Raffes Deli
3358 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38111
Raffes Deli Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Raffes Deli
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
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Address :
3358 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN, 38111 - Phone (901) 458-5110
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kyle C.
Good, fresh sandwiches sums up this place in an instant. All of the ingredients are always fresh and top notch. I am a sucker for a good muffaletta, and this place definitely has a good one. They also have some of the best gyros, hummus, and other Greek accoutrements you'll taste. And, the kicker, there is a beer market that is part and parcel with this restaurant. Restaurant is under new ownership and will be expanding their menu offerings within the near future, which is supposed to include some additional middle eastern foods and Greek offerings. So, stay tuned. However, in the meantime, get here quick and eat!
(4)Greg D.
Great beer choices. The gyro and cucumber sauce are really good. The owner and staff are friendly and helpful. Great locally-owned place.
(5)Rob C.
I love this place! It somewhat recently changed ownership and they've definitely made some upgrades. Great Mediterranean food, growler fill ups and just about any beer you'd be looking for. Sean (the owner) is super helpful and great to talk to, plus they have $3.00 pints all day every day! I can't speak highly enough about this place.
(5)Jim H.
Our first visit was at 12 PM on a Saturday afternoon in January. It looks like a corner market when you pull up (duh, because it was -ha!), but is open, very well lit and clean inside. Apparently, the new owner has done a lot of clean-up and remodeling, with more planned. It wasn't busy, but several people were eating at the 2-person tables or getting food to go. We ordered the falafel and hummus with pita bread, with two bags of "dirty all natural mesquite barbecue chips (awesome, by the way) and a slice of baklava. The humus was fresh-made and had a good olive oil topper. It has a little texture, versus the pure creamy style. There was a spice in the humans that my wife didn't overly like [because she doesn't put it in her's, she said ;-)]. She said she could also taste it in the falafel. The pittas were thin and this day, a bit chewy - I'm not sure if it was intentional or not. I thought the humus was good, but would have like grilled pitas (The owner said that they are getting a grill soon, so this might be a future possibility). I thought the falafel pita was good and especially liked the sauce that they use. My real wife really liked the baklava...a lot! We learned that the flavor differences from what my wife had expected, was due to the food being based on Persian and Turkish influence instead of Greek and Arabic countries. With Persian and Turkish style being infused with some Asian spices - Good to know and very interesting. We learned a lot from our enjoyably conversion with the new owner - bonus! They also carry domestic craft and unique international beers, as well as cigars. Actually, several people also picked up some beer along with their orders, so it seems the combination works. In talking with the owner, he said that they will be expanding the variety on their menu, with the addition of a Turkish rotisserie, and a grill for kabobs. He will also be adding Persian stews and soups - he said, think of the food served by the "Soup Nazi" on Seinfield. Interesting. :-) We look forward to trying the new items!
(4)Chris C.
A solid local craft-beer place. Nice people. Good service. Good mix of daily specials throughout the week, so you'll always feel like there's a good option. The food is okay. Better than your average bar food, but don't expect something amazing and it can take a bit to come out. Bottle list is quite extensive. Taps are less so, but you'll usually find all the best locals and some other rotators. Looks like it would be a great place to go watch a game during sports season.
(4)Hans H.
This is my first review... be nice. Raffe's is my favorite place to grab lunch in Memphis! The food is fantastic and fresh, ever bit of it. The staff is great and very helpful. Sean, the owner of Raffe's, really knows his product and knows how much quality matters. They are expanding the kitchen and thus expanding their menu. Also, Raffe's is putting in a Growler Station which I can't wait for. Who doesn't enjoy amazing food and great beer?
(5)Steve M.
If there were a ZERO star rating, this place would get that rating...There's no reason for them to get a single or half a star! If you're planning a party or a WEDDING, and getting beer for the reception, you should definitely go to another location! They forgot who we were, what we ordered, our phone number, when we were picking up the kegs, and the deposit that we had put down! When we got the kegs, there were no pumps, which should've been with the kegs. Also, they said we would get trash can/barrels to put the kegs in to keep them cool, because they don't supply ice! The cashier, Raffe, continually said "I'm sorry" the entire time, which added to our agitation. The co-owner, who was sitting in the corner, finally came up to us and asked us what was wrong and if we needed help...had it not been my sister's wedding weekend, I would let the owners have it! This place is a total dive! A second hand "grocery store"! There is no AC and it smells. Their "planning" system, if you can call it a system, was just a large desk calender, with scribbles all over it....how they or ANYBODY could read it is a mystery to me...you would have to have a decoder or decryption key to understand it! If planning a party, go somewhere else!
(1)Ken R.
In another effort in fulfilling goals set in the past, I've finally gotten around to talking about Raffe's Deli. Like my last post about The Silly Goose, this doesn't qualify as a "Finally" themed review because it was never a top priority for the blog. However, because of unique circumstances that required my attention in East Memphis, I took an opportunity to follow up on something that I started 3 1/2 years ago (if foursquare...errr "Swarm" (an unneeded evolution of the app) is correct). For my first visit to Raffe's in years, I thought about getting a sub or some other type of sandwich. But with the likelihood that my next visits being far down the road, I made the most of my lunch by getting something unusual as it relates to the blog. I got a gyro with a Middle Eastern twist, something that doesn't have the typical tzatziki sauce that usually associated with it. Instead, along with the vertically roasted lamb, the Syrian Gyro has hummus and a mix of vegetables, herbs and spices. Collectively called a tabbouleh salad, it mainly consists of parsley (a lot of it), chopped tomatoes, mint, onions and bulgur, a grain indigenous to Syria and other countries near it. According to Wikipedia, bulgur has more fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals than white rice, meaning it is a healthier alternative. Within the tabbouleh salad, the bulger is one of many components that make the gyro salty and zesty, balanced by the sweetness of the lemon juice in it. Overall, I like the Syrian Gyro because it is savory and much healthier than what I normally eat. For anyone looking for something different yet tasty, I suggest giving the pita sandwich a try. SIDE NOTE: The tabbouleh salad is available as a stand alone entrée and is one of Raffe's vegetarian dishes. Speaking of that, the deli's "grape leaves" (aka sarma, not to be confused with dolma) is another vegetarian/vegan dish that is worth trying. The leaves are stuffed with rice and herbs and boiled with lemon juice and served with tzatziki sauce or a yogurt. By the way, sarma isn't technically a vegetarian dish, for it's traditionally stuffed with minced meat like beef, pork and veal. Although I haven't had the Middle Eastern dish at Raffe's, I had a plate of them at Sean's Cafe several years ago that amounted to an interesting experience. From what I could remember, the stuffed grape leaves were decent despite being a bit bland without the tzatziki sauce. Of course, I'm not prejudging Raffe's sarma but it's something that I will keep in mind if and when I get them. The muffaletta that I had during my last visit was pretty good, too. For some reason, I thought it would be bigger, however the muffaletta was hearty enough to satisfy my appetite, even without sides like potato chips. It has the usual stuff like salami, ham and cheese (in this case, Provolone). However, the one ingredient that really makes it tasty is the olive salad dressing with its strong and robust flavor. Compared to other muffalettas that I've had, Raffe's version is one of the better ones. Lastly, I want to mention the wide variety of craft beers that Raffe's Deli offers. Whether you're looking for something local or an exotic export, it's likely that Raffe's has it. Among them are beers from Rogue Ales that includes the yummy Hazelnut Brown Nectar. However, it's hard to offer everything to everyone (for example, the deli doesn't carry Rodenbach, another favorite that's sold at Cash Saver and bars like The Flying Saucer) but a beer lover can get a lot of satisfaction from Raffe's offerings. By the way, any beer bought at the deli can't be consumed on the premises, but that shouldn't be a problem for most (although Lucchesi's Beer Garden next door can meet the need for instant gratification with its beer menu). Regardless of whether you want food or beer, Raffe's Deli has you covered. Owner Sean Feizkhah (who's not involved with Sean's Cafe) is doing a great job with the deli and has big plans for its future. According to the Memphis Flyer, he plans to expand the menu to include Persian (Feizkhah is of Iranian descent) and Turkish fare and add a growler (as in a big jug) station to sell beer by the gallon. Given the improvements that he's already made in terms of the deli's decor, I'm confident that he'll transform it into something sensational. To see the entire review, go to kensfoodfind.com/2014/08…
(4)Steve A.
Just an update on previous review since hadn't been since March that I'd been by. The place has been bought and cleaned up by new owner Shaun who was very helpful pointing out his nice beer selection. Haven't tried the food yet but know there's plans for a nicer deli with Turkish/Middle Eastern fare so looking forward to that, but for me I haven't found a place with a better beer selection, kinda sad actually for a place as big as Memphis.
(3)Jacob L.
First of all, it is Raffe's not Raffi's. Because of this, there are three different locations listed on Yelp that are in fact the same place because of the spelling confusion. I have not tried the Deli portion, so don't ask me how that is. I have, however, purchased beer here! Very good selection for a convenience store type of place. I have actually reviewed places that have more beer than here, but Raffe is clearly trying to deliver variety and quality over quantity. There are a good selection of low ABV imports as well as a few American craft beers, particularly the stouts/porters/IPAs that come in 22oz. containers. You can also do a build your own six pack with any beers in the store. If you are passing through Memphis from a less regulated state, I can almost assure you that the selection won't be impressive. Many imports and most craft breweries don't distribute around here. However, if you're having trouble finding something at grocers then you should definitely stop by here. Moreover, you'll be supporting an independent business owner. Raffe is hilarious by the way. You definitely have to strike up a conversation with her--just be ready to focus to understand what she says, though.
(4)Olivia F.
Hummus! I'm done.
(4)Christian H.
I've never eaten here, but it was recommended to me shortly after I moved to Memphis when I couldn't find a decent beer retailer anywhere. Raffe's always has a great selection of timely seasonal beers - they had pumpkin beers in stock before I even started to get excited about them, and I get very excited about pumpkin beers - and a very good international selection. Their stock of German beers is particularly impressive, and they sometimes surprise me with beers I never expected to see here, like O'Hara's, Genny Cream, and a few Saranac beers. You can also buy beers by the bottle and do the make-your-own-six-pack thing. The staff is great, too. Raffe herself is dear, and there's a younger man - I think her son or nephew - that is pretty knowledgeable about beer. Memphis is a hard place for the beer drinker to live, but places like Raffe's are oases. I always look forward to stopping by.
(5)Tanya T.
This is one of my favorite neighborhood bars, and not just because it's in my neighborhood. Anyone that has stopped in to Raffe's Deli (the deli/convenience store) next door, knows that the beer selection is impressive, and the Greek cuisine is awesome. Now you can have all that and ambiance too. Stop in after work or on a weekend night, and you'll see a crowd gathered, enjoying the nice-sized patio or sitting at the bar. There's plenty of seating inside too. Locals like to throw impromptu themed events (think karoake or Jersey Shore viewing parties), so don't be surprised if you come in for a casual drink and find the party in full swing. The owner, Raffe, of course, is super cool too. Check it out- if you like beer, you'll love Raffe's Beer Garden.
(4)Gary D.
good greek food. The baba ghanoush was really good, as was the gyro. Beer selection is impressive for a small place.
(4)Kris W.
Not what I was expecting...I've definitely had better roastbeef poboys.
(2)Ashley L.
It's now Lucchesi's Beer Garden. The owners are amazing and the beer selection is constantly changing. The food is also great - I'm partial to the hummus. Be sure to check our their Facebook page for the daily and weekly deals and happy hour is always a good choice too!
(5)Jason W.
I can't write this without my mouth watering for a delicious Po Boy from Raffe's Deli. That Olive Oil dressing or whatever it is might as well be crack for the body because I'm addicted to it. Keep up the good work Raffe's team you are doing the deli game right.
(5)Jeff Z.
We stopped by after a trip to the Pink Palace Museum. The french bread is absolutely wonderful. I had a Chicago Heat and it was amazing. I recommend any of the sandwiches on the french bread.
(5)Jeremy B.
If you want to know about this place just look at the name: deli and beer garden. That is got to be one of the greatest word combinations you can think of and it loosely translates to: sliced meat and beer. Be aware that this is basically TWO separate entities that share the same kitchen. Raffe's Deli AND Beer Garden. First part is deli. I am a huge gyro fan (hence sliced meat), so I get that every time. My wife loves pita and hummus, so she gets that. Go to Raffe's deli at lunch and its fresh and incredible, go to the beer garden at night, well, most of the stuff was fresh earlier that day when they made it. Get the picture. Second part is beer. The Beer Garden is the evening portion of Raffe's Deli, so don't go in thinking that this is going to be a restaurant, because its not, its a beer garden that serves food from Raffe's Deli. The point behind the beer garden is beer (Garden meaning either outside area to sit or nice variety of choices, you choose your definition). The beer garden is designed as a place to sit and enjoy Raffe's beer selection which is pretty nice. The menus look old, which gives it a nice charm and shows how it changes. My advice to truly enjoy this place try the beer you have never had and take your time, enjoy your surroundings, sit outside and watch the time pass, that's what makes this place special. Give it a try and help support local places. Remember Raffe's you have to go to the Beer Garden side with the idea that this is a beer place that serves food from the restaurant next door. Beer Garden is for exploring new beers and enjoying the evening with some hummus and gyros to eat. Raffe's Deli is for afternoon lunches and great greek/mid eastern flavors.
(3)Rachel W.
Short version: This place is horrible. If you want a Greek meal, go anywhere but here. If you want a beer, go to the Flying Saucer. Long version: Raffe's had gotten good reviews on Yelp and on Urban Spoon, so we tried it. I can only figure that people are getting very drunk and can't remember what they drank or ate, because this place is horrendous. We go in and sit down. We look at the menus - they updated their prices on the laminated menus via an old school price sticker you put on a grocery item. We are handed the beer menu and it's a dirty piece of crumpled paper that looks like lascivious things have happened to it. My husband orders a beer while I ask for water with a lemon. The server hands my husband a beer bottle (no glass) and gives me a glass of water without ice or a lemon. The server proceeds to tell me that they don't have any lemons. The server doesn't say anything about limes either. So exactly how does one drink a Blue Moon without a lemon? How exactly does one drink a Mexican beer without a lime? I am totally unimpressed with this beer garden, but it is about to get worse. I order stuffed grape leaves and a Greek salad for dinner. My husband orders hummus and a gyro. The server comes back five minutes later and tells me they don't have any stuffed grape leaves. Sigh, let me just have the salad then. The server hands us the hummus with pita bread. The pita bread is cold and tastes a tad stale. The hummus was just OK, nothing special. Out comes my "Greek salad". It looks and tastes like it was pre-made by Sysco food services and sat in the refrigerator all day. Plus, it isn't even a Greek salad, but a regular salad with too much feta cheese on it. I am not given oil and vinegar, but instead I am handed some type of vinaigrette that literally burns my mouth. WTF? My husband's gyro and beer were just OK, nothing special. We could have bought the beer and gyro/pita bread at Schnucks and the gyro meat from the frozen foods section. I will *never* go to this restaurant again. This restaurant and other ones around town make me wish more restaurants in the Memphis area would either wake up or go out of business.
(1)N. P.
If you get the chance to talk with Raffe, she's a sweetheart. This is a nice little deli to pop into to get my most favorite Greek salad. It's not a huge place, and it's not at all fancy, but the food is pretty good and adds a little variety to my week. You can pick up one or multiples of a good variety of beers and enjoy your sandwich or salad with the beer in Raffe's Beer Garden. Kind of a unique combo.
(4)David M.
One of the best lunch places in the Highland/University area! I lurv the falafel sandwich and the gyros, have the hummus. I have a friend that swears by the kabobs and would walk a mile over broken glass through the desert for the baba ghanoush. He's kind've fanatic about fresh baba ghanoush. They also offer the 'beers of the world'. Seriously, a variety of beers that puts the U.N. commissary to shame. The 'beer garden' is the restaurant behind the deli and open for dinner, with a more extensive menu and belly-dancing! on certain nights.
(5)cin f.
Every year I wait in anticipation for the Big Fat Greek Festival at Summer and Highland so my craving for gyros, kebobs, and greek pastries will be satisfied. The rest of the time i am searching for Greek/Middle Eastern flavors. Raffe's Deli and Beer Garden may help tide me over till the Greek Festival. Raffe's Deli in the front is more a store front convenience store that serves food. It has a few tables. Cross the door into the back and you enter the Beer Garden. It is like entering another world. Don't let the bars on the window and the doors scare you. They have done a phenomenal job inside creating a warm inviting ambience. Raffe's has an extensive beer list of microbrews and imported beers from around the world (thailand, slovakia, czech, brazil, china, germany, korea, ireland, england, mexico, japan, russia,belgium, france,vietnam, holland,great britain, etc). It's pretty impressive and most of the beers are priced reasonably. They even have a Monty Python Holy Grail Ale. The service is the Beer Garden is kinda slow but friendly. They have only recently opened so hopefully they will iron out all the kinks. The food is pretty good. I had a gyro sandwich. The gyro meat was very flavorful. The only thing i would change is a little thicker tzatiki sauce. On the weekends, they offer a sampler plate with 2 chicken kebobs, basmati rice, baba ghanoush, hummus, pita, grilled yellow squash, and some green parsley tabbouleh salad. They offer 2 desserts: baklava and burma. Burma is a round shredded wheat dessert with pistachios nuts in the center. Honey is the glue that holds it all together. It's not the tastiest thing i have ever had. The hummus was fresh and yum. I would suggest their homemade pita chips to go with that. The chicken kebobs and squash were spicy and well flavored. The baba ghanoush was different from ones i have had before. This baba ghanoush was chunky and more like a salsa. The eggplant in it was roasted i think which gave it a different flavor. One person in our party had the falafel sandwich and she said it was tasty. I am ready to try that next time. The owner thanked us for coming on the way out the door which i thought was nice. The place was packed out the night we went. Mostly I think people were there for the beer but i hope they go there to try the food. Again, if they can work out the service issues and get it down, I think they will have repeat customers.
(4)