You can order deli sandwiches, breakfast plates, and a limited variety of plate lunches at the Front Street Deli (77 S. Front St., 901/522-8943, Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–3 p.m., $4–9). The deli serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays only. Its claim to fame is that scenes from The Firm were filmed here.

For the best burgers on Beale Street, go to Dyers (205 Beale St., 901/527-3937, Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–5 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., $7–12). The legend is that Dyers’ secret is that it has been using the same grease (strained daily) since it opened in 1912. True or not, the burgers here are especially juicy. Dyers also serves wings, hot dogs, milkshakes, and a full array of fried sides.

For coffee, pastries, and fruit smoothies, Bluff City Coffee (50 S. Main St., 901/405-4399, Mon.–Thurs. 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–8 p.m., $2–5) is your best bet in this part of the city. Located in the South Main district of galleries and condos, the shop is decorated with large prints of vintage Memphis photographs, and it is also a wireless Internet hot spot.

Located in the “Edge,” that no-man’s-land between downtown and midtown, Quetzal (668 Union Ave., 901/521-8388, Mon.–Thurs. 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri. 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m., $4–10) is one of the city’s best coffee shops. Fair-trade coffee and cocktails make this a great pit stop, day or night. It is also an Internet café and a popular spot for meetings.