BABALU - East Memphis

I’ve been to the Babalu in Overton Square before, but this was my first time at this newer location—and honestly, it’s a step up. The ambiance feels more polished, and parking is way less of a headache, which is always a win. We came as a group and kicked things off with their signature tableside guacamole. It’s always a fun touch to watch it being made fresh right at the table. We skipped the bacon this time (some of us don’t eat it), but I can totally imagine how adding that would take it to another level. The guac itself was fresh, creamy, and comfortingly classic—my personal favorite kind. That said, the experience varied a bit. The first batch was kind of meh—maybe the server wasn’t too enthusiastic—but the second round, prepared by someone else, was noticeably better. Small details like that make a difference. Next came the shrimp appetizer, and wow. Easily the highlight of the evening. Perfectly cooked shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce—it was seriously addictive. For mains, a few friends went with the salmon and red snapper dishes, and they were pretty pleased—generous portions with roasted veggies, nicely plated. Others went for quesadillas and gave them a solid thumbs-up. I, however, went with the crab cake Benedict from the brunch menu, and it was… underwhelming. The flavor was decent, but the portion was tiny—like, kid’s-menu tiny. Two small benedicts and a scoop of breakfast potatoes didn’t really justify the price tag. Definitely felt like a miss. We skipped dessert, partly because we were full, partly because the service just didn’t wow us. It was slow and not very attentive—we had to flag the staff down several times for basic things. Overall, the vibe was laid-back and pleasant, but the experience was mixed. Some real hits (hello, shrimp!) and a few definite misses. Would I go back? Maybe— just to give them another chance.

Some of the best brussel sprouts I have ever eaten! The drinks and food were good and reasonably priced. Did I mention the brussel sprouts? I had 2 orders. The waitress was so sweet! My bill was around $40 including tip. Flight sangria, (2) orders of brussel sprouts, grilled fish taco and al pastor taco

This place was recommended to us by a co-worker of my wife. Great service, food,prices, and atmosphere. The menu was filled with a variety of food items. The drinks were perfect, not too strong, and not too weak. Salmon and grits came with grilled brussel sprouts. Very very tasty. My wife had the crab cakes... delicious, as well. I highly recommend this place.

It was my first time at this restaurant. The food is really good. Have interesting fusion. The Sangria is a must-have. But what impacted me the most was the service. The employees are happy, courteous, and knowledgeable. The server gave us excellent recommendations. Prices were affordable. Definitely will go back.

We seated immediately on a Friday night, we arrived around 6:00 our server Caleb, did a great job at anticipating our every need. The salmon was delicious,the smash burger had a spicy flavor, the short rib grilled cheese sandwich was so tasty. The atmosphere was iconic, this is a definite recommend. Returned on June 6, my birthday. I got the honey hot shimp, it was sadly dispointed. They forgot the fries, and when they did reach the table, they were awful. Our server paid little attention to us. My wife and daughter had a wonderful experience with there food. I will give this place one more try. I think they can be fantastic with the proper coaching.

We came here after ringing the bell for my last chemo at Baptist. We were seated immediately, and the host was happy to honor our seating preference due to the size of our group. Sterling, our server, was exceptional. She was very attentive and ensured our orders were fulfilled correctly. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and made great suggestions. Everyone enjoyed their meals, and we will definitely be returning.

Awesome, great food. Everything was fresh. We had a cucumber and hibiscus drink. Fish and chicken tacos, calamari, and satay chicken. Freshness and carefully made food. Would strongly recommend to anyone. Ms. Sunshine was great taking care of our table, and her service was immaculate.

Very popular Mexican American fare with a twist. It was choc full when we reached on a Friday evening. We waited 35 mins for a table and we were not disappointed. The guacamole was made at the table. The salmon, grits and sweet tea was great.

I recently visited Babalu with a friend and had such a great experience! We sat at the bar, and the service was quick and friendly, which made the visit even better. We shared the jumbo Moscow mule, and it did not disappoint--it even came with a ladle! We stayed for a while and had a wonderful time. You have to try their fish tacos--absolutely my favorite! We also ordered the table guac, which is made fresh right in front of you. Another standout was the steak taco, but the fish taco stole the show for me. The restaurant is very clean with plenty of seating, and the bathrooms are well-maintained and spacious. I'm already looking forward to returning and trying more menu options. Highly recommend!

I hadn't been to Babalu in a while but thought of it for lunch today. I was a party of 1 and sat at the bar. I ordered the Hot Honey Shrimp appetizer (really good and not overly spicy) and told the bartender I'd start with that and figure it out from there. After grazing on the fried shrimp, I wanted something lite....a salad perhaps, but nothing huge. I asked the bartender if they had a side salad of any sort. She told me they had a kids Cesar salad. PERFECT! Between that and the shrimp, it was just the lunch I needed. The reason I write this review is because of the bartender herself. I didn't get her name (unfortunately), but she was fabulous. I noticed how attentive she was to all of the customers at the bar and her fellow staff members when they needed drinks or change made. She didn't have to suggest the "kids" salad to me and could've just made me order the more expensive full salad, but she didn't and that was much appreciated! So, to whomever was working the lunch shift at the bar on 11/12/2024.....THANK YOU! I'll be back!

Outstanding. Kid friendly. Tasty food (I'm looking at you duck quesadilla). And their house margaritas actually make you want to come back for them alone. 10/10 would consume again. The atmosphere makes it a great spot for most laid back occasions. Wouldn't necessarily come with large parties of people or for a special occasion, but anything short of that would be fitting.

Hello Sunshine! This was my last meal in Memphis this trip and oh what it was! The restaurant is medium sized. It was a beautiful day to dine outside but this day, the area was closed to the public for an event so we sat near the window. It's light, bright and refreshing! Sunshine was our server and she had a cute disposition. She didn't have any top teeth but smiled a lot, all the same. She was pretty good with anticipating your next move or question but could be misinterpreted. So many interesting menu items, I wished I had more time. I didn't take a picture of the Cucumber spritzer, yes! Icing on the cake. We were all happy. Enjoyed the food to the fullest and we will come again.

Omg yummmm!!! I am so happy we decided to come here! I came here one time years ago but only for drinks... Don't skip the food because it is DELICIOUS!!! I had the vegan black bean burger and I think it may have been the best black bean burger I've ever had! My husband got the baba burger because our lovely bartender recommended it and he said it was the best burger he'd had in a looooong time!! So freakin good! I also had the sangria flight and loved it.. plus some green tea shots!! So fun, we will definitely be back next time we're in the area. :)

Babalu never disappoints, they offer brunch on the weekends and an assortment of delicious items during the week. I visited the East Memphis location with their newly renovated patio and sat outside and enjoyed the view. The wait was less than 5 mins and our waitress was happy to serve my friends and I. She was knowledgeable about the menu and answered any questions we had. For appetizers, my friends and I indulged in the Memphis Hot Honey Shrimp with spicy ranch. Those didn't stand a chance, they were gone in less than two minutes. We all ordered different items from the menu, my go-to order was the Short Rib Rolls with Sweet potato fries. Eating ribs inside an egg roll is the only way I want to eat them. Everything was delicious and fresh. The waitress continued to check in on us to make sure we had everything we needed throughout our visit. Babalu is kid-friendly, family-friendly, or if want a quick bite to eat on your lunch break. Parking is not a problem, it's very spacious and they also have security driving around the parking lot for safety reasons.

I added blackened chicken to chop salad. My partner had blackened chicken on the grilled Caesar salad. A little salty, but otherwise flavorful and delicious. Great combination of flavors. This place has a big menu with options for everyone. Clean and bright. Service is excellent. The only negative was the horrible smell of the window cleaner that they were spraying near us. I asked them to stop while we were eating.

Babalu makes tasty food. I mean there were flies all over the place and the restaurant was filthy, like many Memphis restaurants. But my burger was one of the better ones I've had in the area and my partner's tacos were just plain great. Now, price-wise and ambiance-wise... it's small food. And did I mention all the flies? Take-out in the future...

Babalu always some of the most delicious seasonal cocktail options. Salmon and Brussels were amazing. Service is always top tier. We didn't snag a patio spot but the inside is always just as welcoming.

We have always loved the food at Babalu. Tableside guac is excellent and so is the burger and the steak skewers. We actually ate here twice this week! My only complaint is the very weak drinks. Everyone in our party got a different margarita and everyone loved them except every person said they couldn't taste any alcohol in them. At $12-15 each we did not order a second round. We ordered different drinks on each of our 2 visits and both times felt the same way. My husband used to be a bartender and said he would just order beer or wine next time.

Food is above average, prices are ok. But you can never find a waiter, four people behind the bar with one customer and you have to wait until someone comes from the back to wait on you. And they don't come out very often.

First experience was decent Food: the menu offers a great variety of tasteful options; the lamb slider was okay, would definitely try it again. Not too dry, salty or greasy. Their short rib egg roll was greasy, not much meat but it was tender! Their spin on yellow rice and beans is interesting, too much corn, but interesting. The showstopper was the redfish sandwich, spicy & absolutely delicious! Service: was good & friendly, and courteous! Menu is moderately priced. Ambiance: clean, nice place to dine with friends, coworkers, family or solo.

Babalu on Poplar is our go-to brunch spot for their $4 make-your-own mimosa and delicious brunch fare. The tableside guac is an absolute must--some of the best in Memphis. Service is generally fast and friendly, food is fresh and delivered quickly, ambiance is a bit industrial, but this location is currently going through a remodel, including extension of their patio, so it's a work-in-motion. Pro tip: the full menu is available, even during brunch!

Babablu is always good and pretty consistent! However, lunch always takes longer than I expect even when it isn't busy. I recommend the steak skewers!

Great place! I come here all the time! Weekends are busy tho! They're finally getting a patio!

The food, the atmosphere, and the scenery were all great! I had the Baba Melt. An angus beef bun was served on a buttery toasted bun, topped with sautéed onions and jalapeños, bacon, Swiss cheese, and chipotle aioli. I had it with the crispy Brussel sprouts. The glaze was super good. I will return just for them. I also always get the baked queso with the fresh tortillas. It was also Thirsty Thursday, so I had the house-made sangria it was delicious! This is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner! The patio is open and has a great sitting area where you can either sit in the open area or where the bar looks into the restaurant. On the inside, they have a bar, booth, and table areas. I love me some Babalu's and I'm looking forward to the next visit!

Babalu is is an awesome restaurant with great service. I highly recommend trying a number of tacos with your order. Please try the steak, pork belly, and shrimp tacos. Out of the tacos that I tried, the pork belly was the best. I also highly recommend the calamari. Their calamari, may just be some of the best around.

Started with two margaritas which were very good. We had a wedge salad, steak on a stick, salmon & dessert sampler. All were very good. Chris was our sever he was very attentive. The atmosphere was very nice & relaxing to just sit enjoy the food and watch a basketball game on the big screen TVs

Awful place I don't recommend. Terrible food and service! Please avoid this place I found nothing good to say.

Just passing through and wanted something light for dinner, thought, why not fish tacos. I decided to swing by and do a to go order. The people behind the bar were very friendly and took my order right away. I ordered 4 of the fried fish tacos, a shrimp taco and a chorizo taco. I also decide to get the tuna ceviche. When I got back to the hotel to eat and opened everything up it all looked really good. The shrimp and chorizo tacos were good. Good flavor and great taste. The fried fish tacos on the other hand tasted a bit over cooked. The fish was dry and chewy. The flavor of the sauce was good but the fish was not really edible. The tuna ceviche had a great flavor and the sweet mixed with the avocado and tomatoes was very good.

Great customer service! Food came out hot and quick! Will definitely be visiting again!

First time trying this spot and I can say I was quite impressed. The lighting was set to a perfect setting that made the place seem cozy and yet upscale. The favorite part of my meal was the Juke Joint Juice . Whenever was behind the bar definitely did their job tonight because 1 drink was all it took. Customer service was impressive along with how quick the kitchen was able to provide the food in a reasonable amount of time. Ordered the desert sampler to go and haven't tried it so I will be updating the desert part soon .

Babalu brunch is hit or miss with me sometimes. I ventured out of my usual (I usually come for lunch or dinner) and I probably shouldn't had lol! Service is decent. The mimosas are under $4 so that's a WIN and the brunch menu is pretty nice. However the skillet dip is not what you think. It's NOT dip. It's really thick, almost solid. I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 because this was one time I didn't like everything. But trust me, when I get my usual stuff, I'm in HEAVEN. I'll update my review with the menu items I would highly recommend.

Do not order the calamari. 90% fried breading, 10% scrawy tidbits of squid. Complete waste of $12.

All food just AMAZING !!! Coming here you can be sure that no matter what you order - it will be incredibly tasty, juicy, fresh and with excellent service and very clean not broken plates, appliances and snow-white napkins! (In a restroom also very clean, what impressed ) THANK YOU!

Last night I ordered curbside take-out. It was easy to do online, but I will say they don't tell you an estimated time of when your meal will be ready..until after you checkout and pay. Which is a bit annoying. Because what if it was an hour? or 10 mins? You have no idea. It's a gamble. Once I arrived I looked around for curbside parking and didn't see anything. Then I looked for parking in general and didn't see anything. So I called the restaurant and the lady said to park out front and we'll bring your meal right out. So parking was confusing since there isn't a designated area for curbside, but if you do order curbside just park upfront with your flashers on, call the restaurant saying you're here, and you'll be good to go! I ordered a cobb salad and it was delicious! It was fresh and flavorful and had so many things on it - onions, tomatoes, egg, bacon, and avocado. And the dressing was really good too. I think it was some sort of avocado dressing. Not spicy or anything. I do wish they gave me a little more dressing, since the salad was a pretty good portion and I did run out before I could finish eating!

It is a bit pricy, but we go there for the great tasting food, the ambiance and atmosphere. It is an excellent place and we have our favorite spot and favorite servers.

Excellent atmosphere and the small plates were great to share or even enough food for yourself. Had the skewers and plenty of food for a meal.

Nice taco joint with a modern twist. Pretty clean and the server was friendly enough. Ingredients for the tacos seemed pretty fresh but the tortillas were undercooked and the tacos arrived cold. The rice and beans needed more seasoning too. Overall pretty good but missed the fine details for a 5th star. I get it... this seems a little critical but if tacos are Babalu's thing, they gotta be on point. Prices were fair. I'd come back.

I go to Babalu's for the guac, it's fantastic! The last 3 times I have stopped in to get an order to go, it's been brown and old. Not fresh like they make at the table. Today my tea didn't even taste like tea. Very disappointed in the East location.

The food was great no complains , but the service was pretty poor , she took a long time to come get our order after the guacamole was brought! To the table , and I was looking around and there's was no that many tables or busy to take that long !! She kept apologizing but the place was not full at all ...

A last minute *Girls Night Out* at Babalu's was a complete waste of time and money. They have the Worst Cocktails and I mean WORST *WEAK AS SPRING WATER* Cocktails EVEEEEEER! I honestly CANNOT believe this establishment is still open for business. How? These were the WEAKEST, WATERED DOWN, JUICIEST, MOCKTAILS posing as COCKTAILS drinks I have ever sipped in my entire lifetime. This establishment is a rip off when it comes to cocktails! DO NOT go here for the Cocktails....you will be highly disappointed & feel ripped off as if you literally just spent your hard earned money on a decorated juice cocktail. The Avocado Rolls and Tacos were pretty decent in addition to, we were starving. That is the only reason I mustered up giving them a 1-Star. The highlight of the evening was this...the server actually brought a half filled "Overly Sour Pre Mixed" Margarita (as pictured) to the table and expected my Aunt to pay for it. Unbelievable to say the least. Upon asking the server how long she has worked at Babalu and if other patrons complain about their cocktails. She informed us they have received complaints in the past and patrons have sent their cocktails back. She suggested we buy additional shots to make our cocktails stronger. Lol! I presume that's their UPSELLING tactic to make a profit on liquor. In the words of my Great Wise Uncle...."I'm too big of a Cat to be fooled by a kitten." I'll gladly stopped by the Package Store and pick up a favor or 2 before I spend money on a watered down additional shot at Babalu. Once the Manager came to the table, we expressed our concerns and disappointments with our cocktails. He reluctantly took the margaritas off the bill. I rarely complain about cocktails because I'm a lightweight. However, Babalu East Memphis you guys need to be ASHAMED and shut down for serving $11 *weak as spring water cocktails*, upselling or suggesting the of purchase additional shots and a 20~25% tip and/or repeat business is INSANE! Do better BABALU East Memphis!

I love Babalu! The guac is to die for...I could eat it everyday! The atmosphere is always inviting and the service staff is always friendly, professional and knowledgeable about menu. I decided to try the brunch today and it didn't disappoint. I had the Crab Cake Benedict and also tried the summer cocktail...strawberry kiwi margarita! It was a nice way to cool down in this crazy heat! Babalu changes their menu and I do love the diversity of items.

Fast service! We tried a little bit of everything today and enjoyed it all! iron skillet queso guacamole and salsa tacos: carnitas, chicken, shrimp, steak local beer dessert trio sampler

My server, James M., was great! He recommended that I try the Sunset Salad with Salmon! I had to ask for an extra serving of the dressing, but it was great! I also had the seasonal Watermelon Peach Sangria, and it was so good! All in all, it was a great lunch! I usually have great service anytime I've gone to this location! God bless you James!

Tacos are about 2-3 bites but delicious! If you go on Thursday they are $1 off each. Margaritas are great, but THAT GUACAMOLE! Table side guacamole is outstanding. I'm not big on the table side part, but they use 3 avocados and lots of delicious flavor. Chips served with it are BOMB. The side of corn was the only thing I wasn't a fan of. It had too much cumin and a small portion for $6.

Went there for Brunch with some friends. The avocado dip was great! They make it fresh right in front of you. The staff was very nice and good came out quickly. I would definitely recommend coming here. Someday they are very busy but it is worth the wait.

My husband and I come here pretty often and LOVE IT. We visited today for a celebration. They accidentally dropped my food while bringing it to the table. I didn't complain at all (obviously they didn't mean to drop it) and we weren't in any hurry. They ended up giving us our whole meal for free. Totally unexpected but very appreciated! The food is always amazing!

I would not personally recommend this spot to my friends/family. When we called the restaurant to place an order, we had some questions regarding the menu, as we'd never been there before. Not only did the woman who answered the phone have little to no idea what the items on the menu were (my fiancé had to read the menu to her) but she had to place us on hold multiple times. The holding wasn't as big of a deal as her not knowing her own menu! We spent over $50 for a take-out meal for 2, and we got 3 apps and 1 entre. I cannot stress it enough that portions were absolutely not $50 in size. The 'street corn' is also a no. If you're expecting a creamy, authentic Mexican 'elote' style dish, please don't buy this. It was corn with seasoning. No cotija cheese, no crema.

We had a party of 8. The food was delicious! We had fresh made Guacamole, a baked cheese dip that was amazing and I had the Chicken Satay. All so good. The servers were friendly. It had a nice family feel. We really enjoyed our experience!

Went for a late lunch/early dinner. Wasn't really crowded and we were seated in about 10 minutes. Service was a bit slow and inattentive but I will show a bit of grace given the circumstances. We ordered grilled crab cakes for an appetizer. They were ok-could have been cooked a bit more. I ordered a shrimp and chorizo rice dish. It was COMPLETELY under seasoned. My husband ordered the redfish and enjoyed his meal. He also had a couple of margaritas that he said were good.

Me and the Kids love this Place,My son is in love with the Brussel Sprouts.The entire Menu is good and that hard to find with Restaurants these days

They have a fresh grouper salad that is affiliated with a sister restaurant on 30a (George's), FL. If you know you know! Sometimes service is great and other times not so much!

I had the opportunity to try many items here with a group of friends since we shared appetizers. I also took advantage of the "Feeling Like a Million Bucks" watermelon & vodka drink and the $5 sangria special they were running. The table side guacamole was very chunky and tasty. The baked queso was a fantastic choice too. It had great seasoning and stretch. Lastly, I had a few unnamed tacos that tasty too. Overall good choice.

Food is great, prices are great, atmosphere is great! Wide variety of food options. My 3 favorite meals are the duck quesadillas, Al Pastor tacos and of course the Baba Burger! They do a table side guacamole that is a half to as well. Enjoy!

Service was great food was tasty , fresh , and fast . Portions are small and Guacamole made fresh also and really good , great place for happy hour .

Great drinks, food and service! Thebtableside guacamole is fabulous. Short rib eggrolls also great. All the foods tasty.

I don't give many 5's, but this place was so close to getting it.. Yelp will not allow 1/2 star ratings, so my review is solid 4, but really a 4.5 if available. Chris (Bartender) left us here in Jackson to broaden options and continue schooling. (UOM) Drinks were on point, Sweet Tea perfect, and service most Bars could not compete with. The appetizer was different, it was like a spring/egg roll deep fried with Avocado's. Wife had the Lamb Sliders, and I had a their Signature Burger. We split a side dish, some kind of Garlic, Cheese, Potato dish. Everything was fresh, and cooked perfectly. This place was packed, the $3 Mimosas caused brunch to be on fire. Personally we witnessed 3 cases gone in a 2H time frame. That is a lot of Champagne flowing. The only reason this place does not get a 5 is parking, the lot was a zoo, at least 2 other food joints share the lot and it was like the Mall on a Black Friday. It is best to get there early. Would I go back? Yes, if Chris is there for sure. (Natalie his side kick is good as well, but he is the reason made a trip)

Everything we ate was delicious! We ordered the table side quac, chorizo burrito, brussel sprouts and margaritas. It was all excellent.