The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant
Influencer Reviews1
Eating With Tod
About
The Four Way is a soul food restaurant and cultural landmark in Memphis with deep roots in the civil rights movement. The restaurant was a well known gathering place for Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, and unlike many establishments of its era, it was never a segregated restaurant, welcoming guests regardless of race even during the Jim Crow period. The building originally housed the restaurant on one side and a pool hall on the other, and a photograph of Martin Luther King playing pool in that very space is displayed inside. Today The Four Way continues to serve home style soul food in the tradition of what the owner describes as the way families show love through cooking. Memphis is considered the catfish capital of the world, and catfish is one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.
The Visit
At The Four Way, the reviewer dives into Memphis soul food royalty, sampling iconic dishes in a setting steeped in civil rights history. The catfish fillets, fried green tomatoes, and cornbread dressing are highlighted as local favorites. The experience is described as proper, home-cooked, granny-style soul food, with the restaurant's legacy as a safe, inclusive space for all shining through. The reviewer is impressed by the authenticity and the sense of community.
What They Ate
Quotes
"This place is a soul food royalty. It's not about fancy food reviews. It's not about fine dining. It's about proper, home-cooked, granny-style soul food."
"And it was a well-known meeting spot for Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders."
"[Fried Green Tomatoes] The actual tomato, because it's green, it's super ripe, so it's a bit more like, you have a bit more of a bite. It's like a juicy, vegetable-y chicken nugget."
"[Catfish] The batter, it's golden, it's brown, it's crispy. Not oily at all. And that fish is so tender."
"You come here on a Friday, and you'll be full up till Sunday. What a place!"
Our Reflection
The Four Way stands as more than just a restaurant—it's a living piece of Memphis history. The reviewer is moved by the sense of tradition and inclusivity, with food that evokes memories of family and community. Each dish, from the catfish to the fried green tomatoes, is a testament to the soul food legacy. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the stories of civil rights leaders gathering here add depth to every bite. It's a place where food and history intertwine.
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