Not bad, but not on the top of the list. I tried the double pork chops, and it was prepared very nicely - tender, moist and a nice crispness on the edges. I also tried the seafood caserole and a cup of gumbo which were better than I expected. The desserts were decent, but not fabulous - the bread pudding was tasty, but a bit "saucy" and overwhelmed with butter, the triple chocolate cake was overly chocolaty (if that was ever possible), and the pecan pie woke up my sweet tooth! I'd say try the appetizer platter because that was actually yummy, but maybe next time I'll try Brennan's for lunch to try the po'boys or red beans and rice?
(3)
Andy M.
OVERRATED! Welcome to 1982. At least that was the last year in which they did any sort of renovation inside this joint. Food was similar to what I eat when my parents take me out to eat at their favorite buffeteria. The best part is where we ordered two diet cokes and they served us DIet Rite. Yuck. And just a question here... Why would the waiter think it's acceptable to put me through a 20 question quiz, unsolicited, while I was trying to eat. Including: where I work, what I do, where I'm from, what age is my child... I was one breath away from telling him to shut it and go back to the kitchen so I could eat. Memphis sucks.
(2)
Daniel M.
The food isn't bad, but it's nothing to get real excited about and it's definitely over-priced. The day I was there our service was poor as well, maybe that guy just had a bad day, but he had a major attitude and wasn't helpful. I don't plan to go back.
(2)
Allyn B.
Great cajun food, very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Steve C.
Great food and great service from Brandy
(5)
MACK L.
Everyone I know loves this place. Don't miss the Shrimp Remoulade appetizer. I have not tried their Sunday brunch, so no opinion on that.
(5)
Kella C.
My mother and I went for an impromptu lunch after doing some shopping in the center next door. I'm big on a nice atmosphere and this place didn't disappoint. At 12:30 in the afternoon, its not going to be a trendy 25-30 crowd but we were ok with that. Trust me the 50-65 crowd can be just as entertaining when mid day cocktails are involved. Yes it is kind of a "boys club" during lunch time and yes ladies (especially the young ladies) get plenty of stares but I didn't mind. The waitstaff is attentive and very helpful. As usual we started off with two cups of Gumbo and our waitress brought out their french bread and gumbo, I was actually stuffed after the apps but I'm no quitter! My mother had the salmon caesar salad, which was amazing. I love a good filet of salmon, seasoned well and not overcooked. I ordered the seafood newburg, it was everything you crave. Buttery, cheesy, creamy and loaded with seafood! Again, I couldn't finish everything on my plate but they were happy to pack it up for me. If you like an older friendly crowd, I suggest trying Owen Brennans out for lunch one day, I know the jazz brunch is a hit or miss but the lunch is a sure hit.
(5)
Laura p.
I'm a New Orleans native, and have to say that this outlet of Brennan's was a disappointment. Several reasons - 1) the waitstaff seemed miserable. It was Saturday night. Not a single one was smiling, or looked like they enjoyed their job. 2) the food was not up to par. We ordered redfish, blackened - and it was over salted. Not over seasoned - the spice profile was good - but the salt overwhelmed the dish. We also ordered one of the eggs benedict dishes - and it was just awful. The eggs were overcooked, the hollandaise sauce had no flavor. IT was just really disappointing On the flip side, the red beans and rice was yummy, and my son's kids meal had good chicken... but, don't plan to go back.
(2)
Deanna W.
We went here for my sisters birthday brunch last week. So for brunch they have a buffet type setup. This ranges from breakfast food to seafood. Im not gunna lie, I was very overwhelmed by the options. Its nice you can get as many plates as you want. My only thing is it was $35 a person. For my brother-in-law this was a steal. For us, we didn't eat anywhere close to that. Also, I wasn't floored by any of the food. It was all pretty basic. I went for the oysters cause I love those a whole lot :)! Highly recommend those! As for the atmosphere, I loved it. Very vibrant and update. The band that was playing was so good and very involved with the crowd. My only thing was I felt rude waiting for a table right in front of them. They were too good to be blocked :). Advice: Do a quick scan of the Sunday brunch buffet. It can be quite overwhelming and hard to decide what to get! I heard their omelets are pretty good, and he makes them right in front of ya! There was a bit of a line so I unfortunately missed out :(.
(3)
Carlos B.
Pinot Grigio was $10 Bloody Mary $8 worth it. Turtle soup was the best I ever had. Shrimp and grits are some of the best in the city. But, I wish the term jumbo shrimp was legally enforceable term. The service was noticeably good.
(4)
Robin B.
Big hint: Owen Brennan's is wonderful for lunch service or on a weeknight for intimate conversation. Weekend evenings, as long as this place has stood, still pack the house. Service gets touch-and-go when it is full. I love their oysters- best in town. Small groups of 2-5 people will fare best.
Not impressed at all. Food is all buffet, sitting out for hours. Too expensive for what you get.
(2)
Gary D.
Had my retirement lunch there last month. Service was great and food was good - but the gumbo main course was served in a small bowl with spaghetti rather than rice - where did that come from. Still good.
(4)
Michael B.
I've been to brunch twice. Selection and options were similar. Cajun offerings are plentiful. Favorites all around include smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, catfish with crawfish sauce. Banana's Foster also very good.
(4)
Brittney H.
Best.brunch.hands.down. Need I say more? Get there as quick as you can after church on Sunday. I also would suggest a reservation. If not, you'll be waiting a really,really long time.
Sunday Brunch with my family this morning was delightful and delicious here at Owen Brennan's. The food was full of flavor and freshly prepared. Everything breakfast from smoked cheese grits, perfect bacon, biscuits and sausage gravy and warm scones. Then there was the shrimp, catfish with creole sauce, jambalaya, beans and rice. Leaving the best for last was the omelet station manned by Shorty, with 6 omelet skillets going at once with more than 15 possible ingredients. The coffee was rich and perfect. Fresh fruit and delicious desserts. The ambiance was welcoming and lively, especially with the love jazz band. The service was first class. Great experience!
(5)
Sharon M.
It had been years since I had eaten at Owen Brennan's, so when my brother wanted to meet there for dinner I was a bit skeptical. I could not remember why, but there just had to be a reason I haven't eaten there in the last 10 years. To my surprise, I really enjoyed my meal. I had the Seafood Newburg, which was just as good, if not better, than I remembered it. Still a heavy meal, I was excited to take some home for the next day. My brother had the Red Snapper Perez, and he truly enjoyed every bite. The reason for only 3 stars, though, he and I agree - the Chargrilled Oysters we had as an appetizer were more bread crumbs than oyster. We had anticipated that they would be lightly topped with breadcrumbs, but no, completely immersed is a better description of what we got. Also, for dessert, we shared a Creme Brulee, and it did not taste like it had been made that day. I will likely return, but will make different appetizer and dessert choices.
(3)
Maria H.
Today was great for lunch just like dinner. We brought our little kids and got the privilege to be in Chris' section again. We had the red snapper po boy and the eggs Victoria. EXCELLENT. We also decided to try the bread pudding which was a hit for us all.
(5)
Dolly R.
This place is as good as it gets. It's authentic flavorful new orleans style food. The beef tip sandwich is delicious, and so is the muffaletta. It's a little pricey but it's worth it.
(5)
Richard B.
Excellent lunch, great service and best creole food north of Louisiana. Price is only about $7 more than you would pay for lunch at Wendy's.
(5)
Allie P.
Mostly delicious at Brennans. Have the crawfish beignets for sure. My eating buddy has the porkchops with blackberry BBQ sauce which was excellent but the potatoes and brussel sprouts underwhelmed. The crab and red pepper soup was yummy and the eggplant with crab was good too. Our server Chuck was fabulous and the decor is very classic yet cozy and comfortable.
(4)
Frances A.
The best breakfast buffet Sunday Brunch ever! The omelet chef is the reason I come back!! The mimosas and the jazz quartet makes it all worth while!! Have only had a quick lunch a long while back so not sure on lunch or dinner but oh man the breakfast!!!
We were celebrating a family event and went to the Sunday brunch. All I can say is "Wow"!!! The food was fantastic, the service was great and the jazz trio was icing on the cake. First the food. My son, the carnivore, had enough bacon, andouille sausage and prime rib to keep him satisfied for a week. My daughter took to the desserts and had her fill of crème brulees. My wife and I went for a variety of foods - shrimp, catfish, and crawfish etouffee. With all this though, the breakfast food was what made the meal even more special. Second the service. The breakfast foods were highlighted by exceptional service. Eggs Benedict are a favorite of mine and you can have your choice of traditional or spinach artichoke. The server asked how I liked my egg and when I requested "runny", he started my fresh egg and let me know how long it would be 3 minutes. During those three minutes, he discarded several eggs that had obviously been cooking and would have been hardened beyond the point I liked. When I returned for a waffle later, he remembered me and asked how I enjoyed my meal. Next time, I'm going to the omelet station where it was obvious the server enjoyed what he was doing and gave each of his customer's personal attention. Finally the Jazz Trio. To add to the environment, the jazz trio provided great entertainment. The saxophone player seemed to lead the troupe and kept us guessing at what would be next. From The Saints Go Marching In to Christmas music, they seemed to be able to play just about anything. One thing for sure, if you leave there hungry, it is your own fault. We will be going back!
(5)
Missy R.
Can you believe the bartender was about to change shifts doesn't give any attention to us and then has the audacity to give us to another bartender and then change clothes order a big meal not giving us any bread water nothing and he is horrible He has a yellow checked shirt didn't tell us his name gets up and turns the tv so we can't see it and he can Worst bartender ever bragged about his boss giving him beat shift fats to make money and leave so someone else can clean up and him make money What a jerk!
(2)
Dean D.
Things started kind of slow...sat at the bar and they had no menu's so I waited and waited; finally I went to the hostess stand and got my own menu. You'd think the bar tender could have done that. Anyway, my oyster appetizer came pretty quick and they were outstanding! If the menu came quicker they'd get four stars just for the oysters. Next, I ordered the special, a pork shank which was appealing to the eye but otherwise, just ok. The brussel sprout side was burned and the overall dish was very bland. Unfortunately, not a very memorable visit. In all fairness, the food is usually very good as is the service.
(3)
Taylor G.
Ran in for a quick lunch! Good food and nice waitress! Wish I could have tried a more sophisticated dish but the BLT was good!!
(4)
Kristen S.
Just wanted to say we went again this past Sunday and it was equally phenomenal... the perfect send off for my last day in Memphis. The friend chicken was on point, both the bf and I agree it may be the best we ever had... the beef was cooked perfectly, I tried the pasta salad this time, so good- tasted look a cold version of carbonara, the hot Cajun pasta was awesome, the filet mignon skewers were delicious, and the chocolate covered strawberries were great! I'll admit I didn't care for the scrambled eggs... being in bulk I'm guess they're made from powder and they were a little gritty... if you're craving scrambled eggs skip those and see if the omelette guy can make you some fresh ones. I love this place and will miss it so much! (though my waistline won't) ;)
(5)
Jessica M.
We sat outside on the patio and the bartender Chris was our server. He served us two drinks, Nut and Berries Martini- I really enjoyed it! Of course Im not a big drinker so it was sweet enough for me to have that look of drinking a Martini but totally didnt feel the buzz. It put me in the mind of a chocolate shake. Oh yeah the food was ok: The smoked cheddar grit are worth a try! The server Chris was Ggggrrreeaaatttt!!
(4)
Matthew H.
They did it again!!! Had an awesome lunch today red snapper po boy, Ceaser salad, and the best news pudding in life!!! Again Chris gave us great service and the best food recommendations!! We love tho place
(5)
David D.
I had the occasion to visit again last week. Again the service was slow and the food less than mediocre. My chicken and pasta was swimming in grease. The entire meal took longer than two hours. For lunch!!! Don't bother with this one.
My review is for lunch only. I've been a regular for lunch at Owen Brennan's for a number of years. Its a dynamic lunch scene that attracts a strong business crowd in East Memphis. The food and service is always excellent and the proprietor, Jim Baker, is ever present to check on his guests. The express lunch menu guarantees fast service and includes some Louisiana favorites including crawfish, redfish, gumbo, etc. They have some great salads as well. Owen Brennan's is a consistent favorite in East Memphis.
What a Sunday Brunch!!! Everything I tasted was delicious. I greatly enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, the cheesy grits, the crunchy chicken and the crispy waffle. I couldn't wait in the 20 minute line for an omelet. Maybe there should be two cooks. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. The live music topped it off.
(4)
Jackie B.
I have learned that the key to Owen Brennan's brunch is to get there early. The food is fresher, obviously, so it's tastier. If you come later in the morning, when there's more atmosphere, you're liable to get hard boiled (instead of perfectly poached) eggs for your Benedict. Plus, Chef Shorty is all yours for omelets, and you don't feel rushed if you can't decide. You won't get the Jazz band if you show up first thing, but you will get food that seems more like Brennan's and less like Golden Corral. Any time of day you're going to get excellent service with a smile, though!
Very nice place and great atmosphere. Food was good and a great selection for the brunch.
(4)
Joelle P.
I'm a bit conflicted about Owen Brennan's because on one hand, i want to give them 5 stars and on the other I want to give 2. For starters, the brunch experience is amazing. I love the New Orleans vibe of the restaurant and the music is perfect - I can also definitely get down with their mimosas. But if you go on a week day for lunch, be prepared for an all boys club. As a girl, I get nothing but stares when I walk into that place. Here is where I'm conflicted: the awesome atmosphere of brunch is met with lack luster food and the strange vibe during weekday lunch is met with delicious food. Why can't there just be full awesomeness all around at least once during the week? At least the one thing consistent is their service. The waiters have always been attentive and helpful - and that is what keeps me coming back.
(3)
Sakilla B.
Had brunch today with the girls and the seating for 4 got off to a bad start. The space in the building looks huge but its actually not. They wanted to seat us out in the sunroom but unfortunately that was not going to work. The table was small, no elbow room, and the room itself felt small. So we asked to be seated somewhere else. It was very busy no room to walk to and from the buffet. It felt like it was a IHOP rather than a classy restaurant. The food was ok. They kept everything filled. Downside was the little kids running around trying to get their food. Sorry but kids and buffet do not go. I'll probably go back, and be sure to ask for special seating, but it'll be months before I do.
(2)
Tommy M.
We were in Memphis recently and decided on cajun/creole food so we picked Brennan's. For an appetizer we shared the fried green tomatoes. Our entrees were the crawfish etouffee and pasta jambalaya. Dessert was the bread pudding. The entrees and appetizer were excellent. The bread pudding was good but I like it with more of a bite. I had a great whisky bread pudding in New Orleans year ago so everyone I've tried since has to compare. The only complaint is one we have with many restaurants not just Brennan's. We got there very early so the restaurant was practically empty. We asked to be seated in a quiet area so the hostess place us in the upper seating area that was empty. Just after finishing our appetizer another couple seated in the booth next to ours in the otherwise completely empty upper seating area. Granted this was done by the hostess that didn't seat us so she wasn't aware of our request. My spouse asked the hostess if the table one table away was covered by our waiter and could we move. It was our waiter's and we moved. This has happened to us on a number of occasions. Either we are seated next to an occupied table in a relatively empty restaurant or the tables next to us are filled after we are seated. It seems that as the restaurant fills initially they could put a little separation between guest. We will return if we get back to Memphis.
(4)
Chris J.
This place is so good that it has New Orleans French Quarter and Jazz written all over it. My only disappointment is that when I walked into the parking lot, I was not in New Orleans. The food is truly authentic New Orleans cuisine. I highly recommend the Cajun Popcorn (fried crawfish), Shrimp and Grits, and Stuffed Eggplant. The atmosphere is awesome and the service is outstanding. I just moved to Memphis, but I'm thinking about asking the owner if I can live in this place!!! We will be back many times!!!
(5)
Cedahlia S.
Normally, I super love this place but I decided to go for brunch.... I'm not a buffet person and will never be but sometimes strange things happen. Their brunch was okay. They provided oysters and shrimp which were fabulous!! As well and the little mini desserts, but as no big surprise the rest of the food was below warm in temperature and tasted like it had been sitting there for awhile. The moral of the story... No matter how super fabulous a restaurant has been in the past, no one can pull off the buffet style food and let me walk away sassy-fied.
(4)
Deen W.
This past Friday my husband surprised me with a lunch at Brennan's. He knows I've been craving muffaletta's lately and Brennan's was on my list to try. They have an Executive Lunch that, for $14, offers a half a muffaletta with a cup of soup. Friday's soup offering was a cream-based roasted red pepper and lump crab meat soup. Sign me up! The soup was unbelievably decadent and the muffaletta was perfect. It's offered warmed or cold. I opted for the warmed version, but think it would be just as delicious cold. Maybe the best muffaletta I've had in town!!!!
(4)
Millicent H.
This is not only a place to eat but an experience. The staff is very friendly, and for brunch they have a large selection! Be prepared to bring your wallet each adult buffet will run you about $34 per person, on the flip side the kids ate free & the 11 year old was $17.99. That aside the food was different but tasty. I enjoyed the eggs Benedict & the prime rib, even the wide selection of fruits & veggies. I only gave it 4 stars because of the hidden price & the food didn't just wow me! Our server wasn't enthusiastic about waiting on us but the ambiance was nice & classy.
(4)
Taylor O.
I had a great first experience here. I went for lunch on Friday and it was a really cool atmosphere for a business meeting and in a great area as well. The bread you get while waiting for your food to come is really good. I ordered the Pasta Jambalaya and, well....it was amazing! It was some of the best cajun food I have tasted and I want to go back to eat more of this alone. I ordered it with a Caesar salad and that's the last time that I will get that at this restaurant - it was pretty bland. The service was good and all in all I am a huge fan of this place and want to go back soon and would recommend it.
(4)
Jen M.
This was a clean, quiet, and peaceful restaurant. The waitress did her job but was not necessarily the friendliest. The food was OK, nothing to rave about for the price. Ordered a chocolate martini and it didn't taste very chocolatey...she brought the Godiva bottle for me to see and they used some type of Godiva I had never seen (not the regular one). I don't know, maybe it was white chocolate.
(3)
Anthony S.
Wow, I was not expecting to have to write a review for Owen Brennan's and only give it two stars. This place had so much promise, but there were multiple issues with our experience that I would like all of my fellow Yelpers to be aware of. This is in regards to our Brunch experience. First, I love brunch. I mean...LOVE brunch. So this is a real let down for me to write. Food: This is going to be a very juxtaposed look at our experience with the food, and I will try to keep it condensed so I can finish the rest of my review. As a whole, it was simply below average. Yes, there were some shining-star items; but mostly, the food was just below average. First, we arrived right when they opened (actually we were seated at 9:22AM), but nearly all of the food was lukewarm. I know, it is a buffet-style restaurant; but that is no excuse for my food to be lukewarm when we were the first customers in the door. Furthermore, I am pretty sure it is a safety hazard to have buffet food below a certain temperature. Items that were blatantly below temperature were the sausage and gravy and the etouffee. Other items that were lukewarm included the meats (sausage and bacon). The only thing I could discern as being at an appropriate temperature, were the waffles (cook-to-order), the omelets (cook to order), and the prime rib. Ok, next item. The waffle wasn't cooked very well. I consider a waffle properly cooked when it has a golden brown exterior. Mine was a pale yellow color. Some of the shrimp I got were not properly de-veined (2 of 12). For those of you unsure what that is, it is the failure to remove the two poop-tubes in the shrimp. I don't know if this is done on site, or if they just get frozen batches that are pre-de-veined; but either way, someone needs to be checking this and they shouldn't have made it to the dining room. Let's talk about some highlights. The prime rib was superb, and the only thing that I could tell was possibly cooked fresh that morning. Everything else, with its temperature seemed to have been prepped waaaay to far ahead of schedule. My wife had a lovely omelet, and we all liked the fresh fruit selection and presentation. I was particularly fond of the roasted pecans for the waffles. Finally, the fried chicken was absolutely fantastic; but again, it was prepped way to early and was only warm. The breading also started to suffer. Regardless though, the flavor was there and is worth mentioning. Food: 3 / 5 Service: Sigh...the lackluster service didn't become that apparent to me until I noticed everybody else's waiter greet them warmly, ask if they had been there before, explain the buffet, and genuinely act welcoming. This is how our waiter greeted us when we sat down, "Um, this is a buffet, so you can just go up; but what can I get you to drink?" Wow...talk about someone who didn't want to be there. I am a super-friendly, pretty cool customer to have. I have tipped my waiter 30% at a buffet before for just being friendly. This guy was a douche-bag and obviously disinterested in properly doing his job. Everyone else was pretty nice though; HOWEVER, I hate, HATE seing employees on their cell phones. The person at the waffle bar? Texting (or other--looking at porn for all I know). Hostesses? Texting. Servers? Texting. Omelet-station-dude who I couldn't understand a damn word he said? Texting. How classless for a place that looks like it could be so classy Service: 1 / 5 Atmosphere: Outside of the gratuitous texting, and our douhche-bag server, I was not happy with the cleanliness. I am a huge stickler on this. There were dirty, crusty plates on the buffet line that I had to give to the bar tender for re-wash--gross. Again, who is checking this stuff? Also, we were seated at the front of the restaurant and it is elevated slightly. There is a railing with a little walk way in front of the window. In that walk way was hair, crumbs, and old food. Disgusting. Plus, they can't even blame it on an earlier service because we were there 8 minutes before opening! Despite this, the place has an incredible vibe to it, which is why it gets one bonus point. You need to get a general manager in that restaurant who takes pride in your establishment, and offers a better experience. Hmm...I just moved to the area? Atmosphere: 2 / 5 (1+1 for awesome vibe) Price: Lastly, the price of $30 per person does not justify the quality of the food, the quality of the service, or the quality of the atmosphere. McDonald's Dollar Menu is a better value than this -- and I hate McDonald's. Price: 1 / 5 Concluding Remarks: Maybe we came on an off-off day; but the things I saw were fundamental problems with the way the service is run. Dirty restaurants and everyone texting is unacceptable. Crusty plates and lukewarm food is unacceptable and this starts from leadership on down. I will not be back unless invited back with a compelling argument. Er...and where was the Benedict!!!
I want to love this place. I love the atmosphere and decor. However, the food leaves me wondering if I should have just driven the six hours down to New Orleans for some real Cajun food. My shrimp creole was awful; little shrimp dumped in some average tomato sauce on plain,white rice. The shrimp were fishier tasting than usual too. The stuffed eggplant dish was decent and the bread pudding was good. The gumbo was just like the gumbo at the Piccadilly here in Memphis, ha! The server was friendly and helpful which is a rarity here in Memphis; poor customer service runs rampant in this city. He was a little on the slow side. I think our entire dining experience (we went for lunch) took 1.5 hours! I may try Owen Brennan's brunch someday, but I've checked them off my list of Memphis lunch and dinner options.
I've only been once and that was quite a while ago. So things may have changed since then. But I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. Is it as good as authentic New Orleans cajun food? Well, yes and no. I've had food in NOLA that was way better and some that was way worse. Overall, though, Owen Brennan's is a solid, 4-star restaurant. Good food, good service. It's a little pricey in my opinion - which is why I haven't been in such a long time - but a good choice for something a little different every once in a while.
(4)
Richard B.
not a big fan of this place. the gumbo was real mushy. the shrimp had a texture of paste. never got my silverware but the beer was cold.
(2)
C R.
among memphis's finest!
(5)
Joseph P.
Service was pretty bad, I mean the guy was trying but he was working the bar for happy hour and all the tables. My wife asked specifically for her burger to be well done because she is pregnant, and when we got it it was like raw meat in the middle as if the flames were too hot on the grill and the cook didnt check it on the way out.my buger was the same way and I asked for medium... its was inedible, they fixed it but what was gonna be an 45-to and hour late lunch turned into almost 2 hours.
(1)
Jerry B.
Had a great grouper special offered by an awesome server. Couple that with a spot on Goose martini and I'm there. One of my favorite upscale eateries in MEM.
(4)
Netta S.
By far the best shrimp and grits that I have ever had so far. I have tried many shrimp and grits, but this is absolutely the best. I can go every single day for the shrimp and grits. I love shrimp, ham and sausage and this entree has them all.
(5)
Erica B.
I met a business contact here last week for lunch. I was excited when he suggested it as a meeting grounds as I realized I had yet to dine here. I always forget it exists, mainly because I don't spend too much time in that particular area but also because people don't tend to talk about this place very much. I had never heard about their brunch until I checked out the reviews on Yelp. This is totally something I would get down on! How could no one have mentioned it to me...like, ever? Craziness! It's currently next on our brunch to-do list. Brennan's is like a men's country club meets cozy-country. It has such an odd, and strangely fitting feel to it. It's predominantly a Cajun/creole menu with some other options tossed around. I opted for the chicken picatta lunch special. It sounded good, and I figured if it was a special, they had to do it decently. I was right- it was decent. Nothing memorable though, really. I wish I would have gone with a better menu choice. Perhaps venturing outside of the Cajun menu fare was a bad choice for a first impression. Regardless, the service was great, the restaurant itself is aesthetically pleasing and the menu is pretty extensive. They also have a Sunday brunch- 10 points for that alone. Can't wait to get back here on a Sunday- three stars till then.
(3)
Aloysia E.
Very good New Orleans food in Memphis. The gumbo is as good as I will get home in New Orleans. the service...AMAZing. BBQ Shrimp I dream about this dish.
(4)
Matthew N.
Owen Brennan's has a great Sunday Brunch. The smoked salmon is exceptional as is the prime rib of course, their Cajun lunch items are also pretty good. It was to see their musicians playing requests from children as well - great Christmas music.
(5)
Donna W.
I was a little skeptical after reading other reviews so I was pleasantly surprised after eating there. The space is tight where the food is served but manageable. The omelet station can take a long time even with seven burners going. However, the guy making them is entertaining and makes the time go a little quicker. Everything was well seasoned and quickly replenished. The desserts were fabulous, especially the eclairs and the super rich brownies. My only complaints: a couple plates were dirty and the young lady manning the dessert station used her un-gloved hands to add bananas to a sauce. On my next visit to Memphis, I will be back.
(4)
Gary P.
My wife and I stopped in for a cold beer. We wanted a snack so we ordered the Oyster Combo appetizer, two Oysters Bienville and two Oysters Rockefellor. Really good. Gonna go back and try the Eggs Benedict tomorrow morning.
(4)
Beth S.
Great bar - the bartender is friendly and helpful and they have a nice selection of wines by the glass. We were there on a weeknight for drinks and a light dinner. We started with the Tomato Mozzarella, which was fresh and delicious. I had the Cobb salad with added grilled chicken for dinner. Dressing was creamy -- maybe a little too creamy -- with a great flavor. Great atmosphere and a good place to meet up for a quiet drink or two.
(4)
Tanya T.
Owen Brennan's has long been recognized for its brunch, which I've never had, unfortunately. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner here, and while the food is good, I haven't had my socks knocked off. I haven't been since the new chef took over the kitchen, though, so I may need to give the place another try. I do know that this is a nice spot for happy hours and a popular place for young professionals in the area to come and enjoy a drink after work. The restaurant is pretty big, too, with private party rooms for special occasions.
(3)
Chris C.
All that money for a mediocre brunch? I don't think so. The waiter was also trying waaaay too hard to be funny. And failed. Joking about how "demanding" the customers are when we simply asked for a refill of coffee is not a way to make friends. Putting down a double mimosa at $7 each when you really provided only one that you claimed was $5 will not help either (though he did profusely apologize once we brought it to his attention). And constantly stopping by the table and looking at us for 10 seconds awkwardly is just plain weird. Maybe he was new, but it had a serious effect on the meal when his service became the topic of conversation again and again. I enjoyed the seafood, but it seemed relatively limited in variety and the setup was kind of strange. Lots of shrimp with their shells still on, a pasta with some shrimp in it, oysters, and maybe some kind of saucy-pasta-like-thing that wasn't very tasty. They did have a waffle/eggs Florentine making station, but it didn't have anything special. Lots of standard breakfast fare too, which reminded me more of a Holiday Inn hot breakfast than anything else. Even the desserts didn't look particularly appetizing. Also, the omlette table was completely overwhelmed by people and waiting ten minutes to order an omelette was par for the course. It looked like a good omlette, but not worth the extra wait in line. I did like the jazz trio they had playing in the background though. $26 for this experience? Not worth it.
(2)
Becky T.
We went to brunch here on our honeymoon. It's a little misleading. We drove up to an empty parking lot of a strip mall. The front door of Owen Brennan's makes you wonder if the place is even in business. Then you walk through those doors and enter into an different world. The inside is rich and elegant. It feels like you are inside an old Southern Mansion. The Cajun vibe and live Cajun music is a great touch. They make the BEST Bloody Marys and the guy making the crawfish omelets is a lot of fun! It was by far the best place we ate at while we were in Memphis.
(5)
Amy C.
On Sundays at Owen Brennan's, for a mere $26 you can get: * Made to order Omelets * Eggs Benedict with a nice Hollandaise Sauce * Mini Mountain of Peel n' Eat Shrimp and Oysters * Good Quality Lox * Had to go back for seconds Fried Tomatoes * Veggies & Fruit * Crispy Fried Chicken * Cheesy Buttery Yummy Grits * "Needs Tabasco" Gumbo and Jambalaya * Stuffing * Sausage, Bacon, & Scrambled Eggs * Fresh Waffles with all the syrup and butter you can handle * Chocolate Covered Strawberries * Drool worthy Bananas Foster * Perfect Raspberry Cobbler * Squeal inducing Doberge Cake * Bread Pudding * Vanilla Ice Cream * Tea, Coffee & Juice to Wash it all Down * Friendly Service * Live Jazz Trio including Saxophone Serenades * A HUGE food coma * A memorable time with people you LOVE. Let's just say, we definitely got our money's worth!
(4)
Tracy H.
My husband and I went to Memphis for a quick get away. We had read that one scene from the 1993 movie "The Firm" with Tom Cruise was filmed at Owen Brennans. We are geeks so we wanted to go. We also wanted the buffet, but the geek factor sealed the deal. This resturant was not close to downtown where we were staying. This is the only resturant we took the car to for the whole trip. We came for Sunday Brunch and it was amazing. The servers were extra nice and seated us in Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman's chairs. (there's a little plaque on the back of each chair to commemorate the filming of the movie). There was also a lovely trio of musicians playing Christmas music. Everything we ate was so good. They offered an omelete bar, waffle bar, cajun, southern cooking and the mister was over the moon with the oysters and shrimp spread. Excellent experience, great buffet for the price! Check it out!
(5)
Sean K.
We went recently to celebrate the annivesary of our 1st date which was at Brennan's 18 years ago. Great oysters & fabulous shrimp & grits. Good wine selection as well. Great audio visual upgrades made recently as well.
(4)
Steven K.
Lunch on Nov 2 with colleagues was delicious and served quickly. The muffaletta sandwich was popular, as were the red beans & rice. Two nits - they have no sweet tea and the butter served with bread was rock hard and unsalted. Otherwise an outstanding choice for lunch today.
(5)
Jeffrey H.
When I am in the mood for turtle, this is where I go. A long time favorite for me and my wife. A Jew in Memphis.
(5)
Jolynna M.
I've been hearing good things about Owen Brennan's new chef, so when my date suggested we go there for dinner the other night, I was more than happy to oblige. I've always enjoyed Brennan's. The old world ambiance and low lighting creates a wonderfully elegant setting and the food has been first rate every time I've gone. We started with the Oysters Bienville, which are prepared with a shrimp & mushroom cream sauce and topped and baked with a crust of parmesan cheese. They were simply decadent . For my entree, I had the Shrimp and Grits. Done correctly, this is one of my favorite dishes at various places in town. So I was interested to sample Brennen's version. I have to give credit to Chef DeLarme. It was spectacular. The grits were stone ground with a smokey cheddar flavor that complemented the shrimp, andouille sausage and tasso ham they were served with. Again, this was rich and decadent and I could only eat about half. But I absolutely loved it. My date had the fish special of the day, which was a pan seared grouper fillet, served over a tomato medley. He said it was fantastic. The wine we had with our meal was also memorable - Provenance, 2003 Napa Merlot that I thoroughly enjoyed. A great meal, beautiful atmosphere and just a wonderful evening all around. I'll be looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Misty R.
Owen Brennan's is a great place for the entire brunch experience- food, beverages and music. This is the place to go if you want the experience. On Sundays you can get the Brunch buffet with everything you can think of on it- waffle station, omelet station, meats, fried chicken, salad bar, fruit bar and dessert bar. It's a lot of food with a lot of choices. I'm not a huge fan of buffets- but I like the one here. It's $30.00 for adults and $14.50 for kids and is from 10-2. The restaurant is large so it's a good option for special occasion brunches. Memphis Magazine has voted it the best brunch spot for over 15 years. They offer a breakfast items on their Saturday lunch menu like Eggs Benedict, waffles, and omelets. This makes it a nice Saturday brunch option. When the weather is nice you can enjoy brunch on the outdoor patio. Although I am reviewing it as a brunch spot in my brunch list it is also a good dinner and lunch spot specializing in Cajun cuisine. I love the gumbo, and shrimp and grits.
(4)
Joe P.
Very nice! In town for my cousins wedding.
(4)
Robert S.
This was my first visit to Brennan's. I went to lunch with a group of 10 from my office and had a private area in the rear of the restaurant. First impression is the place is dated, but upscale by Memphis standards. Our waiter was very rude and unpleasant. Every request at the table was followed by, "no, we can't do that" and then quickly followed by, " that will be extra". Rather than saying we can make that change for you for an additional amount, he seemed too lazy to write it down. He often left the room unattended with most of us having nothing to drink, and never asked us how our food was. My po boy was bland and dry. The only redeeming thing about my lunch were the fries, which is sad. Our party ordered desserts, however, I did not given the lunch itself. If you are looking for a "New Orlean's Experience" don't go here. My boss is from New Orleans and knows her food....overall...not someplace you want to eat, unless you like overpriced, cold, mediocre food with rude service.
(2)
Chris M.
Wow, went here for new years. BIG MISTAKE. First off they were not very busy. I haven't been to the restaurant in years as the food was never good and the service is usually marginal at best. We went here because that was where the group was going and I figured we could get an app or two then eat later at the next stop. Two and a half hours later several of the ladies had still not gotten anything to eat, some had still not received water and many of us still didn't have silver ware. I did get a cheese plate we ordered but it was so nasty only a few ate it out of desperation. The waiter was nice and tried. He had very little help from the other staff but actually I still don't get the lack of basics like silverware. The owner was there and had absolutely no idea how to handle the situation. After nearly three hours we just wanted out and to get the ladies some food. All the owner wanted to do talk and blabber with incompetent management. On top of it all the actually charged us for the "Dinner". There were around 20 of us and everyone had a miserable experience. I could go on about late seating, bad drinks, etc. but I hope this gives the idea. It is sad because it is a good location and the interior of the restaurant is really nice. STAY AWAY!
(1)
A W.
Owen Brennan's used to be my favourite restaurant because it had amazing seafood Alfredo with sushi-grade scallops and shrimp. This dish was creamy, seafood tasted fresh. However, I am not sure what happened, but the quality of food declined. The last time I ordered Alfredo it was not creamy, but watery. Omeletts were not fluffy anymore. Fruit served with breakfast and brunch dishes was not fresh. My husband still visits this place for lunch mostly ordering Pasta Jambalaya. I am giving this restaurant 3 stars because of my past great experience there.
(3)
Devi M.
Great Sunday brunch. Parents beware, my daughter who is 11 and eats like a mouse was charged as an adult. So 1/2 waffle and scoop of ice cream. A whopping. $30! We will either order ala cart for her next time or make it a mommy daddy only brunch.
(2)
Katie K.
Great cajun food! If you are out shopping in this shopping center it is a great place to stop and enjoy a creole meal! sunday brunch is yummy offering breakfast and lunch foods
(4)
Harriette P.
This has become my Favorite place for Sunday brunch. The champagne brunch is the best around. We like to sit at the bar, because we get really good service and quick refills on champagne. You can go thru the buffet lines and get breakfast, lunch or dinner with totally killer deserts. Everyone we take there is as crazy about the place as we are. Enjoy...try it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Sun Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Wendy S.
Not bad, but not on the top of the list. I tried the double pork chops, and it was prepared very nicely - tender, moist and a nice crispness on the edges. I also tried the seafood caserole and a cup of gumbo which were better than I expected. The desserts were decent, but not fabulous - the bread pudding was tasty, but a bit "saucy" and overwhelmed with butter, the triple chocolate cake was overly chocolaty (if that was ever possible), and the pecan pie woke up my sweet tooth! I'd say try the appetizer platter because that was actually yummy, but maybe next time I'll try Brennan's for lunch to try the po'boys or red beans and rice?
(3)Andy M.
OVERRATED! Welcome to 1982. At least that was the last year in which they did any sort of renovation inside this joint. Food was similar to what I eat when my parents take me out to eat at their favorite buffeteria. The best part is where we ordered two diet cokes and they served us DIet Rite. Yuck. And just a question here... Why would the waiter think it's acceptable to put me through a 20 question quiz, unsolicited, while I was trying to eat. Including: where I work, what I do, where I'm from, what age is my child... I was one breath away from telling him to shut it and go back to the kitchen so I could eat. Memphis sucks.
(2)Daniel M.
The food isn't bad, but it's nothing to get real excited about and it's definitely over-priced. The day I was there our service was poor as well, maybe that guy just had a bad day, but he had a major attitude and wasn't helpful. I don't plan to go back.
(2)Allyn B.
Great cajun food, very nice atmosphere.
(4)Steve C.
Great food and great service from Brandy
(5)MACK L.
Everyone I know loves this place. Don't miss the Shrimp Remoulade appetizer. I have not tried their Sunday brunch, so no opinion on that.
(5)Kella C.
My mother and I went for an impromptu lunch after doing some shopping in the center next door. I'm big on a nice atmosphere and this place didn't disappoint. At 12:30 in the afternoon, its not going to be a trendy 25-30 crowd but we were ok with that. Trust me the 50-65 crowd can be just as entertaining when mid day cocktails are involved. Yes it is kind of a "boys club" during lunch time and yes ladies (especially the young ladies) get plenty of stares but I didn't mind. The waitstaff is attentive and very helpful. As usual we started off with two cups of Gumbo and our waitress brought out their french bread and gumbo, I was actually stuffed after the apps but I'm no quitter! My mother had the salmon caesar salad, which was amazing. I love a good filet of salmon, seasoned well and not overcooked. I ordered the seafood newburg, it was everything you crave. Buttery, cheesy, creamy and loaded with seafood! Again, I couldn't finish everything on my plate but they were happy to pack it up for me. If you like an older friendly crowd, I suggest trying Owen Brennans out for lunch one day, I know the jazz brunch is a hit or miss but the lunch is a sure hit.
(5)Laura p.
I'm a New Orleans native, and have to say that this outlet of Brennan's was a disappointment. Several reasons - 1) the waitstaff seemed miserable. It was Saturday night. Not a single one was smiling, or looked like they enjoyed their job. 2) the food was not up to par. We ordered redfish, blackened - and it was over salted. Not over seasoned - the spice profile was good - but the salt overwhelmed the dish. We also ordered one of the eggs benedict dishes - and it was just awful. The eggs were overcooked, the hollandaise sauce had no flavor. IT was just really disappointing On the flip side, the red beans and rice was yummy, and my son's kids meal had good chicken... but, don't plan to go back.
(2)Deanna W.
We went here for my sisters birthday brunch last week. So for brunch they have a buffet type setup. This ranges from breakfast food to seafood. Im not gunna lie, I was very overwhelmed by the options. Its nice you can get as many plates as you want. My only thing is it was $35 a person. For my brother-in-law this was a steal. For us, we didn't eat anywhere close to that. Also, I wasn't floored by any of the food. It was all pretty basic. I went for the oysters cause I love those a whole lot :)! Highly recommend those! As for the atmosphere, I loved it. Very vibrant and update. The band that was playing was so good and very involved with the crowd. My only thing was I felt rude waiting for a table right in front of them. They were too good to be blocked :). Advice: Do a quick scan of the Sunday brunch buffet. It can be quite overwhelming and hard to decide what to get! I heard their omelets are pretty good, and he makes them right in front of ya! There was a bit of a line so I unfortunately missed out :(.
(3)Carlos B.
Pinot Grigio was $10 Bloody Mary $8 worth it. Turtle soup was the best I ever had. Shrimp and grits are some of the best in the city. But, I wish the term jumbo shrimp was legally enforceable term. The service was noticeably good.
(4)Robin B.
Big hint: Owen Brennan's is wonderful for lunch service or on a weeknight for intimate conversation. Weekend evenings, as long as this place has stood, still pack the house. Service gets touch-and-go when it is full. I love their oysters- best in town. Small groups of 2-5 people will fare best.
(4)Anna S.
Owen Brennan's was okay but not great. I had a business lunch here and reviewed the menu beforehand, and was eagerly anticipating it. I love fish (if cooked properly), and spicy cuisine, so I was looking forward to trying it out. Baguette was served gratis, and we ordered the "cajun popcorn", ie., battered and fried crawfish tails. They were mehhhh and surprisingly bland, so the dunking in the remoulade and cocktail sauces was almost necessary. For entrees I ordered the Red Snapper Perez and my lunch companion had the Catfish Boudreaux. My dish was described as "blackened red snapper, topped with crawfish étouffée, served with seasoned rice, chives and fresh vegetable sauté." Unfortunately I found my dish to be mostly just salty than seasoned, and my snapper was EXTREMELY overcooked - chewy around the edges, dry, fishy and mushy. Not great. Vegetables were okay. Étouffée was an unappealing, soupy mess slopped on top, and the rice was definitely NOT seasoned - and I did not see chives. I ate the whole plate because I had skipped breakfast in anticipation of gorging myself on a rich, flavorful cajun feast, but I felt rather let down and like I had cheated with empty, unsatisfying calories. Also, for the price, the meal was a huge disappointment - each of our entrees was over $20 apiece. I don't plan to return, since the meal was so overpriced and lacking in execution and quality.
(2)Kimberly D.
Not impressed at all. Food is all buffet, sitting out for hours. Too expensive for what you get.
(2)Gary D.
Had my retirement lunch there last month. Service was great and food was good - but the gumbo main course was served in a small bowl with spaghetti rather than rice - where did that come from. Still good.
(4)Michael B.
I've been to brunch twice. Selection and options were similar. Cajun offerings are plentiful. Favorites all around include smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, catfish with crawfish sauce. Banana's Foster also very good.
(4)Brittney H.
Best.brunch.hands.down. Need I say more? Get there as quick as you can after church on Sunday. I also would suggest a reservation. If not, you'll be waiting a really,really long time.
(5)John S.
This has been among my all time favorite Memphis restaurants. Gumbo and crawfish étouffée are as good as best in South Louisiana and Brennan's has his roots there. Prices are reasonable for great consistent "coon-ass" cuisine as my LSU roommates referred to Cajun cooking. It don't better than this and superb service and standard seafood and steaks too. I haven't been here in over a year and still I crave the bread pudding, as good as Commanders Palace and still is! Lots of great BBQ in Memphis, but Cajun cuisine so much better, when on east side I can't go anywhere else for lunch or dinner.
(4)Emily Y.
I always get excited about dining here, since it's one of the few "New Orleans-style" restaurants in town (RIP, Café Roux). And every time I am here, regardless of whether it is for Sunday brunch or a week night dinner, I feel like I just ate slop. Overpriced and just not good. I dare them to serve me something that doesn't make me want to guzzle a bottle of Pepto afterwards (it's possible, people).
(2)Erin F.
Sunday Brunch with my family this morning was delightful and delicious here at Owen Brennan's. The food was full of flavor and freshly prepared. Everything breakfast from smoked cheese grits, perfect bacon, biscuits and sausage gravy and warm scones. Then there was the shrimp, catfish with creole sauce, jambalaya, beans and rice. Leaving the best for last was the omelet station manned by Shorty, with 6 omelet skillets going at once with more than 15 possible ingredients. The coffee was rich and perfect. Fresh fruit and delicious desserts. The ambiance was welcoming and lively, especially with the love jazz band. The service was first class. Great experience!
(5)Sharon M.
It had been years since I had eaten at Owen Brennan's, so when my brother wanted to meet there for dinner I was a bit skeptical. I could not remember why, but there just had to be a reason I haven't eaten there in the last 10 years. To my surprise, I really enjoyed my meal. I had the Seafood Newburg, which was just as good, if not better, than I remembered it. Still a heavy meal, I was excited to take some home for the next day. My brother had the Red Snapper Perez, and he truly enjoyed every bite. The reason for only 3 stars, though, he and I agree - the Chargrilled Oysters we had as an appetizer were more bread crumbs than oyster. We had anticipated that they would be lightly topped with breadcrumbs, but no, completely immersed is a better description of what we got. Also, for dessert, we shared a Creme Brulee, and it did not taste like it had been made that day. I will likely return, but will make different appetizer and dessert choices.
(3)Maria H.
Today was great for lunch just like dinner. We brought our little kids and got the privilege to be in Chris' section again. We had the red snapper po boy and the eggs Victoria. EXCELLENT. We also decided to try the bread pudding which was a hit for us all.
(5)Dolly R.
This place is as good as it gets. It's authentic flavorful new orleans style food. The beef tip sandwich is delicious, and so is the muffaletta. It's a little pricey but it's worth it.
(5)Richard B.
Excellent lunch, great service and best creole food north of Louisiana. Price is only about $7 more than you would pay for lunch at Wendy's.
(5)Allie P.
Mostly delicious at Brennans. Have the crawfish beignets for sure. My eating buddy has the porkchops with blackberry BBQ sauce which was excellent but the potatoes and brussel sprouts underwhelmed. The crab and red pepper soup was yummy and the eggplant with crab was good too. Our server Chuck was fabulous and the decor is very classic yet cozy and comfortable.
(4)Frances A.
The best breakfast buffet Sunday Brunch ever! The omelet chef is the reason I come back!! The mimosas and the jazz quartet makes it all worth while!! Have only had a quick lunch a long while back so not sure on lunch or dinner but oh man the breakfast!!!
(5)Cynthia P.
Loved the atmosphere, friendly and attentive service, everything was so good! Note: this was a large group dinner with coworkers, dinner was complementary. We had a special menu and choices were limited. I decided to go with blackberry bbq pork chop, lemon garlic brussel sprouts, potatoes, Caesar salad, and creme brûlée. All of it was amazing. I took leftovers to my husband who was a chef for 10 years and even he had no complaints (which is rare!). I for sure will be back!
(5)David D.
We were celebrating a family event and went to the Sunday brunch. All I can say is "Wow"!!! The food was fantastic, the service was great and the jazz trio was icing on the cake. First the food. My son, the carnivore, had enough bacon, andouille sausage and prime rib to keep him satisfied for a week. My daughter took to the desserts and had her fill of crème brulees. My wife and I went for a variety of foods - shrimp, catfish, and crawfish etouffee. With all this though, the breakfast food was what made the meal even more special. Second the service. The breakfast foods were highlighted by exceptional service. Eggs Benedict are a favorite of mine and you can have your choice of traditional or spinach artichoke. The server asked how I liked my egg and when I requested "runny", he started my fresh egg and let me know how long it would be 3 minutes. During those three minutes, he discarded several eggs that had obviously been cooking and would have been hardened beyond the point I liked. When I returned for a waffle later, he remembered me and asked how I enjoyed my meal. Next time, I'm going to the omelet station where it was obvious the server enjoyed what he was doing and gave each of his customer's personal attention. Finally the Jazz Trio. To add to the environment, the jazz trio provided great entertainment. The saxophone player seemed to lead the troupe and kept us guessing at what would be next. From The Saints Go Marching In to Christmas music, they seemed to be able to play just about anything. One thing for sure, if you leave there hungry, it is your own fault. We will be going back!
(5)Missy R.
Can you believe the bartender was about to change shifts doesn't give any attention to us and then has the audacity to give us to another bartender and then change clothes order a big meal not giving us any bread water nothing and he is horrible He has a yellow checked shirt didn't tell us his name gets up and turns the tv so we can't see it and he can Worst bartender ever bragged about his boss giving him beat shift fats to make money and leave so someone else can clean up and him make money What a jerk!
(2)Dean D.
Things started kind of slow...sat at the bar and they had no menu's so I waited and waited; finally I went to the hostess stand and got my own menu. You'd think the bar tender could have done that. Anyway, my oyster appetizer came pretty quick and they were outstanding! If the menu came quicker they'd get four stars just for the oysters. Next, I ordered the special, a pork shank which was appealing to the eye but otherwise, just ok. The brussel sprout side was burned and the overall dish was very bland. Unfortunately, not a very memorable visit. In all fairness, the food is usually very good as is the service.
(3)Taylor G.
Ran in for a quick lunch! Good food and nice waitress! Wish I could have tried a more sophisticated dish but the BLT was good!!
(4)Kristen S.
Just wanted to say we went again this past Sunday and it was equally phenomenal... the perfect send off for my last day in Memphis. The friend chicken was on point, both the bf and I agree it may be the best we ever had... the beef was cooked perfectly, I tried the pasta salad this time, so good- tasted look a cold version of carbonara, the hot Cajun pasta was awesome, the filet mignon skewers were delicious, and the chocolate covered strawberries were great! I'll admit I didn't care for the scrambled eggs... being in bulk I'm guess they're made from powder and they were a little gritty... if you're craving scrambled eggs skip those and see if the omelette guy can make you some fresh ones. I love this place and will miss it so much! (though my waistline won't) ;)
(5)Jessica M.
We sat outside on the patio and the bartender Chris was our server. He served us two drinks, Nut and Berries Martini- I really enjoyed it! Of course Im not a big drinker so it was sweet enough for me to have that look of drinking a Martini but totally didnt feel the buzz. It put me in the mind of a chocolate shake. Oh yeah the food was ok: The smoked cheddar grit are worth a try! The server Chris was Ggggrrreeaaatttt!!
(4)Matthew H.
They did it again!!! Had an awesome lunch today red snapper po boy, Ceaser salad, and the best news pudding in life!!! Again Chris gave us great service and the best food recommendations!! We love tho place
(5)David D.
I had the occasion to visit again last week. Again the service was slow and the food less than mediocre. My chicken and pasta was swimming in grease. The entire meal took longer than two hours. For lunch!!! Don't bother with this one.
(1)Ming Z.
I tasted Cajun cuisine in 1997 at my first trip to United State. My husband took me for lunch at Owen Brennan. I honestly thought it was the most bizarre alien food on this planet I had ever chewed in my mouth. Time changes everything, now I cook Cajun food at home. I am amazed by the complexity of its blended seasoning and artistic cooking techniques. It is not just cooking, it is a specialized skill. Whenever I have chance go back to Memphis, I visit Owen Brennan's because I know I am in good hands. The real Cajun has to be prepared by a true Cajun chef, and no doubt there are more than one at Owen Brennan's. My favorite is 'Crawfish Étouffée". 19 dollar is on the more expensive side but the quality speaks for itself. There are so many mysterious ingredients put into the rich broth base. It feels like there is a conversation going on between the food and me every time I have this dish. Um... how you doing, crawfish; Um, nice dressing; God you are hot....... I love this dish. The restaurant itself has elegant layout meanwhile remains functional. The atmosphere is very inviting. You can sit at the bar for casual conversation with friends, or choose to share a romantic moment with your better half at the terrace. Dinning area closer to kitchen is more suitable for groups or business lunch and dinner. You will be surrounded by old posters and New Orleans' style decoration to assure you it is definitely a Cajun dinning experience. It is a true Cajun. My 100th Yelp review no doubt goes to my beloved Memphis, and Owen, you are the man!
(5)Lane C.
My review is for lunch only. I've been a regular for lunch at Owen Brennan's for a number of years. Its a dynamic lunch scene that attracts a strong business crowd in East Memphis. The food and service is always excellent and the proprietor, Jim Baker, is ever present to check on his guests. The express lunch menu guarantees fast service and includes some Louisiana favorites including crawfish, redfish, gumbo, etc. They have some great salads as well. Owen Brennan's is a consistent favorite in East Memphis.
(5)Gillian H.
EDIT: WIthin a day of posting this review I received an insulting message from another user named "Epicurious." Since then, I've received messages from other Yelp'ers who posted criticism of Owen Brennans that state they've received the same sort of message from Epicurious. My immediate assumption is that an employee is sending these messages; should that be the case, perhaps management should focus their efforts more on improving their product, which will in turn improve the reviews. Review downgraded to one star. Complete disappointment. Husband is from New Orleans and we've enjoyed Brennan's there; okay, admittedly .. it's not perfect there either, but it's a local tradition. We didn't have overly high expectations for this dinner experience, but we definitely expected better than we paid for. A few thoughts: The wine list is full of domestics and really just not that impressive. Our server was friendly, but those extra touches you expect with OB's price point were nowhere to be found. We shared the shrimp cocktail to start; our server didn't bring us extra plates for it .. instead, we used our bread plates. Found that odd. After the first glass was poured, our server never bothered to touch our bottle of prosecco. We filled all glasses. We did appreciate the ice bucket she brought. Dinner was meh. Husband had the Crawfish Étouffée and I had the Stuffed Chicken. My chicken was insanely overcooked and the sauce tasted like it had been burned. We did enjoy the dessert; The Phyllo Brownie, but were irritated at the server's "boy, you guys hated that!!!" comment X3 when she came to clear the table. Didn't like the oversized soup spoons she brought for us to eat it with. Also: we definitely felt like we were quickly cranked out of there in true chain restaurant fashion; found it odd because they were dead for prime time on a Saturday evening. All in all: we won't be returning. Chalk this one up to "should have listened to my picky friend who said it was average ... cuz she was right."
(1)Faith H.
What a Sunday Brunch!!! Everything I tasted was delicious. I greatly enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, the cheesy grits, the crunchy chicken and the crispy waffle. I couldn't wait in the 20 minute line for an omelet. Maybe there should be two cooks. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. The live music topped it off.
(4)Jackie B.
I have learned that the key to Owen Brennan's brunch is to get there early. The food is fresher, obviously, so it's tastier. If you come later in the morning, when there's more atmosphere, you're liable to get hard boiled (instead of perfectly poached) eggs for your Benedict. Plus, Chef Shorty is all yours for omelets, and you don't feel rushed if you can't decide. You won't get the Jazz band if you show up first thing, but you will get food that seems more like Brennan's and less like Golden Corral. Any time of day you're going to get excellent service with a smile, though!
(4)Andy S.
For this month's fancy food group, we went to Owen Brennan's, which features more of a cajun cuisine. There's some traditional New Orleans decor and colors. The menu reminds you "to let the good times roll" or "laissez les bon temps rouler." I once again went with a whiskey and diet coke. I noticed that it wasn't cheap, but it was only $6. It's not too shabby. They have a nice sized bar. It would be a nice place to go for a drink especially if you wanted to try something new. They had nice complimentary bread. While perusing the menu, we ordered the appetizer sampler. I think it was $28. It came with fried green tomatoes topped with crab meat, fried crawfish tails, and jumbo shrimp. I loved the shrimp. The tails were good, but it's hard to taste much meat when it's bite sized and fried. The crab meat on top of the fried green tomatoes were also good. I've never had turtle soup, so I went with that for my next course. The flavor and the spice was good. The actual turtle meat was ok. I'm not 100% sure what it tastes like. It seemed like a soft meat. The meat was flavored by the stew. One friend had a roasted red pepper crab bisque. This was my favorite soup of the evening. It was very creamy and flavorful. Another friend had the gumbo. It was good. We are going to New Orleans later this month. It will be fun to taste the difference. I had the red snapper perez. It was blackened red snapper topped with their crawfish étouffée. It also came with a side of vegetables. Anyway, my food was average good. It wasn't my favorite, though. One of us ordered the shrimp creole. It was big shrimp in a tomato sauce topped with rice. It was good, too. The star of the night for me was the special. The special was wild caught blackened salmon. It was cooked great and had a flavorful sauce (red wine reduction) on it. It was topped on a bed of risotto. I always get jealous of other's meals. Another one of my favorites was the pasta jambalaya. I never order pasta, but tasting this one would make me consider changing my mind. It had a variety of meat and seafood in a delicious cream sauce. One friend ordered a side of cajun cabbage. It was full of andouille sausage. I love plenty of meat in my sides! I was too full for dessert, but I did taste the bread pudding. I'm not a huge fan of bread pudding, but it was good. I also tasted the baked apple napole. It was a good apple pie. For some cajun cuisine, it's one of the few in Memphis. I think it's the only fancy restaurant that features food from New Orleans. I would go there again. They are known for their brunch. I ate there a long time ago, but I don't remember it well enough. I can't wait to compare the food to the food in Louisiana.
(3)Luis G.
Good food but service wasn't stellar. Went with a group of 20 people and had only one server (prearranged event) so we didn't get good service.
(3)Ruby R.
Great food..hostesses were dismissive and overall were rude. If you don't like making people feel welcome, why are you the first person guests meet?
(4)Cris W.
All we could taste was spicy and salt. A lot of salt. We had crawfish étouffée. Salt. They may be resting on laurels.
(2)Jerame A.
Very nice place and great atmosphere. Food was good and a great selection for the brunch.
(4)Joelle P.
I'm a bit conflicted about Owen Brennan's because on one hand, i want to give them 5 stars and on the other I want to give 2. For starters, the brunch experience is amazing. I love the New Orleans vibe of the restaurant and the music is perfect - I can also definitely get down with their mimosas. But if you go on a week day for lunch, be prepared for an all boys club. As a girl, I get nothing but stares when I walk into that place. Here is where I'm conflicted: the awesome atmosphere of brunch is met with lack luster food and the strange vibe during weekday lunch is met with delicious food. Why can't there just be full awesomeness all around at least once during the week? At least the one thing consistent is their service. The waiters have always been attentive and helpful - and that is what keeps me coming back.
(3)Sakilla B.
Had brunch today with the girls and the seating for 4 got off to a bad start. The space in the building looks huge but its actually not. They wanted to seat us out in the sunroom but unfortunately that was not going to work. The table was small, no elbow room, and the room itself felt small. So we asked to be seated somewhere else. It was very busy no room to walk to and from the buffet. It felt like it was a IHOP rather than a classy restaurant. The food was ok. They kept everything filled. Downside was the little kids running around trying to get their food. Sorry but kids and buffet do not go. I'll probably go back, and be sure to ask for special seating, but it'll be months before I do.
(2)Tommy M.
We were in Memphis recently and decided on cajun/creole food so we picked Brennan's. For an appetizer we shared the fried green tomatoes. Our entrees were the crawfish etouffee and pasta jambalaya. Dessert was the bread pudding. The entrees and appetizer were excellent. The bread pudding was good but I like it with more of a bite. I had a great whisky bread pudding in New Orleans year ago so everyone I've tried since has to compare. The only complaint is one we have with many restaurants not just Brennan's. We got there very early so the restaurant was practically empty. We asked to be seated in a quiet area so the hostess place us in the upper seating area that was empty. Just after finishing our appetizer another couple seated in the booth next to ours in the otherwise completely empty upper seating area. Granted this was done by the hostess that didn't seat us so she wasn't aware of our request. My spouse asked the hostess if the table one table away was covered by our waiter and could we move. It was our waiter's and we moved. This has happened to us on a number of occasions. Either we are seated next to an occupied table in a relatively empty restaurant or the tables next to us are filled after we are seated. It seems that as the restaurant fills initially they could put a little separation between guest. We will return if we get back to Memphis.
(4)Chris J.
This place is so good that it has New Orleans French Quarter and Jazz written all over it. My only disappointment is that when I walked into the parking lot, I was not in New Orleans. The food is truly authentic New Orleans cuisine. I highly recommend the Cajun Popcorn (fried crawfish), Shrimp and Grits, and Stuffed Eggplant. The atmosphere is awesome and the service is outstanding. I just moved to Memphis, but I'm thinking about asking the owner if I can live in this place!!! We will be back many times!!!
(5)Cedahlia S.
Normally, I super love this place but I decided to go for brunch.... I'm not a buffet person and will never be but sometimes strange things happen. Their brunch was okay. They provided oysters and shrimp which were fabulous!! As well and the little mini desserts, but as no big surprise the rest of the food was below warm in temperature and tasted like it had been sitting there for awhile. The moral of the story... No matter how super fabulous a restaurant has been in the past, no one can pull off the buffet style food and let me walk away sassy-fied.
(4)Deen W.
This past Friday my husband surprised me with a lunch at Brennan's. He knows I've been craving muffaletta's lately and Brennan's was on my list to try. They have an Executive Lunch that, for $14, offers a half a muffaletta with a cup of soup. Friday's soup offering was a cream-based roasted red pepper and lump crab meat soup. Sign me up! The soup was unbelievably decadent and the muffaletta was perfect. It's offered warmed or cold. I opted for the warmed version, but think it would be just as delicious cold. Maybe the best muffaletta I've had in town!!!!
(4)Millicent H.
This is not only a place to eat but an experience. The staff is very friendly, and for brunch they have a large selection! Be prepared to bring your wallet each adult buffet will run you about $34 per person, on the flip side the kids ate free & the 11 year old was $17.99. That aside the food was different but tasty. I enjoyed the eggs Benedict & the prime rib, even the wide selection of fruits & veggies. I only gave it 4 stars because of the hidden price & the food didn't just wow me! Our server wasn't enthusiastic about waiting on us but the ambiance was nice & classy.
(4)Taylor O.
I had a great first experience here. I went for lunch on Friday and it was a really cool atmosphere for a business meeting and in a great area as well. The bread you get while waiting for your food to come is really good. I ordered the Pasta Jambalaya and, well....it was amazing! It was some of the best cajun food I have tasted and I want to go back to eat more of this alone. I ordered it with a Caesar salad and that's the last time that I will get that at this restaurant - it was pretty bland. The service was good and all in all I am a huge fan of this place and want to go back soon and would recommend it.
(4)Jen M.
This was a clean, quiet, and peaceful restaurant. The waitress did her job but was not necessarily the friendliest. The food was OK, nothing to rave about for the price. Ordered a chocolate martini and it didn't taste very chocolatey...she brought the Godiva bottle for me to see and they used some type of Godiva I had never seen (not the regular one). I don't know, maybe it was white chocolate.
(3)Anthony S.
Wow, I was not expecting to have to write a review for Owen Brennan's and only give it two stars. This place had so much promise, but there were multiple issues with our experience that I would like all of my fellow Yelpers to be aware of. This is in regards to our Brunch experience. First, I love brunch. I mean...LOVE brunch. So this is a real let down for me to write. Food: This is going to be a very juxtaposed look at our experience with the food, and I will try to keep it condensed so I can finish the rest of my review. As a whole, it was simply below average. Yes, there were some shining-star items; but mostly, the food was just below average. First, we arrived right when they opened (actually we were seated at 9:22AM), but nearly all of the food was lukewarm. I know, it is a buffet-style restaurant; but that is no excuse for my food to be lukewarm when we were the first customers in the door. Furthermore, I am pretty sure it is a safety hazard to have buffet food below a certain temperature. Items that were blatantly below temperature were the sausage and gravy and the etouffee. Other items that were lukewarm included the meats (sausage and bacon). The only thing I could discern as being at an appropriate temperature, were the waffles (cook-to-order), the omelets (cook to order), and the prime rib. Ok, next item. The waffle wasn't cooked very well. I consider a waffle properly cooked when it has a golden brown exterior. Mine was a pale yellow color. Some of the shrimp I got were not properly de-veined (2 of 12). For those of you unsure what that is, it is the failure to remove the two poop-tubes in the shrimp. I don't know if this is done on site, or if they just get frozen batches that are pre-de-veined; but either way, someone needs to be checking this and they shouldn't have made it to the dining room. Let's talk about some highlights. The prime rib was superb, and the only thing that I could tell was possibly cooked fresh that morning. Everything else, with its temperature seemed to have been prepped waaaay to far ahead of schedule. My wife had a lovely omelet, and we all liked the fresh fruit selection and presentation. I was particularly fond of the roasted pecans for the waffles. Finally, the fried chicken was absolutely fantastic; but again, it was prepped way to early and was only warm. The breading also started to suffer. Regardless though, the flavor was there and is worth mentioning. Food: 3 / 5 Service: Sigh...the lackluster service didn't become that apparent to me until I noticed everybody else's waiter greet them warmly, ask if they had been there before, explain the buffet, and genuinely act welcoming. This is how our waiter greeted us when we sat down, "Um, this is a buffet, so you can just go up; but what can I get you to drink?" Wow...talk about someone who didn't want to be there. I am a super-friendly, pretty cool customer to have. I have tipped my waiter 30% at a buffet before for just being friendly. This guy was a douche-bag and obviously disinterested in properly doing his job. Everyone else was pretty nice though; HOWEVER, I hate, HATE seing employees on their cell phones. The person at the waffle bar? Texting (or other--looking at porn for all I know). Hostesses? Texting. Servers? Texting. Omelet-station-dude who I couldn't understand a damn word he said? Texting. How classless for a place that looks like it could be so classy Service: 1 / 5 Atmosphere: Outside of the gratuitous texting, and our douhche-bag server, I was not happy with the cleanliness. I am a huge stickler on this. There were dirty, crusty plates on the buffet line that I had to give to the bar tender for re-wash--gross. Again, who is checking this stuff? Also, we were seated at the front of the restaurant and it is elevated slightly. There is a railing with a little walk way in front of the window. In that walk way was hair, crumbs, and old food. Disgusting. Plus, they can't even blame it on an earlier service because we were there 8 minutes before opening! Despite this, the place has an incredible vibe to it, which is why it gets one bonus point. You need to get a general manager in that restaurant who takes pride in your establishment, and offers a better experience. Hmm...I just moved to the area? Atmosphere: 2 / 5 (1+1 for awesome vibe) Price: Lastly, the price of $30 per person does not justify the quality of the food, the quality of the service, or the quality of the atmosphere. McDonald's Dollar Menu is a better value than this -- and I hate McDonald's. Price: 1 / 5 Concluding Remarks: Maybe we came on an off-off day; but the things I saw were fundamental problems with the way the service is run. Dirty restaurants and everyone texting is unacceptable. Crusty plates and lukewarm food is unacceptable and this starts from leadership on down. I will not be back unless invited back with a compelling argument. Er...and where was the Benedict!!!
(2)Michael S.
This is the real deal for New Orleans cuisine. The champagne vinaigrette dressing is a "best of Memphis". The lunch specials are always great deals. I'm having crawfish étouffée today. Almost had the muffaletta but ill save that for next time.
(4)Jennifer H.
I want to love this place. I love the atmosphere and decor. However, the food leaves me wondering if I should have just driven the six hours down to New Orleans for some real Cajun food. My shrimp creole was awful; little shrimp dumped in some average tomato sauce on plain,white rice. The shrimp were fishier tasting than usual too. The stuffed eggplant dish was decent and the bread pudding was good. The gumbo was just like the gumbo at the Piccadilly here in Memphis, ha! The server was friendly and helpful which is a rarity here in Memphis; poor customer service runs rampant in this city. He was a little on the slow side. I think our entire dining experience (we went for lunch) took 1.5 hours! I may try Owen Brennan's brunch someday, but I've checked them off my list of Memphis lunch and dinner options.
(2)Alan K.
Atmosphere: 4 stars. Food: 3 stars. Service: 2 stars. Went to Owen Brennan's last night for a professional society meeting. The atmosphere was very cool, and I can see why this is a popular place. We had a private room in the back, which was really awful for a society meeting because of the layout, but would have been great for a party. The food was pretty good (I got the crawfish étouffée), and the portions generous. Decent Caesar salad & bread pudding for dessert. My only real disappointment was the service. Our team of servers was not skilled at getting the tables served simultaneously... So by the time everyone at my table had been served (there were 8 of us), my dish was actually a bit on the cold side. Also, when I left for the evening, I passed at least a half dozen waiters, managers, etc. and only one young lady wished me a good night and thanked me for coming. It's a small thing, but hospitality is what sometimes separates GOOD from GREAT.
(3)CC D.
I've only been once and that was quite a while ago. So things may have changed since then. But I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. Is it as good as authentic New Orleans cajun food? Well, yes and no. I've had food in NOLA that was way better and some that was way worse. Overall, though, Owen Brennan's is a solid, 4-star restaurant. Good food, good service. It's a little pricey in my opinion - which is why I haven't been in such a long time - but a good choice for something a little different every once in a while.
(4)Richard B.
not a big fan of this place. the gumbo was real mushy. the shrimp had a texture of paste. never got my silverware but the beer was cold.
(2)C R.
among memphis's finest!
(5)Joseph P.
Service was pretty bad, I mean the guy was trying but he was working the bar for happy hour and all the tables. My wife asked specifically for her burger to be well done because she is pregnant, and when we got it it was like raw meat in the middle as if the flames were too hot on the grill and the cook didnt check it on the way out.my buger was the same way and I asked for medium... its was inedible, they fixed it but what was gonna be an 45-to and hour late lunch turned into almost 2 hours.
(1)Jerry B.
Had a great grouper special offered by an awesome server. Couple that with a spot on Goose martini and I'm there. One of my favorite upscale eateries in MEM.
(4)Netta S.
By far the best shrimp and grits that I have ever had so far. I have tried many shrimp and grits, but this is absolutely the best. I can go every single day for the shrimp and grits. I love shrimp, ham and sausage and this entree has them all.
(5)Erica B.
I met a business contact here last week for lunch. I was excited when he suggested it as a meeting grounds as I realized I had yet to dine here. I always forget it exists, mainly because I don't spend too much time in that particular area but also because people don't tend to talk about this place very much. I had never heard about their brunch until I checked out the reviews on Yelp. This is totally something I would get down on! How could no one have mentioned it to me...like, ever? Craziness! It's currently next on our brunch to-do list. Brennan's is like a men's country club meets cozy-country. It has such an odd, and strangely fitting feel to it. It's predominantly a Cajun/creole menu with some other options tossed around. I opted for the chicken picatta lunch special. It sounded good, and I figured if it was a special, they had to do it decently. I was right- it was decent. Nothing memorable though, really. I wish I would have gone with a better menu choice. Perhaps venturing outside of the Cajun menu fare was a bad choice for a first impression. Regardless, the service was great, the restaurant itself is aesthetically pleasing and the menu is pretty extensive. They also have a Sunday brunch- 10 points for that alone. Can't wait to get back here on a Sunday- three stars till then.
(3)Aloysia E.
Very good New Orleans food in Memphis. The gumbo is as good as I will get home in New Orleans. the service...AMAZing. BBQ Shrimp I dream about this dish.
(4)Matthew N.
Owen Brennan's has a great Sunday Brunch. The smoked salmon is exceptional as is the prime rib of course, their Cajun lunch items are also pretty good. It was to see their musicians playing requests from children as well - great Christmas music.
(5)Donna W.
I was a little skeptical after reading other reviews so I was pleasantly surprised after eating there. The space is tight where the food is served but manageable. The omelet station can take a long time even with seven burners going. However, the guy making them is entertaining and makes the time go a little quicker. Everything was well seasoned and quickly replenished. The desserts were fabulous, especially the eclairs and the super rich brownies. My only complaints: a couple plates were dirty and the young lady manning the dessert station used her un-gloved hands to add bananas to a sauce. On my next visit to Memphis, I will be back.
(4)Gary P.
My wife and I stopped in for a cold beer. We wanted a snack so we ordered the Oyster Combo appetizer, two Oysters Bienville and two Oysters Rockefellor. Really good. Gonna go back and try the Eggs Benedict tomorrow morning.
(4)Beth S.
Great bar - the bartender is friendly and helpful and they have a nice selection of wines by the glass. We were there on a weeknight for drinks and a light dinner. We started with the Tomato Mozzarella, which was fresh and delicious. I had the Cobb salad with added grilled chicken for dinner. Dressing was creamy -- maybe a little too creamy -- with a great flavor. Great atmosphere and a good place to meet up for a quiet drink or two.
(4)Tanya T.
Owen Brennan's has long been recognized for its brunch, which I've never had, unfortunately. I have enjoyed lunch and dinner here, and while the food is good, I haven't had my socks knocked off. I haven't been since the new chef took over the kitchen, though, so I may need to give the place another try. I do know that this is a nice spot for happy hours and a popular place for young professionals in the area to come and enjoy a drink after work. The restaurant is pretty big, too, with private party rooms for special occasions.
(3)Chris C.
All that money for a mediocre brunch? I don't think so. The waiter was also trying waaaay too hard to be funny. And failed. Joking about how "demanding" the customers are when we simply asked for a refill of coffee is not a way to make friends. Putting down a double mimosa at $7 each when you really provided only one that you claimed was $5 will not help either (though he did profusely apologize once we brought it to his attention). And constantly stopping by the table and looking at us for 10 seconds awkwardly is just plain weird. Maybe he was new, but it had a serious effect on the meal when his service became the topic of conversation again and again. I enjoyed the seafood, but it seemed relatively limited in variety and the setup was kind of strange. Lots of shrimp with their shells still on, a pasta with some shrimp in it, oysters, and maybe some kind of saucy-pasta-like-thing that wasn't very tasty. They did have a waffle/eggs Florentine making station, but it didn't have anything special. Lots of standard breakfast fare too, which reminded me more of a Holiday Inn hot breakfast than anything else. Even the desserts didn't look particularly appetizing. Also, the omlette table was completely overwhelmed by people and waiting ten minutes to order an omelette was par for the course. It looked like a good omlette, but not worth the extra wait in line. I did like the jazz trio they had playing in the background though. $26 for this experience? Not worth it.
(2)Becky T.
We went to brunch here on our honeymoon. It's a little misleading. We drove up to an empty parking lot of a strip mall. The front door of Owen Brennan's makes you wonder if the place is even in business. Then you walk through those doors and enter into an different world. The inside is rich and elegant. It feels like you are inside an old Southern Mansion. The Cajun vibe and live Cajun music is a great touch. They make the BEST Bloody Marys and the guy making the crawfish omelets is a lot of fun! It was by far the best place we ate at while we were in Memphis.
(5)Amy C.
On Sundays at Owen Brennan's, for a mere $26 you can get: * Made to order Omelets * Eggs Benedict with a nice Hollandaise Sauce * Mini Mountain of Peel n' Eat Shrimp and Oysters * Good Quality Lox * Had to go back for seconds Fried Tomatoes * Veggies & Fruit * Crispy Fried Chicken * Cheesy Buttery Yummy Grits * "Needs Tabasco" Gumbo and Jambalaya * Stuffing * Sausage, Bacon, & Scrambled Eggs * Fresh Waffles with all the syrup and butter you can handle * Chocolate Covered Strawberries * Drool worthy Bananas Foster * Perfect Raspberry Cobbler * Squeal inducing Doberge Cake * Bread Pudding * Vanilla Ice Cream * Tea, Coffee & Juice to Wash it all Down * Friendly Service * Live Jazz Trio including Saxophone Serenades * A HUGE food coma * A memorable time with people you LOVE. Let's just say, we definitely got our money's worth!
(4)Tracy H.
My husband and I went to Memphis for a quick get away. We had read that one scene from the 1993 movie "The Firm" with Tom Cruise was filmed at Owen Brennans. We are geeks so we wanted to go. We also wanted the buffet, but the geek factor sealed the deal. This resturant was not close to downtown where we were staying. This is the only resturant we took the car to for the whole trip. We came for Sunday Brunch and it was amazing. The servers were extra nice and seated us in Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman's chairs. (there's a little plaque on the back of each chair to commemorate the filming of the movie). There was also a lovely trio of musicians playing Christmas music. Everything we ate was so good. They offered an omelete bar, waffle bar, cajun, southern cooking and the mister was over the moon with the oysters and shrimp spread. Excellent experience, great buffet for the price! Check it out!
(5)Sean K.
We went recently to celebrate the annivesary of our 1st date which was at Brennan's 18 years ago. Great oysters & fabulous shrimp & grits. Good wine selection as well. Great audio visual upgrades made recently as well.
(4)Steven K.
Lunch on Nov 2 with colleagues was delicious and served quickly. The muffaletta sandwich was popular, as were the red beans & rice. Two nits - they have no sweet tea and the butter served with bread was rock hard and unsalted. Otherwise an outstanding choice for lunch today.
(5)Jeffrey H.
When I am in the mood for turtle, this is where I go. A long time favorite for me and my wife. A Jew in Memphis.
(5)Jolynna M.
I've been hearing good things about Owen Brennan's new chef, so when my date suggested we go there for dinner the other night, I was more than happy to oblige. I've always enjoyed Brennan's. The old world ambiance and low lighting creates a wonderfully elegant setting and the food has been first rate every time I've gone. We started with the Oysters Bienville, which are prepared with a shrimp & mushroom cream sauce and topped and baked with a crust of parmesan cheese. They were simply decadent . For my entree, I had the Shrimp and Grits. Done correctly, this is one of my favorite dishes at various places in town. So I was interested to sample Brennen's version. I have to give credit to Chef DeLarme. It was spectacular. The grits were stone ground with a smokey cheddar flavor that complemented the shrimp, andouille sausage and tasso ham they were served with. Again, this was rich and decadent and I could only eat about half. But I absolutely loved it. My date had the fish special of the day, which was a pan seared grouper fillet, served over a tomato medley. He said it was fantastic. The wine we had with our meal was also memorable - Provenance, 2003 Napa Merlot that I thoroughly enjoyed. A great meal, beautiful atmosphere and just a wonderful evening all around. I'll be looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Misty R.
Owen Brennan's is a great place for the entire brunch experience- food, beverages and music. This is the place to go if you want the experience. On Sundays you can get the Brunch buffet with everything you can think of on it- waffle station, omelet station, meats, fried chicken, salad bar, fruit bar and dessert bar. It's a lot of food with a lot of choices. I'm not a huge fan of buffets- but I like the one here. It's $30.00 for adults and $14.50 for kids and is from 10-2. The restaurant is large so it's a good option for special occasion brunches. Memphis Magazine has voted it the best brunch spot for over 15 years. They offer a breakfast items on their Saturday lunch menu like Eggs Benedict, waffles, and omelets. This makes it a nice Saturday brunch option. When the weather is nice you can enjoy brunch on the outdoor patio. Although I am reviewing it as a brunch spot in my brunch list it is also a good dinner and lunch spot specializing in Cajun cuisine. I love the gumbo, and shrimp and grits.
(4)Joe P.
Very nice! In town for my cousins wedding.
(4)Robert S.
This was my first visit to Brennan's. I went to lunch with a group of 10 from my office and had a private area in the rear of the restaurant. First impression is the place is dated, but upscale by Memphis standards. Our waiter was very rude and unpleasant. Every request at the table was followed by, "no, we can't do that" and then quickly followed by, " that will be extra". Rather than saying we can make that change for you for an additional amount, he seemed too lazy to write it down. He often left the room unattended with most of us having nothing to drink, and never asked us how our food was. My po boy was bland and dry. The only redeeming thing about my lunch were the fries, which is sad. Our party ordered desserts, however, I did not given the lunch itself. If you are looking for a "New Orlean's Experience" don't go here. My boss is from New Orleans and knows her food....overall...not someplace you want to eat, unless you like overpriced, cold, mediocre food with rude service.
(2)Chris M.
Wow, went here for new years. BIG MISTAKE. First off they were not very busy. I haven't been to the restaurant in years as the food was never good and the service is usually marginal at best. We went here because that was where the group was going and I figured we could get an app or two then eat later at the next stop. Two and a half hours later several of the ladies had still not gotten anything to eat, some had still not received water and many of us still didn't have silver ware. I did get a cheese plate we ordered but it was so nasty only a few ate it out of desperation. The waiter was nice and tried. He had very little help from the other staff but actually I still don't get the lack of basics like silverware. The owner was there and had absolutely no idea how to handle the situation. After nearly three hours we just wanted out and to get the ladies some food. All the owner wanted to do talk and blabber with incompetent management. On top of it all the actually charged us for the "Dinner". There were around 20 of us and everyone had a miserable experience. I could go on about late seating, bad drinks, etc. but I hope this gives the idea. It is sad because it is a good location and the interior of the restaurant is really nice. STAY AWAY!
(1)A W.
Owen Brennan's used to be my favourite restaurant because it had amazing seafood Alfredo with sushi-grade scallops and shrimp. This dish was creamy, seafood tasted fresh. However, I am not sure what happened, but the quality of food declined. The last time I ordered Alfredo it was not creamy, but watery. Omeletts were not fluffy anymore. Fruit served with breakfast and brunch dishes was not fresh. My husband still visits this place for lunch mostly ordering Pasta Jambalaya. I am giving this restaurant 3 stars because of my past great experience there.
(3)Devi M.
Great Sunday brunch. Parents beware, my daughter who is 11 and eats like a mouse was charged as an adult. So 1/2 waffle and scoop of ice cream. A whopping. $30! We will either order ala cart for her next time or make it a mommy daddy only brunch.
(2)Katie K.
Great cajun food! If you are out shopping in this shopping center it is a great place to stop and enjoy a creole meal! sunday brunch is yummy offering breakfast and lunch foods
(4)Harriette P.
This has become my Favorite place for Sunday brunch. The champagne brunch is the best around. We like to sit at the bar, because we get really good service and quick refills on champagne. You can go thru the buffet lines and get breakfast, lunch or dinner with totally killer deserts. Everyone we take there is as crazy about the place as we are. Enjoy...try it.
(5)