Ugly Mugs

By Darcie
When I moved to Nashville I already knew about Ugly Mugs.  Two of my favorite artists, Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb, would always Tweet about their favorite, local, East Nashville coffee shop, and I knew it was a place I'd like to frequent.

When I made my first visit to Ugly Mugs, it was a blustery fall day, and I was able to sit down and enjoy a crossword puzzle.  The drink I ordered was a "chaider" (a cross between hot apple cider and chai if you couldn't figure that out), and it was delicious.

I think one of the greatest things about Ugly Mugs, though, is its live music.  Every Saturday night at 7:00pm an artist or several artists play, ranging from local favorites to newbies to those traveling through town.  For the price of a cup of joe you can be entertained for the evening.



Ugly Mugs is definitely a great place for coffee and to hang out and feel like you're part of the hip East Nashville community.

Ugly Mugs
1886 Eastland Avenue
M-F 6am-10pm
Sat and Sun 7am-10pm
http://www.uglymugsnashville.com/

The Local Taco

The Local Taco is our go to spot.

Want to go out to eat with someone from out of town? 
Local Taco.
Want to go out to eat after class? 
Local Taco.
Want to sit on a great patio with beautiful candles? 
Local Taco.
Want a unique taco? 
Local Taco.
Want Nashville's best fish taco? 
Local Taco.
Feel like a Southern fried chicken taco? 
Local Taco.
Want a taco that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? 
Local Taco.
Want to get valet parking in the cute Sylvan Park neighborhood? 
Local Taco.

Local Taco is awesome.

Their lemon crema sauce is awesome. And the queso too.  Get them.



We <3 Local Taco.  Enough said.

Mmmm. Mmmmm. Good.

Arnold's Country Kitchen was recommended to us by someone we sat by at Silly Goose (more on that fab place later).  That's not surprising.  All we do is talk about food.


Don't be sketched out by its multi-colored cinder-block exterior.  You will roll out of this joint because your belly will be so full.  Get in line (usually out the door), grab a tray, and shout to Franz what goodness you want heaped on your plate.  PS-Franz is the owner's son.  Nice guy.  Marie tried to set Darcie up with him (but did we mention he looks 17? But that's for a different blog).

Arnold's is a classic meat and three with daily specials like meatloaf, roast beef, chicken and noodles, and other soul soothing comfort foods.  The main courses are great, but their sides are why we come.  Mac and cheese, greens (best ever), fried green tomatoes, and candied yams...  Beware:  you must leave room for dessert because you can't pass up the caramel pie, chess pie, or banana cream pie.  If you don't leave room, you might explode.



PPS-We're not the only ones who think this place is great.  They were featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."

Caramel pie goodness.

Self-explanatory.

  

Marie propping herself up after a huge lunch.

Open Monday-Friday, 10:30-2:30

605 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 256-4455 

O-M-G

Monells.

Darcie had already experienced Monell's dinner when she and Marie happened upon it way too early one Saturday morning.  We were searching for coffee after a 7:00am study session (thanks Mark Wolery), but when Darcie saw Monell's was open, there was no other option in her one-track mind.  Amidst the glistening Christmas lights, we were seated at a beautiful oak table with people who would become our new best friends for the next hour.  On the table were biscuits, their famous peach preserves, carafes of coffee, sweet tea, and juice.  The "pass to the left" was about to begin.  The waiters first served the huge platter of meat -plump sausage, glazed country ham, and the thickest bacon we'd ever seen in our lives.  There were pancakes, baked apples, eggs, potatoes, cheese grits, CORN PUDDING (the best ever), and cinnamon rolls.  Did we mention they served fried chicken?  Yes, fried chicken for breakfast.  By the time dessert came (banana pudding) we needed a nap.

This was one of the most overwhelming wonderful food experiences EVER.  For only $12, we were fed for the whole day (It's true-Darcie couldn't look at food again until the next morning).

Click here for more information.

The goodness

The aftermath

Welcome!

Hi Nashville Food Lovers!

It's your friends Darcie and Marie.  We both came to Nashville a year ago, not knowing what to expect.  We have since realized this city has oppressive heat, giant mosquitoes, great music, and........EXCELLENT FOOD!!!  We are here to rock your taste buds by taking you on a food tour of Nashville.  Expand your palate as we expand our waistline.

Love,
Your friends at Feed Us and Read Us