Havana's Pilon, Bartlett

Havana's Pilon is named for a Latin American expression that refers to a mortar and pestle, according to the Memphis Flyer. That makes sense, since the eatery's cozy interior is decorated with several mortars and pestles, and they are frequently used in the kitchen, where cooks mash green plantains with olive oil and garlic for shrimp mofongo. Other specialties include Cuban-style rotisserie chicken, tender ropa vieja, and a fried-rice recipe traditionally served in Havana's Chinatown. Owner Marialys Gonzalez and her team also blend tropical-fruit smoothies and sweeten potent Cuban-style espresso with natural demerara sugar.