About Us
About the Majestic Grille
In the early 1900's it wasn't hard to find Mr. Bert Jordan of the Majestic No. 1 Theatre. Dressed in a tuxedo, he would stand outside the box office each day welcoming eager moviegoers. He was an ever present fixture of Downtown Memphis Main Street hospitality, waving to passers-by and tourists on trolleys. Today, we carry on that same spirit established by Mr. Jordan over 100 years ago.
Home for over four decades to everyone's favorite men's shop, Julius Lews, serving as an outpost for Goldsmith's Departments store, Blue Light Photography Studios & eventually a brewery, The Majestic Grille now bears the name of the original theatre, letting us all a peek into the golden era of silent films.
We think Mr. Jordan would enjoy himself. We think you will too.
The Majestic No. 1 Theatre opened on Main Street in 1913 and entertained Memphians for more than 30 years. Today, The Majestic Grille honors the legacy of its building by recreating the cinematic splendor of the dawn of the silver screen, all within the comforts of a local, neighborhood restaurant.
Celebrating nearly 20 years in business, The Majestic Grille is favorite of locals and tourists alike, cultivating a welcoming community gathering place full of genuine hospitality and good food.
"The Majestic Grille Might Be the Rare Place That Can Please Everyone." - I Love Memphis Blog
"I always have an exceptional experience at The Majestic Grille. The staff is always on pointe. Your comfort, happiness and taste buds are what the chefs and staff concentrate on and it shows every single time. It's more than a restaurant though. It's a visual experience as a refurbished old movie theatre and it's just therapy for the soul. I always leave there a better person."
"Wonderful dining experience ! From the food, to the attention of the staff, to the ambiance; just well...majestic!"
"You more than feed us the tastiest of food & drink...you make our hearts happy! And everyone could use more of that!"
I was previously so delighted with a brunch at the twelve-year-old Majestic Grille (below) that I returned recently to have dinner there, not least because I adore the look of the reclaimed 1913 Majestic No. 1 movie house with its mix of Beaux Arts and art deco styles. - John Marinani, Huffington Post
Patrick & Deni Reilly - Owners
A more Memphis love story would be hard to write. The Blues brought Patrick and Deni Reilly together, literally. A chance introduction by the late blues guitar great Sean Costello who was on tour in Memphis, led to the pair to a multi-year courtship that included many concerts and a lot of meals in great Memphis restaurants. They married in a castle in Ireland in 2005 and just six months later, opened The Majestic Grille.
Since that time they have dedicated their interwoven careers to cultivating a Majestic family that reflects their shared belief that a restaurant career is a noble career. Restaurant professionals are just that, professionals, and the Reilly’s have not only committed to running their own business with that philosophy but have passionately advocated for the entire Memphis restaurant and hospitality community.
A native of Dublin, Ireland Patrick honed his culinary skills at a coveted apprenticeship in the executive dining room of the Guinness Brewery before embarking upon a culinary career that has taken him to New York, Boston, Orlando, and the Michelin Starred Inigo Jones of London. Dedication to approachable, classic food and a culture of gracious hospitality keep earning The Majestic and Chef Reilly recognition, including multiple Best Chef and Best Restaurant nods. A 2012 Congressional Proclamation issued by Congressman Steve Cohen honored Chef Reilly’s leadership in the culinary and business communities of Memphis and in 2019, Patrick was named Restaurateur of the Year.
A twenty five year hospitality and event professional, Deni has been honored to lend her talents to some of Memphis’s top organizations. As Chair of Welcome to Memphis, Deni ushered in the non-profit’s pivot from a hospitality training organization to temporary COVID relief agency, administering the distribution of nearly $1 million in direct grants to restaurant and hospitality workers impacted by the pandemic. Deni is immediate past chair of the Downtown Memphis Commission and has sat on the DMC’s Design Review and Center City Development Corporation Boards. The Memphis Business Journal named her a ‘Superwoman in Business’ in 2018, and a MBJ Power 100 Most Influential Memphian 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023.
The Reilly's also own and operate the popular award-wining red sauce joint, Cocozza American Italian in Downtown's Harbor Town neighborhood. Learn more about Cocozza here
Dedicated Downtown enthusiasts and subsequent recipients of the 2017 Downtown Memphis Vision Award, Deni & Patrick are proud Memphians, happily raising their family in the South Main neighborhood.
YOUR TABLE AWAITS
Whether it's dinner before a play at the Orpheum, a working lunch, or a leisurely family brunch...reservations are always in order.