Kale Carmon and his Memphis restaurant 'Loaf' to appear on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
Loaf is the next Memphis restaurant to be featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Guy Fieri visited this Midtown eatery last September, and enjoyed chef and owner Kale Carmon’s popular international-inspired fare.
Carmon said that Fieri tried Loaf's signature Sichuan Pepperjelly Fried Chicken Sandwich, the Chickpea Salad Sandwich and their Black Eyed Pea Falafel.
Memphis Restaurants: Loaf to appear on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
The episode entitled “Great Taste, Surprising Place” is described by Food Network as: “This trip, Guy Fieri's grabbing big flavor in some unexpected spots. There are south-of-the-border classics cooked up north-of-the-border in Calgary and culinary masterpieces nestled in a Memphis art museum. Then, Guy escapes to an authentic British pub tucked away at a tiny Colorado airport.”
The show will air on January 26 at 8 p.m. CST.
This will be the fourth Memphis restaurant to be featured after Guy Fieri visited several restaurants in town in September.
What is Loaf?
Since 2021, Kale Carmon has been serving his original, global-inspired fare from an air streamer located at First Congo Church in Cooper-Young. In January 2023, Carmon and Loaf made the move from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar home inside The Brooks Museum.
At Loaf, a variety of sandwiches and melts make up the bulk of the core menu, which rotates seasonally.
Highlights include the Fried Chicken sandwiches, the Burrata Toast (with Carrot Top Pesto, Arugula, Pickled Carrots and Blistered Tomatoes) and the Huitlacoche Melt (a grilled cheese that features Mexican corn truffle). Offerings also include a variety of plant-based dishes, like the Black Eyed Pea Falafel.
In October, Loaf was listed by The Commercial Appeal as one of the best new restaurants that had opened since 2020.
In December, The Brooks Art Museum of Memphis cut ties with Loaf after the restaurant announced some proceeds from an upcoming dinner would be sent to a charity providing humanitarian aid for children affected by the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Memphis Restaurants: Brooks Museum terminates restaurant contract after social media post about fundraiser for Gaza
January 20 will be Loaf’s last day to serve food at the museum.
Carmon is working on plans to offer delivery and grab-and-go at locations throughout Memphis until he finds a new permanent home for his restaurant.
How to watch 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
“Great Taste, Surprising Place” (Season 38, Episode 13) will premiere on Food Network at 8 p.m. CST Friday, Jan. 26.
The episode will re-air at 11 p.m. Jan. 27 and 6 p.m. Feb. 3.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining Reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Loaf to appear on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
