Some meals are worth a long drive across town, and in Memphis, a lot of people keep making that drive for one plate in particular. It usually holds a pork chop, a scoop of candied yams, and a square of cornbread on the side.
The building used to be a chain restaurant, but the kitchen now turns out the kind of homestyle cooking many folks grew up on. Sunday lines stretch out the door after church, and takeout bags leave the counter all afternoon.
Regulars ask for their favorite chops by name, and some even plan their week around a plate of yams. This guide covers where the spot sits, what lands on the table, when to go, and a few smart tips that make a visit smoother.
Keep reading to find out why Tennessee locals cannot stop talking about it.
A Winchester Road Address Worth Knowing
Southern Hands Homestyle Cooking sits at 6025 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38115, on a busy stretch of road in southeast Memphis, Tennessee. It is a family-run Southern restaurant that focuses on classic soul food.
The menu leans on staples that Southern families know well. Catfish, fried chicken, and okra share space with meatloaf, chop steak, and the pork chops that keep people coming back.
The name says a lot about the mission. The goal here is home cooking served in a relaxed, everyday setting, not fancy plates or trendy twists.
The spot has built a big following over the years. More than 2,400 people have weighed in online, and the restaurant holds a solid 4.1 out of 5 overall.
That number tells an honest story. Many people adore the place, while others point out rough days, which is typical for a busy kitchen that serves crowds every afternoon.
Winchester Road is easy to reach from much of the Memphis area, and there is a lot right beside the building. A short drive leads to one of the city’s best-known soul food counters.
So the address is set. Now comes the fun part, which is figuring out what all the fuss is about.
From Chain Booths to Family Recipes
Plenty of buildings get a second act, and this one got a tasty one. The restaurant operates inside a former Applebee’s, a fact longtime guests like to mention with a grin.
The layout still hints at its past. Seating runs mostly along the windows, and the middle of the room stays fairly open, almost like a dance floor waiting for a party.
What changed is everything coming out of the kitchen. Instead of a national menu, the plates now reflect family-style Southern cooking with a personal touch.
The family behind the business has kept the same phone number for about 18 years. That kind of staying power says a lot about how rooted the place is in the community.
The owner also stays involved in a hands-on way. Responses to guest feedback often come with apologies, explanations, and offers to remake meals, sometimes signed personally.
The dining room is not the main attraction, and the owner has openly said the team is working on ambience and curb appeal. Some guests find the room a bit dark and dated.
Still, nobody makes the trip for the light fixtures. The real story starts once the food hits the counter.
Pork Chops That Earn Their Own Fan Club
A pork chop with its own name is a pork chop that means business. Kam’s Pork Chops show up again and again as the go-to order for loyal regulars.
There is more than one way to enjoy the chop here. Diners talk about grilled pork chops, gravy-smothered pork chops, and deep fried chops topped with grilled onions and peppers.
The smothered version is a classic choice for anyone who wants gravy in every bite. It pairs nicely with sides like cabbage and black-eyed peas.
Some regulars order Kam’s chops every single time. They pair them with green beans and mashed potatoes and leave happy, which is the whole point of a soul food lunch.
Not every fan loves every change, though. One recent batter style drew mixed feelings from a longtime customer who missed the old recipe.
Portions tend to be generous. Several guests describe plates big enough to make the trip feel worth it, so arriving hungry is a smart move.
For first-timers, the chop is the safest place to start. It is the dish that put this counter on the map for many Memphis families.
The Candied Yams Everyone Mentions
Yams might be a side dish on paper, but here they act like the headliner. They come up more often than almost any other item when people talk about this restaurant.
The big reason is that they are made from real sweet potatoes, not canned yams. That homemade approach wins a lot of loyalty.
Guests describe them as perfectly candied. A few think the nutmeg runs heavy or wish for a bit more butter, but even picky eaters tend to rate them highly.
Some fans call them the best candied yams they have ever had. That is high praise in a city full of Southern kitchens.
Even when other parts of a meal miss the mark for someone, the yams often save the day. One guest who was unhappy with several dishes still gave credit to the yams.
Sweet potato lovers should treat this side as non-negotiable. It pairs especially well with a pork chop, which explains why that combination keeps popping up in conversation.
Order them once, and do not be surprised if they become part of every future visit.
Cornbread, Two Ways
Cornbread at a soul food spot is a serious matter. At Southern Hands, it ranks among the most talked-about items on the menu.
The usual style is a baked loaf cornbread that many say tastes like home. It is a big reason people associate the restaurant with family cooking.
Then came a twist. When an oven issue knocked out the baking setup, the kitchen switched to hot water cornbread for a while.
The owner noted that hot water cornbread takes more work but is a fan favorite. Most customers during that period preferred it, according to the restaurant.
Some regulars now actively hope it returns more often. One loyal guest flat out asked for more of it.
Not everyone is a convert, and opinions on texture vary from day to day. A few find the cornbread a bit dry at times.
Here is a helpful tip. If a sign at the counter mentions a cornbread swap, that simply means the kitchen is adjusting, so ask which version is available that day.
Either way, a square of cornbread belongs on the plate. Skipping it would be a little like leaving a song before the chorus.
Meatloaf, Chop Steak, and the Rest of the Lineup
Pork chops grab the headlines, but the supporting cast is long. Meatloaf actually ranks as one of the most mentioned dishes at this Memphis counter.
The meatloaf comes in large portions made with good quality beef. Some love it, and some find it a bit tomato-heavy, but many say they would order it again.
Chop steak and hamburger steak also draw strong praise. One fan was so thrilled with the hamburger steak that the excitement practically jumped off the screen.
Fried chicken earns steady compliments for being fresh. Wing dinners and chicken with dressing also get plenty of love.
Country fried steak stands out for its big chunk of meat. Meatloaf paired with spaghetti is another combination some guests return for.
Sides cover the classics:
Black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, greens, cabbage, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and dressing with gravy.
Seasoning opinions vary widely. Some plates win raves while others land as too salty or too mild, and the owner has pledged to work on consistency.
A three-sides vegetable plate is listed around $9.99, which is handy for anyone skipping meat. Choosing a few sides and sharing is a good way to find personal favorites.
Save Room for Something Sweet
Dessert is not an afterthought here. Two sweets in particular keep earning fans at Southern Hands.
Peach cobbler is a regular part of the pork chop and yams conversation. Some loyal guests say it never disappoints.
Strawberry cake is the other standout. Even guests who had mixed feelings about parts of their meal called the cake delicious.
Some couples plan their whole order around making space for it. That is solid strategy, given how big the main plates can be.
Pie also shows up on family takeout orders. It is a nice way to round out a big Sunday meal for the household.
Sweet tea is another common add-on. Guests who order it tend to be pleased.
One easy plan is to grab dessert to go. That way, the cake or cobbler can wait at home until there is room for it.
After all, a soul food meal without a sweet finish feels a little unfinished.
Who Fills the Room and the Takeout Line
Watch the front counter for an hour and the appeal becomes clear. Takeout orders flow out steadily, with plenty of people choosing home cooking over fast food.
Families are a big part of the crowd. Even picky young eaters have been won over, and one child said the family would eat there every day if they had a place like it at home.
Sunday afternoons bring the after-church rush. It is typically the busiest stretch of the week.
Delivery drivers pick up a large share of orders too. That keeps the counter busy even when the dining room looks calm.
The staff often gets credit for warm greetings and remembering regulars. Many guests describe friendly, upbeat service.
Busy moments can stretch the team, though. Some guests have waited longer than expected, especially when one worker handles both the counter and dine-in tables.
The restaurant runs a full-service dining room. Servers rely on dine-in guests, so takeout boxes are meant for eating elsewhere, and staff can replate food for those who decide to stay.
The vibe is casual and community-focused. It suits anyone who cares more about a hearty plate than a fancy room.
Hours, Ordering, and Smart Timing
Timing can make or break a soul food run. Southern Hands keeps a lunch-and-early-dinner schedule, so late night cravings will have to wait.
Monday through Friday, doors open at 11 AM and close at 6 PM. Saturday and Sunday run from 11 AM to 5 PM.
That means it is open seven days a week. Popular sides can sell out, so earlier visits offer the best selection.
Online ordering is available through the restaurant’s website. It is a handy way to skip some of the wait.
Phone service has been unreliable at times. The restaurant has said it was dealing with provider issues on its long-held number.
A quick checklist helps:
Check the order before leaving the counter. Arrive early on Sundays.
Speak up right away if anything looks off so the manager can fix it.
A plate with meat and two sides has run in the mid-teens, judging by one order of two plates totaling about $28. Prices may shift, so the menu at the counter is the best guide.
Plan ahead, and the visit feels a lot smoother.
The Verdict on a Memphis Comfort Plate
So, does the hype hold up? For a big crowd of Memphis locals, the answer is a hearty yes.
The pork chops have a loyal following. The candied yams win over even people who leave with complaints about other dishes.
Add generous portions, a dependable cornbread tradition, and sweets like peach cobbler and strawberry cake, and the appeal makes sense.
It is not a flawless operation. Seasoning can swing, the dining room feels dated to some, and busy counters can test patience.
Still, the owner tends to respond directly and offers to make things right. That kind of attention fits a family-run kitchen.
For the best experience, go early, order the chops with yams, and double-check the bag. Those three moves cover most of what can go wrong.
Some guests say the food tastes like a grandmother is in the back making plates. That is the kind of compliment soul food cooks hope to earn.
On Winchester Road, that compliment keeps getting served one pork chop at a time.
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