2 very different burger experiences

Posted on June 08, 2010 in Burger Debate | 302 Encouraged Comments

The past 2 weeks have been heavenly for a burger lover! The new high-end burger place on 12th South, Burger Up, was quite the experience. The place is packed, and has a line most nights, so my fellow foodie Beth, who is friends with the owner, got us the special long table. We were like the VIPs of the place. Because we had 10 people, that worked out nicely. I was so happy that Thomas, Kelly, Dani, Les, Julia, Beth and Lesley could join me. My cute date was an hour late, so he didn’t eat. I will save that story for the dating side of this blog…..

The atmosphere at Burger Up is great, their drink specials looked fabulous (though pretty pricey) and their menu had quite the selection of burgers. We got right to it and I ordered the Mushroom Swiss burger, because of my weakness for shrooms. On a burger. I paid the extra buck for the truffled fries because Julia and Beth told me I had to. The waiter was great and while we were waiting for our food, I had to get a Yazoo brew. You would be so proud of me for drinking a real beer rather than my usual Miller Lite. Ok, they don’t serve Miller so I went for my second favorite. Burger Up partnered with Yazoo on other menu items, and served Bravo Gelato for dessert. I love a place that supports its local merchants!

So, the burgers were delivered and they all looked amazing. The truffled fries smelled too divine to even describe. Oh, the onion rings were to die for! And all of the condiments are hand made. The bun was light and had almost a ciabatta texture to it. I am a medium rare girl and this burger wasn’t quite rare enough, but it was delicious. The mushrooms were done in a balsamic glaze that went very well with the Gruyere cheese. I could have used a little mayo, but decided to eat it as served. It was a very good burger, but maybe a little too fancy. The mushrooms overpowered the beef, so I couldn’t enjoy the natural flavor. I think I am more of a plain  burger girl, so that is what I will order next time. Oh, there will definitely be a next time. The overall score on Courtenay’s scale of yumminess: excellent.

So, when I started this process, and asked people where the best burger in Nashville was, Brown’s Diner was quite a popular choice. I knew I was going to taste it, but after Kidd told me it was epic or breathtaking or something like that, I had to quickly get in to see what the fuss is all about. I mean, when Kidd Redd tells you to do something, you just do it. We had another big crowd including the regulars, along with Kidd, Kenny and my intern, Ashley. When I say Brown’s is a dive, that hardly describes it. It is a trailer. With old school tables and chairs and a very simple menu. Nothing fancy about this place. At all. But, the burger was fabulous. Good old white bun, plain american cheese, white onion, lettuce and tomato. Just like your grandpa would make at a family BBQ. Scott pointed out that the grease used to cook the  burger was probably 40 years old. That only made it better in my eyes. Overall score on Courtenay’s scale of yumminess: damn good burger. Damn good, I tell you.

Everyone keeps asking me which place has been my favorite so far. Here are my top 3:

#1 Daily Dish #2 Bunganut Pig #3 Brown’s Diner

Yep, Brown’s is that good. And cheap! In the coming weeks, I will visit Twin Kegs, McCabes Pub, Fat Mo’s (we have one in Planet Franklin), Corner Pub, Jackson’s, Halfway Market, and Edgefield Cafe. Yes, my list is getting longer, rather than shorter, but I swear, this is it! No more. Really. Someone else can take over after that….

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