Rich A.
Yelp
Located in the up-and-coming South Main neighborhood, South of Beale (or, SoB) is an upscale casual restaurant in a newly-renovated historic building that was once the Ambassador Hotel. SoB offers reasonably-priced internationally-inspired fusion cuisine and tasty and innovative cocktails served by efficient and friendly staff. SoB features a menu with something for everyone, including those with various dietary restrictions, with burgers, bowls, salads and entrees at prices that range from $15 for a veggie or turkey burger and fries to $36 for a New York Strip steak or drunken lamb chops.
I ordered the Shawarma Bowl ($17), a Middle Eastern-inspired dish comprised of broiled chopped chicken thigh served over yellow rice, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and topped with shawarma sauce and sriracha with a few pieces of pita bread. YUM! The bold flavors came together well to make a very tasty dish. My dining companion ordered the Zaka Bowl ($16), a Korean-inspired dish with marinated mushrooms, carrots, green beans, sunny-side egg, white rice, and sesame, drizzled with kimchi vinaigrette and topped with fried tofu (+$9), which she really enjoyed.
As for the cocktails, I tried the Bittersweet Symphony ($13), made with juke joint bourbon, lazzaroni maraschino liquour, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and angostura bitters, which was an very tasty and refreshing take on a traditional Old Fashioned cocktail.
The portion sizes were very filling and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food.
We will definitely be back next time we're in Memphis!
PRO TIP #1: Flavortown Mayor Guy Fieri visited South of Beale in the 2012 Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode "Flavortown Medley". He, owner Ed Cabigao, and executive chef Bryan McDaniel made the Duck Fried Rice and Jack Daniels-infused bread pudding.