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Automatic Slim's Tonga Club

83 2nd St., Memphis, TN - (901) 525-7948
Posted By Michael Stern on 2/16/2004 5:12:00 PM
After a week of barbecue at least three times a day, we arrived in Memphis craving something modern to eat. Staying at the Peabody Hotel, our choice was easy, and was just across the street: Automatic Slim's Tonga Club.

Named for a Beale Street bluesman and a teen hangout popular in the rockabilly era, this tongue-in-cheeky tiki bar is not at all silly when it comes to food. Combining Caribbean and Southwestern spice with the soul of the South, it creates such luscious meals as coconut mango shrimp with orange pico de gallo, adobo-rubbed double pork loin chop, and voodoo seafood stew.

The wide ranging menu always includes a jerk of the day, a pasta, and a greenmarket-inspired vegetarian dinner. Worthwhile side dishes include tobacco onion rings and a twice-baked smoked pasilla potato.

Tables and banquettes downstairs provide a good view of the long bar, where fashionable Memphians come to smoke, flirt, and drink Tonga martinis. Upstairs is a series of studio portraits that Memphis photographer made of Elvis, shirtless, when he was nineteen years old and very sultry.

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Screaming Mimi Salad
Pasta with Shrimp & Mussels
Sate Shrimp a la Plancha
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

The Screaming Mimi Salad. We're not sure how it got named, but we love this great big hunk of ultra-crisp iceberg lettuce draped with blue cheese dressing, scallions, and tomatoes.
"The Screaming Mimi Salad. We're not sure how it got named, but we love this great big hunk of ultra-crisp iceberg lettuce draped with blue cheese dressing, scallions, and tomatoes."
Michael Stern





This nice, tender length of bread comes to the table first, along with a bowl of pesto olive oil. With or without Tonga martinis, it's a great way to start a meal.
"This nice, tender length of bread comes to the table first, along with a bowl of pesto olive oil. With or without Tonga martinis, it's a great way to start a meal."
Michael Stern


Here's a view of the bar from a banquette in the downstairs dining room.
"Here's a view of the bar from a banquette in the downstairs dining room."
Michael Stern


'Basmati rice, lemongrass shrimp butter broth, slivered pineapple, and cilantro pesto goat cheese crispy dumpling.' You can eat this delicious meal almost as fast as you can say its ingredients.
"'Basmati rice, lemongrass shrimp butter broth, slivered pineapple, and cilantro pesto goat cheese crispy dumpling.' You can eat this delicious meal almost as fast as you can say its ingredients."
Michael Stern


Automatic Slim's is favored by locals, but it's a handy place to know about if you are visiting Memphis and staying at the Peabody Hotel, just across the street. (And no, this picture was NOT taken after several Tonga martinis. It is an ARTISTIC camera angle!)
"Automatic Slim's is favored by locals, but it's a handy place to know about if you are visiting Memphis and staying at the Peabody Hotel, just across the street. (And no, this picture was NOT taken after several Tonga martinis. It is an ARTISTIC camera angle!)"
Michael Stern



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