Alright, Memphis! The summer has ended and school is underway! So that means it’s time to refocus these articles all about Memphis teens. This city has jam-packed events for adults on any given weekend. There are even events and playdates for elementary kids all over the city. But for teens, I have to dig deep! With three precious teenagers, twin 14-year-old boys and a 12-year-old girl, I want them to love their city just as much as I do. And most importantly, I don’t want them to have to wait until they’re older to enjoy it.
Jack Brown’s Burger
At the start of the school year, there are several meetings with parents. Most of the meetings begin at 5 p.m. So instead of picking the teenagers up from school, taking them home, only to have to leave out again, I decided to just pick them up and get something good to eat. When the twins hopped in the car, I said, “Let’s grab a bite to eat before the parent meeting. What would you like?” In unison, they replied, “A burger.” So I pulled up my map and typed in “burger.” It led us to a place that was minutes away, Jack Brown’s Burger Joint.
We arrived there early in the evening and the place still had the quiet feel of “just opening” to it. Upon sitting down, I was thrilled at their beer selection. The twins, on the other hand, were thrilled with the Tony Chachere’s seasoning on the table. One twin had the Greg Brady burger that’s layered with their housemade mac and cheese and barbecue chips and a side of fries. The other twin had the Classic Jack with caramelized onions and JB Sauce, and he added his side of fries onto his burger! As for me, I had the Dr. Gonzo with griddled mushrooms, caramelized Guinness onions, and applewood smoked bacon. The food was absolutely delicious! This place is definitely teen-approved.
If you have not explained the “birds and the bees” to your teen, I might hold off on taking them here. My teenage boys said that the place was a little suggestive, with bras hanging everywhere, but it did not put a damper on their day. The fact that the burgers are amazing and that they had Tony Chachere’s seasoning overrode everything else. They’ve actually asked me when they can go back again. I replied, “Soon boys … very soon!”
Enjoying a day of golf
Memphis Public Links
I’m learning a lot about Memphis’ golf scene since my son started playing golf with his school. He is loving the sport! He has an amazing coach who is patient, practical, and encouraging. I love watching him learn not just how to swing a club, but how to slow down, focus, and keep trying when a shot doesn’t go exactly the way he planned.
The Memphis Public Links consist of seven different golf courses located all around the city for easy accessibility to all Memphians: Audubon, Fox Meadows, Galloway, Whitehaven, Riverside, Pine Hill, and Overton 9. My son’s home course is The Links at Pine Hill on Mallory Avenue in South Memphis. This is where he practices with his school and coach. The people here are extra friendly. I love it because it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump to Downtown. He gets to golf in peace while I hang out Downtown. It’s a win-win situation.
He also enjoys practicing at The Links at Overton 9. This course is perfect for beginners. I love it too, because junior golfers can golf for free on weekdays. That makes it so much easier to get him out on the course for a little extra practice without breaking the bank. And if you’re looking for a weekend option, The Links at Galloway has a wonderful Saturday Golf Special: After noon on Saturdays, any parent, grandparent, or guardian playing with a junior (17 and under) plays for half price, while the junior plays for free.
I’m discovering that Memphis has plenty of opportunities for young golfers to get out, practice, and fall in love with the game. Together, we plan to golf at all of the courses offered by the Memphis Public Links. The only thing we need now is for me to buy my own set of clubs.
And that’s really what these Memphis teen articles are all about. I want my kids to experience Memphis now, not someday when they’re old enough to go wherever they want on their own. I want them to know the restaurants, parks, golf courses, coffee shops, museums, and hidden gems that make this city so special.
And if I’m being honest, I’m having just as much fun discovering with them.
So, Memphis, keep the teen-friendly places coming! I’ll keep searching, my teenagers will keep rating them, and hopefully, somewhere along the way, they’ll fall in love with this city just as much as their mom has.
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. By day, she’s a librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep.
