Celebrating business anniversaries is a big deal, especially in the restaurant industry. Even just one year is a feat, but 10? That’s an incredible accomplishment—one that Char Restaurant holds.

Char Restaurant is part of 4Top Hospitality and is a sister restaurant to Amerigo’s Italian Restaurant. 4Top operates across the Mid-South in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

THE BEGINNING

25 years ago, Amerigo’s came to the Memphis area and was a huge success. As Ben Brock, the local 4Top partner explained, “Our plan has always been one restaurant a year. We don’t try to rush it.”

In 2016, after Amerigo’s success, it was Memphis’ turn for another soon-to-be, fan-favorite restaurant.

“We already had our roots in Memphis, so we knew it was a place we wanted to be,” he continued. “It makes more sense to build—to grow—in a city that you already have awareness in.”

And Memphis got Char Restaurant on Highland Street. Expanding in Memphis was a business decision that paid off. The restaurant’s success quickly rose.

“Now, we have such a following that it’s really nice to see people with their local spot,” Ben mentioned.

MEMPHIS COMMUNITY

“Memphis is a hospitality city… we do a good job of entertaining,” he said.

People come into the restaurant for a variety of reasons. Some come for a rehearsal dinner or graduation. Others come after a baptism or birthdays. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, first dates, promotions, the list goes on.  Char sees people for all occasions and makes it their job to give them an incredible experience.

Ben says, “I mean, the restaurant’s a circle of life.”

For Ben and the team at Char they want, “people to leave more than satisfied.”

Ben explains people come, “because of the whole experience.”

The Char team does just that—leaves the customer more than satisfied because of the whole experience.

CHAR HOSPITALITY

Ben said Memphis is a “town that if they like you, they really keep you in the embrace.”  And the Char team emulates that mindset. They embrace the customer and make them feel right at home.

You walk in and are greeted with a smiling face and shown to your table. Your server walks up and it’s like seeing your best friend for the first time in forever.

An experience at Char is one of true southern hospitality. Aside from hospitality, there is so much more to Char.

WHAT MAKES CHAR SPECIAL

All across the city, there are plenty of restaurants to try. Each one of them has something special to offer, whether that’s cuisine, environment, concept, or even business style.

Lots is unique about Char when it comes to their menu, but on the business side, it stands out because it is 100% employee owned through an ESOP.

“So one thing that happened after COVID is we sold 49% of our company to the employees, so we’re an employee-owned company to ESOP, which helped kind of engage people.”

CHAR

Though there are other Char locations across the Southeast, this Char is decorated with classic Memphis images. Pictures found in library archives line the walls while the “Bluff Room” is decorated with a historic image of downtown Memphis. Char embodies the spirit of Memphis.

Their menu has options, but is never overwhelming. They’ve got classics sure to please everyone. Char is a perfect place for both lunch and dinner.

The starters are awesome. You can try to keep it simple with the Butter Tasting, but each butter offers a unique medley of flavors and is frequently rotated. Sometimes the options are chive & bleu cheese butter, caramel butter, and a classic salted whipped butter. Other times, they are switching options for a raspberry butter or another interesting blend.

For your main course, you can of course go with their selection of prime cut steaks. Aside from that, the Cornbread Dusted Red Fish is a bestseller at both lunch and dinner. According to one server, the Chicken Salad BLT is incredible. The options are endless.

Feeling the need for a delicious burger?  Topped with crispy bacon, juicy tomato, and melt-in-your-mouth Tillamook cheddar cheese, the Char burger will not disappoint, and with that, comes a side of fries to top off the meal.

By this point of the meal, you might be too full from all the delicious food, but if you can manage to make room for dessert, Char has great options. Blueberry Bread Pudding, Crème Brûlée, and even House-made Pecan Pie—rumored to be from the chef’s grandmother’s recipe.

Whatever you choose, it is sure to satisfy your tastebuds. Char is located at 431 S. Highland St., #120, Memphis, TN 38111. They are open Monday-Saturday from 11 A.M. to 10 P.M. and on Sunday from 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. On the weekends, they offer brunch from open to 2 P.M. Char accepts reservations, online orders for pickup or delivery, and also catering. Additionally, they have private dining spaces that customers can book. Whatever the occasion, Char is a fantastic palace to try.

FIVE FORKS UP FOR BEING PERFECT FOR ANY OCCASION