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FeedJan 5, 201209:06 PM
Boneheads Opens in East Memphis
A trio of hummus makes a lovely plate at Boneheads on Perkins in East Memphis.
For years, the intersection at Perkins and Poplar stayed relatively the same due to a stable collection of retail shops and a great-looking Sears store that has anchored the intersection’s northwest corner since 1958. Then the economy tanked, and businesses folded until a lovely new Jim‘s Place restaurant reversed the trend last year.
Now the busy East Memphis intersection has another promising restaurant with the opening of Boneheads, an Atlanta franchise specializing in grilled fish and chicken seasoned with a choice of five different sauces made from piri piri, a spicy pepper discovered hundreds of years ago in Mozambique by Portuguese explorers.
The restaurant is the first Boneheads in Memphis, but folks who frequent Humdingers will recognize the format: order at the counter from a menu offering complete meals for about $10, find a seat, and be served your food in less than 10 minutes. The piri piri sauces are used in cooking and are also available at the tables for extra seasoning.
Anna and I had lunch at the new Boneheads last week and liked the menu’s mix of salads, sandwiches, tacos and plates. The fish and chicken plates are served with seasoned rice and a choice of sides, which offer a nice change of pace: black beans and corn, chilled broccoli tossed with garlic, onions, sesame oil and sweet soy sauce, cilantro slaw, grilled asparagus or zuccini, seasoned regular fries and sweet potato fries.
We started with the $5.29 hummus trio (pictured above ) which was my favorite part of lunch. Three types of hummus (citrus, basil pesto and roasted red pepper) were plated on a cheerful Fiesta ware plate along with cucumbers, tomatoes and warm triangles of pita bread.
We also ordered fish sandwiches. Boneheads is committed to sustainable fishing practices, which is nice to know when deciding which fish to order. There were several choices and all came with a side. Anna got Mahi Mahi ($10.49), and I got Triggerfish ($9.29). Each was nicely grilled and served with fresh tomatoes, lettuce and a potato roll. The roll was way too much bread for both us, so we ditched the roll for a fork.
Anna, who lives on a tight budget in New York City, thought the sandwiches were overpriced. I’ve become accustomed to the $10 lunch, so I thought the pricing was pretty standard. We both liked the restaurant’s seafoam green walls and design scheme described by CEO Clay Carson as “more Bob Marley.”
Carson also said he expects a second Boneheads location in Germantown or in Oxford, Mississippi, where regional franchise owner Benton Smith lives.
Boneheads, 555 Perkins Ext., Suite 100, 901-746-8867 (eatboneheads.com)
Memphis Stew is a food blog that celebrates our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat Memphis food. It is written by Pamela Denney, food editor of Memphis magazine, who sees food as a delicious way to build families, friendships, and a more healthy and sustainable future.
My husband and I ate at Bonehead's for the first time on Saturday. We weren't sure what to expect, but quickly realized we'd landed at the perfect dinner spot. The facility was clean and the atmosphere inviting. The employees were friendly and welcoming. The food was fresh and well prepared and served quickly -- and it wasso delicious(yummy)!!!!!! We don't live in the area, but driving across town proved to be a wonderful decision. So excited about our new favorite place. I've already starting spreading the word! Thanks for coming to Memphis.
I got the three taco combo with grilled zucchini and a cup of clam chowder. The shrimp was like paste and the clam chowder was chicken and rice. Terrible across the board.
Ordering a three shrimp taco combo doesn't sound that sophisticated. My wife loves it... I like the, seemingly, endless choices are the way to go.
BTW, every 5 or 6 trips, I'll get the shrimp appetizer because I get one of their cards where they give us the appetizer after 8 entrees are purchased. That is a meal in itself.
All in all, give it a try and you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food as well as the friendly atmosphere.
On Saturday, 1/26/13, I visited the location at 555 Perkins Ext. Ste 100, The cashier was Shanice, and the chef was Gary. The professionalism and courtesy that was displayed was GREAT. The food was very flavorful and need nothing added to it. GREAT job chef. I will be spreading the word about this eatery. I will be going again soon..