We’ve been Memphis Zoo members for quite a while- after all, for $99 per year we can spend any given day meandering through the animals and exhibits, or can simply stop by for an hour when Flannery feels like seeing the pandas and riding the carousel. It’s a deal we can’t refuse, especially at Trip Advisor’s number 1 zoo! If we’ve had a frustration, it would have to be the lack of menu options offered by Back Yard Burger. Not that it didn’t have its time and place… but for us the new dining options are a huge improvement.
The Cat House Cafe now houses three distinct options: the Zoo Cafe, Sabino’s and Memphis Grille. While I was happy about the Starbucks at Zoo Cafe, Flannery got excited about the popcorn, cookies, ice cream and other goodies on their menu. Sabino’s offers sandwiches – I will personally vouch for the veggie sandwich and its basil mayo – along with a nice array of soups, salads and pizza. I did a soup & sandwich combo with the potato bacon soup for under $6. Flannery opted for Memphis Grille and got a surprisingly large portion of chicken fingers and fries for a kids meal (both Sabino’s and Memphis Grille have kids meals for around $5).
Next time we plan to try Asian Express, located next to China’s carousel, with items like potstickers, stir fry vegetables and Mandarin chicken rice bowls. This spot also offers a few fast food mainstays like burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries. And there is Alton’s BBQ by the kids rides and Once Upon a Farm with turkey legs, hot dogs, ice cream and other similar treats.
All in all, I was excited to see such a marked increase in healthier options and vegetarian items throughout the Zoo. And in choices, period. Such a small thing does make a difference for us- thumbs up to the Memphis Zoo for significantly stepping up this area of guest services!
