Most chefs simply serve food, but effervescent proprietress Betty Joyce "B.J." Chester-Tamayo also dispenses legendary full-body hugs to patrons of Alcenia’s, named for her mother. She gives a whole new meaning to "soul food," treating her entire operation as a therapeutic exercise. (She started the business in 1996 after the sudden death of her son.) The menu, divided into classic meat-and-three combinations, replicates the flavorful cuisine of Meridian, Miss., her hometown. Save room for the hot water cornbread, followed by one of B.J.’s signature desserts — think bread pudding, buttermilk pie or sweet potato pie.
No alcohol available. Serving lunch Tue–Sat, Sat brunch 9 am–1 pm.Closed Sun–Mon
"B.J. learned to cook from her mother, who lives in Meridian, Mississippi, but comes to visit and makes tea cakes and egg custard pie and coaches B.J. on the phone when she is making chow chow or pear preserves. We discovered her restaurant on a mission to sample Memphis's best Southern-style vegetables."
— Michael Stern, RoadFood.com, Dec. 4, 2008
Most chefs simply serve food, but effervescent proprietress Betty Joyce "B.J." Chester-Tamayo also dispenses legendary full-body hugs to patrons of Alcenia’s, named for her mother. She gives a whole new meaning to "soul food," treating her entire operation as a therapeutic exercise. (She started the business in 1996 after the sudden death of her son.) The menu, divided into classic meat-and-three combinations, replicates the flavorful cuisine of Meridian, Miss., her hometown. Save room for the hot water cornbread, followed by one of B.J.’s signature desserts — think bread pudding, buttermilk pie or sweet potato pie.
No alcohol available. Serving lunch Tue–Sat, Sat brunch 9 am–1 pm.Closed Sun–Mon
"B.J. learned to cook from her mother, who lives in Meridian, Mississippi, but comes to visit and makes tea cakes and egg custard pie and coaches B.J. on the phone when she is making chow chow or pear preserves. We discovered her restaurant on a mission to sample Memphis's best Southern-style vegetables."
— Michael Stern, RoadFood.com, Dec. 4, 2008