The Second Line

"...so you brought your child to a bar"That's it's. That's the one that got me. That's the heading on the kids menu, you see. My love affair with this place began when I read those seven words. Well, that and the pic of the nuns hotboxing at the urinal. Food ain't shabby either. All good reasons!Oh how I love you, Second Line...Here are a some more...The irreverent yet accommodating spirit that he has, his perseverance and creativity in the tough times, fierce loyalty to everyone he works with, brutal honesty when it's good or bad, a helpful hand to the community, children, and those in need. Oh.... and one kick ass chef! Those are the words that come to mind when I think of Kelly English. Memphis is lucky to have him!Some of the best things I have put in my mouth came from here. Just check my pics. Lobster Knuckle Sandwich's, Chicken Livers with Pepper Jelly. Red beans and rice. Tamale pie. Po boys. Spinach Madeline. Catfish. That's just the beginning!Time after time, a good time, with great food. Some of my favorites are long gone but no fret, he's got Chef Dirk in the captains chair here now and the hits keep on coming!The rest of the crew are upstanding folks as well! MIt's got a really cool New Orleans vibe with such a chill aura. Can restaurants have an aura? You bet your britches they can!If you haven't been, or haven't been in a while, get your butts in a chair here today. I should take my own advice as well. See you soon Second Line'25 - 10/111

My friend and I have been remiss in not visiting The Second Line before now. I have heard so many really good things that my expectations were very high. We reserved a table at 11:00am for brunch on Sunday before seeing Hamilton at the matinee. The doors opened promptly at 11:00 and we were greeted and seated timely. We were advised that the staff was very short, and they were operating with the bartender and maybe one other staff in the dining room, but I don't recall what was the status of the kitchen staff. The bartender came to our table and took our orders for mimosas and coffee for my friend. The mimosas were awesome and generous, the coffee was barely warm, which was odd as they just opened so how could it already be cold? We advised that we had tickets at the Orpheum at 1:00 so were anxious to order. When our mimosas were brought to the table we intended to order, but were told to wait while she got drinks to the table next to us and took their orders. I do not mind this so much as I know that the staff that was there was hopping and trying to do everything they could to take care of the customers.My friend ordered the crab benedict and a side of cheese grits and I ordered the fried avocado and crab salad and a side of bacon. They brought my friend's cheese grits, which were literally some grits in a bowl with what looked like shredded cheddar on top that was melted. They were slightly warm. They brought my salad and it was tasty, but the fried avocado was cold. Maybe it was intended to be that way, but I think the breading would be better if it were warm. They did not bring my friend's benedict or my bacon. We waited, and waited and when someone finally came by to ask how our food was (it seems some more wait staff had shown up by then), we told them we wouldn't know as we had only gotten half of it for each of us. They brought my friend's benedict and it was cold. My bacon, on the other hand, was so hot I couldn't eat it, and it was half cooked. The table next to us one person received their meal and was done eating and the other person did not receive theirs. They too had to ask for it.The staff was desperately trying to help, and very apologetic, so I am not trying to diss on them. What was not done, and should have been, IMHO, is that those without reservations should not have been seated with so little staff. I know the people behind us did not have reservations because I heard them comment that they hoped it wasn't required, but they were seated anyway. If the staff is not available, those without reservations should have been turned away until staff was available. By seating so many people, everyone that I could see got very bad service, even though the staff was trying. We also received cold food, coffee, late and half cooked food. When the checks came, they were all mixed up and we had to have them corrected. They did remove the benedict from my friend's check, but she paid for cold coffee and I paid for everything. Again, it was not for lack of the staff trying, and they remained friendly and pleasant even though this situation was not ideal. I look to management to train the staff to better manage guests when the staff is short. I hope to maybe give this place a second try, after all, the name is "Second" Line. If we chance it again, maybe I will be able to update the review with a better experience.

The bartenders here are awesome and were very welcoming to me last Sunday! The catfish was tasty! Even though I wish it wasn't farm-raised, the flavor was comforting. The spinach madeleine was good, but had a lot of cream. This place can be casual, but also a nice spot for a special occasion!

We came at an odd time so the place was dead for lunch. Roe was killing it serving because she was the only person in the place. Food was good, prices are definitely high for what you get. I wouldn't choose to come back but I would definitely come back if someone else picked.

I wanted to try and new spot for our monthly bookclub meeting. I've been meaning to check out this spot for happy hour and decided to see what the brunch Menu had to offer. Parking wasn't too bad as it was Sunday. I opted to park in the nearby garage as it was free. The colorful entry is welcoming. Upon entry I was promptly seated..Reservation: simple to do via ResyService: amazing Food: Buttermilk pancakes with blueberry and bacon; this person was huge. I was not expecting the size. Delicious! Cheese grits: first serving was super salty. Immediately corrected issue and the next bowl was so much better. Biscuits and gravy was fantastic. Cocktail: When Life Gives You Lemons: vodka, fresh lemonade and lavender pea flower syrup. I was expecting a sweet flavor however it has just the right amount of tartness.Rating: 5/5

Why should you visit second line? Our waitress was very nice. The bartender is great and again very willing to please. The food was excellent. If you are in Memphis go and give it a try. It's totally worth it. Who knew you could put whip cream on chicken and waffles? I sure didn't but it works. Greens, grits, bbq shrimp and gumbo. Get them all!

Late lunch/ 2pm or so. We ate on the patio out back. The staff, hospitable as ever (and as expected at a Kelly English joint- dude must really love his employees, given how they treat their customers- it shows!), pulled a couple of tables apart so we could enjoy the weather.Row was our server- she was remarkable. Promptly and warmly greeted, we set down for our quarry. I narrowed it down to oysters, the Zimmern, or the muffuletta. The Scientist got the turkey poor boy (I abhor the phrase 'Po' Boy') sandwich. We also got an order of the Louisiana poutine (fries, pimento cheese, andouille, crawfish tails) (which didn't come out, but were quickly brought once mentioned, so no real concern or issue here). Hers was great- it's not that you can refine a Poor Boy; it is what it is. The excellence of execution in Second Line's offering is the ingredients: savory turkey, damned good (maybe Benton's?) bacon, lettuce and other rabbit fodder fresh and crisp. Creole mayo added a nice bite. The French bread was phenomenal: wonderfully flaky and warm, its bread, sure, but the texture was world class (for bread).Now, ring the bell- because this is about the muffuletta. This was the best muffuletta I've had outside the 504. The olive mix was great- the added texture, a nice crunch/ density to offset the meltiness of the cheese and the doughiness of the bread. Ham had a tinge of smokiness to it(?). All in all, it's a wave of flavor and texture. With only half the muffuletta eaten, half the healthy portion of fries now taunting me, resigned to my fate and gut loaded, I zigged when I should have zagged and got the bread pudding, ya' know, just to see where it stacked up to every other bread pudding I've ever had. This was both a mistake and the best decision I've made this calendar month (this includes at work, where I'm basically paid for judiciousness and circumspection in decision making). In the, um, words (?) or vocalizations of Justin Wilson (if anyone gets that reference, I'll be amazed): "Aaahhhhhyyyeeee! Now dats somme mighty fine bred puddin', nawh." Buttery, loose, the former crust dense, sweet in different variations from the ice cream (you can see the bits of vanilla bean in there) and candied pecans, but not sweet for icky sweet's sake.So you're still reading. Let me get to the point: last time Second Line got a 3 spot from me. Now it's a solid 4, which means this is the best New Orleans themed bar food 1) in Memphis, 2) within a days drive of Memphis without crossing into the state of Louisiana, and 3) the best New Orleans sandwiches (I can't say sandwiches proper, because Reubens and meatball subs also fall just to that category, and I'm not ready to contemplate if Second Line's muffuletta gets the nod over a certain Reuben in St. Louis or a certain meatball sub in Cosby, TN). As always, 5s are unicorns and a 4.5 does not a 5 make because 5s don't get the round up in my book; Second Line is a solid 4.5 after this experience. So why all 4.5 star talk on a former 3? Because the 3 was to go, the 4.5 was eating there. Food wise top notch, but the people who work there (looking at you, lady named Row) make it transcendent of the typical 4 star archetype. Meaning? Eat there. Dine well. Support local. Tip generously. This is exactly the place to do that.

First time experiencing this restaurant.Neat place to check out. A bit overrated but worth checking out.Food: ordered the fried oysters salad. They give a healthy portion size of fried oysters , it was tender and not too greasy. The greens were crisp but on the slim side. Their blue cheese dressing was a tab bit salty and too watery. Order the salad dressing on the side if you can. Not a fan of drenched salad. Not sure if I would order that again. They have a full bar, and happy hour!!Service: was great, friendly and the server knew I was not completely satisfied and offered something else on the menu. She was amazing for that.Ambiance: is cozy and casual. Seating is a bit tight but doable. Parking: street parking.

The food was very flavorful & our server was attentive. I suggest getting the fried catfish fried hard. It's much better that way. The honey pepper fried chicken was 2 boneless chicken breast, and they were incredibly tender. The sauce was decent too, but a bit sweeter than I would've liked. It tasted like it was prepared to go on a homemade biscuit. It would've made a phenomenal breakfast sandwich. The regular Mac & cheese w/ no crawfish was good. The one with was tasty too, but the crawfish was NOT. It definitely tasted out of season so I suggest getting it without so you don't go waste time picking it out. Normally the catfish po'boy is my favorite and always a hit! Their po'boy bread is soft & just right! The dining room is on the smaller side, but there is plenty of outdoor seating in the front + a nice sized patio out back.

Amazing food and one of the most amazing service. The crispy honey chicken and the PO Boy chicken were to die for.