When people think of the best diners in Tennessee, they usually envision just-out-of-the-oven biscuits, a heaping portion of scrambled eggs, and a tall stack of pancakes. But today’s feature restaurant isn’t a diner by definition, although it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Despite its gastro-pub aesthetic, South of Beale has a fan-favorite menu item that will immediately inspire nostalgia: bread pudding. This beloved dessert is made from scratch-just like your grandmother made it-with some creative twists that are certainly unexpected. One bite and you’ll feel like you’re in two places at once: grandma’s kitchen and your favorite local nightclub.
South of Beale Has One of the Best Desserts in Tennessee
South of Beale Restaurant opened relatively recently, but it honors the legacy of Tennessee comfort food. It all started in 2009, when Ed and Brittany Cabigao opened their home-cooking restaurant (with a twist!) in hopes of establishing the neighborhood as a hub for dining and nightlife. Although the restaurant has moved and even expanded to two other locations, the business hasn’t strayed from its roots. Today, the downtown location is inside the renovated Ambassador Hotel, which was built in 1915.
Why the Bread Pudding at South of Beale Tastes Like Homemade
South of Beale’s Jack & Coke bread pudding probably isn’t exactly how your grandmother made it. But the idea of jazzing up a classic Tennessee bread pudding recipe with brandy or whiskey isn’t exactly new, especially in Tennessee. Either way, the heart of the recipe is the same: quality ingredients that are transformed into one of the most soul-warming comfort foods around. South of Beale prepares their bread pudding by first making a cola reduction, which gets incorporated along with ingredients like chopped bread, cream, egg yolks, and sugar. Once it’s pulled from the oven, it gets served alongside a scoop of whiskey ice cream. No shortcuts are used, and the result speaks for itself!
What Else to Order at This Tennessee Diner
On the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri ordered another knockout specialty item: the duck fried rice. The dish is made with duck confit, which gives it an incredibly tender quality. Much like the bread pudding, it’s a traditional dish with an exciting, unforgettable twist. Of course, if you’d like to come in and order a traditional diner breakfast, you can opt for “The Classic,” which is on the weekend brunch menu and comes with two eggs any style, seasoned crispy potatoes, bacon, and toast. Or how about steak and eggs? This classic duo is made with a six-ounce strip loin plus a homemade steak sauce.
Looking for something a bit more diner-adjacent? Try the duck melt, which is your classic melt sandwich elevated with a ground duck patty, Texas toast, smoked gouda, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Some other great dishes include the SOB Burger, fried chicken sandwich, and, in true Tennessee fashion, biscuits. You’ll get three of them, plus house-made jam and butter, for $9.
Though South of Beale is a much more modern kitchen, it’s clear that their most famous dish takes its inspiration from a centuries-long tradition. One bite is enough to make you want to pack up your bags and move to Memphis, unless you’re lucky enough to live nearby already. Curious to learn more? You can visit the official South of Beale website.
Dining and Cooking