Apparently Buckley's can't hack prepping a takeout order anymore. Just tried to get an order of ravioli to pickup and was informed "this restaurant is a dine in only restaurant" now. Two thumbs down and a stupid decision. Been a customer for years and love their food but they're making some STUPID management decisions.
(2)
Kelly H.
I joined some friends here for dinner and drinks. We had heard about the half price margaritas and I think everyone else did too. The restaurant was very busy for a Tuesday and our service maybe suffered due to that. I ordered a wedge salad which was nice. They were accommodating to our requests, but it took awhile to get our checks and payment taken care of.
(3)
J Penelope Walkininit S.
I'm a week late, but the ribeye I had was fabulous. Nice marble and great size. I think I may have been able to eat half of it. It taste wonderful left over as well. This is one place that is always consistent and wether you are here or the lunchbox the food doesn't disappoint.
(5)
Adam H.
I've been a Buckley's fan for at least 18 years. I remember coming here when there were only like 8 total menu items. The renovated Dairy Queen was a little strange in the beginning but the store has shaped up over the years. It has the smallest bar I have ever seen. Only like 3 chairs at the whole thing!! The softly lit interior is riddled with paintings from Ken's wife Lisa. They are (in my description) like East Memphis housewife art. Full of happy little shopping people spending money and raising crappy kids. We won't get into that today... My wife and I have been subscribing to the newsletter (which seems to have stopped now) for as long as he has written it. We really used to enjoy reading it. It kept us reminded of the great food at the place. We are silver reward members and get quite a bit of mail from these guys. One thing they are really good at it marketing to former guests. Sometimes I wonder how they stay in business because I don't remember eating here without a discount. On to the food. With so many visits no one can always be perfect. My last visit was on my Dads birthday. His steak was way overcooked the first time and raw and bleeding the next. It originally was asked to be medium. Outside of that last incident I can say I have almost ALWAYS had a great experience here. Top dishes are; shrimp and grits, filet, encrusted Mahi, bourbon chicken! The Buckley buds are great! Go here! It's good!
(4)
David E.
My wife and I have enjoyed going to Buckley's for great steaks for years. We had wanted to try the Steak Burger, but always got our Ribeye or Salmon. Well, tonight we decided to try out the Steak Burger. No, not just the regular Steak Burger, but the Memphis Jam. Wow! Sure, the Steak Burger itself was great, but merging the creamy cheese with the strawberry jam then blending it with the onion straws and bacon - oh, man!. It was our server Ann that recommended adding the bacon - it did make for a better burger. One fabulous mouthful after another until we were too stuffed for dessert. Everyone knows they have great steaks - I gotta have my "Wild Will Ribeye" when I want steak - but I now can heartily recommend their Steak Burgers as well. Only you can break the tie - which will it be? Burger or Steak or Salmon? Try them for yourself and you will NOT go away hungry, but you WILL leave satisfied.
(5)
J R.
Unfortunately after my trip to Buckley's last night, I'm updating my review and taking a star away. Our waitress was not rude, but she definitely rushed us and was more concerned about clearing tables than allowing diners to enjoy their experience. My silverware was filthy when I unwrapped it from the cloth napkin. If I did not know any better, I would guess they never made it to the dishwasher and had been taken from a dirty table and rolled into the napkin. When I brought it to the waitress's attention, she brought me another set of silverware, but not before jerking the dirty forks and knife out of my hand. The set she brought me had dried up brown paper towel pieces stuck to the napkin and silverware. I do not know if the paper towel was used to clean spots off the silverware or if they had been washed together for some reason, but it's not exactly what you want to see when you are trying to eat. Our food was good, but not outstanding. Before we finished half of our cocktails, the waitress asked if we wanted another drink. Well, no, not yet! Before we finished our meal, she asked if we wanted dessert. We declined, saying we would probably be too full, then she asked again when she cleared our plates. We already told you NO! I hate that Buckley's has come to this. It was a staple in our date night rotation and now I feel like we cannot count on having a decent experience to make it worth our money. The past few times we have been in, there have been younger guys managing the restaurant. Last night, there was no one at the front of the restaurant to greet customers and we waited a few minutes before anyone came to seat us. I do not know if Ken, Jeff, and Joe are stepping back, but if so, maybe they need to step back in and get the place back in shape. I think for now, we'll just have to take a break and hope they can work out their issues by the time we decide to return, if ever.
(2)
Candace B.
I do love stopping in this place from time to time. This is about the nicest staff in Memphis from the bartenders to wait staff they are all great. My favorite thing to eat here is the River City Chicken Pasta with blackened chicken and vodka cream sauce...it is the best. For the side you have to get the spinach and grits...wish I could make this food at home! I have had the steaks several times and they really are just ok in my book....nothing bad I just have had better. But if you are looking for a nice place for dinner try them out! Be warned sometimes this place gets packed but they get people in and out fast...they have a lot of regulars here...including me now!
(4)
Amanda E.
Buckleys makes nice steaks approachable. Like a high end steak place the restaurant is dark and a variety of cuts are offered; However, you will find the acceptable attire more casual and the price point lower. On the weekends you can be sure to find a wait but there's plenty of seating and the opportunity to get a drink. The service has always been friendly and performed well, I think buckleys prides themselves on making people feel comfortable. The salads are pretty standard, overpriced IMO so it's really a better value to get a steak that comes with one vs something else. For your side, you need the Buckley buds, yum! Personally I like my steak medium rare and I have never been disappointed, plus the cuts are big - a 12oz is totally shareable and the 2nd person can just order their own side. I don't like to overload on meat because the cowchip (skillet cookie) is super yummy.
(4)
Chris M.
Buckleys sorta reminds us of Pete and Sams of steak places. Many of the dishes are old school but we always enjoy the food and service. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The appetizers are not their strength but pretty much every thing else hits the mark. All the sides are good, the salads come with a variety of homemade dressings (peppercorn is great) bread is good. Rarely have room for the deserts but the few times we did it was good. Service is always great! Not going to be cutting edge food but it's always good comfort food.
(4)
Shaun B.
After a year and a half of living in Memphis, I finally got around to trying this place, and I kind of resent the fact that it took me so long! When we first arrived, we were promptly greeted by the manager in a friendly manner and he was quick to seat us; then the waiter came promptly thereafter with water in hand to take our drink orders. Throughout the meal, service was excellent; the waiter and manager would ask us how we enjoyed the different courses and our experience; this definitely sets it on a level playing field with the other top steak places in town. The ambiance is also very nice and relaxing, with dim lighting and a candle at each table. For our food, we decided to split a 16 oz NY Strip and loaded mashed potatoes, split cheese bread, and each gott a salad. We also got a baked cookie a la mode at the end. A small order of the cheese bread came out and we were honestly underwhelmed by this. It was four small pieces of bread with melted cheese for six bucks; a little steep for something so basic and minimal. Then the salads and bread came out. The salad was good and the bread was awesome (again, making the cheese bread a bit of a waste in our book, but you live and learn). The one drawback to the extra small dinner salad we ordered on its own; it cost $6! That's pretty steep in my book for something this simple, but I digress. Then the steak and potatoes came out. The potatoes were good but that steak...oh my lord that steak was great! It was a very thick and generous portion of juicy, delicious, steak. It honestly has been the best steak I've had in Memphis (realize I haven't had a steak from your Flemming's or Ruth Chris' in town, but again I digress). Splitting turned out to be a great idea, as I barely finished mine and she had a bite left of her portion. The only drawback was that we ordered it medium and it was more of a medium rare, but it seems customary at nicer steak places to leave more red in the meat. It was still phenomenal either way. For dessert, we had the baked cookie a la mode (I know that's not the name, but you get the idea, and I'm posting a picture). That cookie wound up being a lot more thick than we anticipated, and dessert was excellent. We got our bill which came out to just shy of $60 pre-tip; there's cheaper and more expensive items on the menu so I feel this restaurant caters to those of different incomes. While I felt the salad and appetizer were steep in price, the steak was well worth it and the service just amplified the experience. We will definitely be back in the near future!
(4)
Jack B.
Casual dining, good food at reasonable prices. Staff is friendly and efficient. Greeted promptly and friendly, seated immediately. All three of us enjoyed our dinners, one pasta and two burgers along with appetizer. Enjoyed the whole experience.
(4)
Jackie K.
Whoa. I really wanted to like it- the bartender was sweet and attentive, the bread was yummy, I could drink the balsamic dressing, and the creamed spinach was delicious. But the ravioli soup fell short (think nuked ketchup broth with two frozen ravioli rounds plopped in) and the STEAK was ABYSMAL. I've never had mushy filet that crumbled like hamburger meat. Something was off. Like it was frozen, defrosted then frozen again and not thawed before cooking? Darn. Bye bye $35.
(1)
Justin L.
I came here for a business dinner, and I was amazed at the ambiance of this restaurant. For an appetizer I had the crab stuffed mushrooms. They tasted like they were frozen, then microwaved and were full of water. For my entree I had the 12oz Filet, and it was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was the gristle that was on the bottom of my filet which just ruined the steak for me as I was finishing up my meal. The Bernaise sauce while tasty, was not really that warm, but complimented the filet very well (make sure to get it on the side). The desert that I had was the Bourbon glazed pecan pie....again, it was a microwaved desert, and I was not impressed. I do not understand why people say this is a great restaurant. It is just okay. They try to compare themselves to Ruth Chris, Morton's, and the Capitol Grille---NO COMPARISON. Unfortunately you get what you pay for, and this is just a step above an Outback or Longhorn. I think if Buckley's stopped microwaving appetizers and deserts and took the time to use quality ingredients and make dishes fresh, and also hire a good butcher to properly trim their Beef Tenderloins, than one would be able to compare Buckley's to a higher end steakhouse. Oh...and get rid of the televisions in the dining room...it looks tacky, and takes away from the ambiance.
(2)
Andy S.
This is a Memphis go-to for steak. This trip we went for a friend's birthday. They won't seat you till everyone arrives, so make sure people are on time. However, while waiting, they have some dispensers with peanuts and peanut mixtures. They are addicting, so don't get more than one cup! They also have a full bar, so while waiting for everyone to arrive, I enjoyed a cocktail of whiskey and water. It was good, and only about $6. They have a nice bar area. The restaurant is dark and romantic. The service is great, as well. My entree came with a house salad, so I of course, ordered blue cheese dressing The winner of the night was the meal. I ordered the petite filet. It was cooked to perfection. It's smaller, but it is still 7oz, which is plenty. They have plenty of sides, but I chose the creamed spinach, which definitely did not disappoint. It was a perfect pairing with my steak. I will definitely return to this steak place. It's good. It's more affordable than other places, and it's a local restaurant. They do have other food besides steak for those non beef eaters.
(4)
Tyler B.
Phenomenal - it is what it is - small dark and badass. Food and service compete with each other for best in class. Will return.
(5)
Isaac S.
The service was good and the food was delicious too. We had the rib eye steak with the shrimp skewer and everything was cooked too perfection.
(5)
Joe T.
I have eaten here a few times when in town. I normally sit up at the small bar. The parking leaves a little to be desired, but that is because it is always packed. I always get the 10 oz. Buckley Filet. It is consistently good and the service is great. If you are looking for a good steak at a reasonable price, this is the place for you.
(4)
Casey B.
This place is awesome! I would suggest going early, because it fills up quick. I usually go with the honey citrus salmon. So freakin good. Their steaks are excellent as well. The waiting area has several tables and a bar to get some drinks from while you wait. There is also a place where you can get peanuts and trail mix type snakcs while you wait. When you go, you have to sign up for the Buckley's silver membership. Each month you get a coupon for buy one entree get one 50% off. On your birthday month you get $10 off. You also build up points by eating there, get discounts for getting a certain number of bottles of wine, get a free appetizer after your 6th one...there are probably more discounts to get I just cant think of them all. Anyways, quit reading this and go eat there.
(5)
Lane B.
First let me say the service was outstanding but the food is mediocre at best. I ordered the mahi mahi and what a hugh disappointment. It was literally like a piece of frozen battered fish with a substandard cream sauce. The dish came with a side salad which i upgraded to a wedge and a twice baked potato .... both were just ok... nothing here to help. Not being able to get through the first bite i asked the waitress if it would be ok to swap for a filet... Their signature dish. No problem and off she went to the kitchen. Within a reasonable amount of time my filet arrived with a side of cream spinach and twice baked potato. Again nothing spectaculer but edible. Finished the meal ... paid for what i thought was over priced for the quality of food and left thinking i will never be back... Of course i now remember saying that to myself the last time i ate here which has been long enough i have forgotten when... Not again for me but i will say the waitress and manager were great and because of that i am not regretful of the full experience. On the other hand the place was packed with what appeared to be regulars .
(3)
Brittney H.
We ate here with friends several months ago. My salmon was SO salty, I had to send it back. It returned and tasted the exact same.... After we finished dinner, we were all walking to our cars and noticed our car had been broken into!!! Not a great night! The owner or manager never came out and asked what he could do! We never went back!
(2)
Rachel B.
Good food. Love the jazz background music. Went there for a company dinner with clients. It was great.
(4)
Wesley L.
I really don't understand the five star reviews. Don't eat here. Don't waste your money. We didn't get appetizers or desserts. Mixed drinks were strong, but not in a good way. None of the proportions were right, nothing was smooth; we might as well have ordered shots. The meal was a disappointment from start to finish. The salad dressings were clearly all bottled (it's not hard to make a Caesar dressing from scratch, and it's *very* obvious when you use a bottled mix), though the lettuce was fresh and crunchy and the house salad included real bacon bits (which take longer to make than the dressing!) The steaks were billed as aged Nebraska beef. The prices were about what you would expect at a mid-grade steakhouse ($25 for a 16 oz NY strip or ribeye; we ordered both). The ribeye was cooked properly but was underseasoned; the strip was seasoned well but was cooked medium well on one end and rare on the other. Both cuts were extraordinarily tough. I couldn't finish the strip. I have never left steak on the plate before tonight. I had planned to order dessert, but frankly once I was halfway through the meal, all I wanted to do was leave. The waiter was fine but very green. The only manager was playing hostess instead of playing manager. You can't fix a problem if you aren't involved enough to know one exists. Ambiance is all over the map. Is it casual (televisions all over the walls tuned to car racing) or fine dining (leather table tops and waiters in all black)? This place was rated as having the best steak in Memphis in 2002. Clearly, it's either gone drastically downhill or Memphis doesn't know what a good steak tastes like.
(1)
J C.
I have been going to Buckleys a long time. It's a great place to eat. The steaks are always right on the spot. Nice atmosphere in a good part of town. The prices have escalated sharply in the last few years but it's still a solid choice. At Buckleys it's basically all about the steak.
(4)
Rachel T.
I went here to celebrate my 21st birthday and I was very pleased. I ordered the tea to drink and it was very fresh, even my lemon tasted very fresh. I ordered the 16 oz ribeye, creamed spinach and house dressing (a homemade tasting vinagarette) Everything was excellent, my steak had a very rich depth of flavor and a divine crust on it. Two members of my party ordered the New York strip and were equally pleased. It's flavor wasn't as complex but it was a little smoother of a cut. For dessert I ordered the cow patty, which despite sounding unappealing, was a delicious homemade brownie with what tasted like homemade vanilla I've cream and chocolate and caramel sauce. The place was perfect! I would definitely go back.
(5)
Matthew D.
First off, the exterior and the interior are at odds with each other! Hopefully you can get past the outside, because you can't judge a book by it's cover! Sorry, had to write that. I liked the fact that I was greeted in a very laid back, personal manner. I explained that I was early in meeting friends and would like to sit at the bar. A cocktail in hand I quickly felt like this would be a cool place I would come to often. My martini wasn't the best, but for an "after work" cocktail it was good enough! When my friends arrived we were shown to our table and the service didn't disappoint one bit! We were a relaxed group and the waiter flowed right along with our style. While it did seem like he was trying to sell dishes and his "thoughts" weren't 100% believable the appetizers were really good. I don't care for mushrooms whole, but the crab stuffed mushrooms were good enough that I would order the again. I liked the Caesar salad, but the dressing tasted like it was from a bottle. Whatever dressing they use is good, but not great. I ordered the 10oz. filet and man was it great! The side of Buckley Potato... something... was a good side item. I used no extra salt or pepper on either and was happy as could be. My steak was delivered a solid medium-rare, as requested, with a delicious crust on both sides. the flavor was wonderful and went right along with the Pinot Noir we were drinking. All in all a great night and I will go back!
(5)
Mike P.
Buckley's is awesome. Always greeted with a friendly welcome. We were seated promptly as we arrived right at opening time on a Friday night. Waiter was friendly and suggestive of menu items but not pushy. We had a couple of Specialty Drinks to begin with, which were made to perfection. Began with Hot Artichoke Dip which was delicious! Now onto the main course. We both ordered the Wild Bill Ribeye's, which were 16oz each. Cooked to perfection, Medium, with plenty of pink and not over cooked. Came with the Buckleys Loaded Spuds and a salad as well. $28 for that combo and we brought food home. Staff and all were friendly and attentive. Total bill of Entrees, 4 Cocktails and appetizer came to $98. We worth it to me for great service and food, and also being able to support Local Memphis Food. We almost went to a "chain" because we were starving and wanted steak.. We opted to kill some time to go to Buckleys. I'm glad we waited!
(5)
Tom G.
Went recently for a business dinner - 4 of us. I really like the atmosphere here. The food, was just so-so however. Had the ribeye, it was OK, but I should have gotten the filet. It looked great, but more gristle than I expected even on a ribeye, but you couldn't see it... it looked all the same, all 'meaty', so you could only tell when you tried to chew it... dark inside, which, is good for the atmosphere, but, hard to tell what you're putting in your mouth.
(3)
Kristen M.
I mean, does this place even need a review? It's fantastic! I went for my birthday for the first time, and I will go back! When you first get there, if it's your first time, then your going to notice it's very packed in the front. It takes about an hour or two to get seated, but while waiting they have different free nut mixes to try and a bar to go to. Once seated, the dining area is very nice and not crowded at all. Food was delicious too! It is a nicer restaurant so I would wear your "Sunday best" to go. Even though I just wore jeans and some heels. And expect to wait in a crowded room for an hour or two before getting a table and a dinner for four will be at about 100$.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Always a great experience!!! Garrett, Jessica, and management took great care of me!! Leo's has been my server in the past, as well. And he's fantastic too!! Don't miss the Loaded Buckley Buds or the lobster bisque.
(5)
Trent T.
Wasn't what I expected when I walked in, it was dark and more fancy than I had imagined. We were seated immediately by the manager (I think) and service was great throughout. The manager who sat us came to check on us during our meal also. I ordered the pan blackened chicken with jambalaya ... Amazing. Overall great place to eat and highly recommend.
(5)
Ann-Marie T.
Buckley's has always been a tradition for me. For some reason when I see Buckley's I think of love and romance. If you've been in there you know it's practically the dive bar of steak houses and are probably asking why in the world I feel this way about it. My grandparents have been married 68 years and are the epitome of true love. Every year, since I can remember, we've celebrated their anniversary with them at Buckley's. I also had my first date with my long term boyfriend, Mitch, at Buckley's. The thought of Buckley's just warms my heart. The food has never been disappointing. The steak is always cooked to absolute perfection. The fish is always flaky and delicious. They also serve "Loaded Buckley Buds" which put an intense beat down on all other loaded mash potatoes. ' The decor is older, the bar is tiny, there isn't much seating in the waiting area, and cars get broken into pretty often in their parking lot. So don't leave anything visible in your car. Don't let these few negatives detour you though, Buckley's is amazing and you should definitely test it out!
(5)
Led D.
I have eaten here a couple of times now with my family and it has always been a great experience. Steaks and filets are cooked to your satisfaction and very tender. They have great sides like smash potatoes, green beans, salads, etc... It was all good!!!!!!! Great ambiance with the smallest bar in Memphis. Lots of great knick knacks like little statues. A great collection. Service are awesome. Our waiter was very professional and always checking up on us to make sure we are content. A little easier on the wallet. We will definitely come back again because it is that good.
(4)
Teri W.
This was a good find. We found it online while we were on the way back to our hotel from the Liberty Bowl. We didn't realize it was such a "nice" place and sure looked out of place in our crazy Iowa State gear, but they treated us very well. We were sat immediately, and our server was fast and friendly. We shared the chicken nachos as an appetizer, and everyone enjoyed them. I had the chicken pasta, which was really good. Someone else had the shrimp and grits, and he cleaned his plate, so I assume he was happy! Another person in our party got the steak salad, which looked really good. It had quite a bit of meat on it, and she seemed happy. The wine list was very reasonable. We split a bottle of wine for $29 - you just can't get decent wine for that price here in Vegas. I would definitely go back to Buckley's if I find myself in Memphis again!
(4)
Wright's Ata M.
My favorite Memphis Steak House! Excellent Service! Great atmosphere! Excellent Food!!! We are greeted with a hand shake and get one on the way out.
(5)
David J.
For me this is affectionately known as my "neighborhood joint". My wife and I live close by and have been Buckley rewards members for years. The food is good - not fantastic but fairly consistent in quality across the menu. I have had many great steak cuts and a few poor ones. The staff is always warm and friendly and make you feel welcome and seem eager to please. The wine list is pretty good for a small place and the most reasonably priced in this part of town. I would agree that they could improve their salads but I remember when they just had steaks and maybe one chicken dish so the menu has expanded and greatly improved over the years. This is not a place that will not necessarily impress out-of-towners but it definitely has a place in the hearts of many older East Memphis types like me. Honestly, in this part of town you can spend a lot more for a fine meal at many higher end restaurants (I have been to most of them). For fairly reasonable steak place that is not a chain (which I hate!), it's very good. I love the homey atmosphere, but I'll admit I'm biased and have spent many a special evenings here.
(5)
Mark S.
While I was continuing my Memphis food tour, I stopped in a Buckley's. It looked like a 99-style place to eat dinner. Wasn't expecting a mid-tier steak joint. Waiter was very kind. He did give me Ranch dressing instead of Italian on my salad, I ate it anyways. I'll always eat whatever the waiter gives me if he's nice enough. I got a pretty good sized steak with green beans that had bacon bits on them. I wasn't a fan of the bacon-bit-green-beans. I know people love Bacon, but that's what the bacon wrapped filet is for. The steak itself, a Rib eye, seemed a little more fatty than normal. Rib eye is normally fatty along the outside, but this felt like I was leaving too much on the plate when I was done. The interior decorating needs to be changed. There was a TV in the section I was sitting in and I don't know if it needed to be there at all. It was a 10 inch tube and had volume that coexisted withe slow Jazz background music. Also the self-proclaimed World's smallest bar needn't be there if no one is actually sitting there eating their dinner. The dinner would've been fine, but some of the other clientele seemed like they didn't really belong in a steak house. This is no fault of the restaurants, but I just like talking about weird customers I see and hear. The lady sitting behind me was hacking up a lung and didn't think drinking her ice water was going to make that go away. A good 5 minute hack. A father brought his sons out for dinner, only for them to feel like crap when they realized they couldn't get wi-fi unless it came from the cafe across the street. I think my Dad would've beaten the shit out of me if I asked a waiter if they had wi-fi so I could play with my ipad during a steak dinner. All in all, a fair meal.
(3)
Chris M.
Hard to beat the steak and the price. The 10 oz. Buckley filet is always superb. Buckley's is our number one choice on special occasions. Even when it is not a special occasion it is a special place to eat a great dinner.
(5)
Charles C.
My favorite restaurant in Memphis! Steak great, spinach great, loaded buds great and great drinks! Apply for a silver card and receive offers all the time!
(5)
Tricia L.
This place was surprisingly good. Don't get turned off by outside because the place was fantastic! Steaks were great and atmosphere was awesome.
(4)
Jason D.
The best value in Memphis. Come as you are place. Great food. Service is top notch and the owner is hands on. I love this place.
(5)
Huzefa M.
Brilliant flavors and ambiance! The owner came to our table several times and checked if everything looked and tasted good. Would definately recommend and visit again.
(4)
Lynn M.
Ordered a grilled chicken salad for $12.95. Could have gotten a better value at McDonald's. After expressing my displeasure the manager added two more strips of chicken and tw more tomatoes and a cucumber slice.REALLY!!!!?? Guess if you don't order a steak they aren't interested in you.
(2)
Chris G.
This is probably the overall best steakhouse in Memphis. The food, the dark romantic ambience, and the superb service make it so. Get there early because it fills up very quickly.
(5)
Ken T.
I'm not sure why but I thought this place was going to feel like a good ole boy restaurant but when I walked in the door I realized that it had some class. The lighting is a bit low but the decor and ambiance was nice and sophisticated. My booth was very comfortable and the restaurant was quiet even with quite a few guests inside. I was greeted with a handshake by either the owner or manager, but definitely he was in charge as those around him took direction and cues from him. Everything was in place and outstandingly clean. My waitress didn't take long to show up at my table and she was pleasant, very well trained and didn't push me for an order. Having read several yelp reviews on the place, and being in the mood for a steak I decided to order the 7 ounce Filet. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. I ordered the mashed potatoes as my side along with the side salad. The potatoes were wonderful, hot, and creamy and served with some garlic and butter. The side salad was nothing to brag about but for an upgraded charge they would add bacon and cheese to it. A nice loaf of bread with a generous supply of fresh butter came with the meal. On the guilty side, I decided to order dessert . . . had the freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. What came to the table was a HUGE cookie that had a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. How do I rate the dessert? Marginal. I didn't like the ice cream as it was supposed to be hard-served and it was soft throughout and the flavor wasn't anything to write home about nor was it as good as Bluebell or Bryers. Plus, it's definitely a share-able dessert. On the whole, this was a great dinner spot and I will be back again. Congrats Buckely's!
(5)
Shuman M.
Steak was pretty good and so was the Salmon. It is a little pricey though, the food is good and service was great too.
(4)
Sherri W.
horrible service!! waited over 40minutes for a to go order. bartender took my order and was rude!! i will never go back!!
(1)
Keith R.
This restaurant is always a pleasure. If you don't want one of their great steaks, go for the Bourbon Street Chicken, Encrusted Mahi Mahi, or King Creole Salmon. Salad and a side (bacon green beans/creamed spinach/key west veggies/Buckley Buds) come with each meal. Dessert is a cow chip or pecan pie. Lisa, Ramon & Leo are our favorite servers. Great consistency, time after time.
(5)
James S.
A great place for a great steak. Buckley's is a very comfortable restaurant with good ambience. The wait staff is attentive without being intrusive. You will get consistently good food and good service at a fair price. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Lori R.
We had heard about the BBQ just down the road, but when we went in to find out that the wait was over an hour we bailed to find something else. We found Buckley's right down the street! It was a great find. One reviewer said that it was fancy - its nice, but I wouldn't say fancy. We had on jeans and I didn't feel out of place at all. The whole staff is SUPER friendly. The food was top notch. OH! And their bottles of wine are reasonably priced. Not a super mark up like you see at most restaurants. This is a big A+ in my book!
(4)
Eric R.
I visited this place during a short trip to Memphis a few weeks ago. The place doesn't appear like much from the outside, but inside is a totally different story (where there is more like a mid-to-upscale environment). The wait-service was great. To begin with, the water tasted very off, which may just be a Memphis tap water thing. It was bad enough that I ordered a tea instead. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken, which made a "Top 100 Things to Eat in Memphis" list about 2 years ago according to the menu. The dish is essentially a blackened chicken breast with jambalaya and a special "Creole crawfish" sauce. Being from New Orleans, it was a natural choice, but I thought it was awful. If it did make the list, it must have been listed at #100. The seasoning made both the chicken and the jambalaya far, far too salty- so much so that I would not even have known that there was rice on the plate from taste alone. I'm not sure if the chef thinks that over-seasoning is Louisiana-style cooking, but I can assure that it is not. Once I'd scraped the seasoning off to more manageable levels, I found that the crawfish sauce blended fairly well with the chicken. I'd thought that the side of cheese grits would redeem the entree, but it did not. Others around my table had similar mixed reviews about their plates, which included the Honey Citrus Salmon and the Bayou Filet.
(2)
Don W.
What an absolute treat!!! Ken (Co-Owner) was working the door. i was traveling for business and going to have a "working" dinner. He took the time to find an out of the way, corner table in a quiet side room. The service was superb. The right timing for everything right down to clearing the table before the check was presented. The Steak!!!! I had a perfectly cooked 10oz filet. Melt in your mouth, lightly seasoned with just the right char from the grill on the outside. Oh yeah, the best part is you don't pay high steakhouse prices either. The filet w/ salad and side is only $24. They have a decent wine list with super bottle prices or by the glass on the slightly high side. This is a great local eatery with truly invested owners.
(5)
Mike M.
Good recommendation fellow Yelpers. Service was great, has the old-time steakhouse atmosphere and the food reflects all the previous reviews. Don't worry about your attire: businessmen dressed-up to young ladies that must have jogged up here! The steak was cooked exactly as ordered and just what I expected. We will be back next time we pass through Memphis! Don't let the exterior turn yourself away! Note: Buckley's opens at 5PM, not 4, daily.
(4)
Liz J.
We visited Buckley's for our 11th anniversary dinner. It was my first visit though my husband has been there several times with clients. The filet was as yummy as I've always heard, and the "buds" were amazing. Our server, Raymone, delivered excellent service to the point that my husband said, "Remind me to tip him extra" within the first 10 minutes of us being seated. We brought our 2 small kids, who are very seasoned at eating out, and they split the kids' burger and mac & cheese (it was a HUGE portion!). We also got some dessert - the Cow Chip and Creamy Key Lime. Both were super tasty.
(5)
Ben B.
I waited to long to try Buckley's when moving to Memphis. It took me two years and I realized a made a mistake by waiting so long. The Filet served here could be cut with a butter knife and was cooked to perfection (medium rare). The sides were just "ok" but that filet did more than make up for it.
(4)
Cal M.
Although I live a couple blocks from Buckley's, for whatever reason, I rarely eat there. But, last night my girl suggested we try it out...I must say, we will go back!! The filet's were awesome..cooked to perfection, just as we ordered. We had the loaded mashed potatoes, salads and wine. Server, Jerome, was great, very attentive and personal..suggested sides and dessert like a professional. I would have given a 5 star rating..except I hated the bread. Tasted like garlic butter and Italian seasoning had been brushed on it. Great with spaghetti, not very good with steak. Next time I will get it plain
(4)
Benolyn C.
Excellent! Food was perfect and service was outstanding. Never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Greg H.
The co-owner greeted us by opening the front door and stepping outside to say, "Welcome!" The menu is limited, with great attention given to quality. The creamed spinach is awesome. Pasta was spot on. One downside is a terribly small bar. More like a bar window. It's a "get a drink while you're waiting to be seated." So, not a location for a solo meal when Wifey is away. Pity. We'll be back.
(4)
Mark C.
GOOOOOD steak, top shelf, best, after a recent trip to Chicago and a 80$ filet at the chop house this place really shines had the best filet ever and at a third of the price with sides. Great management would give them a higher than 4 star rating but we all know nothing is perfect wish they had a 4.9 option just for this place.
(4)
Andrew M.
Quite possibly the best mistake I have ever made! I spent 6 months in Memphis on business; I ended up at Buckley's for dinner one night because my first choice a couple doors down had a full parking lot. It immediately became one of my favorite restaurants. Incredibly tender steak, well seasoned, and the Buckley's Buds are phenomenal. The wine selection is great if you are willing to buy it by the bottle, but not bad by the glass. I was able to bring some colleagues on a subsequent trip, and one commented that Buckley's NAILED his rare steak, which is apparently hard to do (I will have to take his word on that.)
(5)
Scott L.
I travel to Memphis often and always have a great meal at Buckley's. Had a business/dinner meeting and everyone enjoyed their dinner. Some of our group had some special requests on their salads and entrees and they got it all right without a hitch. While Stuffed Mushrooms are kinda 1985, we loved them here. I had the Citrus Mahi Mahi Shrimp which was good, but the rice portion was small and a little dry. Will be back soon...ENJOY!
(4)
Linda C.
Very tasty lobster bisque, great margarita. I had the shrimp and pasta with vodka sauce. Very good. Get the cow patty desert if you like sweet. Great ambiance and friendly staff
(4)
Sunny M.
The lobster bisque and creamed spinach are terrific!
(5)
Patrick J.
Awesome local spot. Ask for Chelsea!
(5)
Paddy O.
Stayed at Double Tree across street. Asked couple of. Cops and they said try this place. It was good. I ordered a burger medium came out well but was still ok. Shrimp and grits were very nice. Large portion and shrimp cooked properly Service was ok, very attentive in beginning but after food served didn't come back soon enough to point out temp snafu I was hungry I dealt with it. The hot garlicky bread they serve is a welcoming thing as soon as you sit. All in all not bad, not great. They had "Ghost River Golden Ale" nice beer
(3)
Ashley W.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in town! The ambiance, the wine, the food, the dessert, everything is wonderful! They have great specials on wine. The stuffed mushrooms and artichoke dip are the perfect starters. I always get the filet. It's cooked perfectly! Practically melts in your mouth! Definitely save room for dessert. The pecan pie thing is heavenly!
(5)
Shawn L.
I have been going to this place for years. I think it is one of the best places to eat in Memphis. The steaks are great. The Buckley Buds (mashed potatos) are so good. The service is always outstanding. If you are looking for a great place to eat. Then Buckley's is the place to go.
(5)
Katharyn B.
I work nearby and have often sent people here for dinner without ever having tried it. I finally did and it was great! I'm on a budget so I only got the steak burger and mashed potatoes as the side and it was phenomenal. The burger was juicy and tasted like when you grill out at home and not like your typical restaurant burger. The mashed potatoes had a lovely garlic flavor. I will definitely keep recommending this place to guests!
(5)
Gary P.
This is a nice neighborhood bar even though the bar only seats four. Service is quick and friendly. The steaks looked good but I had the grilled chicken which was cooked correctly and not dried out. Cocktails are generous pours. I'll come back to try the steaks.
(3)
Jolynna M.
Buckley's is a great little Memphis gem, voted as the 3rd best restaurant for steaks in the area. If you go, get the Buckley's Filet - 10 oz. of aged Nebraska beef brushed with garlic butter and a choice of sides (the spinach is excellent) and all for only $21. You can also get the 6 oz. version for $18. Best deal in town for quality steak, if you ask me. Some other things on the menu worth trying: The Bourban Street Chicken, The Lobster Bisque and the Delta Shrimp and Grits. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. The service well above par. Try it!
(4)
Jessica S.
I've only had their burger and both times it was delicious. My dad and I have gone their twice now and we enjoyed it both times. They have a nice wine menu. The service was excellent both times.
(4)
Ken S.
Great Caesar Salad but maybe it is just me the New York Strip was Just ok. After some of the other reviews I guess I was expecting something more.
(3)
Brendan W.
Borderline from 3 stars to 4. The service was great, quick, and attentive. My peers all had compliments for their dinner. I enjoyed the loaded salad but the rib eye was a little too marbled. It seemed I was trying to cut more to get to the streak than spending time eating. I would try the fillet on the next visit.
(4)
Joe S.
I am starting to do my Yelp reviews on places I find myself returning to again and again, introducing to my friends and clients to, and singing their praises wherever I can. That being said, when I think steak, I think Buckley's. Its a casual, reasonably priced east Memphis place, offering steaks, pasta, chicken and seafood, but we go for the steaks. Great Nebraska beef, I like the NY strip, but everyone raves about the filets, always cooked to perfection, and served with Buckley's signature garlic mashed potatoes or other yummy sides. The staff is always attentive and polite, and they like to take your picture to include in their monthly magazine (complete with great coupons). I have been to the "big name" steak houses in town, but Buckley's is the one I keep coming back to. Enjoy.
(5)
Larry C.
We just ate here for the first time tonight, 11/24/09. It was a-ok. The prices were reasonable and the portions sane. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive - as were all of the staff there. The food was good but only average in my opinion. The steaks were compentently prepared as was the grilled chicken. The "Buckley Buds" were simply mashed potatoes with some flavorings. Ordered the steaks medium but one was way more rare than the other - almost sent it back but decided not to - ate and enjoyed it a-ok. You won't go wrong eating here....
(3)
Russell L.
Oh Buckley's. Just like Joe S. below, Buckley's is one of my favorite places on earth. I've been to fancier places, paid a lot more money and walked away wondering why I just didn't go to Buckley's. I always tend to judge a restaurant by the salad. Buckleys has the best. It's always served cold in ice cold salad bowls. The Balsamic Vinaigrette is very good. The steaks are top quality and reasonably priced, I always have the filet. Good wine selection and a great bar, not a big bar, just a great one!!! Try Rags Cheese Bread as an appetizer. Most of all, if you have a bad experience, tell your wait person if they can't make it right for you talk to Ken or Jeff, email them if you need to. They ALWAYS reply. Most of all give Buckley's a try. You won't be disappointed
(4)
Rachel W.
I have a different reaction to the original reviewer about Buckley's. In a nutshell, the ambiance was very nice, the servers were attentive, but I could buy the same food cheaper at TGI Friday's or Applebee's. We paid quite a bit of money for mediocre steak. I had a ribeye that literally looked like it had been cooked at TGI Friday's. Even though the little plastic sign said it was cooked rare, it was definitely cooked medium. My cream of spinach was not creamy in the slightest and didn't taste good. My husband had a fillet that had 3 tough gristle spots. He asked for his fillet to be medium, but parts of it were cooked rare while other parts were cooked well done. Exactly how does one screw up steaks this badly at a steak house? The dessert however, was very good. My husband started wondering if we should just eat at home even more and go to a restaurant for dessert. We won't be going back to Buckley's anytime soon.
(2)
N. P.
I didn't think that I'd be that impressed with Buckley's, but it was very good. They had an excellent selection of high-quality steaks and chicken, as well as some salads, and good sides like crab stuffed mushrooms. I had the Buckley steak burger cooked medium well and it came with one side -- I chose the bacon green beans, which I only seem to find in the South. The steak burger was juicy and perfect, and the beans were nice and salty with a hint of smoky bacon flavor. Really good.
(4)
E W.
I eat here every year or two on business trips. Outrageously good, melt in your mouth, beef filets! Reasonable, friendly, and just about everything you could hope for in a casual dining experience! Oceanside, CA
(5)
Jason H.
My wife and I dined at Buckley's on Poplar for the first time last week. Not only was the food unacceptable for the price paid but the Management response to the situation was shocking! I usually do not take the time and effort to submit a restaurant review but our experience justifies it. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted warmly and seated quickly. The restaurant was not busy at 7:30pm... only four tables occupied so we were a little skeptical but decided to give it a try anyway. We are regulars at Andrew Michael's Italian Kitchen, River Oaks Restaurant, Acorn, and Folk's Folly's but decided to try something other than our usual dining spot. *BIG MISTAKE*! I ordered the chopped steak with mushroom sauce and my wife ordered a grilled chicken salad. The entrees were on the table in about 7 minutes so not much time or attention went into the preparation. I must say I have had better chopped steak at Piccadilly Cafeteria! As my wife begin eating her salad, she noticed a LONG BLACK CURLY HAIR in the middle of her salad. We immediately brought it to the attention of the server who stated "sorry, can I get you something else?" Needless to say my wife had lost her appetite and did not want to order anything else. The waitress stated she would mention it to the Manager but he did not take the time to come to our table to offer an apology or anything else. A hair in your food must not be a concern to Management at this restaurant. We left hungry and disappointed and will never return. The next day I contacted the owner of Buckley's - Ken. He was non-apologetic about the situation as well as condescending and stated he had regular customer's who ate at Buckley's weekly and he was not concerned about "a single hair in a salad." Really? I would suffice it to say he needs to brush up on his customer service skills at a minimum and he should know by now how VERY important it is to listen to customer concerns and deal with them in an effective manner. Research has proven one unhappy and dissatisfied customer will tell at least 10 people. Eat here at your own risk!!!
(1)
Dimitri M.
Cool place, waited an hour for the table...but it was worth it. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed. Food was delicious. I had blackened salmon in a craw fish sauce. Oh and the cheesey bread was pretty awesome..basically it's a choice of steaks, chicken, or pasta...but anything can come Cajun style. That's what makes this place above the average..and my Caesar salad in it's cols cold serving bowl was one of the bests!
(3)
T D.
We've been several times now. Order the crab bisque to start....awesome! Had the petite filet with Buckley buds (mashed potatoes) yum! Good mixed drinks. Waiter was knowledgable and attentive...adult atmosphere, low key & quiet....nice place. Sign up for mailer and recieve 20% off coupons. Open for dinner only.
(5)
Joan K.
Delicious steaks, and a very nice and gracious owner host. Eight of us ladies came in Tuesday nite on a business trip, from Ca, TX, St louis, Ohio and Chicago. gentleman was so very accommodating and friendly. Most of us had steaks and we all raved. I think most were jealous cuz I had more than the petite filet, because they finished my ribeye! Sides were great and of course women don't ever order dessert, but the owner saw right thru us and brought over delicious key lime pie and a brownie ice-cream sundae, that of course, was devoured. If we come back, WE will return to Buckleys!! a hidden gem!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Hugo M.
I have been here many times over the years and frankly I am shocked that I have not reviewed this wonderful little gem. The atmosphere is a little on the dark side but tasteful in décor. Service for me has always been warm, friendly and efficient . They make an outstanding vodka martini that goes oh so well with the fantastic steaks. This is my go to place for steaks when I'm in town and it never fails me. Give it a try and I think you will find the same charms I have.
(5)Bill D.
Apparently Buckley's can't hack prepping a takeout order anymore. Just tried to get an order of ravioli to pickup and was informed "this restaurant is a dine in only restaurant" now. Two thumbs down and a stupid decision. Been a customer for years and love their food but they're making some STUPID management decisions.
(2)Kelly H.
I joined some friends here for dinner and drinks. We had heard about the half price margaritas and I think everyone else did too. The restaurant was very busy for a Tuesday and our service maybe suffered due to that. I ordered a wedge salad which was nice. They were accommodating to our requests, but it took awhile to get our checks and payment taken care of.
(3)J Penelope Walkininit S.
I'm a week late, but the ribeye I had was fabulous. Nice marble and great size. I think I may have been able to eat half of it. It taste wonderful left over as well. This is one place that is always consistent and wether you are here or the lunchbox the food doesn't disappoint.
(5)Adam H.
I've been a Buckley's fan for at least 18 years. I remember coming here when there were only like 8 total menu items. The renovated Dairy Queen was a little strange in the beginning but the store has shaped up over the years. It has the smallest bar I have ever seen. Only like 3 chairs at the whole thing!! The softly lit interior is riddled with paintings from Ken's wife Lisa. They are (in my description) like East Memphis housewife art. Full of happy little shopping people spending money and raising crappy kids. We won't get into that today... My wife and I have been subscribing to the newsletter (which seems to have stopped now) for as long as he has written it. We really used to enjoy reading it. It kept us reminded of the great food at the place. We are silver reward members and get quite a bit of mail from these guys. One thing they are really good at it marketing to former guests. Sometimes I wonder how they stay in business because I don't remember eating here without a discount. On to the food. With so many visits no one can always be perfect. My last visit was on my Dads birthday. His steak was way overcooked the first time and raw and bleeding the next. It originally was asked to be medium. Outside of that last incident I can say I have almost ALWAYS had a great experience here. Top dishes are; shrimp and grits, filet, encrusted Mahi, bourbon chicken! The Buckley buds are great! Go here! It's good!
(4)David E.
My wife and I have enjoyed going to Buckley's for great steaks for years. We had wanted to try the Steak Burger, but always got our Ribeye or Salmon. Well, tonight we decided to try out the Steak Burger. No, not just the regular Steak Burger, but the Memphis Jam. Wow! Sure, the Steak Burger itself was great, but merging the creamy cheese with the strawberry jam then blending it with the onion straws and bacon - oh, man!. It was our server Ann that recommended adding the bacon - it did make for a better burger. One fabulous mouthful after another until we were too stuffed for dessert. Everyone knows they have great steaks - I gotta have my "Wild Will Ribeye" when I want steak - but I now can heartily recommend their Steak Burgers as well. Only you can break the tie - which will it be? Burger or Steak or Salmon? Try them for yourself and you will NOT go away hungry, but you WILL leave satisfied.
(5)J R.
Unfortunately after my trip to Buckley's last night, I'm updating my review and taking a star away. Our waitress was not rude, but she definitely rushed us and was more concerned about clearing tables than allowing diners to enjoy their experience. My silverware was filthy when I unwrapped it from the cloth napkin. If I did not know any better, I would guess they never made it to the dishwasher and had been taken from a dirty table and rolled into the napkin. When I brought it to the waitress's attention, she brought me another set of silverware, but not before jerking the dirty forks and knife out of my hand. The set she brought me had dried up brown paper towel pieces stuck to the napkin and silverware. I do not know if the paper towel was used to clean spots off the silverware or if they had been washed together for some reason, but it's not exactly what you want to see when you are trying to eat. Our food was good, but not outstanding. Before we finished half of our cocktails, the waitress asked if we wanted another drink. Well, no, not yet! Before we finished our meal, she asked if we wanted dessert. We declined, saying we would probably be too full, then she asked again when she cleared our plates. We already told you NO! I hate that Buckley's has come to this. It was a staple in our date night rotation and now I feel like we cannot count on having a decent experience to make it worth our money. The past few times we have been in, there have been younger guys managing the restaurant. Last night, there was no one at the front of the restaurant to greet customers and we waited a few minutes before anyone came to seat us. I do not know if Ken, Jeff, and Joe are stepping back, but if so, maybe they need to step back in and get the place back in shape. I think for now, we'll just have to take a break and hope they can work out their issues by the time we decide to return, if ever.
(2)Candace B.
I do love stopping in this place from time to time. This is about the nicest staff in Memphis from the bartenders to wait staff they are all great. My favorite thing to eat here is the River City Chicken Pasta with blackened chicken and vodka cream sauce...it is the best. For the side you have to get the spinach and grits...wish I could make this food at home! I have had the steaks several times and they really are just ok in my book....nothing bad I just have had better. But if you are looking for a nice place for dinner try them out! Be warned sometimes this place gets packed but they get people in and out fast...they have a lot of regulars here...including me now!
(4)Amanda E.
Buckleys makes nice steaks approachable. Like a high end steak place the restaurant is dark and a variety of cuts are offered; However, you will find the acceptable attire more casual and the price point lower. On the weekends you can be sure to find a wait but there's plenty of seating and the opportunity to get a drink. The service has always been friendly and performed well, I think buckleys prides themselves on making people feel comfortable. The salads are pretty standard, overpriced IMO so it's really a better value to get a steak that comes with one vs something else. For your side, you need the Buckley buds, yum! Personally I like my steak medium rare and I have never been disappointed, plus the cuts are big - a 12oz is totally shareable and the 2nd person can just order their own side. I don't like to overload on meat because the cowchip (skillet cookie) is super yummy.
(4)Chris M.
Buckleys sorta reminds us of Pete and Sams of steak places. Many of the dishes are old school but we always enjoy the food and service. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The appetizers are not their strength but pretty much every thing else hits the mark. All the sides are good, the salads come with a variety of homemade dressings (peppercorn is great) bread is good. Rarely have room for the deserts but the few times we did it was good. Service is always great! Not going to be cutting edge food but it's always good comfort food.
(4)Shaun B.
After a year and a half of living in Memphis, I finally got around to trying this place, and I kind of resent the fact that it took me so long! When we first arrived, we were promptly greeted by the manager in a friendly manner and he was quick to seat us; then the waiter came promptly thereafter with water in hand to take our drink orders. Throughout the meal, service was excellent; the waiter and manager would ask us how we enjoyed the different courses and our experience; this definitely sets it on a level playing field with the other top steak places in town. The ambiance is also very nice and relaxing, with dim lighting and a candle at each table. For our food, we decided to split a 16 oz NY Strip and loaded mashed potatoes, split cheese bread, and each gott a salad. We also got a baked cookie a la mode at the end. A small order of the cheese bread came out and we were honestly underwhelmed by this. It was four small pieces of bread with melted cheese for six bucks; a little steep for something so basic and minimal. Then the salads and bread came out. The salad was good and the bread was awesome (again, making the cheese bread a bit of a waste in our book, but you live and learn). The one drawback to the extra small dinner salad we ordered on its own; it cost $6! That's pretty steep in my book for something this simple, but I digress. Then the steak and potatoes came out. The potatoes were good but that steak...oh my lord that steak was great! It was a very thick and generous portion of juicy, delicious, steak. It honestly has been the best steak I've had in Memphis (realize I haven't had a steak from your Flemming's or Ruth Chris' in town, but again I digress). Splitting turned out to be a great idea, as I barely finished mine and she had a bite left of her portion. The only drawback was that we ordered it medium and it was more of a medium rare, but it seems customary at nicer steak places to leave more red in the meat. It was still phenomenal either way. For dessert, we had the baked cookie a la mode (I know that's not the name, but you get the idea, and I'm posting a picture). That cookie wound up being a lot more thick than we anticipated, and dessert was excellent. We got our bill which came out to just shy of $60 pre-tip; there's cheaper and more expensive items on the menu so I feel this restaurant caters to those of different incomes. While I felt the salad and appetizer were steep in price, the steak was well worth it and the service just amplified the experience. We will definitely be back in the near future!
(4)Jack B.
Casual dining, good food at reasonable prices. Staff is friendly and efficient. Greeted promptly and friendly, seated immediately. All three of us enjoyed our dinners, one pasta and two burgers along with appetizer. Enjoyed the whole experience.
(4)Jackie K.
Whoa. I really wanted to like it- the bartender was sweet and attentive, the bread was yummy, I could drink the balsamic dressing, and the creamed spinach was delicious. But the ravioli soup fell short (think nuked ketchup broth with two frozen ravioli rounds plopped in) and the STEAK was ABYSMAL. I've never had mushy filet that crumbled like hamburger meat. Something was off. Like it was frozen, defrosted then frozen again and not thawed before cooking? Darn. Bye bye $35.
(1)Justin L.
I came here for a business dinner, and I was amazed at the ambiance of this restaurant. For an appetizer I had the crab stuffed mushrooms. They tasted like they were frozen, then microwaved and were full of water. For my entree I had the 12oz Filet, and it was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was the gristle that was on the bottom of my filet which just ruined the steak for me as I was finishing up my meal. The Bernaise sauce while tasty, was not really that warm, but complimented the filet very well (make sure to get it on the side). The desert that I had was the Bourbon glazed pecan pie....again, it was a microwaved desert, and I was not impressed. I do not understand why people say this is a great restaurant. It is just okay. They try to compare themselves to Ruth Chris, Morton's, and the Capitol Grille---NO COMPARISON. Unfortunately you get what you pay for, and this is just a step above an Outback or Longhorn. I think if Buckley's stopped microwaving appetizers and deserts and took the time to use quality ingredients and make dishes fresh, and also hire a good butcher to properly trim their Beef Tenderloins, than one would be able to compare Buckley's to a higher end steakhouse. Oh...and get rid of the televisions in the dining room...it looks tacky, and takes away from the ambiance.
(2)Andy S.
This is a Memphis go-to for steak. This trip we went for a friend's birthday. They won't seat you till everyone arrives, so make sure people are on time. However, while waiting, they have some dispensers with peanuts and peanut mixtures. They are addicting, so don't get more than one cup! They also have a full bar, so while waiting for everyone to arrive, I enjoyed a cocktail of whiskey and water. It was good, and only about $6. They have a nice bar area. The restaurant is dark and romantic. The service is great, as well. My entree came with a house salad, so I of course, ordered blue cheese dressing The winner of the night was the meal. I ordered the petite filet. It was cooked to perfection. It's smaller, but it is still 7oz, which is plenty. They have plenty of sides, but I chose the creamed spinach, which definitely did not disappoint. It was a perfect pairing with my steak. I will definitely return to this steak place. It's good. It's more affordable than other places, and it's a local restaurant. They do have other food besides steak for those non beef eaters.
(4)Tyler B.
Phenomenal - it is what it is - small dark and badass. Food and service compete with each other for best in class. Will return.
(5)Isaac S.
The service was good and the food was delicious too. We had the rib eye steak with the shrimp skewer and everything was cooked too perfection.
(5)Joe T.
I have eaten here a few times when in town. I normally sit up at the small bar. The parking leaves a little to be desired, but that is because it is always packed. I always get the 10 oz. Buckley Filet. It is consistently good and the service is great. If you are looking for a good steak at a reasonable price, this is the place for you.
(4)Casey B.
This place is awesome! I would suggest going early, because it fills up quick. I usually go with the honey citrus salmon. So freakin good. Their steaks are excellent as well. The waiting area has several tables and a bar to get some drinks from while you wait. There is also a place where you can get peanuts and trail mix type snakcs while you wait. When you go, you have to sign up for the Buckley's silver membership. Each month you get a coupon for buy one entree get one 50% off. On your birthday month you get $10 off. You also build up points by eating there, get discounts for getting a certain number of bottles of wine, get a free appetizer after your 6th one...there are probably more discounts to get I just cant think of them all. Anyways, quit reading this and go eat there.
(5)Lane B.
First let me say the service was outstanding but the food is mediocre at best. I ordered the mahi mahi and what a hugh disappointment. It was literally like a piece of frozen battered fish with a substandard cream sauce. The dish came with a side salad which i upgraded to a wedge and a twice baked potato .... both were just ok... nothing here to help. Not being able to get through the first bite i asked the waitress if it would be ok to swap for a filet... Their signature dish. No problem and off she went to the kitchen. Within a reasonable amount of time my filet arrived with a side of cream spinach and twice baked potato. Again nothing spectaculer but edible. Finished the meal ... paid for what i thought was over priced for the quality of food and left thinking i will never be back... Of course i now remember saying that to myself the last time i ate here which has been long enough i have forgotten when... Not again for me but i will say the waitress and manager were great and because of that i am not regretful of the full experience. On the other hand the place was packed with what appeared to be regulars .
(3)Brittney H.
We ate here with friends several months ago. My salmon was SO salty, I had to send it back. It returned and tasted the exact same.... After we finished dinner, we were all walking to our cars and noticed our car had been broken into!!! Not a great night! The owner or manager never came out and asked what he could do! We never went back!
(2)Rachel B.
Good food. Love the jazz background music. Went there for a company dinner with clients. It was great.
(4)Wesley L.
I really don't understand the five star reviews. Don't eat here. Don't waste your money. We didn't get appetizers or desserts. Mixed drinks were strong, but not in a good way. None of the proportions were right, nothing was smooth; we might as well have ordered shots. The meal was a disappointment from start to finish. The salad dressings were clearly all bottled (it's not hard to make a Caesar dressing from scratch, and it's *very* obvious when you use a bottled mix), though the lettuce was fresh and crunchy and the house salad included real bacon bits (which take longer to make than the dressing!) The steaks were billed as aged Nebraska beef. The prices were about what you would expect at a mid-grade steakhouse ($25 for a 16 oz NY strip or ribeye; we ordered both). The ribeye was cooked properly but was underseasoned; the strip was seasoned well but was cooked medium well on one end and rare on the other. Both cuts were extraordinarily tough. I couldn't finish the strip. I have never left steak on the plate before tonight. I had planned to order dessert, but frankly once I was halfway through the meal, all I wanted to do was leave. The waiter was fine but very green. The only manager was playing hostess instead of playing manager. You can't fix a problem if you aren't involved enough to know one exists. Ambiance is all over the map. Is it casual (televisions all over the walls tuned to car racing) or fine dining (leather table tops and waiters in all black)? This place was rated as having the best steak in Memphis in 2002. Clearly, it's either gone drastically downhill or Memphis doesn't know what a good steak tastes like.
(1)J C.
I have been going to Buckleys a long time. It's a great place to eat. The steaks are always right on the spot. Nice atmosphere in a good part of town. The prices have escalated sharply in the last few years but it's still a solid choice. At Buckleys it's basically all about the steak.
(4)Rachel T.
I went here to celebrate my 21st birthday and I was very pleased. I ordered the tea to drink and it was very fresh, even my lemon tasted very fresh. I ordered the 16 oz ribeye, creamed spinach and house dressing (a homemade tasting vinagarette) Everything was excellent, my steak had a very rich depth of flavor and a divine crust on it. Two members of my party ordered the New York strip and were equally pleased. It's flavor wasn't as complex but it was a little smoother of a cut. For dessert I ordered the cow patty, which despite sounding unappealing, was a delicious homemade brownie with what tasted like homemade vanilla I've cream and chocolate and caramel sauce. The place was perfect! I would definitely go back.
(5)Matthew D.
First off, the exterior and the interior are at odds with each other! Hopefully you can get past the outside, because you can't judge a book by it's cover! Sorry, had to write that. I liked the fact that I was greeted in a very laid back, personal manner. I explained that I was early in meeting friends and would like to sit at the bar. A cocktail in hand I quickly felt like this would be a cool place I would come to often. My martini wasn't the best, but for an "after work" cocktail it was good enough! When my friends arrived we were shown to our table and the service didn't disappoint one bit! We were a relaxed group and the waiter flowed right along with our style. While it did seem like he was trying to sell dishes and his "thoughts" weren't 100% believable the appetizers were really good. I don't care for mushrooms whole, but the crab stuffed mushrooms were good enough that I would order the again. I liked the Caesar salad, but the dressing tasted like it was from a bottle. Whatever dressing they use is good, but not great. I ordered the 10oz. filet and man was it great! The side of Buckley Potato... something... was a good side item. I used no extra salt or pepper on either and was happy as could be. My steak was delivered a solid medium-rare, as requested, with a delicious crust on both sides. the flavor was wonderful and went right along with the Pinot Noir we were drinking. All in all a great night and I will go back!
(5)Mike P.
Buckley's is awesome. Always greeted with a friendly welcome. We were seated promptly as we arrived right at opening time on a Friday night. Waiter was friendly and suggestive of menu items but not pushy. We had a couple of Specialty Drinks to begin with, which were made to perfection. Began with Hot Artichoke Dip which was delicious! Now onto the main course. We both ordered the Wild Bill Ribeye's, which were 16oz each. Cooked to perfection, Medium, with plenty of pink and not over cooked. Came with the Buckleys Loaded Spuds and a salad as well. $28 for that combo and we brought food home. Staff and all were friendly and attentive. Total bill of Entrees, 4 Cocktails and appetizer came to $98. We worth it to me for great service and food, and also being able to support Local Memphis Food. We almost went to a "chain" because we were starving and wanted steak.. We opted to kill some time to go to Buckleys. I'm glad we waited!
(5)Tom G.
Went recently for a business dinner - 4 of us. I really like the atmosphere here. The food, was just so-so however. Had the ribeye, it was OK, but I should have gotten the filet. It looked great, but more gristle than I expected even on a ribeye, but you couldn't see it... it looked all the same, all 'meaty', so you could only tell when you tried to chew it... dark inside, which, is good for the atmosphere, but, hard to tell what you're putting in your mouth.
(3)Kristen M.
I mean, does this place even need a review? It's fantastic! I went for my birthday for the first time, and I will go back! When you first get there, if it's your first time, then your going to notice it's very packed in the front. It takes about an hour or two to get seated, but while waiting they have different free nut mixes to try and a bar to go to. Once seated, the dining area is very nice and not crowded at all. Food was delicious too! It is a nicer restaurant so I would wear your "Sunday best" to go. Even though I just wore jeans and some heels. And expect to wait in a crowded room for an hour or two before getting a table and a dinner for four will be at about 100$.
(5)Jennifer M.
Always a great experience!!! Garrett, Jessica, and management took great care of me!! Leo's has been my server in the past, as well. And he's fantastic too!! Don't miss the Loaded Buckley Buds or the lobster bisque.
(5)Trent T.
Wasn't what I expected when I walked in, it was dark and more fancy than I had imagined. We were seated immediately by the manager (I think) and service was great throughout. The manager who sat us came to check on us during our meal also. I ordered the pan blackened chicken with jambalaya ... Amazing. Overall great place to eat and highly recommend.
(5)Ann-Marie T.
Buckley's has always been a tradition for me. For some reason when I see Buckley's I think of love and romance. If you've been in there you know it's practically the dive bar of steak houses and are probably asking why in the world I feel this way about it. My grandparents have been married 68 years and are the epitome of true love. Every year, since I can remember, we've celebrated their anniversary with them at Buckley's. I also had my first date with my long term boyfriend, Mitch, at Buckley's. The thought of Buckley's just warms my heart. The food has never been disappointing. The steak is always cooked to absolute perfection. The fish is always flaky and delicious. They also serve "Loaded Buckley Buds" which put an intense beat down on all other loaded mash potatoes. ' The decor is older, the bar is tiny, there isn't much seating in the waiting area, and cars get broken into pretty often in their parking lot. So don't leave anything visible in your car. Don't let these few negatives detour you though, Buckley's is amazing and you should definitely test it out!
(5)Led D.
I have eaten here a couple of times now with my family and it has always been a great experience. Steaks and filets are cooked to your satisfaction and very tender. They have great sides like smash potatoes, green beans, salads, etc... It was all good!!!!!!! Great ambiance with the smallest bar in Memphis. Lots of great knick knacks like little statues. A great collection. Service are awesome. Our waiter was very professional and always checking up on us to make sure we are content. A little easier on the wallet. We will definitely come back again because it is that good.
(4)Teri W.
This was a good find. We found it online while we were on the way back to our hotel from the Liberty Bowl. We didn't realize it was such a "nice" place and sure looked out of place in our crazy Iowa State gear, but they treated us very well. We were sat immediately, and our server was fast and friendly. We shared the chicken nachos as an appetizer, and everyone enjoyed them. I had the chicken pasta, which was really good. Someone else had the shrimp and grits, and he cleaned his plate, so I assume he was happy! Another person in our party got the steak salad, which looked really good. It had quite a bit of meat on it, and she seemed happy. The wine list was very reasonable. We split a bottle of wine for $29 - you just can't get decent wine for that price here in Vegas. I would definitely go back to Buckley's if I find myself in Memphis again!
(4)Wright's Ata M.
My favorite Memphis Steak House! Excellent Service! Great atmosphere! Excellent Food!!! We are greeted with a hand shake and get one on the way out.
(5)David J.
For me this is affectionately known as my "neighborhood joint". My wife and I live close by and have been Buckley rewards members for years. The food is good - not fantastic but fairly consistent in quality across the menu. I have had many great steak cuts and a few poor ones. The staff is always warm and friendly and make you feel welcome and seem eager to please. The wine list is pretty good for a small place and the most reasonably priced in this part of town. I would agree that they could improve their salads but I remember when they just had steaks and maybe one chicken dish so the menu has expanded and greatly improved over the years. This is not a place that will not necessarily impress out-of-towners but it definitely has a place in the hearts of many older East Memphis types like me. Honestly, in this part of town you can spend a lot more for a fine meal at many higher end restaurants (I have been to most of them). For fairly reasonable steak place that is not a chain (which I hate!), it's very good. I love the homey atmosphere, but I'll admit I'm biased and have spent many a special evenings here.
(5)Mark S.
While I was continuing my Memphis food tour, I stopped in a Buckley's. It looked like a 99-style place to eat dinner. Wasn't expecting a mid-tier steak joint. Waiter was very kind. He did give me Ranch dressing instead of Italian on my salad, I ate it anyways. I'll always eat whatever the waiter gives me if he's nice enough. I got a pretty good sized steak with green beans that had bacon bits on them. I wasn't a fan of the bacon-bit-green-beans. I know people love Bacon, but that's what the bacon wrapped filet is for. The steak itself, a Rib eye, seemed a little more fatty than normal. Rib eye is normally fatty along the outside, but this felt like I was leaving too much on the plate when I was done. The interior decorating needs to be changed. There was a TV in the section I was sitting in and I don't know if it needed to be there at all. It was a 10 inch tube and had volume that coexisted withe slow Jazz background music. Also the self-proclaimed World's smallest bar needn't be there if no one is actually sitting there eating their dinner. The dinner would've been fine, but some of the other clientele seemed like they didn't really belong in a steak house. This is no fault of the restaurants, but I just like talking about weird customers I see and hear. The lady sitting behind me was hacking up a lung and didn't think drinking her ice water was going to make that go away. A good 5 minute hack. A father brought his sons out for dinner, only for them to feel like crap when they realized they couldn't get wi-fi unless it came from the cafe across the street. I think my Dad would've beaten the shit out of me if I asked a waiter if they had wi-fi so I could play with my ipad during a steak dinner. All in all, a fair meal.
(3)Chris M.
Hard to beat the steak and the price. The 10 oz. Buckley filet is always superb. Buckley's is our number one choice on special occasions. Even when it is not a special occasion it is a special place to eat a great dinner.
(5)Charles C.
My favorite restaurant in Memphis! Steak great, spinach great, loaded buds great and great drinks! Apply for a silver card and receive offers all the time!
(5)Tricia L.
This place was surprisingly good. Don't get turned off by outside because the place was fantastic! Steaks were great and atmosphere was awesome.
(4)Jason D.
The best value in Memphis. Come as you are place. Great food. Service is top notch and the owner is hands on. I love this place.
(5)Huzefa M.
Brilliant flavors and ambiance! The owner came to our table several times and checked if everything looked and tasted good. Would definately recommend and visit again.
(4)Lynn M.
Ordered a grilled chicken salad for $12.95. Could have gotten a better value at McDonald's. After expressing my displeasure the manager added two more strips of chicken and tw more tomatoes and a cucumber slice.REALLY!!!!?? Guess if you don't order a steak they aren't interested in you.
(2)Chris G.
This is probably the overall best steakhouse in Memphis. The food, the dark romantic ambience, and the superb service make it so. Get there early because it fills up very quickly.
(5)Ken T.
I'm not sure why but I thought this place was going to feel like a good ole boy restaurant but when I walked in the door I realized that it had some class. The lighting is a bit low but the decor and ambiance was nice and sophisticated. My booth was very comfortable and the restaurant was quiet even with quite a few guests inside. I was greeted with a handshake by either the owner or manager, but definitely he was in charge as those around him took direction and cues from him. Everything was in place and outstandingly clean. My waitress didn't take long to show up at my table and she was pleasant, very well trained and didn't push me for an order. Having read several yelp reviews on the place, and being in the mood for a steak I decided to order the 7 ounce Filet. I ordered it medium and it was cooked to perfection. I ordered the mashed potatoes as my side along with the side salad. The potatoes were wonderful, hot, and creamy and served with some garlic and butter. The side salad was nothing to brag about but for an upgraded charge they would add bacon and cheese to it. A nice loaf of bread with a generous supply of fresh butter came with the meal. On the guilty side, I decided to order dessert . . . had the freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. What came to the table was a HUGE cookie that had a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. How do I rate the dessert? Marginal. I didn't like the ice cream as it was supposed to be hard-served and it was soft throughout and the flavor wasn't anything to write home about nor was it as good as Bluebell or Bryers. Plus, it's definitely a share-able dessert. On the whole, this was a great dinner spot and I will be back again. Congrats Buckely's!
(5)Shuman M.
Steak was pretty good and so was the Salmon. It is a little pricey though, the food is good and service was great too.
(4)Sherri W.
horrible service!! waited over 40minutes for a to go order. bartender took my order and was rude!! i will never go back!!
(1)Keith R.
This restaurant is always a pleasure. If you don't want one of their great steaks, go for the Bourbon Street Chicken, Encrusted Mahi Mahi, or King Creole Salmon. Salad and a side (bacon green beans/creamed spinach/key west veggies/Buckley Buds) come with each meal. Dessert is a cow chip or pecan pie. Lisa, Ramon & Leo are our favorite servers. Great consistency, time after time.
(5)James S.
A great place for a great steak. Buckley's is a very comfortable restaurant with good ambience. The wait staff is attentive without being intrusive. You will get consistently good food and good service at a fair price. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Lori R.
We had heard about the BBQ just down the road, but when we went in to find out that the wait was over an hour we bailed to find something else. We found Buckley's right down the street! It was a great find. One reviewer said that it was fancy - its nice, but I wouldn't say fancy. We had on jeans and I didn't feel out of place at all. The whole staff is SUPER friendly. The food was top notch. OH! And their bottles of wine are reasonably priced. Not a super mark up like you see at most restaurants. This is a big A+ in my book!
(4)Eric R.
I visited this place during a short trip to Memphis a few weeks ago. The place doesn't appear like much from the outside, but inside is a totally different story (where there is more like a mid-to-upscale environment). The wait-service was great. To begin with, the water tasted very off, which may just be a Memphis tap water thing. It was bad enough that I ordered a tea instead. I had the Bourbon Street Chicken, which made a "Top 100 Things to Eat in Memphis" list about 2 years ago according to the menu. The dish is essentially a blackened chicken breast with jambalaya and a special "Creole crawfish" sauce. Being from New Orleans, it was a natural choice, but I thought it was awful. If it did make the list, it must have been listed at #100. The seasoning made both the chicken and the jambalaya far, far too salty- so much so that I would not even have known that there was rice on the plate from taste alone. I'm not sure if the chef thinks that over-seasoning is Louisiana-style cooking, but I can assure that it is not. Once I'd scraped the seasoning off to more manageable levels, I found that the crawfish sauce blended fairly well with the chicken. I'd thought that the side of cheese grits would redeem the entree, but it did not. Others around my table had similar mixed reviews about their plates, which included the Honey Citrus Salmon and the Bayou Filet.
(2)Don W.
What an absolute treat!!! Ken (Co-Owner) was working the door. i was traveling for business and going to have a "working" dinner. He took the time to find an out of the way, corner table in a quiet side room. The service was superb. The right timing for everything right down to clearing the table before the check was presented. The Steak!!!! I had a perfectly cooked 10oz filet. Melt in your mouth, lightly seasoned with just the right char from the grill on the outside. Oh yeah, the best part is you don't pay high steakhouse prices either. The filet w/ salad and side is only $24. They have a decent wine list with super bottle prices or by the glass on the slightly high side. This is a great local eatery with truly invested owners.
(5)Mike M.
Good recommendation fellow Yelpers. Service was great, has the old-time steakhouse atmosphere and the food reflects all the previous reviews. Don't worry about your attire: businessmen dressed-up to young ladies that must have jogged up here! The steak was cooked exactly as ordered and just what I expected. We will be back next time we pass through Memphis! Don't let the exterior turn yourself away! Note: Buckley's opens at 5PM, not 4, daily.
(4)Liz J.
We visited Buckley's for our 11th anniversary dinner. It was my first visit though my husband has been there several times with clients. The filet was as yummy as I've always heard, and the "buds" were amazing. Our server, Raymone, delivered excellent service to the point that my husband said, "Remind me to tip him extra" within the first 10 minutes of us being seated. We brought our 2 small kids, who are very seasoned at eating out, and they split the kids' burger and mac & cheese (it was a HUGE portion!). We also got some dessert - the Cow Chip and Creamy Key Lime. Both were super tasty.
(5)Ben B.
I waited to long to try Buckley's when moving to Memphis. It took me two years and I realized a made a mistake by waiting so long. The Filet served here could be cut with a butter knife and was cooked to perfection (medium rare). The sides were just "ok" but that filet did more than make up for it.
(4)Cal M.
Although I live a couple blocks from Buckley's, for whatever reason, I rarely eat there. But, last night my girl suggested we try it out...I must say, we will go back!! The filet's were awesome..cooked to perfection, just as we ordered. We had the loaded mashed potatoes, salads and wine. Server, Jerome, was great, very attentive and personal..suggested sides and dessert like a professional. I would have given a 5 star rating..except I hated the bread. Tasted like garlic butter and Italian seasoning had been brushed on it. Great with spaghetti, not very good with steak. Next time I will get it plain
(4)Benolyn C.
Excellent! Food was perfect and service was outstanding. Never had a bad experience here.
(5)Greg H.
The co-owner greeted us by opening the front door and stepping outside to say, "Welcome!" The menu is limited, with great attention given to quality. The creamed spinach is awesome. Pasta was spot on. One downside is a terribly small bar. More like a bar window. It's a "get a drink while you're waiting to be seated." So, not a location for a solo meal when Wifey is away. Pity. We'll be back.
(4)Mark C.
GOOOOOD steak, top shelf, best, after a recent trip to Chicago and a 80$ filet at the chop house this place really shines had the best filet ever and at a third of the price with sides. Great management would give them a higher than 4 star rating but we all know nothing is perfect wish they had a 4.9 option just for this place.
(4)Andrew M.
Quite possibly the best mistake I have ever made! I spent 6 months in Memphis on business; I ended up at Buckley's for dinner one night because my first choice a couple doors down had a full parking lot. It immediately became one of my favorite restaurants. Incredibly tender steak, well seasoned, and the Buckley's Buds are phenomenal. The wine selection is great if you are willing to buy it by the bottle, but not bad by the glass. I was able to bring some colleagues on a subsequent trip, and one commented that Buckley's NAILED his rare steak, which is apparently hard to do (I will have to take his word on that.)
(5)Scott L.
I travel to Memphis often and always have a great meal at Buckley's. Had a business/dinner meeting and everyone enjoyed their dinner. Some of our group had some special requests on their salads and entrees and they got it all right without a hitch. While Stuffed Mushrooms are kinda 1985, we loved them here. I had the Citrus Mahi Mahi Shrimp which was good, but the rice portion was small and a little dry. Will be back soon...ENJOY!
(4)Linda C.
Very tasty lobster bisque, great margarita. I had the shrimp and pasta with vodka sauce. Very good. Get the cow patty desert if you like sweet. Great ambiance and friendly staff
(4)Sunny M.
The lobster bisque and creamed spinach are terrific!
(5)Patrick J.
Awesome local spot. Ask for Chelsea!
(5)Paddy O.
Stayed at Double Tree across street. Asked couple of. Cops and they said try this place. It was good. I ordered a burger medium came out well but was still ok. Shrimp and grits were very nice. Large portion and shrimp cooked properly Service was ok, very attentive in beginning but after food served didn't come back soon enough to point out temp snafu I was hungry I dealt with it. The hot garlicky bread they serve is a welcoming thing as soon as you sit. All in all not bad, not great. They had "Ghost River Golden Ale" nice beer
(3)Ashley W.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in town! The ambiance, the wine, the food, the dessert, everything is wonderful! They have great specials on wine. The stuffed mushrooms and artichoke dip are the perfect starters. I always get the filet. It's cooked perfectly! Practically melts in your mouth! Definitely save room for dessert. The pecan pie thing is heavenly!
(5)Shawn L.
I have been going to this place for years. I think it is one of the best places to eat in Memphis. The steaks are great. The Buckley Buds (mashed potatos) are so good. The service is always outstanding. If you are looking for a great place to eat. Then Buckley's is the place to go.
(5)Katharyn B.
I work nearby and have often sent people here for dinner without ever having tried it. I finally did and it was great! I'm on a budget so I only got the steak burger and mashed potatoes as the side and it was phenomenal. The burger was juicy and tasted like when you grill out at home and not like your typical restaurant burger. The mashed potatoes had a lovely garlic flavor. I will definitely keep recommending this place to guests!
(5)Gary P.
This is a nice neighborhood bar even though the bar only seats four. Service is quick and friendly. The steaks looked good but I had the grilled chicken which was cooked correctly and not dried out. Cocktails are generous pours. I'll come back to try the steaks.
(3)Jolynna M.
Buckley's is a great little Memphis gem, voted as the 3rd best restaurant for steaks in the area. If you go, get the Buckley's Filet - 10 oz. of aged Nebraska beef brushed with garlic butter and a choice of sides (the spinach is excellent) and all for only $21. You can also get the 6 oz. version for $18. Best deal in town for quality steak, if you ask me. Some other things on the menu worth trying: The Bourban Street Chicken, The Lobster Bisque and the Delta Shrimp and Grits. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. The service well above par. Try it!
(4)Jessica S.
I've only had their burger and both times it was delicious. My dad and I have gone their twice now and we enjoyed it both times. They have a nice wine menu. The service was excellent both times.
(4)Ken S.
Great Caesar Salad but maybe it is just me the New York Strip was Just ok. After some of the other reviews I guess I was expecting something more.
(3)Brendan W.
Borderline from 3 stars to 4. The service was great, quick, and attentive. My peers all had compliments for their dinner. I enjoyed the loaded salad but the rib eye was a little too marbled. It seemed I was trying to cut more to get to the streak than spending time eating. I would try the fillet on the next visit.
(4)Joe S.
I am starting to do my Yelp reviews on places I find myself returning to again and again, introducing to my friends and clients to, and singing their praises wherever I can. That being said, when I think steak, I think Buckley's. Its a casual, reasonably priced east Memphis place, offering steaks, pasta, chicken and seafood, but we go for the steaks. Great Nebraska beef, I like the NY strip, but everyone raves about the filets, always cooked to perfection, and served with Buckley's signature garlic mashed potatoes or other yummy sides. The staff is always attentive and polite, and they like to take your picture to include in their monthly magazine (complete with great coupons). I have been to the "big name" steak houses in town, but Buckley's is the one I keep coming back to. Enjoy.
(5)Larry C.
We just ate here for the first time tonight, 11/24/09. It was a-ok. The prices were reasonable and the portions sane. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive - as were all of the staff there. The food was good but only average in my opinion. The steaks were compentently prepared as was the grilled chicken. The "Buckley Buds" were simply mashed potatoes with some flavorings. Ordered the steaks medium but one was way more rare than the other - almost sent it back but decided not to - ate and enjoyed it a-ok. You won't go wrong eating here....
(3)Russell L.
Oh Buckley's. Just like Joe S. below, Buckley's is one of my favorite places on earth. I've been to fancier places, paid a lot more money and walked away wondering why I just didn't go to Buckley's. I always tend to judge a restaurant by the salad. Buckleys has the best. It's always served cold in ice cold salad bowls. The Balsamic Vinaigrette is very good. The steaks are top quality and reasonably priced, I always have the filet. Good wine selection and a great bar, not a big bar, just a great one!!! Try Rags Cheese Bread as an appetizer. Most of all, if you have a bad experience, tell your wait person if they can't make it right for you talk to Ken or Jeff, email them if you need to. They ALWAYS reply. Most of all give Buckley's a try. You won't be disappointed
(4)Rachel W.
I have a different reaction to the original reviewer about Buckley's. In a nutshell, the ambiance was very nice, the servers were attentive, but I could buy the same food cheaper at TGI Friday's or Applebee's. We paid quite a bit of money for mediocre steak. I had a ribeye that literally looked like it had been cooked at TGI Friday's. Even though the little plastic sign said it was cooked rare, it was definitely cooked medium. My cream of spinach was not creamy in the slightest and didn't taste good. My husband had a fillet that had 3 tough gristle spots. He asked for his fillet to be medium, but parts of it were cooked rare while other parts were cooked well done. Exactly how does one screw up steaks this badly at a steak house? The dessert however, was very good. My husband started wondering if we should just eat at home even more and go to a restaurant for dessert. We won't be going back to Buckley's anytime soon.
(2)N. P.
I didn't think that I'd be that impressed with Buckley's, but it was very good. They had an excellent selection of high-quality steaks and chicken, as well as some salads, and good sides like crab stuffed mushrooms. I had the Buckley steak burger cooked medium well and it came with one side -- I chose the bacon green beans, which I only seem to find in the South. The steak burger was juicy and perfect, and the beans were nice and salty with a hint of smoky bacon flavor. Really good.
(4)E W.
I eat here every year or two on business trips. Outrageously good, melt in your mouth, beef filets! Reasonable, friendly, and just about everything you could hope for in a casual dining experience! Oceanside, CA
(5)Jason H.
My wife and I dined at Buckley's on Poplar for the first time last week. Not only was the food unacceptable for the price paid but the Management response to the situation was shocking! I usually do not take the time and effort to submit a restaurant review but our experience justifies it. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted warmly and seated quickly. The restaurant was not busy at 7:30pm... only four tables occupied so we were a little skeptical but decided to give it a try anyway. We are regulars at Andrew Michael's Italian Kitchen, River Oaks Restaurant, Acorn, and Folk's Folly's but decided to try something other than our usual dining spot. *BIG MISTAKE*! I ordered the chopped steak with mushroom sauce and my wife ordered a grilled chicken salad. The entrees were on the table in about 7 minutes so not much time or attention went into the preparation. I must say I have had better chopped steak at Piccadilly Cafeteria! As my wife begin eating her salad, she noticed a LONG BLACK CURLY HAIR in the middle of her salad. We immediately brought it to the attention of the server who stated "sorry, can I get you something else?" Needless to say my wife had lost her appetite and did not want to order anything else. The waitress stated she would mention it to the Manager but he did not take the time to come to our table to offer an apology or anything else. A hair in your food must not be a concern to Management at this restaurant. We left hungry and disappointed and will never return. The next day I contacted the owner of Buckley's - Ken. He was non-apologetic about the situation as well as condescending and stated he had regular customer's who ate at Buckley's weekly and he was not concerned about "a single hair in a salad." Really? I would suffice it to say he needs to brush up on his customer service skills at a minimum and he should know by now how VERY important it is to listen to customer concerns and deal with them in an effective manner. Research has proven one unhappy and dissatisfied customer will tell at least 10 people. Eat here at your own risk!!!
(1)Dimitri M.
Cool place, waited an hour for the table...but it was worth it. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed. Food was delicious. I had blackened salmon in a craw fish sauce. Oh and the cheesey bread was pretty awesome..basically it's a choice of steaks, chicken, or pasta...but anything can come Cajun style. That's what makes this place above the average..and my Caesar salad in it's cols cold serving bowl was one of the bests!
(3)T D.
We've been several times now. Order the crab bisque to start....awesome! Had the petite filet with Buckley buds (mashed potatoes) yum! Good mixed drinks. Waiter was knowledgable and attentive...adult atmosphere, low key & quiet....nice place. Sign up for mailer and recieve 20% off coupons. Open for dinner only.
(5)Joan K.
Delicious steaks, and a very nice and gracious owner host. Eight of us ladies came in Tuesday nite on a business trip, from Ca, TX, St louis, Ohio and Chicago. gentleman was so very accommodating and friendly. Most of us had steaks and we all raved. I think most were jealous cuz I had more than the petite filet, because they finished my ribeye! Sides were great and of course women don't ever order dessert, but the owner saw right thru us and brought over delicious key lime pie and a brownie ice-cream sundae, that of course, was devoured. If we come back, WE will return to Buckleys!! a hidden gem!
(5)