Back Alley 


We, the Breakfast Clubbers, had our morning repast at a place called the Back Alley. Strange name and a stranger place. It is in the Blue Dome district. We entered through the alley, hence the name Back Alley. Yes, it has a front door, but it is designed for
alley entrance. That makes it more fun. It is just south of Joe Mamma’s.

Crazy as it may seem from the outside, when you enter, it is pure Memphis from murals of musical artists on the wall to the music in the background. You are surrounded by music greats.

Memphis is well known for Graceland Mansion, home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley and for its gourmet soul food. It is also called, The River City because the Mississippi River is its western border.

One of its more unusual attractions are the Peabody Ducks. Each morning, a parade of five ducks march across the Peabody Hotel’s grand lobby to the music of John Phillip Sousa’s King Cotton March into the fountain where they spend the day. Every evening the ceremony is reversed as the ducks return to their rooftop home. This ritual has been a Memphis tradition since 1932.

Back Alley is best known for its barbeque and BBQ rub, but has ventured into breakfast because there are few other places open that early in the area.  The menu is slanted with southern breakfast dishes.

One clubber had the Omelette with pulled pork, onion, and mushrooms. The omelet seemed more like scrambled eggs, but was good. It also came with a pancake that drooped over the side which was very good. The second clubber ordered the Breakfast Beatdown. It is two slices of smoked bacon, two slices of smoked breakfast sausage, two eggs, homefries, and grits. No complaints from him other than the grits were a little lumpy. I personally had the good old southern favorite, Chicken and Waffles. It was two waffles with chicken fingers and hash browns. It was good, but it was too much. All the dishes had too much food on them.

Below are two large mugshots that hang on one wall. I will let you figure out who it is. Hint, the picture on the left, profile, is more recognizable. We gave it a “B.”