Memphis, Tennessee is of course known for its barbecue, not its Italian food or pizza. But there are some great places in Memphis to get a yummy pizza, some filling pasta, or a yummy calzone.
1.) Coletta’s has 2 locations. One is in the suburb of Bartlett at 2850 Appling Road. The other is in the heart of Memphis at 1063 South Parkway. They had a location on Summer Avenue but sadly, it burned down. I have never dined at the location on South Parkway but I have been to the Appling location several times. The restaurant is beautiful inside with typical (and somewhat cheesy) Italian decor. They have a large private party room as well. Whether I sit by the bar (hey, you get your wine quicker that way!) or in the main dining room, I always have good service with quick bread and beverage refills. I am a boring Coletta’s diner. I always get the same entree when I go there, which is a pizza with Shrimp and Italian sausage. That sounds like a weird combination, I know. But it is so delicious! Their pizzas are always a good choice. The cheese is always melted, the sauce and toppings are always hot and fresh, and the crust is crispy. They also have awesome pasta choices as well. One favorite of several of my friends and family is the Shrimp Diane, which is fettuccine pasta with shrimp in a butter sauce. If you are in the mood for good (non-chain) Italian in a cheap and convenient suburban location, check out Coletta’s.
2.) 3 Guys Pizza Pies has locations in Virginia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The only location I have visited is in Cordova, Tennessee (at 1014 N. Germantown Parkway) but I have dined at that location several times! 3 guys is my go-to place for a quick beer and a quick bite. 3 Guys is a seat yourself kind of place and is a very family friendly and sports friendly kind of place. The atmosphere is always fun when the local teams are on TV. I cannot go to 3 Guys without ordering the “Cheese Bites” as an appetizer. The cheese bites are pieces of fried cheese served with honey mustard. Their hot wings are also a great choice!! My go-to meal at 3 Guys is always a calzone. I usually get mine with pepperoni, sausage, and onion. Their calzones are HUGE (I’m a food lover and I always have leftovers) and you really get your moneys worth. The dough is always golden and the calzone always comes out hot with a delicious side of marinara. 3 Guys has specials 5 days of the week but they vary by location. At the Cordova location they have free soft drinks and $1.49 select draft beers on Thursdays. On Wednesdays, they have $5.99 calzones and strombolis, which is $4 off the regular price! And of course they have lunch specials. If you are looking for a fun, quick place for the family or you’re looking for a delicious lunch stop, try 3 guys!
3.) Boscos is my favorite restaurant in Memphis. They are a brewery and have a full bar, but the best choice is always one of their beers. On Sundays they have a special brunch menu (featuring most of their regular menu) and live music. They also have a beautiful deck. When I go to Boscos, I always get the calimari! It is always perfectly battered and fried and comes with a marinara sauce that has just the right kick. The calimari and one of their “Flaming Stone” beers go perfectly together. They have pizza, pasta, seafood, salads, and burgers. The meal I always get is the Chesapeake pizza. This is an individual sized pizza with pesto, shellfish, scallops and shrimp. It is the most delicious pizza I have ever had. It is good every time and I always want to order a 2nd! If you love seafood and pizza (and beer!), be sure to eat at Boscos Memphis. Their address is 2120 Madison Avenue.
