Welcome to Sixty Point Ward, a lively Memphis neighborhood where classic Southern soul meets inventive culinary flair. Often overlooked in favor of Beale Street buzz, Sixty Point Ward’s dining scene brims with character, surprising variety, and genuine hospitality. Whether you’re hunting for crispy fried chicken at a time-honored joint or munching artisan pastries in a tucked-away café, this neighborhood serves up Memphis flavor at every corner.
Star Restaurants Lighting Up the Scene
If you’re starting your food adventure, North Mendenhall Road is a can’t-miss corridor. Here’s where the culinary anchors set the neighborhood’s tone:
- Mendenhall’s Table
*Cuisine:* Southern comfort with farm-to-table twists
*Price Range:* $$
Mendenhall’s Table radiates a homey, bustling vibe. The fried catfish—light, flaky, and never greasy—is legendary, best enjoyed with tangy remoulade and pickled okra. Their meatloaf with tomato jam is another crowd favorite, rounding out robust flavors with local produce.
- Ward 60 Bistro
*Cuisine:* New American
*Price Range:* $$$
For a special night, this cozy spot near Dobson Park treats guests to inventive plates: think Delta duck confit with sorghum glaze or roasted root vegetables spiced with Memphis heat. The wine list is grown-up and thoughtful, but don’t skip the classic cocktail menu—the Ward Old-Fashioned is a neighborhood staple.
Casual Bites & Food Truck Finds
Some of Sixty Point Ward’s hottest eats come on four wheels or in casual outposts perfect for a weekday bite.
- Pit Stop BBQ Truck
*Cuisine:* Memphis barbecue
*Price Range:* $
Usually parked at Douglass Street and Summer Avenue, Pit Stop serves smoked ribs that boast a rosy smoke ring and just the right tug. The pulled pork sandwiches, topped with house-made slaw, fuel lunchtime crowds from all walks of life.
- La Esquina Antojitos
*Cuisine:* Mexican street food
*Price Range:* $
This neon-splashed food truck on Chelsea Avenue is a fiesta for your senses: street tacos, elote, and aguas frescas, all made fresh with family recipes that make locals line up nightly. Try the spicy birria tacos—juicy, dipped, and packed with flavor—served with a side of punchy salsa verde.
Bakeries & Cafés Worth Waking Up For
Don’t sleep on Sixty Point Ward’s bustling morning scene, where locals and early birds alike gather for sweet and savory starts.
- Magnolia’s Oven
*Cuisine:* Bakery, Southern sweets
*Price Range:* $-$$
You’ll smell the honeyed aroma of cornbread and pear pie before you spot it near Jackson and North Mendenhall. This bakery’s signature is its buttermilk biscuits, impossibly fluffy and layered with bits of cheddar and green onion, perfect with homemade peach preserves.
- Porchlight Café
*Cuisine:* Breakfast, coffeehouse
*Price Range:* $-$$
Both a community hub and the area’s prime study spot, Porchlight pours small-batch coffee alongside avocado toast, generous omelets, and gluten-free treats. Locals swear by the cinnamon cold brew in the summer and hot chocolate with cinnamon-dusted marshmallows when winter bites.
Hidden Gems & Neighborhood Classics
Ask a Sixty Point Ward local, and they’ll send you to the eateries that don’t need big signs to reel in fans.
- Sam’s Blue Plate
*Cuisine:* Soul food diner
*Price Range:* $
On the corner of Crump Pl. and Chelsea Ave, Sam’s Blue Plate slings smothered pork chops and fried green tomatoes that feel like a warm Memphis hug. The sweet tea is bottomless and the banana pudding, topped with nilla wafers, keeps regulars coming back.
- Green Sprout Kitchen
*Cuisine:* Vegetarian, fusion
*Price Range:* $$
A sun-lit nook tucked onto Mendenhall, Green Sprout charms herbivores and omnivores alike. Their veggie jambalaya and tofu po’ boy blend Southern comfort with a modern, health-conscious twist. It’s the kind of place local artists meet after the farmer’s market.
Local Food Traditions
Dining in Sixty Point Ward means embracing what makes Memphis cuisine unforgettable: soulful barbecue, welcoming vibes, and culinary creativity. Seasonal events like the *Ward 60 Food Fest* (held each October along North Mendenhall) unite food trucks, restaurants, and bakers for a block party of tastings that showcase the neighborhood’s diverse palate.
And don’t forget the long-standing ritual: on Sunday mornings, chef-owned diners roll out fried chicken, sweet rolls, and collard greens for a brunch tradition that feels like a Memphis family reunion.
Top Neighborhood Clusters for Dining
To maximize your tasting tour:
- North Mendenhall Road (from Jackson to Chelsea): The main artery with everything from Southern bistros to hip cafés.
- Chelsea Avenue & Douglass Street: Food trucks cluster here, drawing midday crowds.
- Crump Place & Jackson: Old-school diners, bakeries, and hidden favorites pepper quiet blocks.
Final Bite
Sixty Point Ward’s food scene is where Memphis heritage, new flavors, and true community intersect. Whether you’re feasting on barbecue from a local truck, brunching at a sun-drenched bakery, or toasting cocktails at the bistro, you’ll taste the neighborhood’s signature warmth and creativity. Let your appetite lead, and you’ll quickly see why Sixty Point Ward is one of Memphis’s tastiest secrets.