dark and the patio is a little grungy. Decent local option but not top tier. read more

Had the biscuits and gravy and the eggs Benedict...fantastic! The service was quick and friendly. Will definitely be back! read more

Memphis Cafe - Biscuits and gravy...was too good to wait for a pic of the fresh dish! Lol! - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The food was very delicious. I ordered the fried chicken tacos and fried shrimp tacos. They were very filling and flavorfully delicious. I love the presentation of the colors. I love seeing colors in my food. Presentation was also excellent. I ordered a drink called the Memphis Manhattan. This drink was smooth, indulgent and very satisfying. So far, 10 out of 10 for my drinks and food. The only reason they are not getting five stars from me is because they made us wait for quite a long time just to come to our table for drinks and water. It was a bit of a long wait even for the food. However, when the drinks and the food arrived, my husband and I were very delighted. Cheers. read more

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Food was excellent. But service was horrible. I had to beg multiple times for refills. Waitress was busy hanging with a friend at the bar sharing pictures on her phone. We mentioned to manager that service was not good and she said ok. This is a service announcement for the owner. Updating my experience after being asked to comeback and try again. This time the service was top notch. Food of course was excellent. Thanks for listening. Would go back again read more

Came for happy hour. Fun vibe, decent gumbo, yummy brussel sprouts, and strong drinks. Not super cheap HH beverages but if I lived here I'd definitely come back and try some more things! read more

I went here for my first restaurant post partum. I ordered 2 drinks and decided to order a 3rd... My friend was also there with her baby and had 3 drinks. We were there for over 2 hours and had multiple waters, appetizers, and a full meal. We walked there and our babies were sleeping, not causing a fuss. A man who I believe was maybe the manager came and told us he was concerned about our drinking and he would not serve us more. The woman next to us had 3 drinks and no one muttered a word to her. I am absolutely embarrassed and disgusted. I didn't even drink my cocktail I paid for because I was on the verge of crying. I've never felt more judged in my life. We also had auto gratuity...even though there were 4 of us (and 2 infants under 6 months). I'm just so bummed because we used to come here all the time and really liked it. We asked multiple times if our server needed us to close out, because it seemed like there was a shift change. I still don't know if that was the real issue. I already have post partum anxiety and this exasperated it immediately, thanks so much for making 2 new mothers feel incredibly judged. Feel free to reply to this if you'd like to explain yourselves, because I loved this restaurant and am so disappointed. I'd like to add our server Kiara was amazing and I specifically commented how amazing she was. read more

Just like I was in Memphis Tennessee!!! But in our home town of Costa Mesa! Had the Hot Chicken, I've had hot chicken from the actual Tennessee (LOL) and it's a spitting image. Wait staff was great and very accommodating; server gave us plenty of original options and personal favorites. Can't wait to come back! read more

Service was fast and food was delicious. I am from Texas with deep Louisiana roots and their shrimp and grits were delicious. read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is so cool! Elvis would have loved the food and decor! Southern creative food. Some of the typical favorites like chicken and waffles, grits, okra, burgers, salads... something for everyone. 3 different areas to dine, the porch, backyard and inside the restaurant. Full bar! Good times, good food, good service! Take a walk on the wild side and come to Memphis! read more

Memphis Cafe - Green chili grits with an egg on top! - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food, service, ambience- not just good, great! 5 stars. The servers were friendly and attentive. Since we had been here before and loved it, brought some out-of-town visitors. They loved it, too! The BBQ shrimp and green chili grits and fried okra... delicious!! The others raved about the chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy. Thank you Memphis Cafe. We'll be back! read more

Another yummy dinner at Memphis - servers were great all night, including when we had totally overstayed our welcome. I had the special Halibut on risotto - it was perfect. I also had an old-fashioned - Memphis's bar is always on point!! Delicious cocktails, so well-balanced. read more

Memphis Cafe - Halibut on risotto - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Always excellent service excellent food prices are good. Place is very small but cozy. We recommend them very hard

Came by on a random weekday for brunch. Loved that they have an outdoor patio space (with ample seatings and heater) and its own parking lot on site. Service is great- very attentive and has very chill vibes. I got the breakfast burrito with bacon- it didn't wow me but it was still quite tasty and with great flavors. Apparently they also have happy hour here! Also they are known for their chicken and waffle. I'd come back to try other things for sure. Would recommend! read more

Memphis Cafe - Menu (March 2023) - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Holy cannoli this place is bomb, I hadn't had the chance to try it until now but since landing a new job just 3 miles away I figure I should try their Happy Hour (Tues-Friday 3-6) since it's too far otherwise. Speaking as a perpetual deal finder and foodie this place did NOT disappoint. Gravy fries was $6, gumbo was $7 and the chicken and waffles was $8. The waffle heckin buttery and there was a nice crisp on the chicken. Gravy wasn't too greasy and the gumbo had nice flavor without being too spicy. The fries were a little bit lukewarm but with warm gravy on top and at 6 fricken bucks I hardly cared. This place is small (only about 10 tables and an L shaped bar) and parking is limited so avoid lunch/dinner rushes since parking will be a bear. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Memphis Cafe - Gravy fries, chicken and waffles and gumbo - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I came here on the recommendation of a good friend. She likes all kinds of food and knows what I like. I'm glad I took her word, this is the place! As soon as I walked in the door, I could tell I was in for something new. This place has a great vibe. Really laid back and friendly. Although the inside isn't big, the outside closed in patio was perfect. The seats against the wall were padded and comfortable, and if needed, heat lamps were at the ready. I started looking at the menu and immediately wanted everything! I knew I would be back. For now what you need to know, you can order the whole menu all day with a few marked exceptions. Onto lunch! I ended up ordering the Bacon wrapped shrimp in BBQ sauce. It was listed as a starter. I was VERY surprised at the plate that arrived. I started "poking" around at the rice because it's true, I'm a picky eater. I started eating around the red and green things (peppers) and found, to my delight, andoulette sausage. It wasn't too hot, so my tummy liked it, and it had some zip, so my tongue liked it. The rice, what my sister in Arkansas calls "dirty rice," was perfect. It had all kinds of surprises that I think you should experience for yourself. As for the shrimp wrapped bacon, there was more than bacon in the wrap: I'm pretty sure it was prosciutto. What a yummy surprise. Make sure you drive slow when you're trying to find this restaurant, or you'll drive right by it. Like I did. It's definitely worth the u-turn to find it. read more

Memphis Cafe - Bacon wrapped shrimp w/BBQ sauce - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I love Memphis Cafe!! We have been many times. Always a fun experience! The food is so good! Love the Ambiance! My server Karina was so attentive. We will definitely keep coming back. read more

First time eating here, received a history lesson about the establishment through our waitress.. been here 30 years.. the food did not disappoint, I had the roasted chicken, while my husband had the fried catfish dinner with the complete fixins. The service was excellent, just sorry that I can't remember her name.. hat's off the the 2 chefs running the emote kitchen along with the sous chef.. the ambience was probably the exact same way it was 30 years ago.. it could use a facelift but then the prices would increase. Why fix something that ain't broke.. oh yes, I do appreciate my waitress to recommending a decafe latte... it was excellent.. we will be back for breakfast. read more

Memphis Cafe absolutely nailed it with their incredible comfort food--this place was soooo good! I had the shrimp and grits, and let me just say...it was "slap yo' mamma" good! The dish was perfection, with prawns, poached eggs, red eye gravy, and crispy fried okra. The prawns were cooked beautifully, and the crispy fried okra on top added the perfect texture. Every flavor in this dish was spot on, and I loved every bite. My husband had the brioche, grilled corned beef, crispy potato cakes, poached eggs, and chipotle hollandaise, but since we're pescatarian, he swapped the corned beef for fried catfish (for a small upcharge). The substitution worked perfectly, and he devoured the dish in what felt like 60 seconds - it was that good! We also ordered a buttermilk pancake for the table, and I'm so glad we did. I love a proper buttermilk pancake, and this one hit all the marks: light, fluffy, and with the perfect taste of buttermilk. We loved the staff, too! They were so hospitable and sweet. Memphis Cafe was so amazing that we're planning to add it to our rotation for trips home from Palm Springs to LA. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Memphis Cafe in Costa Mesa is one of my favorite spots--hands down. The service is always top-notch: friendly, attentive, and genuine. Everyone who works there brings great energy, from the chef in the back to the bartender up front. Special shoutout to the amazing waitstaff--Selah, Karina, and Honey always make us feel welcome and taken care of. The meatloaf is my go-to. It's absolutely delicious--tender, flavorful, and served with creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly cooked green beans, and that rich, amazing gravy. While everything on the menu is solid, the meatloaf keeps me coming back. And don't skip dessert--the bread pudding is honestly the best I've ever had. Every time I come in, the experience is consistently excellent. Never had a bad visit. Highly recommend! read more

Came here on a Sunday at 2 PM. Got the catfish Poboy with sweet potato fries and the deviled eggs. I was really happy that they were able to put the bacon on the side as I do not eat bacon but the other person I ate with does. We were seated right away and the service was great! I will say parking is a struggle because the lot is small but if you want to park in the surrounding lots, you should be fine read more

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Delicious !!!! Everything is good...love the old fashions too We had gumbo and the meatloaf read more

Food: My fiancé and I decided to stop by this place on our trip to OC. We are from SC and we're craving some southern soul food and this place definitely filled our craving. My fiancé had their famous meatloaf and I had their fried catfish platter. Everything was so flavorful and seasoned to perfection! Their crafted cocktails were reasonably priced and delicious! Service: Our server was delightful. She was attentive and walked us through their menu since it was our first time eating there. Ambiance: This restaurant does have a smaller seating area but it gives it a cozy vibe in the evenings. The music selection was great and the decor in the restaurant reminded me of a hole in the wall jazz bar or speakeasy. We will definitely be back! read more

Memphis Cafe - Hostess table - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Love the sausage poor boy!! The wait staff are great. It's a go to a couple times a month.

Ooh wee. This place is insanely good. I will visit every time I come to Costa Mesa. You should too. Great service and atmosphere. The food offerings are second to none. Do yourself a favor and try Memphis Restaurant. read more

What a cute breakfast spot! Ok you 100% have to get the chicken and waffles! I'm telling you it's SO YUM! I recommend sharing if you're not very hungry. The workers are so nice and sweet. 100% coming back here. Also, the Lab Anti-Mall is so fun to walk around once you finish your breakfast. This place did not disappoint. read more

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I was so excited to try this spot. I've been looking for a decent local soul food restaurant for years now. Looks like I'm going to have to keep looking. I was not impressed by the food quality here by any means. I ordered the catfish, expecting an explosion of flavors. However, It was so bland. The fish was not seasoned. The giant chunks of bell pepper in the dirty rice threw the whole dish off. The only part of the meal I enjoyed were the hushpuppies. The facility is also literally falling apart. I used the bathroom and when I sat on the toilet it literally rocked back and forth. Their toilet isn't even secured to the floor. The walls are sticky and there's a wet carpet musk that carries through the whole place. I respect the fact that they have managed to stay open this long. 3 stars just because I enjoyed the hushpuppies. read more

We'd passed this place for years but it was never on my radar -- thought it was a dive bar. In search of a dinner venue in the area, my curiosity was piqued upon seeing the menu, pictures, and reviews (on Yelp, of course). So glad we popped in to this retro diner: fabulous, friendly service; strong-&-choice cocktails, and generous food portions! The Southern Fried Catfish offered a surprisingly generous, thick serving (& nice sides)! Another visit, deciding between 2 entrees, I was encouraged to order the Barbecued Shrimp & Green Chili Grits (thought it was OK); I enjoyed the Green Chili Chilaquiles more. GREAT DRINKS (5-star)!! Fun, casual place! read more

Memphis Cafe - Bloody Mary - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I asked my server what was their best dish she suggested the buttermilk fried chicken. What a totally disappointing experience. Fried chicken was bland but crispy, Green beans were flavorless, mash was pretty good. Ambiance is old and worn, but service was good. read more

Memphis Cafe - Fried chicken with flavorless green beans. - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A fun 50's retro place that serves breakfast all day and has great burgers too. Service is always great and it's nice to support an independent business. They have a full bar and it's definitely worth a visit. read more

Our family loves southern food and Memphis cafe did not disappoint. I had the bowl of gumbo and my husband and ordered the chicken sandwich. Both were fabulous. The restaurant on the inside is small, but they have a big outdoor seating area. Isabel was our waitress and she was very friendly and appropriately attentive. They have pictures up around the restaurant of the golden age of Hollywood actors and actresses. They also have some cool merchandise. read more

Had brunch -- chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, & coffee. 10 out of 10 will come back. The chicken was herby and super moist. The grits were mixed with green chile and the prawn were nicely cooked and the bbq had a nice sweet savory balance. The staff are super friendly and they were playing great music -- some oldie diner music and some newer rock and jazz kinda music read more

Fried chicken and Best hush puppies and gumbo. Casual vibe and an awesome bar. Nice heavy pour

This restaurant is located right by the Anti-Mall or the LAB. It was definitely a smaller restaurant than I thought, but seemed like they had more outdoor seating than indoor seating. We didn't have to really wait at all to be seated, so it wasn't busy for a sunday brunch time! We ordered the Southern Eggs Benedict and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, as well as the Gumbo fries. It did take awhile for our food to arrive, so service may be a biiiit slow. As soon as I order came, we were ready to feast! I mainly had the southern eggs benedict and this was really good! I really enjoyed the chipotle aioli they served on top, so this made this very flavorful. The protein they had with this entree was a really thick slice! I liked how the biscuit on the protein was really crispy as well. This was definitely the one to go for me! My bf got the buttermilk fried chicken and that was also pretty good. Chicken was juicy and crispy, and the collard greens was pretty decent! He didn't enjoy the collard greens that much, but the mashed potatoes that came with his entree was pretty good. The gumbo fries, these were okay, and we both didn't like how it was toooo soggy. The flavor was alright, I felt like there could be more additions to enhanced the flavor, it was essentially almost like a chili cheese fries. So I actually took these back home and added hot sauce and it tasted a lot better haha. Overall, the meal was good! Service was decent, and I would say it's a solid southern brunch joint. Not too busy either for a brunch spot, so that is a plus. read more

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Always excellent. I like the chicken and the catfish. Been going here over 25 years now!

This was our last stop on our second trip to OC. We were in need of some southern food that reminded us of home and Memphis didn't let us down. Food: The catfish was breaded with traditional corn meal which was a great surprise. The collard greens were nice and savory with a hint of sweetness, the rice and peas flavorful and the hushpuppies fried just right. We typically enjoy a sweeter hushpuppy but this was well balanced. Their famous meatloaf was perfect honestly. Not doing too much or too little. A nice, hearty meal that may require a nap after lol. Service: Our server was very nice and gave us the recommendations we enjoyed. Ambiance: We came a little closer to closing to it was more relaxed. The staff was very chill and it's always fun to see a more laid back environment. read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Fried Catfish w/ collard greens, rice, and hushpuppies. - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food was ok. Needed more seasoning for sure. The best thing I ate was the buttermilk fried chicken. Collard greens were the standout. Service was great! read more

Memphis Cafe - Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Looove the eggs Benedict! Gumbo wasn't too bad either but I've never had a better tasting eggs Benedict! Casual ambiance, nothing fancy and the servers know their food very well! Parking can get pretty packed during brunch. Definitely a must-try southern brunch spot! read more

I was actually impressed with this little place. There is seating outside but i prefer in house seating. I don't like bugs in my food. We were in town for a few days for a conference and this wasn't far from the hotel. Think southern meets American i guess. We started with drinks and they had some fun ones.... maple bacon old fashioned... but i stuck with a dirty Shirley... their cherries are awesome so get some! We ordered a shrimp po boy... one with regular fries and one with sweet potatoe... both were very good fries. Ask for them more well done if that's your bag. They are skinnier fries so i like them. The shrimp were cooked good... overall not a bad po boy... it was a sandwich nothing really to write home about. I had fried okra and it was awesome! Very light batter... not the little rounds most serve more like diagonal thick julienne slices. It was cooked perfectly. The potatoe cakes were also awesome! Service was pretty good. Hamilton was opening that night so they were slammed. We were trying to get back for an event for the conference. It was a close call but we made it. Our server was understanding just a small kitchen trying to kick out a bunch of food for the masses. I don't live here but i would want to go back to give it another shot as well. It was good... it was clean. Parking lot was an ok size. I called ahead and they put us on the list. Give it a shot... read more

Memphis Cafe - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Omg. The food and environment here is absolutely amazing. I came here with my mom for the first time and this will be my new to go to spot. The food was sooooo good. Karina was our server and she was so nice. Can't wait to go back. read more

Memphis Cafe - Catfish and grits - Southern Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We got seated quickly and the food came out pretty fast. However, I ordered a breakfast burrito and it was disgusting. There was no next to no meat inside of the burrito, the tortilla on the outside was barely cooked it was completely falling apart as I had tried to grab it to eat it. read more