Residents across the Memphis metro asked, “What’s that stench?” over the weekend, but a shift in weather conditions helped disperse the foul odor, Shelby County Health Department officials said. The department’s preliminary report, cited by Action News 5, found no single source responsible; instead, high humidity, fog, high pressure and a temperature inversion trapped odors from routine sources near the ground. The smell was reported from Downtown and Midtown Memphis to Germantown and Millington before dissipating as conditions changed. The health department will keep monitoring the air and asks anyone who notices similar odors to call the Shelby County Mayor’s Action Center at 901‑222‑2300.
In a separate public‑health update, the Tennessee Department of Health released the latest restaurant inspection scores for Memphis and surrounding areas, also reported by Action News 5. Top‑scoring establishments included Aramark Food Services (Jail East) at 6201 Haley Rd., Island Paradise #2 at 7274 Timberly Cv., Ka’Boosh Kitchen (Mobile Unit) at 946 Manassas St., Smith Fish and More (Mobile Unit) at 3921 Clover Hill Dr. in Bartlett, and Triunfo Restaurant at 694 Waring. Conversely, several eateries received low scores and detailed citations. Pete & Sam’s (3886 Park Ave.) earned a 78 and was cited for cracked eggs, unsanitized surfaces, missing thermometers, dirty equipment and leaking sinks. American Deli (3545 Park Ave.) scored 76, with violations including cross‑contamination of raw and cooked chicken, food held in the danger zone, and a broken walk‑in cooler door. Kim Chai (3307 Summer Ave.) received a 69, noting hand‑washing failures, improper cooling of rice at 98 °F, and blocked sinks. Mahogany River Terrace (280 Island Dr.) scored 67, with numerous hand‑washing, storage and cleaning violations, plus expired permits that must be paid within 24 hours. Thor Indian Cuisine (3950 Park Ave.) earned a 66, citing temperature knowledge gaps and a fly in uncovered curry chicken.
On a cultural note, Memphis marked the 17th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, a reminder of the pop icon’s lasting impact. Action News 5 reported that Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 after an overdose of prescription drugs, and his physician was later convicted in connection with the death.
What’s next: The Shelby County Health Department will continue to monitor air quality and advise residents to report any future odors. Restaurant owners cited for violations are expected to address the cited issues promptly, with some facilities already required to resolve permit problems within 24 hours. Residents can stay informed by checking the Shelby County Health Department updates and the Tennessee Department of Health’s inspection portal.
Sources: actionnews5.com, actionnews5.com, actionnews5.com
