Slider Inn - Pun Intended

WHERE WE WENT:   
Slider Inn
2117 Peabody Avenue
Memphis, TN 
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:

Mix & Match ( Mushroom Swiss, Original Memphis, The Big Deuce, Flat Iron, 2 Buffalo Chicken) French Fries

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 8
Presentation - 8
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 6
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere -The inside of Slider Inn provides an awesome retro vibe mixed with modern hipster flair. Dark colors combined with chrome give the interior a 50's dive/biker bar feel which corresponds beautifully with the logo. Large chalkboards around the bar inform guests of the specials with artistic scrawl. The real party is outside. They have a large deck with more seating capacity than the inside, cordoned off for a smoking and non-smoking area. Pets are welcomed on the deck and the day we went, the gorgeous

weather prompted all the patrons out to the picnic tables along with their dogs. The atmosphere was very relaxed and casual.

Menu -  The name of the restaurant clearly indicates what they specialize in, sliders, served three at a time. We think the best deal is to do the mix & match so that you can get a little taste of everything. They offer a variety of different sliders with beef, chicken, and even a few vegetarian options such as a falafel patty or a peanut butter and preserve slider. They do have other options apart from sliders, like wings, nachos, and a signature lobster roll. The physical menu itself is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate, with a level of visual creativity that matches the level of the food.
 
Presentation - The sliders come out on a round brushed metal tray, giving the same impression as the interior of the restaurant as retro or vintage. Any additional condiments come in silver bullets as well. All aspects of the dish looks very cool, except for the french

fries. They were served in a paper basket, which next to all of the other metal damages the aesthetic.

Taste -  The mix and match was a great choice, because we got a chance to experience all kinds of unique flavors. Overall, each slider was delicious. The Original Memphis was relatively plain and simple but tastes exactly like a quintessential American hamburger should. The Flat Iron was juicy and cooked to perfection. The only complaints we have are with the Mushroom Swiss and the Buffalo Chicken. The Mushroom Swiss slider was not nearly as flavorful as it could have been, especially compared to some of the other burgers of the same kind that we've tried. The Buffalo Chicken was hot, too hot. We started to lose the flavor to the heat. Buffalo should always strike the perfect balance.


Price - Although the portions are small, they have big taste. Everything evens out. You get three burgers for the price of one.

Service - Our service was sub-par. We waited a LONG time after we sat down to even be acknowledged by our server. She was very slow throughout the meal and walked past us several times while we tried to get her attention.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Sure, especially if the weather is good and we can sit outside.

Here's a link to their website:  
 http://thesliderinn.com/

The Pharmacy - Eating Well and Catching Up

WHERE WE WENT:   
The Pharmacy
731 McFerrin Avenue
Nashville, TN

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Pharmacy Burger, Cheese Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, Tater Tots


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 8
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 8
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Situated in a relatively trendy neighborhood

in East Nashville, The Pharmacy is a hip and happening hangout for people of all sorts. You would never know it from the unassuming, plain white block building.  The Pharmacy has close, cozy seating inside, an expansive patio outside, and bar stool seating nestled under the preserved pharmacy/soda fountain counter. The decor recalls the past, the days of the neighborhood soda fountain, but it also has a very hip, modern feel. This may be partly attributed to the staff who could each easily fall into the "hipster" category. It was very busy, teeming with people of all ages and appearances. It's the kind of place you want to meet up with friends for a beer after work and where your server will remember your name.

 
Menu - The menu at the Pharmacy is somewhat limited in both the type and number of dishes. It consists mostly of burgers and brats. They do only a couple of things, but they do them extremely well. The burgers offered are pretty simplistic in style, but are able to be spiced up with an extensive list of toppings that include unique

offerings such as curry ketchup, stroganoff bechamel, wasabi aioli, and horchata crema fresca to name a few. The various options guarantee a burger experience tailored to each individual taste. At a place of burgers and brats, even vegetarians can find a haven with their falafel or black bean burger. They have an extensive beer menu with dozens of selections. They also carry multiple varieties of homemade sodas served original fountain-style.
 

Presentation - Drinks are served in plastic tumblers emblazoned with the Pharmacy's very appealing logo, a souvenir of your visit to the local watering hole. Beer is served in variously styled mugs, glasses and steins, harkening back to the biergarten aspect of the restaurant. Burgers and sides come to you in baskets lined with wax paper that also bear the logo. The presentation flows perfectly with the restaurant's overall vibe.


Taste - Both of the burgers were outrageously good. The patties were cooked to a perfect medium well and seasoned to perfection. The cheeses are mild and blend together well. The vegetable toppings were crisp and fresh. It was everything that you could want in a burger. The taste truly stood out without straying too far from the classic burger. The tater tots were incredible, with a crispy outside and tender inside and paired very well with the spicy, homemade curry ketchup. Sweet potato fries are a nice surprise at a burger joint, but an even better one when they taste as good as the Pahrmacy's.



Price - With burgers ranging between $7 and  $9, you get a deal when you go to the Pharmacy. All the ingredients are fresh and the taste is delicious. You're paying for taste and atmosphere, and you're getting a whole lot of both. They don't skimp on the portions either.

We were completely full when we left.

 
Service -  Our server was very good. He was attentive, friendly, pleasant and knowledgeable. When he realized it was our first time there he was happy to answer our questions and provide us with suggestions.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Absolutely! We loved it. If we lived in Nashville, this would be somewhere we would frequent regularly.

Here's a link to their website:  
 http://thepharmacynashville.com/

The Kooky Canuck - Hockey Done Right

WHERE WE WENT:   
The Kooky Canuck

 97 S. Second Street
Memphis, TN 
38103

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Montreal Style Hot Dogs, The Canadian Burger w/ a Fried Egg, French Fries


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation -8
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 8
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere - The Kooky Canuck is both fun and funky. Walking in you feel like you could have been transported to the Great White North. There are taxidermy deer heads and other game protruding from the walls, and the entire place has the feel of a hunting or ski lodge. The decor is charmingly rustic, predominantly wood, even twigs. It's a slightly small space, but it makes it feel very cozy and home-like. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother (which everyone should be), this is the closest thing to the Hoser Hut we've ever seen. 

Menu - The menu is delightfully well rounded. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and sides of all kinds are available. Some common, like a mushroom swiss burger, and some are distinctly Canadian fare. One of those is Poutine, a stack of fries smothered in cheddar cheese curds and gravy. The desserts are incredibly unique. The offer a variety, but the most interesting is s'mores that are deconstructed and brought out with a small campfire where you can roast your own. THE most unique item on the menu however is also the most famous. The Kookamonga Burger Challenge. The burger patty itself if 4 lb, with the entire

sandwich weighing in at a whopping 7 1/2 lbs. You have to finish it in under an hour to win the challenge and receive the meal for free. If you do, your picture will make it up on the wall that greets you as you walk in and will join the company of some of the great competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Matt Stoney. Pretty nifty.

Presentation -Everything we ordered was presented in a relatively plain manner. Plain dishes, nothing special. BUT, we do award style points for some of the things we've seen, like the giant skillet chocolate chip cookie and the Birthday Explosion. The s'mores campfire takes the cake.

Taste - Everything was very good! The Candian burger was super juicy, perfectly cooked. The bacon and BBQ sauce complemented each other perfectly and the fried egg with crispy edges was exactly the finishing touch that it needed. The hot dogs were sizeable and dolled up Montreal-style with flavors that melded together perfectly. The fries were exactly right. Nothing is worse than overcooked french fries. These were not. They were crispy and delicious. The only regret is we should have ordered them poutine-style to be more authentic.


Price -The pricing was a little bit expensive, as would be expected from a place in the heart of downtown. You absolutely get what you pay for. The portions are more than enough and the taste is fantastic.

Service - We sat at the bar to watch the hockey game,

because that really is the only place with a decent view of the slightly under-sized TVs. The bartender was attentive and friendly and took very good care of us.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. It would not be a "once a week" place for us, but for special occasions or a giant beer, we would definitely return. And next time we're getting poutine.

Here's a link to their website:  
 http://www.kookycanuck.com/

Fox and Hound - First Resturant of the New Year

WHERE WE WENT:   
Fox and Hound
847 Exocet Drive
Cordova, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Hot Honey Boneless Wings, Sausage & Peppers, Blackforest Sandwich

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7.5
Menu - 8
Presentation - 10
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service -6
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Fox and the Hound certainly has a flair all it's own. With deep red walls and dark wooden booths, and the bar as the central focus point, the main room could easily be something out of a 1920's novel like Gatsby (minus the TVs of course). Smoking is allowed and there is a space where cigars are encouraged. The first impression you get is a mix between a speakeasy, a cigar bar, and possibly a gentleman's club. It wouldn't have surprised me at all if burlesque dancers would have suddenly appeared.The lighting was dark, like everything else in the place and you almost feel like you're doing something devious just by sitting down. Walk about 50 feet to the left and you enter a room with a completely different feel. Pool tables are lined up, TV screens are layered along the walls, and beer/sports paraphernalia are rampant. Classy or brassy you can have a good time at Fox and Hound, as long as you don't mind being in a indisputable Man Cave.

Menu -The menu is comprised of literally everything you would expect from a man's sports hideaway. Jalapeno poppers, wings, onion rings; check, check, and check. There is a myriad of artery clogging fried goods including all the traditional pub fare. One of the more interesting options that jumps out are Dog Bites, mini corn dogs. You can't find that everywhere. There are also more unexpected options like delicious looking salads, substantial entrees such as grilled salmon and even a build-your-own flatbread option. The menu was organized really nicely with catchily named subsections and a minimalist black and white design. There was one really disappointing aspect. They have a great beer selection, but there was almost no local brews. If you want a real meal or just some game-time munchies, you can find it at F&H, as long as you're not a vegetarian.

Presentation -Presentation here was a pleasant surprise. From looking at the inside, you expect that your food will be served in those boring red baskets sitting in a pile of grease...but that just isn't so. There were indeed baskets, but they were trendy, made of wire and lined with wax paper printed to look like newspaper, a very British touch. The celery with our wings had its own little metal holder and sauce bullet. The fries came in an asymmetical cylinder. The presentation was much more akin to that of a gastropub rather than a sports bar, and we really appreciated the way it was classed up.

Taste  - We got the hot honey boneless wings to start out with because we had heard good things about them for people at work.

They did not disappoint. The chicken was crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. The hot honey sauce was a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Size-wise, they were respectable. The sausage and peppers looked nice, and we thought were definitely gonna be a value with two brats and fries for $7.99, but it turns out that you get what you pay for. The sausages and the buns both had a cheap taste to them. For a dish advertised as a stadium brat, it brought back more memories of the grocery store sale aisle than the ballpark. The fries were delicious, and we wished there had been more. The Blackforest Sandwich stole the show. Everything about this sandwich worked.

The turkey was moist and the flavored paired perfectly with the applewood bacon and Jack cheese. The pretzel bun was a little overpowering, but it didn't get too dry with the Dijon honey mustard. It was a messy sandwich, but totally worth it.

Price - Modern gastropub food at sports bar prices. Definitely worth your while.

Service - Our service wasn't awful, but it wasn't excellent either. Our waittress came by frequently enough, but she wasn't very friendly. We had to ask multiple times for refills and she always looked as if she had somewhere better to be.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. The hot honey wings were amazing and it would be great to try some of the other flavors, especially the Sweet Chilli.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.foxandhound.com/

Huey's Downtown- NYE Eats

WHERE WE WENT:   
Huey's Downtown
77 South Second Street
Memphis, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Chili Cheese Fries, Cuban Sandwich, Hawaiian Burger

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 7
Presentation -7
Taste - 7
Price - 7
Service - 7
 Overall - 7


Atmosphere - Huey's has a nice small town sports bar feel even though its situated in the heart of downtown Memphis. The seating is cozy and the lighting is dark. The bar is the central focus of the dining room and there are multiple TVs set out to watch whatever game may be on at the time. There is a good mix of tables and booths, so everyone can find a place that's comfortable. The place has a lot of character. The walls and booths are written all over, signed by people from near and far commemorating their excursion to Huey's. One particularly unique aspect of the restaurant is the ceiling, it's covered in toothpicks that have been launched up. It's a challenge every Huey's customer should undertake. Ask around, everyone has their idea of the best strategy. We say flick it.

Menu -We are fans of the Huey's menu. It is only one page, double-sided. The front lists all of the food choices in bright colors next to illustrations that are uniquely Memphis such as the Grizzlies logo and the pyramid. The back has caricatures of the owners and their
 
family as well as a short history of the restaurant that really makes you feel invested in the place. They offer a wide variety of liquor and beer, including craft beers and local brews. The only problem was maybe a smaller menu offering, but that can be expected from sports bars.

Presentation -As in most places of the sort, our food came basketed with checkered wax paper. It was unoriginal but acceptable. A couple issues: unless your restaurant is a self-proclaimed dive bar, say no to plastic silverware. Also, after providing us with a giant burger or a heaping helping of fries, we expect restaurants not to skimp on the ketchup. Put it on the table, not in one of the obnoxiously small plastic cups.

Taste -The chili cheese fries we ordered we delicious. The fries themselves are the thick cut steak fries, making them a god support for all their fixings. The ratio of cheese-chili-potato was excellent. Every fry had a full flavor of each ingredient. The Hawaiian burger had a unique taste. The warm burger paired with the cool, crisp pineapple was a nice textural contrast, however the burger patty itself was not very flavorful. No matter what you build on a burger, you gotta have that good foundation. The Cuban sandwich had great flavor and lots of meat. The only problem was that it wasn't pressed. Cubans have got to be pressed or else it's just a deli sandwich.

Price -Huey's is priced comparably with most other restaurants of its kind, but is really reasonable for the downtown area.

Service - Our service was good, but could have been better. 

Extras - They host trivia every Wednesday night with the opportunity to win house cash.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yeah, we enjoyed it. We have season tickets to the Redbirds and Huey's being a block away creates the perfect place to go catch a couple beers pre-game.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://hueyburger.com/

Dyer's Cafe - Exploring Collierville

WHERE WE WENT:
Dyer's Cafe
101 N. Center Street
Collierville, TN
38017



WHAT WE ORDERED:

3 Tamale Plate, Chili Cheese Dog w/ Fries, Apple Pie

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8     
Menu - 7
Presentation -7
Taste - 7
Price - 8
Service - 6 
  Overall - 7

Atmosphere - Situated on the Town Square in Collierville, creates a sense of nostalgia about Dyer's before even entering. Being inside Dyer's is like taking a walk down memory lane. The red checkered table cloths and wooden spindle-backed chairs evokes the feeling that you're sitting down at someone's kitchen table for a meal. The walls are lined with old newspaper clippings about the evolution of the restaurant which gives a sense of hominess and history.

Menu -  The menu is a full one, showcasing many varieties of their famous hamburgers, including one called the The Filthy Diablo that sounds interesting. They have options that will make you feel right at home with southern cooking such as Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Dill Pickle Chips. What they don't have is many options that are healthy or many options for vegetarians. If you don't eat meat, you'll be relegated to a grilled cheese or a meal of fried appetizers.

Presentation - The dishes were presented on standard white plates and were arranged simply. The chili cheese dog (which is actually two hot dogs split down the middle) was served on a hamburger bun to mimic their most well-known menu item. The colors and textures were appealing and most importantly, everything looked delicious.

Taste - The chili chees dog was delicious. The chili was tasty but not too spicy and it had good consistency. It was good served with cheese on the hamburger bun with yellow mustard, but we would recommend maybe skipping the pickle as it adds a weird layer of flavor to the dish. The were excellent. They were skin-on and handcut. They were mushy on the instead with a nice crisp on the

outside and weren't oversalted. The tamales were just ok, The beef and cheese tasted a little bit low-quality and the tamales themselves tasted a little like cornbread. The apple pie is some of the best around. The crust is just like your grandma would make, flaky and delicious while the apples are cooked down with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. Next time we're getting it a la mode though.

 Price - Everything was reasonably and comparably priced especially for the portion sizes.

Service - Our server took care of us, but he not particularly friendly or welcoming. Also, he brought our check before even asking if we would like to order dessert.


WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. If you're in Collierville and looking for a low-key meal at a decent price, this is a good option. Get dessert.


 Here's a link to their website: 
http://dyerscollierville.com/

Young Avenue Deli - Thursday Night Trivia

WHERE WE WENT:
Young Avenue Deli
2119 Young Avenue
Memphis, TN 
38104



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Mozzarella Sticks, Sam I Am (Turkey, Gouda, BBQ Sauce in Pita Bread), Yankee Club (Pastrami, Corn Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss, Spicy Mustard on Marble Rye), French Fries

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9       
Menu - 7
Presentation - 6
Taste - 9
Price - 7
Service - 4
  Overall - 7.5

Atmosphere - If describing Young Avenue Deli in one word, it'd be "cool." This is the type of place you go to hang out. The building itself is really cool with exposed brick and aluminum siding. Layered all over the walls are old pieces of Americana including antique metal signs of beer advertisements. The bar is creative and has an awesome roll cage that hangs above it. There are pool tables, a couple of electronic arcade games in the back and a stage up front by the door that sometimes host live music and other entertainment. The limited seating lends itself to having people sitting and crowding at the bar frequently. The place has a very "neighborhood" feeling to it, as most places in the Cooper-Young area. There was a large assortment of people present, but the main clientele seems to be hip twentysomethings.


Menu -They have an outstanding selection of beer that includes local brews such as Ghost River, Memphis Made, and Wiseacre as well as beers that have been more difficult to find such as Magic Hat and The Golden Monkey. They have a good variety of sandwiches, appetizers, and build-your-own pizza options that can all be classified as bar food in the best way possible.

Presentation -The presentation here is standard: red baskets & wax paper. Everything looks delicious, even though arranged simply.

Taste - The mozzarella sticks are some of the most delicious we have ever tasted. The batter is crispy and well-seasoned. The sticks themselves are giant and filled with cheese to the perfect ratio. The Sam I Am is a most delicious wrap. The turkey is piled in and the gouda and barbeque sauce combination create an excellent flavor. The Yankee Club had a healthy portion of meat in the sandwich and everything tasted fresh, including the bread. However, it seemed a little unnecessary to be a triple decker.

  Price - Although the food is good, the price is just okay. None of the sandwiches actually come with fries. The price point could be lowered by a dollar or two.

Service - Our service was bad. We waited forever to get our beers and rarely saw our server again until she brought our check. We actually had to chase her down just to pay. Admittedly, the place was crazy busy, but even checking in would have been nice. 

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Yes. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is fun. One recommendation is that if you go on a Thursday night for trivia, get there a little early. We got the last table available. If you aren't in a hurry, it's a great meal.

 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.youngavenuedeli.com/

We forgot to take pictures this time, so photo credits to the ThisItalianFamily blog