Published August 24, 2006 in the Memphis Flyer
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Fish tacos, once considered an unusual dish, have been popping up on menus all over town. A fast, fried version can be found at Blue Coast Burrito that features cod filets, fresh cilantro, and tangy mayonnaise. Bluefin and Café 61 offer tasty versions with fresh fish and pico de gallo with varying degrees of heat. At Las Tortugas, customers have a choice of red snapper or tilapia and get to watch Pepe, the very friendly and talkative owner (who goes shopping for fresh ingredients before opening each morning) gently grill it up behind a glass window. The fish is then wrapped in four separate corn tortillas and dressed with fresh avocado and salsa tayde, an avocado-based spicy green sauce. For extra zip, add the crazy fresh salsa mexicana that comes on the side.
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Japanese has become synonymous with sushi, but there's a lot more to this country's cuisine. Drive down Summer and visit Edo, Memphis' oldest Japanese restaurant. Edo specializes in traditional dishes and is quaint, rather than sleek, and the service is superb. Try the tonkatsu (a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet served with cabbage), yakitori (chicken kabobs), or a heaping pot of shabu shabu (a traditional soup of thinly sliced meat, tofu, and vegetables). For dessert, don't pass up the tempura fried ice cream.
Just across the road from Edo is the Nagasaki Inn, which specializes in Teppanyaki, a type of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food, also known as hibachi. The chef performs a small show for the customers while preparing your choice of beef, chicken, or shrimp. Each item is served with fried rice, mung bean sprouts, and grilled vegetables. You can't beat the kitschy Summer Avenue feel.
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Take the kids out to restaurants to expose them to new foods and to have an enjoyable family experience. (And chicken tenders on the kids' menu and butcher paper on the table do not equal kid-friendly.) Seek out places with fast, friendly service, a menu that boasts fresh and nutritious foods, and a vibrant atmosphere. Particularly good is Pete & Sam's for their ability to handle large groups (where the kids sometimes outnumber the adults). The assortment of bread, crackers, and butter on the table helps keep the kids busy until the food comes. Hit menu items include mini pizzas, ravioli, and Italian spinach. El Porton's got speedy service and ample chips and dip. Plus, the volume from people talking and enjoying their meals is always loud enough to mask the ruckus going on at you table...(Read more)
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