The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant

The owner and her staff are a genuine group of Memphis Black Soul Love. I had an amazing time learning about the establishments history. The beauty of keeping the community together makes this a diamond 💎. Let's not forgot the food is right from Grandma's kitchen. Catfish,shrimp,chicken fried steak, cornbread dressing, yams,Liver, corn bread, fried tomatoes, hush puppies, turnip greens. DELICIOUS FOOD

Thank you for being so kind! Your customers were also just as kind. I told my friends that you must have a grandmother or a grandmother’s soul in that kitchen. Food was absolutely AMAZING!! The atmosphere was so welcoming!! I will be coming back and bringing others! Exceptional black owned business!!!💕💕💕

Everything we tried was delicious! Catfish, greens, Mac & cheese, spaghetti, yams, turkey & dressing, coleslaw, fried green tomatoes, VIP, lemonade, yellow cake with chocolate icing, cinnamon rolls, and peach cobbler! 💯 The catfish fried hard was perfection! friendly atmosphere. We went for Black Restaurant Week and got there right at 11am ! After that it was completely PACKED!! Definitely going back! We brought a lot home with us so the rest of the family could taste test!! 😁

today, a friend and i visited the four way restaurant, located in the heart of memphis. this iconic establishment, founded in 1946, has woven itself into the fabric of our community.

as i stepped inside, i was greeted by the hostess taylor and the bustling kitchen’s aroma, where the scent of soul food wafted through the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversations. this place is more than just a restaurant; it’s a sanctuary where the spirit of resilience is served alongside soul food staples like collard greens, pinto beans, fried chicken, and the best catfish in memphis!

jerry and his wife, mrs. patrice thompson, now own the four way restaurant. i was fortunate to have a great conversation with jerry, who shared many stories about the restaurant’s history. you see, during the civil rights era, the four way was a beacon of hope and a meeting place for those fighting for justice. i was captivated by the thought of dr. martin luther king jr. himself finding solace and strength in the warmth of the dining room, which was then a billiards room, surrounded by friends and fellow activists. this wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a haven, a place where history was made over shared meals.

when jerry and patrice thompson took over ownership, they knew they weren’t just running a business—they were stewards of a legacy. jerry explained how and why they are dedicated to preserving the rich traditions and recipes that have become synonymous with the four way. they honor the restaurant’s historical significance while adding their own chapter to its storied past.

today, as i looked around, i saw an atmosphere thick with nostalgia. the walls are adorned with precious memorabilia, and the air is filled with the scent of iconic dishes like cornbread and fried catfish. it feels like a warm embrace from the past, a testament to the enduring spirit of community. but i’ll leave details of the four way restaurant’s historic muses and iconic patrons to jerry, since he tells each story with candor, passion, and transparent reverence.

that said, what i can say is that the four way continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community, impacting new generations while staying true to its roots. its essence lies in the love and dedication that have kept its doors open for decades. the true legacy of the four way is built on these values, ensuring it remains a symbol of community and shared meals.

as my friend and i left, and we stood outside chatting with jerry, i realized that the four way is not just a restaurant. it’s a story of resilience, a testament to the power of community, and a legacy that endures, one meal at a time.

thank you, jerry and patrice, for the beautiful stories and a truly humbling experience enjoying the richness of the four way restaurant and, in fact, memphis history.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fried Catfish, Smothered Cabbage, Macaroni and Cheese, Pinto Beans, Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Lemonade

The Four Way hits! The best soul food using generational recipes that are untouched! Turkey and dressing plus two side is under $12. The only reason I said it was $20-$30 per person is because I ordered almost half of the sides offered and two desserts. I wanted to try it all and it was hard to make a decision so I went all in. The lemonade and sweet tea are perfection!

Vegetarian options: The vegetable sides are not cooked with meat.

Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly to enjoy a family meal.

Wheelchair accessibility: No steps on property.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cornbread Dressing, Fried Catfish, Smothered Cabbage, Macaroni and Cheese, Turkey and Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Lemonade

Fantastic Soul Food, Service, and Family Tridition!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Today, a friend and I visited The Four Way Restaurant, located in the heart of Memphis. This iconic establishment, founded in 1946 by Clint Cleaves, has woven itself into the fabric of our community. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the hostess Taylor and the bustling kitchen’s aroma, where the scent of soul food wafted through the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversations. This place is more than just a restaurant; it’s a sanctuary where the spirit of resilience is served alongside soul food staples like collard greens, pinto beans, fried chicken, and the best catfish in Memphis! Jerry and his wife, Mrs. Patrice Thompson, now own The Four Way Restaurant. I was fortunate to have a great conversation with Jerry, who shared many stories about the restaurant’s history. You see, during the civil rights era, The Four Way was a beacon of hope and a meeting place for those fighting for justice. I was captivated by the thought of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself finding solace and strength in the warmth of the dining room, which was then a billiards room, surrounded by friends and fellow activists. This wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a haven, a place where history was made over shared meals. When Jerry and Patrice Thompson took over ownership, they knew they weren’t just running a business—they were stewards of a legacy. Jerry explained how and why they are dedicated to preserving the rich traditions and recipes that have become synonymous with The Four Way. They honor the restaurant’s historical significance while adding their own chapter to its storied past. Today, as I looked around, I saw an atmosphere thick with nostalgia. The walls are adorned with precious memorabilia, and the air is filled with the scent of iconic dishes like cornbread and fried catfish. It feels like a warm embrace from the past, a testament to the enduring spirit of community. But I’ll leave details of The Four Way Restaurant’s historic muses and iconic patrons to Jerry, since he tells each story with candor, passion, and transparent reverence. That said, what I can say is that The Four Way continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community, impacting new generations while staying true to its roots. Its essence lies in the love and dedication that have kept its doors open for decades. The true legacy of The Four Way is built on these values, ensuring it remains a symbol of community and shared meals. As my friend and I left, and we stood outside chatting with Jerry, I realized that The Four Way is not just a restaurant. It’s a story of resilience, a testament to the power of community, and a legacy that endures, one meal at a time. Thank you, Jerry and Patrice, for the beautiful stories and a truly humbling experience enjoying the richness of The Four Way Restaurant and, in fact, Memphis history.

Just a classic meat and 3 with historical significance

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Fried Steak

This was a 2 hour waste of time after standing in line for over 30 minutes I placed my order and they wait over an hour to inform me that they don't have what I ordered.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Turkey and Dressing

If you're in Memphis, you must swing by this place and experience a bit of our history.
The food is just like a Sunday after church meal! The sweet potato pie is superb (and I'm very picky about my pie!) Stop in and get you some!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Smothered Cabbage, Macaroni and Cheese

The establishment appeared satisfactory, however, the hostess's demeanor was not welcoming, which was understandable as it may have been a challenging day for her.

The restaurant operates on a self-service basis, where customers place and pay for their orders before dining. While this system is acceptable, it would be beneficial if the staff occasionally checked on the customers to ensure their satisfaction.

An unpleasant sight was observed in the main dining area, where a pair of shoes were left unattended. This incident raised concerns about the overall cleanliness of the establishment.

The food received mixed reviews. The fries were satisfactory, the soul food was deemed delicious by my spouse, and my niece enjoyed the fish.

Based on my personal experience, I would not choose to revisit this establishment. However, I acknowledge that individual preferences may vary, and it is advisable for others to form their own opinions by trying the restaurant themselves.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 2

A time was had today the food was delicious our server's Taylor and Jack
(aka BLACK JACK ??)
Were freaking amazing very impressed over all. As a matter of fact the whole staff was amazing all the way down to the host. Loved every minute of it.
Next time I come to visit I'm pulling up here!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I called for my takeout food and right off the bat the lady was very nice and informative more with their cake of the day and didn’t much have to persuade me but by only saying how they baked their Carmel cake today. Food was super delicious, staff was very friendly and welcoming.. definitely will recommend this place for some home cooked delicious soul food!!! 10 out of 10
Will be coming back ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Friendly casual spot that is seriously delicious. Had set a trip goal of finding the best mac n cheese in the city, ended up so full because it was ALL THE BEST! Catfish greens, mac, and Lemon meringue.

Great food, service, and history at this place. The oldest soul food restaurant Memphis, and someone told us one of Martin Luther King's favorites when he was in town.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cornbread Dressing, Fried Catfish, Macaroni and Cheese, Lemonade