A beloved University of Memphis hangout bid farewell to its longstanding 521 S Highland St spot on May 31, 2024, marking the end of a 17-year era at that location. But this isn’t the final chapter for Ubee’s on Highland.
Local restaurateur Kendall Robertson—who co-owns Ubee’s, Alfred’s on Beale, Cafe Olé, Dyer’s on Beale, and Catering for U with his mother Sandy—told The Daily Memphian that his family is actively scouting suburban locations for a larger venue.
“It’s a pretty tough time for restaurants,” he said. “You see places closing every day now, people that have been around for a long time. It’s tough.”
Given the current challenges in the industry, particularly with staffing shortages affecting dine-in services, Robertson emphasized a shift toward enhancing the eatery’s to-go offerings.
The new space will feature an expanded patio, a dedicated to-go area, and potentially even a drive-thru window.
While Ubee’s prepares for its next chapter, Robertson promised that the new location will maintain the familiar ambiance and layout of the original Highland spot. All of the iconic decorations are currently in storage, awaiting the perfect site.
Although there may be minor tweaks to the menu, patrons can look forward to Ubee’s signature items like burgers, chicken tenders, and Tiger Balls.
“Thank you to everybody who came out to Ubee’s on Highland,” Robertson told The Daily Memphian. “We will be back open in the near future.”
