1. You Will Be Referred To As Y’all, Mane, and Bruh
Some regions say, “you guys.” Memphis says, “y’all.” But they also stand out from the rest of the south by peppering their speech with tons of mane’s and bruh’s.
2. Jerry’s Sno Cones Are The Best Way To Get Through A Memphis Summer
The only way to beat Memphis humidity is with a Rainbow Supreme from Jerry’s—a delicious icy combination of sugary goodness with soft serve on the top.
3. Everyone From Memphis Is A BBQ Expert
From the famous Rendezvous, to the laid back Central BBQ, to dozens of tiny hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints, Memphians know their stuff. Nothing beats a Memphis style rack of ribs.
4. And The Only Way To Make Nachos Better Is By Adding BBQ Pork
Put two delicious bad-for-you-but-good-for-your-soul foods together, and what do you get? The perfect combination.
5. Gibson’s Donuts Are The Best Way To Start Any Day
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Doesn’t matter. It’s impossible to feel sad after a couple of donuts from Gibson’s. Plus, with their rotating selection, there’s always an excuse to go back for more.
6. Unless You’re In The Mood For Pancakes
The Pancake Shop is the best kind of hole in the wall restaurant. They have a huge menu, they take cash only but you can basically pay with the change in your wallet, and they’re open 24/7.
7. Everyone Is A Memphis Tigers Fan
Even Memphians who don’t usually care about basketball or sports in general are Tigers fans. That’s just a rule of living in Memphis.
8. Everyone Drives Too Fast Or Too Slow
There’s no in-between in Memphis. It’s either fifteen miles under the speed limit, or twenty miles over.
9. No One Really Knows What The Aquifer Thing Means…
But everyone knows it’s a good thing. So everyone brags about how awesome and clean and sweet the tap water in Memphis is.
10. Yes, Everyone Totally Believes Voodoo Village Is Haunted
And everyone snuck onto private property in high school in order to test that theory. But the only thing anyone has really ever seen are some run down buildings, a lot of sculptures, and people who really want kids to stop sneaking around on their property.
11. The Possibility Of Snow Can Clear Out A Grocery Store
As soon as Dave Brown mentions a light flurry, every Memphian drives out to the nearest grocery store and stocks up like the apocalypse is coming.
12. Coke Has Many Flavors, Including Sprite
Memphis isn’t just another southern city—it’s also home to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. So of course it’s not called pop or soda here.
13. The University Of Memphis Will Always Be Memphis State
The college might have changed their name, but alumni are still faithful to the old name, and the rest of the city follows suit.
14. Not Everyone From Memphis Is Crazy About The King
But everyone sure loves the money Elvis Presley brings in. Graceland is more of a tourist destination than a local hot spot.
15. Memphis Has A Killer Art Scene, And It Lives On Broad Avenue
Broad Avenue Arts District has grown a lot in the past few years, and has become the place to go for artists, art collectors, or anyone who just wants to tap into their creative side.
16. Memphis Has The Best Mayoral Candidate Ever
Everyone remembers Jimmy McMillan, the New York City mayoral candidate of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party. But Memphis may have NYC beat. Prince Mongo, local personality, frequent mayoral candidate, and three hundred year old being from the planet Zambodia is pretty hard to top.
17. This City Is As Bluesy As Ever
Every May, Memphis turns into a month long celebration, with dozens of food tastings and events—but all this kicks off with one amazing music festival. The Beale Street Music Festival proves that Memphis is still living up to its nicknames—The Blues City and The Birthplace of Rock and Roll.
18. Pancho’s Cheese Dip Is The Ultimate Condiment
Think cheese dip is only for chips? Think again. Memphians will put Pancho’s on nearly anything.
19. Grabbing A Burger At Huey’s Is A Requirement
Huey’s Restaurant isn’t just a beer and burgers joint—it’s basically a Memphis landmark. Just the sight of those red and white check tablecloths will get most Memphians salivating.
20. Spaghetti Is Not A Meal—It’s A Side Dish
Memphians don’t sit down to a big bowl of spaghetti and call it a day. It’s just not complete without some fried fish as the main course.
21. The Streets Change Names… Kind Of A Lot
Memphians are totally used to driving down a road and seeing the name change right before their eyes a few times, but with the changing names and all the one-way streets downtown, you could be driving in circles for hours.
22. But The Mississippi River Serves As A Kind Of North Star
It’s always there to guide you, no matter how many times the street names change.
23. The Bridges Have Names… But No One Remembers Them
They’re technically called the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge and the Hernando de Soto Bridge, but those names never really stuck, and everyone just calls them the Old Bridge and the New Bridge instead.
24. There Is Literally Nothing Alcenia’s Can’t Fix
Alcenia’s Restaurant should be pictured in the dictionary next to “comfort food.” It’s the kind of food that Memphians love the most—food that feeds not only your body, but also your soul.
25. The Memphis Zoo Lives Up To All The Hype
Memphians love bragging about how awesome their zoo is—and with good reason. It’s one of the best zoos in the country, and they undeniably have the cutest pandas in the world.
26. The Dixon Gallery And Gardens Is The Perfect Getaway
Whether you prefer a stroll through a museum or a stroll through nature, it’s the perfect place to take a break from everyday stress and clear your head.
27. Only People From Memphis Can Insult Memphis
Every city has a few negatives, and Memphians do point out what they’d change about their city. But they’re the only ones who are allowed. As soon as an out-of-towner critiques their city, they’ll rush to its defense.
What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Memphis? Tell us in the comments below!
