Our Jackson Table: Summer 2019 Recap
This summer has been jam-packed of great meals, a lot of which were enjoyed at restaurants celebrating new locations. Get the scoop on where we’ve been, old and new, and what’s tickling our tastebuds right now.
Sparky's Pizzeria & Grill
224 Parkstone Place | 731.256.8496 | $$
Another slice, please! Sparky’s buffet will fix your pizza craving with all the salad, desserts, pasta, and (of course) pizza you want for just $9 (only $5 for kids). But don’t forget to check out their traditional menu—they’ve got speciality pies, burgers, as sandwiches, and a variety on entrees for $8 to $15.
Coyote Blues — New Location!
1430 Union University Drive | 731.660.0603 | $$
Gotta love the blues! We are ecstatic that Coyote Blues is back in Jax, and the service at the new, smaller location is awesome. You’ll find most your old favorites on their abbreviated menu, from the duck tacos and shrimp and grits to the Angus Border Burger and shrimp and crawfish burrito. Entrees run $10 to $16, with salads and appetizers ranging closer to $5 to $8. (If you try to fried avocado, tell us about it!) We’ll always have a special place in our hearts for this NOLA/Tex-Mex treasure.
Read more about Coyote Blues in our taco, burger, and shrimp and grits articles.
Lagares Coffee Roasters
West Tennessee Farmers’ Market (91 Market Street) | 731.467.1486 | $
Lagares Coffee Roasters premiered their nitro cold brew this summer, and we’re loving it! You can find this local roaster Saturdays at the farmers’ market, where you can choose from hot coffee, cold brew, or iced tea, along with a variety of beans and loose leaf teas to take home. Drinks range $2 to $4, and make sure to take advantage of their complimentary vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel add-ins.
West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse — New Location!
1110 Vann Drive | 731.300.4664 | $$
West Alley is back, and it’s better than ever! Swing by their new location for your old favorites or to try some of their new menu items like the brisket mac bites and lettuce wraps. Meals run $7 to $18 (with the exceptions of the full rack of ribs for $26 or Big Alley Style Plate for $50), and make sure to check out their $9 lunch combos.
Takos Borukas — New Location!
319 Vann Drive | 731.736.3332 | $$
Have you been to Takos Borukas’ new brick-and-mortar location? ’Cause we’re obsessed. With ten different meats to choose from (some spit-roasted!) for tacos, tortas, and more plus about thirty other totally unique plates, you’re bound to find just the thing for everyone in your party. Tacos start at just $2.50, and entrees run $7 to $12. Head on over and let us know what you think!
Hope Café & BBQ
701 South Royal Street | 731.602.7183 | $
Want to enjoy a good, hearty meal and support an amazing local cause? Try Hope Café & BBQ on South Royal! Whether you’re craving BBQ bologna, a quarter-pound hot dog, or brisket, they’ve got just the thing for you, and all meals for under $7! Make sure to try their out-of-this-world mac and cheese (can be added to any sandwich or dog), “totchos,” and homemade desserts, not to mention their bulk food, perfect for a family dinner or work event.
Fujiyama Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
10 Stonebridge Boulevard, Suite E | 731.664.8889 | $$$
Bring on the bento boxes! Fujiyama is ready to fix your Japanese craving with their hibachi, sushi, and other Asian favorites. Their generous lunch entrees run $8 to $13 (filet mignon and combination hibachi closer to $16 to $19), rolls range from $2 to $14, and dinner starts around $18. And make sure to try the udon, fried rice, and tempura, too!
Wellness Emporium
2046 Pleasant Plains Extension, Suite G | 615.469.7778 | $$
Any kombucha fans out there? Time to hit up Wellness Emporium! They’ve got six different flavors on tap from Blood Orange and Tart Cherry to Elderberry Shrub and Ginger Lemonade. It’s $2.50 for a cup, $3.50 for a bottle, and $15 for a growler, but samples are free! Make sure to also explore their selections of honey, kefir soda, tea, and more.
Leslie's Bakery & Taqueria
480 Wiley Parker Road and 1433 South Highland Avenue | 731.225.9482 | $
This cookie is enough for a whole family! If you’re looking for a little something sweet this afternoon, swing by Leslie's Bakery & Taqueria on Wiley Parker or South Highland, where you’ll find all kinds of Mexican pastries from banderas and coyotas to churros and flan. Most items are under $4, and make sure to ask them about their custom cakes.
4-H Chicken Shack
West Tennessee State Fair | $$
When it’s state fair week, you know what that means: the 4-H Chicken Shack! We’re so glad they’re open over lunch, where they offer half-chicken or pork chop meals for $10, along with a variety of tasty $1 desserts. Better yet, get multiple chickens at a discount to enjoy with the whole family at home! The booth is open through the bulk of the length of the fair, so make sure to try it out!
Caribbean Delights
West Tennessee Farmers’ Market (70 New Market Street) | 731.240.1800 | $$
Who’s up for some jerk chicken? Get your Caribbean fix at Caribbean Delights at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market, open Wednesday through Saturday. Get an oxtail, curry, or stew pork combo for $7.50 to $9.50, or choose a la carte items like plantains, rice and beans, and geera gizzard for $1 to $5.
Retro Coffee Bar
Mobile | 731.434.9290 | $
Selmer-based Retro Coffee pops up at events all over West Tennessee, serving up pour overs for $3 (hot or iced), Merry Berry macarons for $2, and add-in syrups like vanilla bean and caramel for an additional $0.50. Message them for availability, and check them out at the Selmer Pumpkin Festival on October 17!
Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Katie Howerton moved to Jackson in 2011 to study Graphic Design and Drawing at Union University. She discovered Our Jackson Home in January 2015 and used it as a guinea pig for her senior design project, creating the first issue of Our Jackson Home: The Magazine. After graduating she was given leadership over Our Jackson Home at theCO, where she now runs the blog, designs the magazine, and coordinates events. She lives with her husband Jordan and daughter November in Midtown and loves her community at City Fellowship Baptist Church.
Photography by Katie Howerton.
