Aubrey 'Judge' Bean
Aubrey "Judge" Bean has been a fixture on the Nashville barbecue scene for more than a decade; in fact, it was almost exactly 10 years ago when Jim Ridley proclaimed Judge Bean's Texas-style smoked beef brisket as the best barbecue in the Scene's
Best of Nashville issue of 2003.
Bean has moved his barbecue to various locations over the years, starting at Wedgewood Avenue and eventually moving to the Gulch, along with collaborations at a Bean's Bar-B-Que location in Brentwood and more recently the Judge's Vinegarroon on Church Street.
A heart attack survivor, Bean is coming back to the restaurant scene after a health-related hiatus. (He's a tough old cuss.)
"I feel pretty good," says Bean, as he prepares to launch a new venture, Judge Bean's Original Smokehouse, at the corner of Bransford and West Iris in the heart of the eclectic Berry Hill retail district. It's in the space at 600 W. Iris that has had several identities, including the late Turkish restaurant La Luna.
A Texas ex-pat, Bean has always had a core of loyal diners made up of folks who love Texas-style brisket, no matter where he sets up his smoker.
He says he'll offer basically the same menu he's always served — including smoky sliced brisket and shrimp diablos (the latter are skewers of shrimp, jalapenos and cheese, wrapped in bacon and smoked. The kitchen crew is made up of Judge Bean's veterans, and there will be a familiar face at the front of the house: Kristi Hollerman, who has worked with Bean for more than 10 years, is a co-owner at the new place.
Initially the restaurant will be open only for lunch, and it will be BYOB (Bean doesn't plan to secure a beer license this time).
Judge Bean's Original Smokehouse aims to open quietly on Monday, Aug. 19, with a grand opening party scheduled on Aug. 23.
