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The choices of City Council President JB Smiley Jr.

Matte Jr
The choices of City Council President JB Smiley Jr.

Memphis has given birth to diverse talents across multiple sectors. They are artists and activists, educators and change agents, public servants and CEOs. Some would refer to them as the VIPs of Grind City – the people who keep us moving and make us shine.

JB Smiley Jr. is one of those VIPs.

Smiley is a South Memphis product dedicated to serving the neighborhood that raised him. The president of the Memphis City Council was kind enough to agree to my request for recommendations of important restaurants in the city – despite this request being an ambush.

Smiley, 37, is not like the fictional versions of politicians who have a casual breakfast at the same restaurant every morning and who we often see portrayed on TV. In fact, he confessed that he normally skipped breakfast most days to start the day as early as possible.

“As long as I have coffee, I’m fine,” he said.

Here’s where the “Booker Washington” graduate (I’m told locals don’t care about that famous middle initial) says every Memphian and visitor needs to eat in town when their food cravings lead them to venture out beyond your own kitchen and culinary skills, and going out into the world in search of nutrition.

Lunch

The Four Paths | 998 Mississippi Blvd. | Opening hours: 11am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday to Tuesday

The confessions kept coming during our short interview, as Smiley admitted to being addicted to soul food — especially when it came to legendary South Memphis restaurant The Four Way; a place known near and far for its quality and frequented by civil rights leaders and public servants, tourists and regulars, celebrities and politicians.

“I have a problem,” Smiley said as he laughed over a small bowl of beans. “I eat a lot of soul food.”

And anyone who knows anything about soul food knows The Four Way.

“Memphis soul food is (about) companionship,” he continued. “And they really understand what spice is.”

The destination restaurant has been around for more than twice Smiley’s lifetime, making it a main character in many of his formative memories — including a family legend that parts of his childhood home and the restaurant were built from the same pile. of bricks.

“This is what forever ties my home to The Four Way,” he said, noting that Friday lunches at the restaurant are still part of his weekly routine.

If you’re going to eat like the councilman, try the tasty bones, vegetables and cornbread. If you’re eating like me, order a double portion of macaroni and cheese.

Barbecue

Cozy corner | North Road 735 | Opening hours: 11am to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday to Monday

A mainstay of the Memphis barbecue scene since the 1970s, Cozy Corner is a simple steakhouse that still serves substantial portions at affordable prices.

Smiley is a fan of their dry rub and recommends using the sauce to dip wings and ribs.

“You can find just about anyone there,” he said. “It could be a former or current mayor or even Penny (Hardaway).”

Much like the legacies of the Memphis restaurants he frequents, Smiley said he often contemplates the city’s legacy and who will take his place when the time comes for him to move on in the future.

“I created a program called the Memphis Civic Engagement Academy,” he said of the initiative that builds on successful programs implemented in Birmingham and Little Rock and that educates residents about the inner workings of local government.

“I encourage (participants) to use what they learn in their everyday lives,” he explained. “But I hope they want to run for public office.”

Fine Dining

Balcony and lounge | 2125 Madison Avenue | Opening hours: 4:45 pm to 9 pm, Monday to Thursday; 4pm to 9:30pm, Friday to Saturday; 3pm to 9pm Sunday

When Smiley is looking for a more refined dining experience, he prefers Overton Square’s Porch & Parlor.

“It’s the best steak in town,” he said of the restaurant that Yelp declared the best steakhouse in all of Tennessee.

Despite his many accolades, Smiley filed a friendly complaint that the restaurant’s famous Parlor Surf & Turf entrée is only served one or two days a week.

The featured entrée serves lobster tail, scallop and king prawn; each one on top of a fillet medallion.

“You will be blessed,” Smiley declared.

According to Porch & Parlor, the quality of seafood is always prioritized. The restaurant aims to serve Parlor Surf & Turf on Fridays and Saturdays, but may reduce service due to availability.

Although Smiley is disappointed that the specialty is only available one or two days a week, he highly recommends the restaurant and said the bone marrow goes perfectly with any main dish, at any time.

VIP LIKES: Where does ‘P-Valley’ actor Bertram Williams Jr. eat when he’s at home in Memphis? Your top picks

Treats

Cheesecake Corner (inside Fannie Lou) | Tennessee Street, 500, nº 166 | Opening hours: 3pm to 10pm, Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday to Tuesday

In addition to her deep love for Memphis and its delicious food, Smiley is not shy about her love for desserts, especially from Cheesecake Corner.

“It’s God sent,” he said of the strawberry cheesecake, and quickly added that the vanilla cheesecake was equally wonderful.

The restaurant moved to its current location inside Fannie Lou’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles when owner-operator Kevin Matthews decided to prepare his tasty recipes in addition to the sought-after cheesecake combinations he creates.

Smiley had no problem following Matthews from GE Patterson to his current location on Tennessee Street.

“I immediately stopped when I saw the sign in the window,” Smiley recalled upon learning of the restaurant’s move. “It is very good.”

Ellen Chamberlain is the food and dining reporter for The Commercial Appeal. To nominate a Memphis VIP for VIP Tastes, email [email protected].

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