A couple of weeks ago, What Now Memphis reported that the creators of popular Sichuan restaurant Petals of a Peony would be opening two locations of their drive-thru concept in Downtown and East Memphis. Now, additional details have emerged.
Little Petals Chinese will be situated at 5167 Poplar Ave and 149 Madison Ave, according to Cameron Hidayat, general manager of Petals of a Peony.
This spinoff concept aims to make Sichuan and American-Chinese cuisine more accessible, serving authentic dishes like beef and broccoli, orange chicken, and General Tso’s chicken in a fast-casual format.
The first Little Petals location is set to open in January on Madison Ave, in the former Smurfey’s Smokehouse space. According to The Daily Memphian, the site will feature a drive-thru, a to-go counter, and limited indoor seating.
The second location, scheduled to debut on Poplar Ave mid-2025, will occupy a 1,089-square-foot former smoke shop. It will include a drive-thru and a to-go counter but no indoor seating.
Renovations at the East Memphis location, estimated at $135,911, will include installing a walk-in cooler, a prep area with tables, a second drive-thru window, an exit door, a to-go counter, dry storage, and kitchen equipment, as outlined in a permit filed with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.
While ownership is not currently planning additional Little Petals locations, they are actively searching for another full-scale site similar to the existing Petals of a Peony restaurants.
