1. Bangkok Alley
City: Cordova, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (901) 753-7250
Address: 830 North Germantown Parkway
Description: This super-friendly Thai restaurant, situated amid the many shopping centers and chain restaurants along Germantown Parkway, is an oasis for lovers of this spicy Asian cuisine or anyone who wants an alternative to the usual suburban fare. You’ll find a menu that combines familiar dishes such as red and green curries, pad thai, and spring rolls with chef’s specials, among them, seafood keow whan, with scallops and a curry coconut sauce. Be sure to check out the whimsical wall decorations, created by Memphis artist/puppeteer Jim Crosthwait. Open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner Monday through Saturday. Beer and wine only. No smoking allowed.
2. Jason’S Deli
City: Cordova, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (901) 844-1840
Address: 1585 Chickering Lane
Description: This large, cheerful deli with red-leatherette booths may be another chain restaurant, but it has definitely won over the hearts of Memphians, who love the extensive salad bar (perhaps the best in town), muffalettas, and other hot sandwiches. You place your order at the counter and pay, and servers bring you your food. The menu, which is quite long, includes healthy-heart selections, fine soups, and stuffed baked potatoes. The free soft ice cream is a nice, friendly touch. Jason’s is packed at lunchtime, so expect a line during the busiest times. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
3. Bombay House
City: Cordova, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (901) 755-4114
Address: 1727 North Germantown Parkway
Description: Bombay House makes Indian cuisine seasoned with a Western palate in mind, but that doesn’t mean the food is dull: Everything is seasoned with fresh-ground, homemade spices. Popular dishes include chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken. Or try the mango pickles and mango chutney, they offer a sweet accompaniment to the spicy dishes. Beer and wine only. Open daily.
4. Memphis Pizza Cafe
City: Cordova, TN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (901) 380-3888
Address: 8385 Highway 64
Description: With its cracker-crisp thin crust and fresh toppings, the pizza at these ultracasual restaurants has been embraced by locals since the first cafe opened in 1994. Pizzas of note are the café supreme with seven meat and veggie toppings, the veggie supreme with eight toppings, and the alternative, a white pizza with no sauce but plenty of mozzarella and garlic. The menu also includes calzone, a few salads, and sandwiches, and there’s beer and a few wines by the glass at the Madison location only. During nice weather, check out the back deck of the Madison Avenue location. Open every day for lunch and dinner. Smoking is not permitted, even on the deck.