
Red Miller of Roxie’s Grocery in Memphis Tennesseee
Red Miller, married to Miss Roxie for 52 years smiles “Yes I am”
The bespectacled, elderly gentleman running the cash register at tiny Roxie’s Grocery in The Pinch neighborhood of Memphis is friendly, and happy to have a conversation with a stranger.

Roxie’s Grocery in the Pinch neighborhood of Memphis Tennessee
He smiles shyly and barely nods when a voice erupts from the nearby open kitchen “Uh oh, we got Facebook walking in here, we ’bout to be famous!”
I was on day one of what would turn out to be 44 hours in Memphis, Tennessee and I’d heard breathless reports from area trenchermen that this tiny, ramshackle corner mart was putting out the best burgers in the entire city.

Mr Mane on the range at Roxie’s Grocery in Memphis
I rounded on the kitchen man with shoulders the size of a warehouse who’d bellowed from his spot on the range, “What’s your name good man?”
“I’m Mr Mane”
“Like Gucci Mane?”

Grandma-style hamburgers are on offer at Roxie’s Grocery in Memphis
“I heard y’all have the best hamburgers in Memphis.”
“They didn’t lie, let me make y’all one”

Roxie’s Grocery
520 N 3rd St,
Memphis, Tennessee
38105
When morning came, these new Americans trundled themselves off to work at Memphis Granite Brick Company, Memphis’ first water utility, the Artesian Water Company or area steam mills, cotton presses or breweries.
The neighborhood changed drastically following WWII as that immigrant labor force returned as newly minted former soldiers. The G.I. Bill gave these men home buying power and new suburban developments beckoned promising “whites only” neighborhoods on the leafy outer reaches of the city.

Roxie’s Grocery telephone number is (901) 525-2817
“What’s it like here at night?”
“Quiet, we go home and the neighborhood’s real quiet.” Mr Miller says softly.
Mr Mane briskly strides up with a saran-wrapped paper plate. “I hope you enjoy it”

RL Reeves Jr visits Roxie’s Grocery in Memphis
After ladling a little bacon grease from her stovetop reservoir into an old cast-iron pan she’d sprinkle a little Accent or McCormick’s seasoning on the burger and cook it hot and fast til it was good and done.
Those craggy old hamburgers still send me into starry-eyed reverie at least once a month.
That’s how they do it at Roxie’s Grocery.

Mr Mane of Roxie’s Grocery is a supremely talented short order cook
The neighborhood around Roxie’s is all churches, empty lots and apartment buildings. It’s hard to imagine a time when the area was chockablock with fried catfish takeout spots, juke joints, rib shacks, hookers, and rowdy rowhouses filled with fresh-off-the-boat emigrees dreaming of a new life in this strange land of Tennessee
Keisha Edwards, Roxie’s daughter in law, steps behind the register: “What did y’all get?”
Not waiting for an answer she announces “I like the Mr Goodburger, it’s a double with bacon and three different cheeses, that thing will fill you up!”

Keisha Edwards of Roxie’s Grocery in Memphis
“You be safe down there in old New Orleans now y’heah?” she admonishes me as I make way outside, and deep into The Pinch wondering what other modest pleasure domes await on the bluffs of the Mississippi.
Roxie’s Grocery
520 N 3rd St
Memphis, Tennessee
38105
Telephone
(901) 525-2817
Hours of operation
always call ahead
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