Memphis Restaurants - RJ's Restaurant

Having move to the Memphis area about two years ago, one of the first things that I did was try and go to all of the great restaurants in the area. Memphis is best known for two things; 1 - Barbecue, and 2 - Elvis. Once you live here for about three months, however, you start looking for establishments that offer a little more than barbecue ribs or pulled pork sandwiches. One such place is RJ's Restaurant located north of Memphis off of Highway 51.

RJ's Restaurant

RJ's is a unique restaurant for the area north of Memphis and Millington that recently had MTV filming on location one weekend evening! The restaurant is located in south Tipton County and is the only full service restaurant which boasts a great entertainment venue. They serve everything from great hot wings to juicy tender filet mignons, King Crab or spicy peel and eat shrimp including a full service bar with an impressive selection of top shelf choices. My personal favorite is the chicken cordon bleu. Unlike some of the pre-processed cordon-blue's you can run into, RJ's is made fresh by the cook and delicious to taste.

Entertainment at RJ's Restaurant

Once the dinner crowd clears out, RJ's also has entertainment Thursday through Saturday evenings. The line up of musicians who have performed is at times better than you can find on Beal Street in downtown Memphis. When eating at the restaurant for this review, world-famous blues musician Eric Gales was playing his last local gig before going on tour. Some of the other big acts to play at RJ's lately have been: Jimmy Davis, Tommy Burroughs, Eric Hughes, Corey Osborn, Barbra Blue, Lynn Jones, Guy Venable, Memphis Memphis, Deering & Down, Terry Wall and the Wallbangers & Craig Yarbrough, Brian Johnson, Susie and Bob Salley, Webb Dalton, and Highway South.

On Monday's, the Memphis Song Writers Association supports the open MIC NIGHT at RJ's. Philip Beasley, president of the MSWA, encourages musicians to come and play at the restaurant. Sometimes even Eric Gales and other great talented musicians show up just to relax and play, sing and have some fun. One local artist Mr. Robert Wheat (age 81) is known to the regular customers and bands as someone who loves to play his harmonica and sometimes join in with the bands.

Wednesday night's, RJ's has Texas Hold-Em poker from 7pm until later in the evening with a rolling tournament for local players. Monday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's RJ's is one of the best places to watch your favorite sports teams play while having something good to eat or a cold beverage.

RJ's Owners

RJ's Restaurant is owned and operated by Russell Johnson and his son Eric Johnson. Russell is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer with 27 years in United States Navy and Eric has a 14 year background of serving and bartending in Memphis at such places as the North End (now Westy's) and various other clubs; plus has worked in clubs in Denver Colorado for a couple of years.

As a side note; Eric was a DJ and had his own radio show on Armed Forces Radio and Television at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico. He did voice over for commercials and played alternative music for a two hour weekly music program.

The Johnson family had navy assignments overseas such places as Sardinia Italy, Iceland, Guam, and Puerto Rico. They first moved to Munford in 1993 with the Navy and have remained after leaving the service. After retiring from the navy Russ worked with United Way of the Mid-South for 9 years. The Johnson family consists of Russell, Tricia (wife, married 37 years), Eric (son), Kristen (daughter) and grandson Logan.

Summary

Conducting this Memphis area restaurant review was a treat! I'll definitely visit RJ's often now as we head into college football bowl season and NCAA basketball. I recommend this restaurant to anyone that lives in the area or visiting for a few days. If you've been in the military or are currently active duty let the owners know! They will take care of you.

Miscellaneous

RJ's Restaurant is located on 120 Quinton Ave, Munford TN 38058.

Phone: (901) 840-2004

Websites: http://www.rjsmunford.com

http://http://www.myspace.com/rjssportsrestaurant

Some Customer Favorites from the Menu:

Hand battered Catfish and Catfish nuggets

Hand battered Chicken Tenders

Greek Herb crusted Tilapia with seasoned black beans and wild rice

Spaghetti

Jambalaya

Spicy Gumbo

Marinated chicken sandwich

BBQ nachos (Russ is a BBQ judge and was member of a team which placed 3^rd for Memphis in May BBQ Championship

Weekly events

Monday: All you can eat spaghetti and open mic night

Wednesday: All you can eat Catfish (customers tell us our catfish is the best around) and Texas Hold'em tournaments have resumed

Thursday: Numerous food specials and LADIES NIGHT

Friday: Spicy peel and eat shrimp. (Large shrimp) and King Crab Legs

Saturday: Steak night and surf and turf

Sunday: eat, relax and play some darts

Memphis Area Awards

Recognized as the Millington Star's Reader's Choice awards for 2007:

Restaurant with the friendliest service

Best all around restaurant in the Millington area

Best Boss (Eric)

Driving Directions

RJ's is five miles north of Millington just off Highway 51, you must be going south to turn right on Quinton Ave. North of Millington past Poplar Grove Utility and a small strip mall turn around and head south. Quinton Ave is on the right. Or if going north, you turn left on Watson Rd, go ¼ mile and Quinton Ave is the first left off of Watson Rd.

Hours of Business

OPEN 4PM EACH DAY

CLOSED ON TUEDAY

SERVING LUNCH ON MONDAY thru FRIDAY 11:00 - 2:00