Best Southern American Restaurants in Midtown / Cooper

When I noticed that the River Terrace had re-opened, I was excited to try it when I was going to be in Memphis for Christmas. I was thrilled that I could get a table on Dec 26, to celebrate my 60th birthday. The last time I dined at the restaurant was in December of 1999, for New Year's Eve. Prior, I was part of the original staff that opened the restaurant in 1982. It was great to see the place re-modeled, re-furbished, and thriving. The view is among the very best in the city. The food was excellent. I had the Blacked Catfish...WOW! The service was very good. I had a nice conversation with the manager and shared a few memories about the old place. I highly recommend Mahagony River Terrace.

We had a nice dinner the day after Christmas. The menu was enticing but I chose the special - pan-seared mahi-mahi with poblano cream rice and broccolini. It was lovely: very light and delicious (and arrived hot!). My husband chose the seafood orecchiette pasta which should have been called “fish pasta” because there was no seafood (such as shrimp, scallops, shellfish…It had minced salmon and redfish. hmmm … two of the regular entrees!). It was outright bland and boring. The sauce was a creamy tomato with no zest or flavor. They graciously did not charge us for it. The salads (wedge and house) were both excellent. The wine selection limited but adequate. We were grateful for the ambiance and noise level where one could have a conversation. Carla, the waitress was tops!!!

The staff at the entrance was rude. We did not feel welcome at all. But once seated, our server was great, the food was great and the band playing was excellent. Need the old lady at the entrance removed and you’ll get a five.

My friends and I were celebrating our 60th Deltaversary in our sorority. Our server Tim group 9 was so warm and welcoming. We were able to get the Wednesday special - short ribs of beef which melted in your mouth. The dish was perfectly seasoned. The collard greens were tasty as was the mashed sweet potatoes. The restaurant was packed but the service was quick and on point. Thanks for a wo needful celebration

Two of us dined after a basketball game at FedExForum. The restaurant was not busy at 8:30 pm, and our server, Rae, promptly took our drink orders. I had a perfectly made Tito's and tonic. My cousin has a pot of Earl Grey tea. We shared the Ballers Brisket Sliders and the 901 Potato Skins. Both were very good. The sliders were sweet and smokey, served with BBQ sauce and fried onion rings on soft buns and a side of dill pickles, the French fries had a Cajun spice. The potato skins had a nice layer of potato with bacon, cheddar cheese, and scallions, served on a bed of lettuce with sour cream. We also ordered the Cajun Shrimp Pasta to-go for my cousin's son, who reported it was delicious! We look forward to returning many times during the basketball season. Our server, Rae, was attentive and knowledgeable. We will definitely ask for her on our next visit!