There was plenty to celebrate a few weeks ago. September 16th was Mexican Independence Day, and to celebrate, our friends at Memo’s Mexican Kitchen out here in Mount Juliet, Tennessee held a private dinner for their closest friends and family. I was honored to receive an invite, and even got a nice little +1 to go along with it. When my photographer/videographer (aka my wife) informed me that she actually had committed to prior engagements down at Americanafest, I extended my +1 to the biggest foodie I know, our buddy Zach Lyons of Football & Other F Words and A Football Show. Zach had never been to Memo’s before, so I was thrilled to share the experience with him and tell him a little bit about why this particular restaurant in Mount Juliet is so special to me. The tl;dr version: I’ve been going there for the better part of 20 years at this point. It was one of my old man’s favorite spots – every Friday night, he’d be there ordering a plate of fajitas. Not to mention, the story of how Memo’s Mexican Kitchen came to be is full of heart. Memo and Katie are easy people to root for. You can read the long version in my review of Memo’s that I wrote back in the spring.
Nonetheless, Mexican Independence Day wasn’t all we were celebrating on September 16th. Nashville Restaurant Radio was in the house to honor Memo’s with the award for the best Mexican restaurant in the mid-state. It was also Memo and Katie’s 10th anniversary. And, no one in the building knew it but me, but it was also our resident film critic, Brandon Vick’s, birthday. He’d roll his eyes if I didn’t at least mention that. Spirits were high as we settled in for a nice meal that consisted of tostadas, tamales, pozole, and choco-flan. I don’t want to rub it in your faces too much, folks – these were all Memo’s family recipes and weren’t apart of the regular menu. But, since you probably came here for food pics, I’m going to give you some food pics. FYI: I’m using Zach’s photos because my camera is a gigantic piece of shit that took some terrible photos that night, and I don’t want to do my people at Memo’s dirty by actually sharing them with the world. So, enjoy Zach’s photography skills!
This homemade tamala brought a happy tear to my eye pic.twitter.com/uJSTuonC5A
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) September 17, 2022
This Pozole gave me an out of body experience. pic.twitter.com/lec89Dno17
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) September 17, 2022
They also had a special festive cocktail menu that included the La Bandera shot, among other options:
An introduction to the La Bandera. Directed by @StoneyKeeley pic.twitter.com/iK8DlriodS
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) September 16, 2022
You might be thinking I’m cruel for sharing such a wonderful night with you guys – for showing you photos of a bunch of food that you can’t just waltz into Memo’s and order. But, I promise I have a larger point here beyond just “you can get one of the best meals in town here.” That night got me thinking…well…that is, after my soul returned to my body because, like Zach, that pozole gave me an out of body experience as well.
It got me thinking about what it is that makes Memo’s so special, and I think it’s that community atmosphere that Memo and Katie have worked so hard to build. It really is about the journey with Memo’s – you’re not just strolling in and getting some thrown-together meal. You’re getting something prepared out of a lifetime’s worth of experience. It’s about how deeply rooted they are in Mount Juliet history. And, that is what makes Memo’s stand out among the other restaurants in town. There aren’t any other places I go to that truly, genuinely welcome me in like family. This is that spot for me, and if you give them the chance, I’m confident you’ll be feeling like family too in no time. That feeling is at the core of every good meal I have there.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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