Blues City Cafe
| Address: | 138 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA |
| Phone: | +1 901-526-3637 |
| Site: | bluescitycafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11AM–3AM 11AM–3AM 11AM–3AM 11AM–3AM 11AM–5AM 11AM–5AM 11AM–3AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
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Zach Henry
Really bad experience. Good news is we got sat immediately on a saturday. However our waiter was really bad. He immediately came up and asked us if we were ready to order. He did not ask for drink or appetizer orders. Then when our appetizer came out, he did not check back or refill our drinks. After the food came out, he did not visit us until half way through our meal. It was pretty bad overall. I usually tip over 20% bc I used to be a waiter and I understand how difficult it is, but we watched him talking to other tables and wasting time. Ridiculous. There was live music playing which was good, but we were not seated in the music room so we couldnt fully hear it. Still, live blues music is great and we appreciate the effort. The food as well as really underwhelming, almost bad. I will say the catfish was pretty good. The breading was soft and flavorful. But the ribs were way overrated and really poor. The bark was hard, they had no Smoke flavor, and very little sauce. They clearly did not smoke them long enough to tenderize the meat and did not sizzle the sauce on the rib, or even sauce it much at all. Picking the rib up, you could tell it did not talk apart and after tasting it, it was hard to finish. For 24 $ a rack, I really expected a better effort. Both my wife and I thought they were similar to chilis ribs but double the price. The fries were really good though. I normally dont review stuff, but I feel I want to help others out who like good BBQ and dont want to waste money.
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G Lou
Went here based on reviews & was so disappointed. Fast seating but was placed in the back where the Elvis impersonating band was playing which was extremely loud. I oredered 1/2 rack of ribs which came with fries and another side for like $20. Ok so the plate was huge the side was small in a little plastic cup like a sample from Cosco cup. The ribs were tough and cold. They werent smoked or anything. Like Applebees ribs or something. I asked the waiter to take it back and he said it could be fixed within a few minutes. Thats when I decided to just bring my ticket for the drinks because I didnt want it just to be reheated. I wanted real smoked bbq ribs, falling off the bone. He demanded an answer as to why I didnt want a corrected plate. That in itself was disturbing. I had two lemonades which came in small plastic like the ones a fast food place would give you if you asked for water. The waiter didnt even give the drinks complimentary for my disappointment, the total was like $9. If youre in Memphis its better to go to a hole in the wall or one of those little spots outside on Beale St. where somebody is grilling. Its cheaper and tastier.
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A Private User
Heard this was outstanding place to eat..."out standing" is what we should have done. Waitstaff were great and very helpful. But food was below average..at best. Music was excellent but very rude managaer experience. After sitting inside for couple of hours and spending a pretty hefty tab for food and drinks, decided to step out to take couple of photos on Beale Street. Tried to return and was told I had to NOW pay cover charge. Did not matter..."no exceptions". Paid the fee, sat down and noticed three people came in and passed through without paying. Returned to "gate keeper" to review situation...was told "well they were in here before". "So was I!" Sorry..."you are an excepttion". Asked for and spoke with Manager...not a pretty scene. He was adament that everbody pays...no matter what I spent, no matter what I said...still had to pay. "No exceptions". Obviously, not the money...just the principle and in a competitive atmosphere on Beale Street with lot of other bands and lot of other places to eat (and better) this attitude warrants no more of my business and I suggest not yours either..."no exceptions"!
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Roxanne Curry
Im in Memphis on business the first week in January. Downtown Memphis is a ghost town to my surprise. I chose Blues City Cafe because the reviews on Google were pretty good. What a disappointment!! The hostess was very nice and friendly and I chose to be seated at the bar, first mistake! I was the only one in there and the bartender, Rasheedah was not very friendly. She seemed more concerned with eating her fish dinner (not from Blues City Cafe) on the table behind me rather than serving customers. I ordered a bowl of Gumbo and 1/2 rack of ribs. The gumbo was amazing!! Not too spicy and delicious!! The ribswere a different story. The ribs still had the silver skin on them, this may or may not be purposely. They were tender and cooked through, but a little dry. The biggest issue was there just wasnt any flavor. I even sprinkled their house rub on them liberally and just couldnt get the taste. I can cook more tasty ribs. I will admit that the two gentlemen that brought me my food were prompt and very courteous. But politeness doesnt always bring in the customers. I will not recommend this restaurant.
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seb hcd
“Bruyant mais bon !” Établissement situé à à lentrée de Beale Street, accueil et installation rapide dans un établissement assez bruyant, limite cantine. Charmant accueil de notre serveuse du moment, prise de commande et service rapide pour des plats excellents (bons ribs et haricots rouges). Comptoir et cuisines bbq directement en salle, spectacles et odeurs assurés...miam ! Wifi très correct. Je recommande pour une cuisine « locale » et rapide, pour du gastronomique passez votre chemin.
KA
Katrina Stanigar
We ordered the chilli cheese fries from the appetizers side of the menu. That was a meal all on its own. Its a full size platter served with delicious steak fries layered with homemade chilli, cheese and diced jalapeños. Its then served with a side of ranch. So delicious and I definitely recommend you order them. They also have a gumbo version of this. We then ordered the half order of ribs. The ribs were so moist and flavorful. The meat fell right off the bone. It came with the following sides: baked beans, coleslaw and steak fries. The sides were just as delicious as the meat itself. Once more full of great quality and taste. The customer service was on point from the moment we walked up to the joint to our server to even the bus boy. They all provided an excellent experience. The plus side to this is the location. Its literally located at the corner of Beale St. across from the famous Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Lansky .
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Laura Willis
Highly recommended but highly disappointed. ...seated promptly and so.should have been the.ordering according to our waitress. There was A lot of carry on and talking around and over your food by cooks and prep people... which I dont like. Food was good... Fish and fries were fresh, hot but ribs were room temperature...Waitress kept forgetting what we requested because she was also busy "carrying on". When it came to payment again I was moving too slow for her...when I finally did give payment and she looked and saw the receipt (tip) was half what "they" showed as suggestion ...she showed it to about 5people like she was in disgust...(I.should have taken it back) $5.00 is my standard. ..$10-$15 if your stellar and she wasnt. All in all, decent place..quick service but maybe I just got.there on a bad day...I dont know.
