On Saturdays, the Lockharts eat and play their way through the city
We are a busy family of six. My hubby, Anthony, and I are ’80s babies, and we have four kids: Aiden (16), Elliott and Elijah (12), and Eve (11). Weekends are our time to shine! On Saturdays, we’re not bogged down with homework assignments, work stress, or multiple extracurricular activities, so we love to food-hop around the city.
Coffee and Breakfast: Aldar Cafe
Saturday mornings at the Lockhart household are blissfully slow. The kids wake around 7 a.m., grab “first breakfast,” and dive into their hobbies. Hubby is already out running with Black Men Run, while I enjoy silence, sunlight, and the freedom of having no pressing plans.
I laze around until hunger or a caffeine craving kicks in. Then we all are off to Aldar Cafe on Summer Avenue near Perkins.
This Yemeni coffee and pastry spot exudes a relaxed “be productive if you want, but why bother” vibe.
While some study or collaborate there, we’re all about the food.
I adore their spiced red tea. Their All-Day Arabic Breakfast Meal, served with warm pitas, honey, cream cheese, za’atar, tahini, and olives is my husband’s post-run favorite. The kids go for milkshakes and Yemeni cinnamon bites. “Aldar has all the good sweets!” says Elijah.
Though it’s not your typical American breakfast, it’s satisfying without being heavy.
Food for Thought: The public library
After breakfast, we stop by the public library. I’m an avid reader, clocking around 75 books a year. The rest of my family enjoys reading too—whether they admit it or not. But the library isn’t just about books anymore. It’s a creative hub with arts and crafts, sewing workshops, video game tournaments, and more. “Hey, Mom, do they know about their 3-D printers?” Aiden asks. “No, tell them about the sewing machines!” Eve chimes in.
From browsing books to testing out new games or crafting, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to relax, learn, and bond—sometimes without even realizing it.
Pizza Cafe photo by Stacey Greenberg
Lunch: Memphis Pizza Cafe
After the library, it’s time for a big decision: Where are we going to eat next? My daughter has a taste for something fancy, aka expensive. Hubby wants a good salad. The twins simply don’t want a long wait, no matter where we land. I just want a cold beer. As we’re all shouting our preferences and denying others’ suggestions, my eldest shouts out, “Let’s go to Memphis Pizza Cafe!”
We all pause for a moment. Hmm . . . Memphis Pizza Cafe? Not too expensive? Check! Good salads? Check! Short wait times? Yep! Cold, craft beer? Absolutely! And just like that, we’ve found the perfect spot that satisfies everyone’s cravings—without the drama.
“I love that you can get fresh pizza by the slice,” says the hubby. “Sometimes I want a slice of pizza with my salad, and I don’t want what everyone else has.”
A little bit of everything, and we’re all happy. It’s a win for the whole family.
Snack: Dvour Dessert Shop
Down on South Main Street, there’s a bakery serving up irresistible treats. My kids love the free cookie samples, and I love how the staff makes you feel like family—like the favorite cousin they’ve been waiting to share secrets with (though, trust me, they won’t).
I’m partial to their cheesecakes, my husband is all about the cream-filled brioche donuts (which sometimes sell out!), and the kids are obsessed with the cookies. “Get the cookie! No matter what, get the cookie!” says Elliott.
There’s something special about this place. We always end up staying longer than planned, chatting over our goodies.
Running errands to burn calories
No Saturday is complete without running errands. First, we head to Hobby Lobby and then Michaels for supplies for school projects and crafting. Next up is Buff City Soap to stock up on soaps and lotions. My favorite scent there is Fresh Cotton, and I’m loving their new liquid laundry detergent. Finally, my husband and I pick up some Delta 9 THC seltzers and edibles for later—the perfect remedies for sleep or winding down after a stressful day—at Ounce of Hope.
Gus’s photo by Richard Lawrence
Dinner: Gus’s Fried Chicken
After a long day, all I want is some comfort food—fried chicken and mac and cheese. When I suggest it for dinner, Aiden, our vegetarian, asks, “Do they have any non-meat options?” He stopped eating meat at age six, so I tell him they have mac n’ cheese, and he’s happy.
What makes Gus’s Fried Chicken special is the spice—it’s perfectly seasoned and absolutely amazing! I order a three-piece dark with mac and cheese and fried okra. The rest of the family orders everything from a two-piece snack to a three-piece dark. Aiden devours three servings of the mac and cheese.
By the end of our day, we are full, tired, and utterly happy.
We do a slow, shuffling walk to the living room and fall onto the couch. From there the kids disperse to gaming, homework, and rest. And just like that, Anthony and I are alone in the living room. We hold hands and acknowledge just how truly blessed we—and our Saturdays—are.
Aldar Cafe
4514 Summer Avenue, Suite 1
@aldarcafe901
Memphis Pizza Cafe
Various locations
memphispizzacafe.com
Dvour Dessert Shop
523 South Main Street
@dvourdessertshop
Ounce of Hope
553 Cooper Street
ounceofhope.com
Gus’s Fried Chicken
Various locations
gusfriedchicken.com
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. Her days are filled with laughter with her four kids and charming husband. By day, she’s an assistant principal and a writer, but by night—she’s asleep. @memphisismyboyfriend
Elly Hazelrig, of Haze Photography & Media, is a Memphis-based photographer from Chicago. She aspires to inspire. @haze.photog
Stacey Greenberg is the editor in chief of Edible Memphis. You can follow her at @nancy_jew.
Richard Lawrence loves taking pictures of old buildings and is forever in search of the perfect hamburger. @sundayinmemphis