Mambo Italiano is the latest addition to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Food Court in the Madison Plaza Building on the Memphis campus. It is the restaurant’s first location in Memphis and joins Chick-Fil-A, Pimentos, Soi No. 9, and Starbucks in the food court.
The eatery serves pizza by the slice and personal pizzas made to order, with a vegan cheese option available. Sandwiches are on the menu as well, including a spicy jerk chicken with piña colada slaw and, according to manager Ken Hooper, the best Cuban sandwich in Memphis.
Greek salads, pimento cheese salads, and small-batch gelato are also available. The gelato flavors, including dulce de leche, mango, cheesecake, and cereal milk, are offered on a rotating basis
“We built a menu around Italian quick-service and added things we thought would be interesting to customers. We’ve started out with a few great menu items and plan to add more soon,” Hooper said. As for the next featured gelato flavors, he says to check back often for new options.
Open Monday through Friday, hot food is available from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and salads and gelato are served until 3 p.m. Mambo Italiano offers a quick hot or cold lunch option and sweet treats for UTHSC students, staff, and nearby health care workers. “It’s a great place to grab lunch, because the food is stellar quality, and we have handmade gelato with unique flavors,” Hooper said.
The Madison Plaza Food Court is open to the public and has offered a gathering place for the Memphis Medical District community since its renovation in 2018 and grand reopening in 2019.