phone
(901) 523-0200
Post
Southern Style Cuisine - Feeding the Head, Heart, and Stomach!
Where to find us
Restaurant Info
CALL IN & WE WILL HAVE YOUR ORDER READY & WAITING!
Alcenia's
317 N. Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Phone: (901) 523-0200
Hours
Tues-Fri: 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sat : 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Contact Us
info@alcenias.com
41 Guestbook Entries
It is my great pleasure to visit your establishment. I am so proud to have shared the love that goes into each bite of food you serve. The true spirit of the southern US comes to life through the heritage of your mom and family carried by the great food. I wish you the greatest blessing for 2012 and beyond.
Alcenia, November 13, 2011
I am a friend of Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie and I went to Treadwell School together!
Every year, after Thanksgiving Day, My friend, Stephanie Hunt and I go downtown to Christmas Shop and have lunch! Charlie told me to be sure to come by your Restaurant and meet you! He spoke highly of you and your cooking! In fact, Charlie sent me this email with your address and phone number on it!
My sister and her husband, Carla and Bill Baker, own the two Restaurants in Midtown on Madison Avenue,”Bayou Bar & Grill” and “La Chardonney”.
Have you ever been to their Restaurants?
We are looking forward to meeting you and having lunch at your Restaurant soon!
Sue Hall
Ms. Betty,
I was am the person who came into your wonderful restaurant. I am traveling NC to CA and I forgot to sign your guest book. So I am signing it now. You are such a wonderful friendly lady. I felt right at home. Your cooking is fantastic. I had the pork chops, sweet potatos and green beans. It was the best southern food I have ever had. I only lived in NC and traveled some of the south for 6 years. But by far your kitchen made the best southern comfort food. And your loving hug was the best. And thank you so much for the slice of lemon freeze pie. OM gosh it was so scrumptious!!! I can not thank you enough God Bless You and your family
I saw your restaurant on diners, drivein and dives. I will see you in October 2011. I am so excited and I will be purchasing a cookbook also. I have never had chicken and waffles and cannot wait. Also, can’t wait to try cha cha?
Hi,
Wow, Wow, Wow… Last night I watched a rerun of Guy’s (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and I saw your segment. Okay that was last night and I’m at school still thinking about that food. Everything looked so tasty, the atmosphere was wonderful and oh, so much love. I could feel it even through the tv if that makes sense. I’ve always loved cooking and if my hearts not in it, well it’s not happening. My friends and family always said I should have my own business but, it remains a dream. I’m so glad you followed you dream, you put your heart in it and I want you to know, we’ve never met and I don’t know if I will ever make it to Memphis,but, I’m so proud of you. Continue to seek out your dream and make your mark.
From one country cook to another, stay in that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans.
Be blessed…
I met Ms. Alcenia a few years ago during the Vesta Home Showcase in Downtown Memphis. Now that I am working in the downtown area, this has become one of my favorite restaurants. Whenever I visit, it feels like family!
Hello Betty,
This is your neighbor and want to say thank you for coming to Meridian to do a booksigning. I have read the other posts and must say it is true that so many are blessed after going to Alcenia’s. You have made us Meridiandites so proud of you and may many come to visit and leave with the best experience. I have your cook book and am looking forward to reading it…Safe travels back to Memphis and God bless.
We came to Memphis for the 2011 rib festival and ended up having WAY more fun at Alcenia’s. We ordered nearly everything on the Saturday Brunch menu, including the “Ghetto-Aid.” The food was delicious, and topped off by a hug and kiss on the forehead from the lovely owner. The youngest Alcenia is a sweetheart of a waitress, too, and one of the most delightful teenagers you’ll ever find. Cooking with love, indeed; this is my new favorite place in Memphis. I’ll be getting my cookbook ASAP.
Hello BJ,
I watched the today show this morning as I do every morning and was overwhelmed after seeing the segment that highlighted your restaurant. I have always enjoyed cooking as well and so remember the days my mother spent in the kitchen making her famous banana and rice puddings, cornbread, chicken/dressing as well as her homemade chicken and dumplings and meatloaf and OMG her canied yams. I could go on and on with many more of her favorite dishes but I’ll stop here.
Because of my love for baking I have many times thought of pursuing my dream of one day having a pastry business. I love to bake and my daughter (Jai) is a expert at decorating large tiered birthday, wedding cakes or any type of specialty cake. Until this day I’ve never had that push to make me actually act upon my dream. Well, I too lost my son (Evan) Jan 1st, 2006 at 19yrs old. He was killed in a hit and run leaving church. The impact of the car being hit from the side was so severe that it ripped Evan’s main aorta from his heart. He died instantly. Even when God prepares you for a crises it’s still very painful.I had two visions from God of me loosing Evan. Not understanding at the time what a “vision” from God was verses what I thought was a mental attack from the enemy. Evan told a friend that new years eve that he believed his number was up, that God was ready for him. Twelve hours later the “Lambs Book of Life” was opened. God then called Evan’s number and the angels carried him home. Evan only made it 1 block from the church. As I turned the corner and walked upon the scene God exact words were “I’ve shown you this” instantly, I now understood the earlier visions. There is much more to the story but I’ll have to tell you that at another time. God is perfect in all of his ways.
I decided today that if you “can” then why can’t “I”? I will on this day began the 1st day of the new journey of my life. Thank you so much for sharing your story and talking to me. It changed my life.
From my heart to yours. Feel free to respond or call me as well.
Kaye
I saw the piece that Jenna did on your restaurant. Your place sounds just wonderful….I can’t wait to read your cookbook. God Bless.
I saw the feature on the Today Show at work but missed your name. Had to go home and pull up the video of the show and freeze it to get the information. My mother was a great southern cook but I missed my chance to learn from her. I would love to visit your restaurant but until then I’m looking forward to receiving the cookbook and rediscovering a piece of my past. My mother also cooked from love. My best wishes and may God continue to watch over you.
I watched the segment with Jenna Bush and about fell out of my chair when you said the main ingredient to cooking was “love”!!! I have 3 daughters and have always told them that love was the main ingredient to all my meals. One of my daughters does not like to cook therefore has no love and you can tell by the taste
But the other two love to cook! One recent night I made a quick meal and my husband said I must have left out the main ingredient….love 
It’s soooo true….you have to have the “love ingredient” …..cant wait to get your cookbook.
Blessings!
Saw your story on the today show, and wanted the cookbook, I am Scottish and I am a chef and I love soul food and I am interested in trying to make that style of cooking, I hope your cookbook helps me do this your food looked so good, I hope one day I will be able to go to your restaurant.
I enjoyed Jennas Bush story on the today show, cant wait to get my cookbook. Good Luck on your cookbook. God Bless.Sandy
I saw your story on the “Today” show and ordered your cookbook for a special friend who also lost her son in a car accident around the same age as yours. She also loves soul as do I, and I may have to copy some recipes from the book before I give it. I once lived in Memphis and miss the wonderful food. Wish I could come back and enjoy, but am hoping that your cookbook will bless my dear friend’s heart.
Saw your cafe on Today Show this morning. Georgia girl currently living in Baltimore. Watching the show brought back memories of my grandmother’s cooking. I love it that you cook with love. That is the only way. Wish I was closer so I could drive over and sample. I will be ordering the cookbook, alas I never learned how to cook. and the food in Baltimore is terrible. LOL
I saw Jenna’s story on you and your restaurant this morning on the “Today Show”. What a special way to mend your broken heart. I ordered a cookbook immediately and can’t wait to see it. Hopefully I can talk my family into a spur of the moment trip to Memphis. May the Lord shower you with Blessings…..and the love you give to others be returned to you!
I was watching your story on The Today Show (May 13, 2011) and I would love to come and visit your restaurant, There’s One Thing You Said About cooking And You Are So Right YOU HAVE TO COOK WITH LOVE. and i like that, You are the first person who I have heard say that, I watch a lot of cooking shows now and you are the First. I will be ordering your Cook Book. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
I just saw your restaraunt on the TODAY’S show and I cant wait to order your cookbook. My mother-in-law is the best soul food cook I know but watching your piece on the Today show makes me excited to get your recipies and try them myself! I can see the love you put into your food and thats what SOUL FOOD is all about! I only wish we lived closer so I could try it straight out of your kitchen!
God Bless!
I too watched the interview on the Today show! I was so excited I had to “pause” and “rewind” on the DVR, played it back and repeated the whole salivation process. I’ve just ordered the cookbook and look forward to working it out in my own kitchen in New Mexico! Guess I found a reason to come to Memphis! I hope you guys are ready for the fame and fortune.
Wow! I just saw a your story on the “Today Show”, and I can’t wait to come to Memphis and visit your “Southernly Warm Restaurant” real soon.
Just saw your place on the Today show. I’m planning on ordering your cookbook. I’m hoping that the flood waters of the Mississippi River have not reached your place. Looking forward to coming to your place.
Watched your interview with Jena Bush Hager this morning and have already ordered your cookbook. The food looks fabulous — made me so hungry at 7:00 this morning. I pray Alcenias continues with great success. Southern food is the only food! God bless you and your family.
After reading about you and your homely place I am looking forward to visiting, hopefully real soon.
JB
Alcenias….one more thing Memphis has to be SOOOOOO proud of !
I just saw a rerun of Diners, Drive-ins & Dives and I thought that the food looked fantastic! I was very glad to see that you had Tilapia on the menu as I don’t eat chicken, pork, beef or catfish. Now what would really make my day is if the cabbages are cooked without pork or poultry broth. I figured that the greens, pinto beans and black-eyed peas had either pork or poultry (smoked turkey parts). My son and I will be in Memphis the last week of May and I hope to come in sample some of those fantastic dishes that I saw on TV.
I pray that your customer base grows so much that I will have to make reservations by the end of this month.
Peace and God Bless,
Miz Billye
Catfish never had any better, sides are great and the staff are very professional!
Betty, I truly enjoyed seeing you and finally coming to your restuarant the food was fantastic well worth any wait— I know you are exhausted at the end of your days but the product is so well worth it tHANK YOU AND i WILL BE BACK IN MAY FOR BAR-B-Q AND FOR SURE WILL STOP BACK IN i AM SO VERY PROUD OF HAVING GROWN UP WITH YOU AND KNOW WHERE YOU COME FROM AND FOR SURE i HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR CAREER FOR YEARS-REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE FIRST FEATURED IN EBONY WELL THAT’S A WHILE AGO ANYWAY AGAIN THE SALMON CROQUETTES WERE DELICIOUS AS WAS EVERTTHING THAT i SWALLOWED FROM YOUR RESTARANT
BJ — we were there in Sept 2010, and it was just awesome. I wish we lived closer, ’cause we would be there at least once a week if we did! (smile) You made us feel so welcome, and the food was — well — just AWESOME!! Being Southerners ourselves, we truly appreciate “Southern Hospitality” — and I cannot think of anywhere on our “DDD” trip where we received such a warm welcome, nor had such GREAT FOOD! YOU–BJ–make Alcenia’s what it is, and I know your Mama is proud! May God bless you, keep you, and shower wonderful success upon you. We WILL be back the next time our travels take us even CLOSE (like within a few hundres miles) (grin) to Memphis!
Love you BUNCHES!!
I have been to Memphis quite a few times over the past 5 years to visit family and Alcenia’s is always the first place I want to go and eat. It doesn’t matter if I am in town for a day or a week, I always stop by to snack on their fried green tomatoes and eat a great meal. Best cook in all of Memphis!
I just watched you on Diners, Drive – Ins, & Dives and had to check it out for myself to see if it was as good as Guy said it was. It was awesome!!! The fried green tomatoes were the best I have EVER eaten!!! Everyone was so polite & made us feel like family. I will definately be going back again.
Cuz you are the best Cook, because you cook with soul and love. Willie can’t wait to taste your food.
Was passing through on a road trip from Texas to New York in the summer of 2010. The food was amazing and I had not experienced anything like it before!
“I’ve taken home both the peach preserves and the cha-cha for my family-They’re both great!! Great on biscuits!! We also love the apple butter!”
“Today is my birthday and I am delighted to be spending the start of it with my friends in your fabulous wonderful cafe.”
“I’m excited for the food! The food was amazing. I going back and try to replicate it in London.”
“Holy O! Everything just blew my socks off! You can taste the love in every bite.Thank you so much for the wonderful welcome and the taste explosion!”
“I loved the welcoming hug! The sweet potato pie was a wonderful food experience. They should have it back home. Thanks for a great Southern experience. I loved it!”
“Your food is totally amazing! My dad never tears up when it comes to food until now. Said he remembered his childhood. God bless!”
“What a delight! The best southern cooking this northern boy has ever tasted.”
The food is as good as it gets!!