MEMPHIS, TN
Located in the “historically hip” Cooper-Young neighborhood, Imagine Vegan Cafe is Memphis’s one and only fully plant-based restaurant. It is owned and operated by the lovely Jeffrey family, with a strong commitment to being good to the earth and all its inhabitants.
The vision of our cafe is all about compassionate eating. It is a place to come and enjoy a meal, a snack, or just a dessert without causing harm to any of our animal or human friends.
2158 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Imagine Vegan Cafe serves comfort food favorites in a casual, kid-friendly setting. The appetizer menu includes all the classics, like potato skins, buffalo wings, chicken tenders, spinach dip, nachos, and chili cheese fries. The entrees include Chicken and Waffles; Fish Dinner: three fish fillets, french fries, hush puppies, creamy coleslaw, and homemade tartar sauce; and The Southern Staple: greens topped with brown rice and black beans, drizzled with a house garlic sauce and served with their extremely delicious buttered cornbread.
I have to mention the other sides available because they offer every option you could possibly be craving. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, onion rings, BBQ beans, potato salad, summer corn salad, mac n’ cheese, seasoned greens, garlic kale, and last but not least, green beans.
The Vegan Memphis Sandwich Platter
They have a long sandwich menu that includes a Double Bacon Cheddar Burger; Steakhouse Burger; The Big Smack: two non-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onion on a dairy-free bun; Reuben: warm salami stacked on toasted rye bread, topped with sauerkraut, house cheese sauce, and homemade Thousand Island dressing; Philly; BLT and Avocado; Jerk Chicken Sandwich: sautéed chicken and pineapple served on a toasted hoagie roll, topped with lettuce and a house-made jerk sauce; and the ever-popular Beyond Burger… just to name a few!
Raviolis
Visit Imagine Vegan Cafe on the weekend and you’ll also have a chance to enjoy one of their breakfast dishes, like Biscuits and Gravy or Piggies in Blankets. For you sugar addicts, they have some tasty dessert choices, featuring The Bianca: warm, house-made peanut butter brownies stuffed with Oreos and topped with soft serve, hot fudge, and chopped nuts. 😋
⭐️ Must Try: Corn Bread
EXPLORING THE CITY
“Love Me Tender,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Not sure which of Elvis Presley’s hits first pulled me in, but even at the age of five, I was already deeply smitten. This was in the late ’80s. On movie nights, my mom would take me to the local video store and I’d pick out one of his many films, Blue Hawaii being a favorite. And then there was Elvis and Me, a TV movie that I recorded on VHS and watched over and over again. Ya, it’s safe to say he was one of my first major crushes.
So when I learned that it was just over a three-hour drive from our Airbnb in Mount Juliet to Memphis, I decided there was no way I’d let the opportunity to visit Graceland pass us by, even if it meant we would spend half our vacation on the road and get very little sleep (we had driven to and from Knoxville the night before). That’s what vanilla soy lattes from Starbucks are for, right?
Should you ever decide to visit Graceland yourself, plan to spend at least a full day. Not only will you experience a guided tour of the mansion (narrated by John Stamos!), but across the street they’ve built a 200,000 square foot entertainment complex. I could have spent the whole day just watching classic Elvis films on the big screen in Soundstage A had I known about it beforehand.
Walking through the southern Colonial mansion that Elvis purchased for his family in March of 1957 felt like going back in time. Each room is decorated just as it was when he passed. I liked this one most. The stained glass filters the sunlight beautifully. And with the music room adjacent, I wonder how incredible it would have been to hear him sing as he played the grand piano.
The man had some interesting taste. Inspired by his love of Hawaii, the “jungle room” was born. Shaggy green carpet on the floor and ceiling, a tiki bar, and wooden furniture carved with Polynesian designs…indoors? Maybe the look wouldn’t fly today, but he must have thought it was very cool.
Elvis adored horses. There are four that live on the property now, including two rescues. This handsome fellow is Tuscan Sun, better known as Tucker. He’ll be turning 22 next month. Word is he’s got a bit of an attitude and thinks he’s prettier than everyone else. Must be why he so kindly obliged to let me take his picture. Look at that cute little braid!
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
If I could, I’d do it all over again!