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/

Central BBQ - After Church Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:   

Central BBQ

2249 Central Avenue                   
Memphis, TN
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Pulled Pork Plate, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, BBQ Pork Nachos

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8.5
Price - 8
Service - N/A
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere - Central BBQ has a homey feel to it. The picnic style seating, large windows, and Memphis-centered wall decor provide a breezy, casual feeling. The outdoor patio seating is an excellent option in decent weather. It's definitely not fancy, but it's unique and charming.

Menu - The menu is everything you would expect from somewhere with "BBQ" in its name. There are multiple BBQ plate and sandwich options available as well as an option to purchase meat and sides in bulk. There were a few surprising offerings. The boast crispy homemade potato chips with chunky blue cheese dressing and a char grilled, marinated portabella mushroom sandwich, so even our vegetarian friends can enjoy Central.
 
Presentation - The presentation is plain and simple. Basic plates or baskets with wax paper. The restaurant itself is completely unpretentious, as is its presentation.

Taste - The BBQ nachos are the best we've ever had. A hulking pile of chips topped with a generous portion of pulled pork, dressed with nacho cheese, BBQ sauce and dusted with dry rub (and jalapenos optionally). Absolutely delicious. The proportions of each of the ingredients are perfect. The nachos are neither dry nor soggy. The layers of flavor are awesome and the dry rub is the perfecting touch. The pork plate is juicy and delicious, with slow-cooked flavor cooked in. Central's BBQ sauce is scrumptious. The sides were just ok. The cole slaw was a bit runny, and the beans were more like cowboy beans than southern baked beans. The mac & cheese was the best of the sides, but needed some salt. Overall though we were very pleased.

Price - Central is completely comparable to other restaurants of the same kind. Their prices resemble something like Sonny's with equal portions and a more authentic, less mass-produced taste.

Service - At Central you order at a counter and have no server, but every employee of the restaurant we encountered was friendly and welcoming.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes! Central BBQ is one of our staples

Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.cbqmemphis.com/home.html

Boscos Squared - Out of Town Friends Visit

WHERE WE WENT:   
Bosco's Squared
2120 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:

Baked Lasagna Bolognese, Bosco's Burger, Garlic Parmesan Fries

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 7
Presentation - 6
Taste - 6
Price - 6
Service - 7
 Overall - 6.5


Atmosphere - As it is with many places in the midtown area, the first word that comes to mind when you walk into Bosco's Squared is "cool." You get the feeling that you've walked into something

both warm and sophisticated and much more interesting than its unassuming exterior would suggest. A long, dark bar is the central focus of the restaurant with two sections of seating, one down either side. The atmosphere is sophisticated without feeling stuffy and is a great gathering place for people of all sorts.

Menu -Bosco's sports a menu that is diverse but not cumbersome. There are plenty of choices for people of all tastes. They offer soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches, and flatbreads. One of the more interesting looking options is the Black Bean & Goat Cheese Tamale. The overall best part of the menu hands don is the beer selection. Boscos goes a step beyond offering local craft beers and actually brews their own. Their year-round offerings include The Famous Flaming Stone, Midtown Brown, Bosco's Bombay IPA, and Isle of Skye Scottish Ale. On top of those they have seasonal specialties available. They offer $11 half gallon growlers. Unfortunately we were unable to try any of the beers because we were sick during our visit, but our research has led us to the conclusion that it's the best thing about Bosco's.

Presentation - Presentation at Bosco's was not bad at all. Plain white dishes that gave off an air of class accompanied all the dishes. We have definitely seen worse, but the low score derives from the fact that we expected something more from a place with such a vivid personality.

Taste - One word: underwhelming. Nothing was bad per se, but nothing really jumped out and grabbed us either. Maybe it was because people had hyped up Bosco's to us too much beforehand, but it just didn't live up to our expectations. The Baked Lasagna Bolognese was bland. The cheeses did not stand out and the sauce was something that could have come out of a jar at Kroger. The signature burger was not much better. It was just a burger with no distinguishable traits.The garlic parmesan fries were the most

unique tasting thing we ordered, but were unfortunately drowned in garlic.

Price - The price was not good. The lasagna was $15 dollars and was much to small and lacking in flavor to be worth it. The burger and fries were $13. We've had bigger, better burgers for less in many places in the city.

Service -Our service was just fine. Our server was polite, but with zero personality and was a bit slow.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yeah, but only for the curiosity about the beer.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://boscosbeer.com/memphis/story/

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/

Pearl's Oyster House - A Little Taste of Home

WHERE WE WENT:
Pearl's Oyster House
299 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Dynamite Shrimp & Crawfish Dip Appretizer combo, Seafood Alfredo and Crabcake Pick-Two, Shrimp & Grits, Brownie, Hushpuppies
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 10       
Menu - 10
Presentation - 8
Taste - 10
Price - 9
Service - 8
  Overall - 9.5

Atmosphere - Pearl's is oozing with swag. The deep red color behind the bar and dim lighting immediately set the mood when you walk through the door. The walls are primarily exposed brick, which gives an authentic vintage feel to the space, and are adorned with a variety of local art, as is characteristic of South Main. The main dining room is longer than it is wide with an extensive bar along the side. There's elevated seating toward the back (where we sat) that provides an awesome view of the restaurant and a prime position for people watching. The vibe of the restaurant makes you feel like you've wandered into a secret joint on a side street in New Orleans. Swag.


Menu - The menu at Pearl's was expansive. With a name like Pearl's Oyster House you might expect it to be limited. They have seafood options of all kinds prepared in multiple different ways as well as some non-seafood options for those who might not be as interested. The have an excellent selection of beer and wine. They also advertise some unique items such as a signature drink called the Red Pearl  (a mixture of Redd's and Fireball) and various kinds of shots that include oysters in them such as The Mexi Oyster Shooter (oyster, tequila, and Tabasco). 

Presentation - The presentation was very nice. Everything (except the Shrimp & Grits) was served on white dishes and separated out by dish component. We really liked who each specific part of the dishes got their unique plating. The Shrimp & Grits was unique in that it came in a red and black bowl. It was topped with crispy onion straws which added a nice layer of texture and aesthetic appeal.

Taste - Having lived on the Gulf Coast in Florida, it should be taken seriously when we say this was some of the best seafood we've had in a long time. The crawfish dip was creamy with a subtle spice and excellent blend of flavors. The hushpuppies were perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They had a surprising heat that made them all the more enjoyable. The shrimp & grits were delectable. The onion straws and ham were a touch we had never seen before and the grits were cooked perfectly served with something they call "muddy water broth" that was wonderfully flavorful. The only complaint about it was that the shrimp themselves were a little on the small side. The crab cake was one of the best we have ever had outside of Maryland, but as a personal preference we prefer when the crab meat is more chunked rather than shredded. The remoulade sauce came served on the side which was appreciated, because in excess it could have overwhelmed the dish. The seafood alfredo was incredible; it had the exact right amount of heat that was tempered by the cheesiness of the sauce that really complemented the scallops and crawfish. The brownie was delicious! Served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and caramel, it was like a little piece of heaven. The only thing that seemed not to reach its full potential was the dynamite shrimp. With a name like that you expect an explosion of flavor, but all we really tasted was BBQ sauce. 
 
 Price - The price at Pearl's was overall pretty good. The shrimp and grits was a bargain at $10.99 for the amount of food that you got. The entree combo is the way to go if you want to taste multiple dishes. You can pick two for $15.99. The only thing that seemed a little on the expensive side was their oysters, but I guess when its your signature dish, you can afford it.

Service - Our waiter was lovely. He was friendly and treated us like old friends. The food was a little slow, but there was a LARGE party in the restaurant. We think that if that hadn't been the case it would have been perfect.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Absolutely! So far Pearl's Oyster House holds the title for our favorite Memphis Restaurant.This will definitely be a place we recommend and bring our friends and family when they visit.



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

Movie & Pizza Company - Dinner & Trivia

WHERE WE WENT:   
Movie & Pizza Company
110 Harbor Town Square
Memphis, TN 38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

 Sausage and Cheese Platter, Garlic Bread, Beef & Spinach Stuffed Shells, Yeungling,
Shiner Wild Hare

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7       
Menu - 6
Presentation - 5
Taste - 7
Price - 8
Service - 9
 Overall -7


Atmosphere - The space of the restaurant is typical of a restaurant in a strip mall, since it does not stand alone. It is one room where you can see everything the moment you walk in the door. The walls are a semi-obnoxious, not quite lime green that did not match our personal tastes, but some people may be a fan of. It has a nice focal point - a big screen TV that is mounted high directly behind the bar. The whole restaurant sort of gravitates toward it. The seating is a combination of booths and tables very few of which seem to match. The great part about it though is the wall decor. Mounted on the awful green walls you'll find framed photography, aluminum signs of beer logos and movie posters showcasing some of the greats like Pulp Fiction and The Godfather. Also, if that wasn't cool enough, there's a giant King Kong replica caged in the top corner.

Menu -  The menu contained a decent variety of pastas, sandwiches, pizza and a few salads. There were substantial vegetarian options. Where the menu loses the bulk of 
 its points is in ease of use and pure error. First off, there were three chalk special boards placed randomly throughout the restaurant each detailing different items. If you didn't look closely, you could miss one, like I did. When I saw it as we were leaving, it made me wish I had gotten something else. It would have greatly improved our experience if they had just had a sheet explaining the specials. They have a good selection of wine and beer, including many craft beers and local brews to the tri-state area. HOWEVER, they do not know how to categorize their beer. They have it divided into "Domestic" and "Imports." Only four of the beers listed in the import section were actually imported. They seem to use the two terms interchangeably with "cheap" and "cheaper."

Presentation -You don't expect fantastic presentation from a place like Movie & Pizza Company, but you do expect consistency. The beef & spinach shells were served in ceramic dish that had obvious wear, making it feel like a home-cooked dish. The sausage and cheese platter and the garlic bread were both served in red diner baskets with wax paper. The sausage and cheese platter had a lot of potential for interesting plating, or at least a plate.


Taste - The sausage and cheese platter was good. The sausage was crisp on the edges with a great texture and just the right amount of spice. The BBQ sauce served with it was an excellent addition to the taste, both sweet and smoky. It had the makings of a great dish if the cheese pairings had been a little more original than sharp cheddar and pepper jack cubes. The overabundance of crackers was also distracting. As for the shells, the sauce was delicious, just a little sweet. All 3 shells were overflowing with spinach and ricotta, HOWEVER there was a distinct lack of beef, just enough to say they held true to the name but not enough to contribute to the taste. It felt like eating florentine shells, which would have been delicious if that were the order. The garlic bread...well you can't really mess up garlic bread.

Price - The menu was well priced, especially considering the portion sizes. Beer and wine as reasonable, both draft, bottled, and pitchers. At the changing of seasons they have $2 "firesales" to get rid of their seasonal beer.

Service - Our waitress was attentive and friendly. She answered questions and gave suggestions enthusiastically. The only issue is that it took a long while to get our check.

Extras - Tuesday nights are movie nights, where they screen a classic up behind the bar.
Friday nights at 8:30 is free team trivia.
Check the website linked below for a schedule.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. It's a great place to hang out. The food is good and the drinks are affordable.

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