The Four Way Grill is a historic restaurant located in Memphis, Tennessee. The fried catfish filets are a close second on the menu to the turkey and dressing, but both meals — served with yams, greens, and cornbread — are popular at this legendary restaurant.
Opening in 1946, Irene and Clint Cleaves created a safe haven for Black and white people to enjoy plates of soul food, side by side. The Four Way opened 54 years after the People’s Grocery closed its doors just across the street after an infamous act of racial terrorism. There is a marker standing today memorializing the lynching of Thomas Moss, Will Stewart, and Calvin McDowell.
In the 1960’s, The Four Way served both the local South Memphis community and historical figures alike. The legendary Stax Records is only a couple blocks away and The Four Way served musicians like Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Booker T and the MGs. Activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson would strategize here during the civil rights movement.
Now in its 78th year, The Four Way is owned by Patrice Bates Thompson (pictured), and she continues the legacy of the restaurant today. Ms. Thompson takes inspiration from the original owners Irene and Clint Cleaves and her own family history, “by serving love on a plate to people from all walks of life.”
Sankofa Impact always eagerly anticipates visiting The Four Way during our Pilgrimage to the South. As an organization, we are intentional about supporting Black-owned businesses, especially Black Woman-owned businesses. The Four Way is an important part of our shared history and we are proud to visit and support the restaurant and Patrice Bates Thompson.
