Kudzu’s

The only green building at 603 Monroe ave. Great bar food especially burgers and fries. The best French fries in town, crinckle fries and no salt. Chicken Salad Wednesday is a tradition but you have to get there early. Best music venue in memphis from bluegrass to Punk. Blues jam on Tuesday night is outstanding. Best dive bar in Memphis. Best people around too! Dana, Martin and Jerry !

An unassuming spot, located on a strip downtown that most tourists probably would not walk on but alas, we were hungry and read the burgers were good. They were not good — they were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. So juicy and flavourful. How could so much taste come from such a little thing??? I highly recommend the burger here.
I wish I came back at night for blues night :(

I’m sure Kudzu’s will benefit from the opening of neighbor High Cotton. We had been here several times before the taproom opened because, being from Indiana, my husband loves the pork tenderloin sandwich and this is the only place around to get one. Our visit last night reminded me that this is indeed a dve bar and food is an afterthought. Yes, the tenderloin — called the Hoosier is good, but not much for vegetarians. I ordered chips and cheese with salsa. It would have been enough for me except the cheese cup was a small half filled container and the bartender never returned so I could ask for more.

Visited on a Friday night to see a band play. Parking is right by the building. As I was walking to the door I noticed they have some outdoor seating. You walk right in and the bar is on your right and the stage is on the left… I think. I had already been drinking. We wove around the crowd to try to get out of the way of the people standing around the bar watching the band. We found some seats and watched the band. The band played and the volume level was appropriate for the space. I didn’t wish I had ear plugs.
After the first band played, they cleared some tables and made way for people to «dance.» I can’t remember the last time I have been more tickled by watching people «dance.» They made my night! If you’re reading this and you were there on 3÷8÷14 and you danced, Thank you.
I hadn’t eaten dinner and was really hungry but had decided I didn’t want to eat there. It really doesn’t give you a feeling of a place you want to eat food. I’m crazy OCD so that is a very biased statement. After two reasonably priced vodka tonics, I didn’t care and decided to order a burger and fries. The burger was really tasty.
I took a few trips to the potty and was very entertained by the creative writings on the walls. The toilets were reasonably clean and the toilet paper was soft. I was quite amused by the wooden salad bowl full of condoms.
There was a downstairs to the place and maybe more. I felt I had too many drinks to navigate steps.
Had a great time and hope to go back.

I went in a little after lunch time so not many people were there but, I am sure it is very lively at night. I had called my order in, a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings. My order was hot and ready when I arrived to pick it up. The staff were all very friendly. Now for the reason for this review, the food! For less than you would spend at a fast food chain, I got one of the best burgers I have gotten out in a while. The patty was fresh, not that flat round thing you get at the chain places. The toppings were crisp and fresh and it was prepared to order. The cheese a thick slice of chedar cheese, not that processed junk at the chains. The onion rings were hot and perfectly fried. I highly recommend stopping in this place for a quick bite. I plan on going back to sample the nightlife soon!

Just came from lunch here. Haven’t been in a coupla years. But let me tell you, i got a GOOD reminder of why i need to go back more often: THE burger !!!
Yes it is a dive bar. But any of you that KNOW yer burgers, know where some of the best burgers in this town come from.
I ordered the Bacon Cheese Burger and my companion ordered a reg. one. For a little extra we ordered the crinkle fries (otherwise comes w/​chips) – why don’t more places offer them? Its not like like u have to open the BAG any different than a steak fry ;)
Anyway, u can get your burger dressed how u like it (all or nuttin). Lettuce, mater, onion, peekle, cheez) Let me tell u, that was the best burger we BOTH have had for a bit. We’ve paid twice as much at fancier joints. Ordered ‘em with all the pretty toppings. And if yer cook dont know whaaaat the heck they are doing – then end result is a dried up hockey-​tasteless-​puck (i always wondered what one tasted like, not) But the salad u had on top of it was nice tho… lol
Btw, its a really good sign when they DON’T ask how you want it cooked. They shouldnt HAVE to in order to serve u a juicy burger!!!
Give it a try when u are looking for a new OLD hangout. Dana will greet u with a smile :)

I have known about this place since 2008 and recently rediscovered it. It has a typical dingy interior with various collectibles and old photos. The covered, back deck is nice. It is in a sketchy area and isolated, though. Make sure you LOCK YOUR CAR!
It was a nice reunion with a very unassuming and peaceful tavern.

This is my favorite bar. Ever. I’ve been to pubs and bars all over the world, and when it comes to dive bars, Kudzus is my Gold Standard. I began to frequent this place in my mid-​twenties when I was a bartender myself. It was the perfect late-​night destination for service staff looking to unwind after a shift (on my last visit, it was still a focal point for service staff seeking a buzz in the wee hours of the morning).The history of the place is phenomenal, having spent its early days as a Speakeasy and brothel. The food is normal pub fare, but the availability of a late night kitchen makes it taste so much better, especially after a night of boozing. Is the Pub trivia good? Sure. Are the drinks reasonably priced? Yep. Is the bartender Martin on par with the Dalai Lama as a laid-​back fount of wisdom? Absolutely… It’s all of these things and more that make this establishment the epitome of cool. If you like dive bars, you MUST check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Dropped by with friends to participate in Wednesday night trivia. I really love the intimate feeling that this small bar creates on the main floor. There is a simple menu with basic sandwiches and tamales. 5 beers on tap, but a more extensive bottled menu. Service was quick and very attentive. The clientelle was a cool casual group. Down in the basement there is plenty of room to spread out and even shoot some pool. Although it seems that the large basement is eschewed by the crowd in favor of the smaller main floor. The evening of my visit there were two bands playing short sets. Both were decent and very very loud. From the schedule of events, it seems that there is a regular roster of music at Kudzu’s and I am excited to get back and sample some more of it.
As cool as this place is, there are potential negatives that might keep you from having a good time. Parking is convenient, but a bit sketchy. I do not recommend driving the Benz to this bar. The bar has cameras to watch the lot, but somehow that just reinforces my feeling that it isn’t the safest place in the world. Total lack of liqour, but the new owner says that this will be remedied in the near future. Smoking is allowed, which is a deal killer for many people.
Update: visited again last week. Liqour is now being served.

Perfect pub. Great bottled beer selection, delicious bar-​fare, and friendly staff. Great lunch spot for the med-​center/​commercial appeal folks, as well as downtowners. Great live music on weekends and some week nights (I think).
Some recommendations on the food:
–The burger: obviously. Delicious and better than most any other place in town. Plenty of options (mushroom swiss, bacon, chili cheese, etc).
–Philly: Unique in its approach (hooray for creamed cheese), and delicious.
–Grilled Chicken Sandwich– doesn’t sound exciting, but whatever they marinate their chicken in is fantastic. Great flavor and always tastey.
–Tamales– tamales in a pub? Yep. And they’re amazing. If you can eat a large order in one sitting, you’re more of a man than me.
Definitely a spot worth trying!

A tiny little dive in a sketchy part of town. Three stars are all for Martin the bartender who had wonderful reviews in the ladies bathroom. The last star is for the food – excellent sandwiches served until 11pm. The draft beer selection was pretty much nonexistent and Martin keeps a flashlight at the bar to shine on the 20ish bottle choices. This is not the kind of place you go to in order to meet new people or to have a big night out. A friend’s band was playing and six of us plus the band members made up the entirety of the bar from 10-​midnight on a Saturday night.

Back in the day when I worked at The Commercial Appeal, this was one of my favorite and very frequented lunch spots. It’s just across the street, so a lot of employees would venture over during lunch hour. I suspect they still do.
I have tried almost everything on the menu, and definitely have some good things to say. Let me start with the Grilled Tuna Sandwich. It’s quality fish, perfectly cooked and seasoned, and served on a soft fresh bun and your choice of sides. It’s delicious and fairly healthy as well.
But if you’re not watching your figure and want to go for something more hearty, try the Tamales — get em loaded with chili and cheese and onions. They are sooooo good. In fact, I feel a craving coming on. Someone stop me!
Also on the menu, and one of my daughter’s favorites, is the Blue Cheese Burger. Stuffed with crumbled and melted blue cheese and topped with the usual trimmings, it’s pretty amazing.
Now note that Kudzu’s is also a bar, and as David M mentioned, they have live music at night. The atmosphere is old and dark and it’s definitely a dive. But a really good one. Check it out. And have a tamale or two for me while you’re there.

A great little pub, just down the street from Sun Studio and Quetzal.
Live music on weekends, events through the week, including: trivia Wednesdays and a pickin’ party (instruments, not friends or cotton) with Nancy Apple on Thurdays .
The trivia night has a loyal & growing following.
The neighborhood has quite a few artists studios and a (live) theater, so you’re likely to run into actors & artists at the bar.
Micro-​brews, wine & spirits, with Guinness and Harp on tap for the thristy. Their burgers are better than the average bar burger and the menu has the some tasty treats.
A nice little patio out back, is a good place to have a conversation.