A Memphis spin on Waffle House: Here's a first look at Kinfolk, a new Downtown diner
This story has been updated to correct when Kinfolk opens. It will open Wednesday, March 27.
Yes, it is true. Waffle House is the inspiration behind one of Memphis’ most anticipated new restaurants of 2024.
“There is something about Waffle House,” chef and owner Cole Jeanes said. “I just love it.”
Kinfolk is his homage to this classic American diner. While the menu and décor are nods to this iconic breakfast eatery, don't expect the fare and dining experience to be anything like your experience at a Waffle House.
Over the years, Jeanes has become known for his elevated spins on classic Southern fare, including his grandmother’s cathead biscuits that he built his popular Comeback Coffee weekend breakfast pop-up on.
“It’s my grandmother’s recipe, but I added Herbs de Provence to them,” Jeanes said.
The restaurant will the story of Jeanes’ South. “Kinfolk means family. It’s the people that you love,” he said. “Sitting around the table with my family and friends is how this came about.”
Kinfolk will open Wednesday, March 27, at 111 Harbor Town Square. Serving breakfast and lunch, the 1,500-square-foot restaurant will seat 40 guests and have an outdoor patio that seats 25.
What's on the menu at Kinfolk?
Jeanes said his most popular biscuit sandwiches will remain on the menu, but to expect much more.
“There will be a plethora of menu items,” he said, adding the menu will be Southern-inspired, but with some global influences based on his personal Southern experience.
One emphasis will be on using locally and sustainably grown and raised ingredients. Home Place Pastures in Como, Mississippi, will supply most of the proteins served at the restaurant. Flour will come from Anson Mills in South Carolina, including a gluten-free oat flour Jeanes will use to make griddle cakes.
“I want to do it the right way. Helping producers that care about the land and operate regenerative farms,” Jeanes said.
The MVP (Most Valuable Plate) is what Jeanes called “tipping our hats to Waffle House’s All-Star legacy.” Two eggs cooked to order will be served with your choice of Old Bay hashbrowns or grits, biscuit or milk bread toast, spicy sausage, Tasso ham or coffee bacon and a griddle cake with miso-pecan pie butter.
Biscuits sandwiches run from the basic Sausage, Egg and Cheese to a Smoked Pork Chop Breakfast Sandwich made with smoked Home Place Pastures coppa, a maple mustard glaze, confit garlic Duke’s mayo, salsa verde and a fried egg.
Breakfast is served all day, with lunch items like a Country Club Sandwich (crispy chicken, Tasso ham, coffee bacon, cheddar confit garlic Duke’s mayo, honey mustard on toasted milk bread) and a Smoked Trout Salad served from 10:30 a.m. until close.
Jeanes said he plans to feature locally roasted coffee for his drip coffee, including his own Bloodhound Provisions roast. Cold brew and a Vietnamese-style iced coffee will also be served.
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Creative brunch cocktails are also on the menu, including a Cheerwine Negroni made with Wonderbird Gin, Campari, Cheerwine and orange.
There is also a grab-and-go section for early-morning diners looking to grab a biscuit sandwich or parfait on the go.
Kinfolk: A modern diner in Memphis
Walk in the front door, and you can see the attention to detail. The restaurant feels like a modern spin on a retro Waffle House.
Jeanes collaborated with Natalie Lieberman of Collect + Curate Studio on the restaurant’s design.
“The space is a modern twist on a classic breakfast diner with nods to the chef’s upbringing,” Lieberman said. “We wanted to create a familiar, but unpretentiously polished space similar to Kinfolk’s menu offerings.”
To your left, is an open kitchen where you can see the chefs in action — just like at a Waffle House. To your right is a gathering spot for to-go orders, above that counter is a gallery of vintage family photos.
Guests order at the counter, then grab a seat at one of the retro booths or at the long soda fountain-style counter. It’s fast-casual service at Kinfolk.
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Orders come to the table in 1970s-esque diner china plates on a brown plastic tray. Even the glassware — from amber pebble water glasses to chunky coffee mugs — feels like a step back in time.
Jeanes made sure to include a kids booth and a kids menu. “I have two small children,” he said. “I wanted to make sure there was a place for them here too. It’s about family.”
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow her on X and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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Kinfolk
Where: 111 Harbor Town Square
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Grab-and-go items available staring at 6 a.m. Lunch menu starts at 10:30 a.m.
Online: kinfolkmemphis.com
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New Memphis restaurant Kinfolk puts a modern spin on Waffle House
