I'm an official Sprocketeer

I'm sure you've seen the trolley looking things around downtown, passengers are peddling their heart out, yes you've seen it. It's called Sprocket Rocket. It's just as cool as it sounds. 

I'll admit I was hesitant on the fun level of this adventure, I had quite a few preconceived notions but they were all dismissed relatively quickly! The rocket is essential half motorized engine half peddling. Seriously if you stop peddling rocket basically stops working. 

Each rocket is staffed with a driver who's also the DJ (they have a AUX port) and a bar tender. The ride is BYOB and there are cups provided (you have to use theirs), it also has an ice chest and a cooler to keep your goods cold. The bar tender, Selena, was excellent! She memorized who brought what, was nice and kept all of our drinks filled. She also gave me permission to dance in the aisle lol. 

The actual tour took much longer than expected but in a good way. I assumed we'd go around the block a few times and that'd be it. But we only stopped twice; once to see the Johnny Cash wall 

(hence my photography skills seen above) and another at a bar where we were offered a special $3 shot just for us!! It also gave us some much needed time in the A/C. 

(Finally met Johnny) 

(Pictured: B-unit, Kohl, me, Jackie just before our first stop)

For my drink I made the turn up sangria special. I'll list the recipe below. The tour was extremely fun, it was a great bonding experience with my girls and I got the chance to meet some new people as well! The cost is about $30 a person but was well worth it! I can't wait to try it again! 

Turn Up Sangria 

1 bottle Sweet Red Wine 

3 shots Southern Comfort 100 proof 

1 The Peach Truck Peach

1 1/2 cup Fresh Seedless Watermleon 

Mix to taste, allow the Sangria to sit about an hour or two in the fridge prior to serving. I stored it in a large mason jar with a resealable cap.  

Drink. Enjoy. 

Stay hungry my friends...

Ray B. 

Musically enjoying some pie

This weekend I had to make a run to Chattanooga for a fundraising event but before we left I saw an interesting tweet. Food trucks on my side of town...I had to check this out! 

Apparently a little rain can't stop the show! We first tried Pita Pit which was phenomenal by the way. Then I saw what I really came for... Music City Pies!! At first I was just going to get one pie, then I was introduced to the flight! That included 1 apple, 1 lemon curd, and 1 custard. 

Honestly, I thought the apple would be my fave. It was tart, sweet, aromatic, and mighty tasty. The apples were cooked quite nicely, not to mushy (that's my descriptive word) and slightly crunchy. I didn't even heat the pie up!! 

Now I typically don't enjoy things that wiggle. Such as: jello, pudding, cottage cheese, anything gelatinous so curd was a step in the giggly direction. Nonetheless I dove in head first!! It's texture was quite surprising actually, it was smooth and almost creamy. I loved the lemon flavor it was tart in the most pleasant manner. I ranked this over the apple. 

Now this custard was different. This custard was not to sweet, not to milky, not to wiggly and giggly (hahaha😂😭). This pie was so light I didn't even feel guilty afterwards!! Hence why it was my favorite pie!!!

I here and now admit I LOVE Music City Pies!! I will always support them and their mission! I cannot wait until I get to try their meat pies, that's a whole 'nother post! 

Stay hungry my friends. 

Ray B. 

Super Grilled, Crazy Cheesy! The Grilled Chesserie

First off let me tell you oh great Grilled Cheeserie chefs you name far precedes you!! I knew all about your existence before even setting foot in your trucks presence. This tells me a few key things, people LOVE your food and aren't afraid to tell the world and people don't lie about how good food really is. They just don't. Not to mention that line...halfway to Mexico. Thanks Britt for thuggin the wait out for us, me and Jackie luh you for it. 

 

Ok back to food. The menu was easy to read/understand that didn't negate the fact that it was hard to narrow down what I needed... I mean wanted. Oops. 

I went with the Pimento Mac & Cheese. Then waited some more... 

Finally I've got it! Honestly, it was so hot I couldn't eat it for about 5 minutes lol. But my first bite was kinda surprising. 

The bread they used was grilled to perfection, it was crunchy, salty, and buttery on the outside. The interior of the bread was so soft but not mushy. The noodles inside were also cooked slightly al dente so they held their shape and were filled in the inside with cheese sauce. Don't let me forgot the tangy bacon whipped into the Mac. 

The only thing that disappointed me was the tomato slice inside of it. For some reason I over looked that ingredient. I tried a bite, buuuuutttt I couldn't do it. I actually burned my fingers trying to get it off lol. 

Last thing, even if you don't get tots or fries make sure you get TOT SAUCE!!! Sweet, tangy, spicy, yummy all these words encompass this sauce. I dunked my sammich in it every bite! 

Yes I will go back to The Grilled Cheeserie and I will love it. I'll likely order tots and try a different bread to switch things up!! 

Stay hungry my friends... 

Ray B. 

White Castle vs Krystal

I know what your saying..."So what I've had White Castle and Krystal before, what the big deal?" Well guess what...I've never had Krystal Burgers in 25 years of life. Whereas White Castle? That place has saved me many a nights around 1-2am when hunger strikes and a few adult beverages later. Nothing hits the spot like those baby sized burgers. 

So on my way home I made the decision to finally mosey on over to this southern fried tradition. 

The burger was seriously regular and overly onion-y they were small strips of onion not finely chopped. Unlike my white castles. The bacon on the other hand was mighty crisp and full of porky smokey flavor as I bit down with my incisors. The cheese was average, the meltiness was long gone by time I got home and actually stuck to the bottom of its container and formed to the bottom left corner. GROSS. 

Now their waffle fries. That's something to talk about. Crispy flavor, seasoned wonderfully, and greasy as ever (don't worry I did the napkin dab before hand). Honestly, they probably weren't that awesome but compared to my burger it was a nice treat. 

I know probably everyone on the planet has had either one of these two places. I realize it's not fine dining nor hole in the wall but hey I'm new to the south...don't judge. 

All in all when that 2am craving hits I'm taking my talents to the Castle. 

Stay hungry my friends... 

Ray B.  

Windy City Pizza

Yesterday I'd totally planned on eating left overs for lunch. Exciting right? Please... Until my awesome boss said "Hey let's get Windy City". 

You know me, I'm down to try anything once...mostly. 😳

Of course I was given the task of ordering the pie. We got a large deep dish The Works pizza!! Then waited for it to be delivered. 

40 minutes later... 

It's yummy cheesy aromatic goodness arrived, we at the office were more than delighted. I opened the box and this is what we saw, feast your eyes on this bad boy (or girl, whatever your preference is) 

I myself don't care for mushrooms or olives, not a nere olive or shroom got picked off. I literally ate it all! The crust although it was deep dish didn't feel like it. It was thick and buttery and airy. I usually hate deep dish because the crust gets all mushy, but this crust was strong and the ingredients weren't watery. Likely because they weren't frozen. 

The actual taste of the pizza was remarkable! The cheese was gooey and melty and full of flavor, it actually tasted like a complex cheese blend. The ingredients on the pizza included: pepp, Italian sausage, shrooms, green peppers, and olives. The ingredients tasted like they were high quality and no corners were cut. As a hungry girl I truly appreciate this, I'm cheap but my food shouldn't be!! 

This place is located in Hendersonville and they just recently opened a new location in H-ville. I will def eat there again maybe try their tradish pizza!! Windy City Pizza is a MUST TRY!! 

Stay hungry my friends. 

Ray B. 

White Castle vs Krystal

I know what your saying..."So what I've had White Castle and Krystal before, what the big deal?" Well guess what...I've never had Krystal Burgers in 25 years of life. Whereas White Castle? That place has saved me many a nights around 1-2am when hunger strikes and a few adult beverages later. Nothing hits the spot like those baby sized burgers. 

So on my way home I made the decision to finally mosey on over to this southern fried tradition. 

The burger was seriously regular and overly onion-y they were small strips of onion not finely chopped. Unlike my white castles. The bacon on the other hand was mighty crisp and full of porky smokey flavor as I bit down with my incisors. The cheese was average, the meltiness was long gone by time I got home and actually stuck to the bottom of its container and formed to the bottom left corner. GROSS. 

Now their waffle fries. That's something to talk about. Crispy flavor, seasoned wonderfully, and greasy as ever (don't worry I did the napkin dab before hand). Honestly, they probably weren't that awesome but compared to my burger it was a nice treat. 

I know probably everyone on the planet has had either one of these two places. I realize it's not fine dining nor hole in the wall but hey I'm new to the south...don't judge. 

All in all when that 2am craving hits I'm taking my talents to the Castle. 

Stay hungry my friends... 

Ray B.  

My not so maddening trip to Mad Donna's

It took me a few weeks to finally get out to this place. Mad Donna's is located in East Nashville and is pretty cute and quaint. When we arrived we had a 45 minute wait so we got started on the 2 for 1 mimosas. 

I really enjoyed these mimosas, I'm so over all these overpriced OJ and Bubbly mosas!! They offer several different flavorings and if you get the right bartender they'll even mix a few flavors for you!! I got pineapple and pear/pomenagranate and they were so light and refreshing. I compare every mosa' I drink to theirs now!! 

We ordered the Crab Cake Benny and let me tell you that was a fantastic decision to make!! The crab cake was cooked nearly to perfection and with a hint of spice. Not hot enough to need milk, but enough to notice it was there. They also weren't very bready and seemed to mainly be crab. The rested upon a light and airy English muffin with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce that I really didn't notice.

The home fries were good nothing to write home about but a good compliment to the Benny! They also have 2 for 1 margaritas which were pretty tasty to me and relatively simple, but also offered in a variety if flavorings. The waiter assured me it wouldn't knock me flat on my hind region or anything seeing how it's was 11:45am on a Sunday. 

Overall, I would most def return hopefully this weekend. I've already got my menu lined up in my brain. Of course mimosas and this time the French toast covered in a Captain Crunch batter. Yummers. 

Stay hungry my friends. 

Xoxo, 

Ray

Harold's Chicken

First off this place was slightly hard to find and in the middle of no where! When we got there it was pretty slow so we got our food pretty quickly. We ordered a 12 piece chicken wing, fries, and Mac & cheese. It smelled delicious, the wonderful aroma of fried chicken had me more than excited about my food. 

Let's get to the nitty gritty... 

The sauce, I suppose they are famous for it, mainly resembled a sweetened ketchup. I did not use it. 

The Mac was lacking flavor, it was essentially over cooked mushy noodles. The actual cheese part was non existent in my mind other than color. It was yellow!! I added some season salt at home to no avail or increase in flavor. The fries I'm about 90% positive were frozen and fried upon arrival. Again a mushy mess that lacked any resemblance to flavor. I watch a lot of Bar Rescue and Food Network, I know what good fries look like and taste like. Gosh, now I feel like I'm being over critical and we haven't even gotten to the chicken!!! 

The chicken, well it was fried. I can't hit home enough that it was flavorless, everything needs a huge pinch of salt. The texture was nice and crunchy and pretty light batter. I tried the wings with Harold's sauce and my own wing sauce. I didn't finish anything on my plate. That should give you a good enough idea of my overall experience. 

I def think I'll pass on Harold's in the future which saddens me because I was really excited! 

I'm still hungry and I'll still be searching for the best food always.... Stay hungry my friends. 

Xoxo, 

Ray 

Who we are: Ray B.

My name is Ray and I love to eat. I'm not talking fast food chains, I'm talking mom and pop, hole in the wall, diners, dives, and food trucks. Honestly my food journey didn't start until about 2-3 years ago, I'm not a chef, not classically trained, nor can I afford to eat at 5 star restaurants. nonetheless I like food, I will try anything (almost) once. This blog was created as my way to express my views on food and hopefully open up the door for other folks to branch out, eat and more importantly, SHOP LOCAL.

I mean anyone with money or a bank loan can own a franchise, and yes it provides jobs, but those things are everywhere. I admit I will eat Chick-fil-a whenever it is available, the spicy chicken sandwich with that darn pickle and polynesian sauce oh and those waffle fries? I digress...big time.

I plan on uploading info on all the new places I get to eat. Luckily for me moving to Nashville will greatly enhance this experience. I've been here for about 6 months now, I made a list on my phone of all the places I would see that I wanted to try out or recommended to me from locals. I've written notes about almost all of those place and I couldn't keep storing them on my phone. So I'll post them and you can generate your own idea's!!

We will also be launching an instagram account as well as twitter in the coming days.

So sit back and enjoy as A Few Hungry Girls eat the way to happiness!!