Comment Archives: stories: Restaurants: Bites
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Pile on the good vibes. The consistency in their Q keeps me coming back. Lots of family and friends have moved out of Nashville over the years and when they come home requesting some good barbecue I almost always default to Jim 'n Nick's due to it's proximity and consistency. Also their coleslaw recipe is my favorite.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
That sausage and pimiento cheese plate is one of the best apps ever — my favorite thing at JNN, which as chains go is first-rate (and based on my experiences, conscientious not just about their food but about food in general). Had some great meals early on at Famous Dave's, but it's been pretty uneven the last few times I've gone.
Re: “Hare Seeks Unicorn, Goes Viral”
Seriously though, how can something be considered "viral" when the restaurant itself pays for a sponsored Facebook ad to promote the thread? (That popped up in my news feed yesterday.)
I like the Wild Hare fine, but marketing missteps like this (and completely misunderstanding social media) just don't do anything beneficial for the place.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
I've never seen a parking lot more consistently full than J&N's on Charlotte.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
The first time I ever came to Tennessee was a vacation with my family in 2005, we flew into Nashville and visited Louisville and Memphis. The first night we arrived we had booked a hotel over off Charlotte west of town, which was an unfortunate choice, but not knowing anything about where to eat we stumbled upon Jim 'n Nicks over there and it made the horrible hotel choice worth it. I moved here a year later and have been going back regularly ever since. Their smoked turkey is the moistest I've ever had, the creamed spinach side is heavenly, and their lemon icebox pie is...well, I think I know where I'm going for dinner tonight!
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Great write-up. I try to avoid non-local chains too but JNN is one of the few that get a pass. I've always been impressed by the consistency and quality every time I've visited.
Re: “Prominent TV Chef Maneet Chauhan Opening Her First Restaurant: A Gastropub in Nashville”
Hey Dickie,
Nice rant, with some valid points. And you might be happy to know that in all the celebrity chef places, it's still the "outcasts, alcoholics, assholes, drug enthusiasts, malcontents, fringe dwellers and parolees" who are actually cooking your food.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Great article. Thanks so much for sharing Chris.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
You can't mention Jim n' Nicks without talking about their immaculate cheddar biscuits and homemade habanero BBQ sauce.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Hey, I'm proud of you for saying you don't like a local restaurant! I think this might be a first on Bites!
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
You know who had great airline food? Tarom, the romanian national airline. Luxurious service, fantastic food. I know--Romanian food is the worst food in Europe. But the airline put the lie to that.
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
The only times I've had good food on a plane was when I was flying Air France back from Europe. Had it two different times so I don't think it was a fluke.
I attended the Otaku Extra Large event. For me the yakitori was the standout.
Also, Wedge Oak farms is sending their pork to Link 41 in Chattanooga to be made into sausages. Wedge Oak is selling them at the West End farmer's market. They are also making mangalista bacon. Pricey but delicious.
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
E Hur Wei had a person in place setting up their systems/training, etc. so that they can make it a chain. That is what I was told from the horse's mouth.
Regarding the reboots - they were already pretty established whether or not reboots and that is where my argument lies. Sardinia does make the cut, but what about Viener Fest or Publicity or Feast or Salsa or Perl or others? That's all I'm saying. It seems silly to pit reboots against not opened when there are other newly opened restaurants that are truly brand new.
Re: “The Road, Episode 30: El Pollon Crazy Grill [Eating Our Way Down Nolensville Pike]”
Oh man, El Pollo Loco was the jam.
Re: “Prominent TV Chef Maneet Chauhan Opening Her First Restaurant: A Gastropub in Nashville”
I look forward to her addition. Nashville has evolved greatly as a foodie destination and I welcome anything that isn't BBQ or another steak house. I do however, worry that Nashville has gone past a "tipping point" in it's ability to support these eateries.
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
Anne Landers, I agree that it's weird to include Mason's that isn't open yet, but Blvd., Rosebud and Rumors are all pretty major reboots of other places and Sardinia is new to town. They established November as their deadline for Best New Restaurant, so anything new after that is fair game, I guess.
And considering how small E Hur Wei is, I'd be shocked if it was part of a chain or the beginning of one. Could your source possible be thinking of Pei Wei, like I was when I first heard of it?
Re: “Prominent TV Chef Maneet Chauhan Opening Her First Restaurant: A Gastropub in Nashville”
>>will tarnish what is naturally nashville- which is still evolving<<
Uhmm, no. Nashville IS quite comfortable in its own skin as well as its niche, IMO. We might wave at a celeb or two but we by & large leave them alone (which they seem to appreciate). And THIS is what helps make Nashville unique, IMO.
Re: “Prominent TV Chef Maneet Chauhan Opening Her First Restaurant: A Gastropub in Nashville”
>> it really ain't as cool as people looking for a scene to belong to think it is<<
True. This is akin to those whom would only go to clubs that restrict the entry to only the "beautiful people".
I've been to a few restaurants in the Gulch area & they're all overrated & overpriced, IMO. But, I guess they're "trendy".........
As for the "gastropub", I'd be curious about how well an Indian-based pub would go over in Nashville.
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
On a separate topic, who has an opinion on the best "new" restaurant thing Nashville Lifestyles is doing? Only one of the restaurants in their competition is truly new and some aren't even open yet.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Love going through the drive-thru and getting a couple sliders (brisket & turkey).