Comment Archives: Stories: Restaurants: Last 30 Days
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Here lies the problem with BBQ chains: Great BBQ is made by great pit masters. There is no gimmick, there is no "secret" sauce or rub. While chains are capable of making a consistent product smoked in a electric smoker, lost are the subtleties and nuances of BBQ smoked by a master of the flame. An experienced pitmaster can deliver world class BBQ with nothing more than salt and smoke.
The allure of BBQ is the uniqueness, the one-of-a-kind experiences, smoked stained walls and ceilings as if the entire building is "seasoned" with smoke. Don't be an apologist for mediocrity.
The only BBQ worth writing about is the real deal.
Re: “Blue Moon Rises Again on the Cumberland”
Love the coconut shrimp and the ability to sit on the patio and watch the sun set on a pretty sunny day....bring on the pretty summer weather and fun at Blue Moon!
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
Don't forget that they are working on creating a regional/local pork pipeline - I don't remember where I first read that, but this blog article talks about it: http://www.alabamabloggers.com/2012/05/jim…
If they get this fully up and running, it's one of the biggest and most impressive moves toward regional meat products I've seen.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
I'll also add that Jm N Nicks is also very into community involvement, working with local charities at every turn. They're good folks, and their commitment to community, sustainability and great food is commendable.
Re: “Prominent TV Chef Maneet Chauhan Opening Her First Restaurant: A Gastropub in Nashville”
I'm pretty suspect about celebrity chefs, myself, but I edited her cookbook, & I have to say, it's one of the 3 or 4 best cookbooks I've seen in print the last 5 years or so, along with Fire in My Belly and Jerusalem. It's a game-changer, and I'm so hoping she'll be serving her Latin-Indian fusion food or something like it.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
The staff at Jim N Nicks is also a big plus - everybody seems into sincerely taking care of the customer, indicating the management is taking care of them I believe. So glad it is the closest restaurant to our house (not counting the Popeye's next door or the BLTs on the counter at Drews Market).
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
@CVFutrell, thanks for the note, and please keep us posted on your next venture.
Re: “At Feast, a 5th & Main resident admirably tries to fill a neighborhood-dining void, with awkward results”
Perhaps the owner should be informed that "Boscobal" is not a street in east Nashville, but "Boscobel" is. Just sayin'.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
hats off to jim and nick's. bbq is the most inconsistent restaurant food out there and they have it down nearly perfect every time at all of their locations i have eaten at. the sides are pretty good across the board which is the snafu for almost every bbq restaurant. a great job done and a hard task to keep up to snuff. sides are usually an afterthought at most bbq places. i like martin's a lot too but the sides, to me, are hit or miss. if i am within 15 miles of martin's i always stop by for a sniff and a taste- great meats. that place smells gooooooood. any word about if pat got his whole hog smoker back? looking forward to some peg leg action as well. never had the pleasure to try his food. nashville is really starting to gain some bbq momentum on a top shelf level. really great to see happening. memphis is still my dream bbq destination, kansas city is resting on its history/past and presently sleeping on its heels at the smoker in my opinion, and texas is.......well, texas.
also, word on the street is jimmy carl's is back in operation in a cave near 5 points. i am trying to sleuth out more info. anyone? their facebook page has gone unchanged since they closed in 2010?.?. i did have some outstanding chicken legs they served at grimey's on record store day but i did not know about the new operation until later that night so i didn't ask. oddly enough, they were serving thai street food. huh?
Re: “The Weekly Open Thread: Ramen Rage Edition”
For a number of reasons, Pub 5 decided to go in a different direction. Which, while disappointing, is unfortunately par for the course in the unreliable restaurant world. That being said, the best part of my experience there, by far, has been the feedback and response to my food. This was the first opportunity I had to create my own menu and dishes, and I've been thrilled that so many people enjoyed it.
I had the chance to fill in last night with Sarah and Otaku South, and had a blast. Her commitment to quality and patience in explaining dishes to me were amazing, as is her food. I really enjoyed the experience.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
In addition to their already very serviceable barbecue, their coconut cream pie is worth a visit by itself.
Re: “In Defense of Chains: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q”
I go once a year to the Charlotte location and am always disappointed. Not because of the place, but the food. How can you eat that stuff? Even my farts smell like smoke a day later. I keep trying but I just cant get the whole smoke thing down.
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).
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: “Whiskey Wednesday: It's Pappy Week!”
I have 2 pappy van winkles 23 year old family reserve . if your interested in them I am selling them for 750.00 484-885-3755 that is my number to call me if interested.