Jim & Samella's Restaurant

If you are in Memphis this is one place you do not want to miss. The food is great. The deep fried lobster tails are amazing as are the potato cakes. The catfish is done perfectly. Make sure you get their desserts as well. However what really makes this place is the people. They know how to make you feel like family. The story and history are also an integral part of the fiber of the establishment. Highly recommended!

Lord behold, I found a diamond!!! Walking into this place felt like a warm hug. Yes, it is a restaurant in a house!!! I love the concept of fellowship and having dinner with people you don't know. We all set around the table like one big family. And the smells that were coming from the kitchen just took me away, and when I got to taste the food. It was just like my mom's, God, rest her soul. I truly enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere n the hospitality was phenomenal. I will definitely be back ! P.s try the kool aid😍😍

We traveled from South Louisiana and found a down home gem! Mrs. Darlene and her son make food with love. We were welcomed as family and thoroughly enjoyed their and the other patrons company.

Have been coming for YEARS! Today I enjoyed Sunday dinner sweet potatoes cabbage pinto beans fried chicken fried fish hot water cornbread Mac n cheese heart of South Memphis . Brunch food is good-all food is always good!

I recently visited Jim and Samella’s in Memphis, and it was the highlight of my trip. The restaurant, which had been featured on "Somebody Feed Phil," was the main reason I wanted to come to Memphis, and it did not disappoint. Despite arriving on a day when they were closed for a large catering order, I had to explain to Talbert, the owner, about staying an extra day just to visit his restaurant. After almost pleading with him, he graciously prepared something special for me. This added a unique and personal touch to my experience, making me incredibly grateful for extending my trip to visit. Jim and Samella’s is not just about the food; it’s about the community and the love that goes into every dish. The walls are adorned with pictures of family and portraits that celebrate black cultural heritage, giving you a deep sense of the history and the pride that permeates this place. Talbert shared stories about interpreting his grandma's recipes, ensuring they stay true to her home-cooked style, which was heartwarming to hear. The food is simply unbelievable, with flavors that will make your mouth pop and leave you wanting more. I had the chicken and waffles, and it was an absolute delight. They serve soul food, rich with tradition and flavor. Spending time one-on-one with Talbert, discussing the impact of "Somebody Feed Phil" on his restaurant and hearing about his grandma's recipes, was an unforgettable experience. Don't let the humble setting fool you—Jim and Samella’s is a true gem where great food and a strong sense of community come together. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Memphi

This place is TRULY Down Home Great Eating, with a little something extra special. Amazing Cooks, Hospitality makes you feel at home, like you in Grandmama's dining room. If you are in Memphis, Jim & Samella's is a must! Bring Your Apettite, cause they feed you.

They do have fried pork chops 👍

Oh my goodness! The food was DELICIOUS! Thiswas my first time having fried lobster tail and I definitely wasn't disappointed! They were gracious enough to open for us on a Monday and we couldn't be more appreciative! My son (who is a picky eater) ate his waffle, shrimp, and lobster tail! Those fried potatoes onions & bell peppers had the right amount of season! We ate so quickly we didn't even take a picture of our food! 20 out of 10 definitely recommend! The service was spot on and they were extremely friendly!

We just spent a week in Memphis and Jim & Samella's was definitely our favorite meal, if not our favorite experience of our time here. The food was fantastic. Fried pork chop, greens, green beans, corn bread, mashed potatoes and a heavenly spiced walnut cake with bourbon glaze, oh and yellow kool-aid. The staff and other guests were friendly and welcoming. It was like stepping into someone's dining room and being treated like family. We'll never visit Memphis again without visiting!

Stopped here after church. It's literally a house but don't let that turn you away. I had oxtail, peas, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and dressing! See the pic!! Highly recommend.

This is the place you go to for a great down home plate. Amazing food. Great service. And on and on. I really want to try their catering now. Memphis you have a gem right here. All the guys are great truly a wonderful group. I will make a trip back to Memphis just to experience them again. O and try them for catering too!

4 words: BEST IN THE CITY! If you're lookin for a meal filled with love and passion? Drive over! If you're interested in a good time with some BOMB drinks? Make your reservation NOW! Mr. T is a legend in this city and you WANT to be sure you stop by the house at least 4 times in your break future! (Stay tuned for the strip and serve!!!)

This place is great! They used to be open for dine-in and more often pre-covid. Now they do pickup orders mainly on Fridays and Sundays or special holidays. Sundays are more for the big meals like chicken, greens, mac n cheese, etc. Follow them on Facebook for best updates or send them a message. They are also featured on the Netflix show. Somebody Feed Phil. Check it out.

Have I been living under a rock?! Jim & Samella's had a fifth anniversary celebration dinner and that was the first time I stepped foot in the door. Talbert is Jim & Samella's grandson and HE CAN COOOOOOK! On this day, I had one of the best meals I have ever eaten in Memphis! He began with a salad made with veggies from Knowledge Quest. He pickled the fresh vegetables and then sautéed some of them in brown butter. His next course was a Soul Roll with collard greens inside a fried egg roll with yam sauce. We then cleaned off our palates with pineapple sorbet that had small pieces of pineapple inside. The main course was a choice between chicken or oxtail with dressing. The vegetables were green beans or Brussels sprouts as well as sweet potatoes. Dessert was a choice between sweet potato pie, pound cake or bread pudding. I cannot believe how delicious everything was. My chicken was falling off the bone. Everything was so well seasoned. You will never need salt or pepper in this restaurant. The restaurant is located in Talbert's grandparents' actual house. The decor is such that you totally feel at home. It's such a delightful experience!!! What makes this an even better experience is knowing that the restaurant adopted Ida B. Wells Academy to buy school supplies for the kids. I hear on Sundays, they get so packed that you can't get a seat and they run out of food every Sunday. Someone there said "you have to be posted up by 10:30 to get in." The restaurant is only open three days out of the week. They have set menus for each day. I will have to try every single one! This is an INSANELY AMAZING restaurant in the heart of South Memphis.

I was recommended by chef tam's underground & i am so grateful this place was amazing ! I got the smothered pork chops with mash potatoes & green beans !! The hot water corn bread was the best I've ever had in my life ! The food was amazing !!!! They immediately made us feel like family , it felt like i was visiting my grandma's house . This place is for people who have good energy & love good food !

No words can describe the wonderful hospitality Talbert and fam provide.enough said make a reservation and come by and enjoy the food and people and atmosphere:)

Sunday dinner is to die for. The service is always professional and I love the home-like ambiance. The cajun potatoes and steamed cabbages and hot water cornbread is so delicious.....

This my favorite "Soul Food" restaurant in Memphis. Talbert Flemming, his family and crew have made an old South Memphis neighborhood house into the epitome of what "home-cooked dining means, from oxtail dressing, to great fried chicken and waffles and so much more. Menus vary on Sundays so it's best to call before you go. Fridays and Saturday menus are pretty much the same. It's like dining at a table in your grandparents' home....which is exactly what Jim & Samella's represent. In addition to in-house dining, they cater to large events for reunions, weddings, house parties to corporate events So grateful for their efforts which give back to the community of South Memphis and makes us proud.

Today I visited for the first time! It is a quaint little house in South Memphis. When you walk in it feels like you are truly visiting someone! I had the fried ribs with smothered dressing, greens, and sweet potatoes with a side of peach cobbler. The food was absolutely delicious! The people are also very, very nice and personable. I really appreciate it this experience and I will return.

We've been here at least 5 times over the last year and every time is better than the last. The food is amazing. The owner, Talbert , turned his grandmothers (God Rest her soul) house into a restaurant which gives it a down home, cozy feel. We come in hungry & we leave feeling satisfied and lazy! The food here is seriously good! . The last time We had the fried chicken, roasted corn, macaroni and cheese & collard greens. And if that wasn't enough, Talbert started frying cat fish and brought some out to every table. All the food was Like mama used to make on sunday evening! Can't say anything bad about the food here. Insanely delicious! Writing this review, thinking back about the food is making me hungry right now! Oh I almost forgot, we had some kind of super moist lemon cake that was melt in your mouth delicious. I don't even like lemon cake! The portions were beyond generous! Guaranteed to make you full even if you have a big appetite! The service was good. Everyone is very friendly & attentive. Only been there on the weekend, so not really sure of the hours during the week.

Amazing chicken and waffles with the best scrambled eggs I've had. Also got a side of cheese grits. Everything came out hot and tasted amazing. This is home cooking at its best. Friendly owners at this converted house. Just a few tables, but no wait when we went.

I enjoyed a great plate of freshly fried catfish, spaghetti, green beans and hot water cornbread. You talk about some good eating.

I visited this restaurant as part of a food tour. Jim & Samella's is cozy, homestyle restaurant run by their grandson. Talbot makes amazing food that you can tell has care and love behind it. Everything tastes and feels like you're at home. The menu changes frequently as it is not written anywhere. Talbot makes what he's moved to make and you can tell with each bite. He's only open Friday-Sunday, but this place is a must when in Memphis. Every. Thing. Was. Good.

I actually cannot comment on the food here- we came when they were closed unfortunately! But the service was incredible. Jim was very disappointed to tell us they were closed to a private function, and when we asked if he had any other recommendations in the area he got us to follow him in his car to a place he recommended- wow! Southern hospitality at its best!

Amazing! Here on work from New England and this spot was such a perfect choice for lunch. Greens were perfectly seasoned and I now LOVE beef neckbones. We will be back for sure!

What an amazing experience and food. Talbert welcomed us into his childhood neighborhood home with open arms. He used his grandparents' (Jim and Samella) recipes to cook us up fresh fried chicken and waffles, delicious potatoes and coffee. It was the only thing offered for that meal. The honey butter sauce was to die for! Truly felt like being a guest in someone's home.

The call in service is horrible , they don't answer the phone and then on their answering machine they want you to leave a message ..." I'm hungry now can you please call me back and take my order" ....LOL !!!!!

Went there for brunch on weekend and looked closed but sign said open. Called as driving away and told by nice man that closed for private event. He apologized.

I really enjoyed the service as well as the food. My co-worker suggested this hidden gem and the owner accommodated us with a menu of our choice. We ordered lamb chops which were brazed in succulent spice mint jelly served over asparagus and fried scalloped potatoes. As an appetizer we had Soul Rolls with a delicious cognac yam sauce. I am truly a fan.

Beautiful example of true neighborhood southern food. This group is not only about the customer experience but about the quality as well. Such a job well done. May you go very very far.

OMG, WONDERFUL!!! The best Soul Food and service in Memphis. You must stop by. You will not be disappointed.