A brand new bar and grill called Ashtar Grill is getting ready to debut in East Memphis, following the success of Ashtar Garden at 898 Cooper St.
Owner Edwin Dorsey recently launched this new concept and quickly gained a following, seeing wait times occasionally exceeding two hours, according to the Daily Memphian. While the restaurant is a success, it does have its limits, such as not serving alcohol during brunch, a decision that Dorsey intends to keep. Now, the owner is expanding with Ashtar Grill, coming near the intersection of Poplar Avenue and White Station Road. The new restaurant is undergoing renovations and is expected to open later this year.
“Ashtar Garden is more of a house — it’s a home atmosphere,” Dorsey tells the Daily Memphian. “We have a lot of families and kids here. Sometimes when alcohol is consumed, things get out of hand and get a little crazy. Our goal is for Ashtar Garden to keep creating and growing. Ashtar Grill will be more bar food, like fried catfish, wings, and barbecue.”
While customers will have to wait a few more months before being able to try out this new concept in East Memphis, those interested can get a taste of the quality by visiting Ashtar Gardens. Some popular menu items include their version of chicken and waffles, called the dirty bird, as well as a salmon shrimp Florentine and Alanna shrimp and grits, named after Dorsey’s daughter. Ashtar Gardens is open Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Dorsey plans to add a Wednesday night happy hour later this summer.
