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/

Arnold's Meat & 3 - Roadtrippin' to Nashville

WHERE WE WENT:   
 

Arnold's Meat & 3
605 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 
37203

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Roast Beef, Green Beans, Corn Bread, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Cream Corn, Country Fried Steak, Chocolate Cayenne Pie

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 6
Menu - 7
Presentation - 5
Taste - 9

Price - 8
Service - 9
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - If you're looking for a cool joint to hang out and spend time with friends while enjoying a casual meal, the Arnold's is not your place. Arnold's focuses more on convenience and efficiency rather than creating an ambiance. You are greeted by an ostensibly plain cinder block building and the inside is Not much different. Almost nothing adorns the walls, no interesting colors can be found. The seating is as basic as it comes and is cramped tightly together, giving you the feeling of a high school cafeteria. You come in, get your food from the line, sit, eat quickly and then depart. It isn't a place you linger.

Menu - Arnold's menu varies from day to day. The daily specials are listed on a chalk board, but there are some staples that never change like mac & cheese. Options and prices are clearly listed, which is good because you'll have a lot of time to look at them while waiting in a considerable line and you better know what you want be the serving is speedy. There are plenty of options: at least three meat options, multiple types of bread, a wide variety of vegetables and two or three kinds of dessert as well. 

Presentation - The presentation of the food is just as plain jane as the building. White, cafeteria-style plates are used to plop food onto. Things are all melded together. It just isn't particularly pretty.

Taste - One thing you need to know. Everything was hot. Literally,

every single thing had a kick to it that you can't ignore. The flavors were different and unique, but the heat was always there. That being said, it was delicious. The roast beef was tender and juicy, some of the best we've ever had. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the gravy very flavorful. Even the macaroni and cheese managed to maintain the heat characteristic of Arnold's. It can only be described as soul food. It literally warms your heart and soul along with your stomach because it just feels like home. If you don't like spicy, then it isn't for you. Even the chocolate pie leaves you with a striking after-taste because of the cayenne they use.


Price - For you get, the price is excellent. $8.60 for the namesake meat & three sides is outstanding especially considering how delicious everything will be. Portions are sizeable, it's so scrumptious that it'll still leave you wanting more.

Service -  Food is served down a cafeteria line, so there are no actual waiters or waitresses, but everyone we came into contact with was friendly, welcoming and helpful. They went out of their way to make us feel at home and ensure our satisfaction. They ran out of mashed potatoes right as we were headed down the line, but instead of just saying, "oh well," they gave us a number and made sure to bring some out to us at our table when they replenished their stock.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes! If we're ever in Nashville, this will definitely be one of our go-to places. Off the beaten path of Broadway, it seems like it's a local secret.

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/