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Memphis restaurant Bayou Bar & Grill gets a new owner: What’s planned?


Memphis restaurant Bayou Bar & Grill gets a new owner: What’s planned?

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The Bayou Bar & Grill, a longtime institution on Overton Square, is changing hands.

In a statement, the Cajun restaurant announced its acquisition by Memphis native Crosby Keltner, the former owner of the legendary Nashville breakfast spot Pancake Pantry. Keltner, a longtime Bayou customer, said he will honor the legacy of the previous owners.

“Memphis has a rich culture and history, and the support this city has for itself is unmatched,” Keltner said in the statement. “There are people currently dining at Bayou Bar & Grill who have been regulars since its inception. We are committed to serving our core community first and foremost while making small but strategic improvements to improve internal processes as well as the overall customer experience.”

Keltner’s 20 years of experience in the industry includes stints at local restaurants such as Bosco’s Restaurant & Brewing Company, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Folk’s Folly, as well as a 10-year tenure at Nashville restaurant Red Pony and five years at Pancake Pantry. To ensure a smooth transition, Keltner plans to partner with current managers Tyler Hamilton and Amara Jameson to enhance Bayou’s “culinary excellence, customer service and ambiance.”

Bayou Bar & Grill was founded in 1987 by Chef Michael Cahal, who trained under the chef at the famous New Orleans restaurant K-Paul’s. The restaurant has been a successful 37-year-old serving authentic Cajun cuisine. In 1994, it was purchased by Bill and Carla Baker, and in 2008, Bayou moved to 2094 Madison Avenue, where it remains today.

The restaurant’s specialties include everything you’d expect from a New Orleans-style eatery: po-boys, jambalaya, oysters, gumbo, etouffee, and red beans and rice.

Jacob Wilt is a reporter at The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected].

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