Raw Seafood

Seafood restaurants like Red Lobster and Joe’s Crab Shack, located in Memphis, Tennessee’s Wolfchase area, are far from the coast, which could explain why their seafood dinners sound like they wouldn’t be fresh.

Instead of frozen and not fresh fish, try some of Memphis’ 30 sushi bars that serve fresh seafood daily. In fact, sushi is so fresh it can be served raw, without having to worry about getting sick.

“It is a better alternative that doesn’t stink like other seafood places,” says Greg Carol, 23, a senior business major at the University of Mississippi. “After eating sushi, I feel refreshed and relaxed because it is a healthy meal that is good for the body.”

At Sakura Japanese Bar, consumers say they get their fill of fresh sushi with great service. Although, the place is smaller than most sushi bars, it certainly draws crowds that form lines out the door during lunch and dinner.

For a delightful sushi dinner, an individual could walk out of Sakura pleased after spending $15-$20, and a couple could after $30-$40.

“The prices are cheap for this restaurant compared to the size of the rolls served here,” says Lee Trayal, 25, a MLGW worker of Memphis, Tenn. “I suggest the DJ Roll, Mother of All Rolls, California Roll or the Crunchy Roll. Entrees and appetizers are also delightfully fresh here as well.”

A-tan is another bar recommended for a fulfilling sushi lunch or dinner. This sushi bar lets its’ consumers also enjoy large rolls that tower over their prices. It is a bit more expense than Sakura at $20-$30 an individual, and $40-$60 a couple.

A-tan is more elegant than Sakura with granite tables and floors, while wooden chairs sit around the bar to warm the cool gray color of the granite. Service is quick and friendly, but people do not flock here as they do at Sakura.

For the most part through experience, I would say that Sakura and A-tan offer the same qualities of food portion, taste and experience; just different prices. There are other places that have great service but their dishes are served in smaller portions.

Sekisui chain restaurants are good bars to dine at for fresh sushi. There are several in Memphis and each offer something different.

For instance, the prices vary from each. Most Sekisui restaurants do not serve fried rice except for the Sekisui in Bartlett. All the other ones have a techno theme to them but the Bartlett Sekisui. Also, all the other ones are more expense.

The only thing against Sekisui is that the sizes of the rolls don’t match the giants from a-tan and Sakura.

These bars are just a few of many that offer great sushi at great prices. At these restaurants consumers can receive more for less cost. For fresh sushi and a great experience any of these restaurants will satisfy the appetite.

Come closer by lending a helping hand

- Women’s age at Martha’s Manor ranges from 18- to 60- years-old, there have been younger and older women there before
- The women do daily activities like board games, coloring, and playing outside
- During the holidays, volunteers help the women decorate and celebrate


Suzy Parks, 26, enjoys rocking back and forth in her chair while starring at the mature magnolia tree that has grown strong outside her window at Martha’s Manor, an independent supportive living program for handicapped women based in Memphis.


Martha’s Manor, located off White station and Quince next to Bill Hardwick’s All Star Lanes, allows several handicapped women to live normally with each other, and each helps one another overcome life struggles that in return bring them closer together.


“Since she was born prematurely she has been living with physical and mental handicaps that give her more daily obstacles to overcome than most the girls living here,” says Mike Hodges, 44, caretaker at Martha’s Manor during the day. “We planted the tree three years ago because she said she would enjoy one, but we didn’t know how much it meant to her until we got it in the ground.”


Every morning there are tough obstacles Parks faces that seem like normal tasks to others. Parks says that the qualities of the tree – strong, young and beautiful – are ones that she lives by to make it day after day.


Parks is assisted with any tasks that involve reaching above her neck because her shoulders are crippled to the point where she can’t reach any higher. Which means she needs assistance brushing her hair and teeth; along with being feed.


“I don’t see myself different from anybody else just because I need extra care,” says Parks. “I can walk and talk like everyone does. If I was scared to live because of my handicaps then I don’t think I would be as healthy as I am today.”


Parks lives with seven other women in the house that are very important to her because when Hodges isn’t around Parks’ roomies pitch in to help her. They always want to pick the outfits she wears that day, style her hair fashionably, and help feed her during meal times, Hodges says.


The women who stay with Parks have similar physical and mental handicaps, but none are to the degree of Parks’. Even with disabilities, helping each other that need it the most is very important, Diana Williams, 34, a handicapped resident at Martha’s Manor for five years said with a smile.


“Without everyone’s help I wouldn’t be able to live here independently with the other women as I do,” Parks said. “Martha’s Manor has given me a family and safe haven built around hope and love.”