Bobbie’s Dairy Dip and an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social

Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, located on Charlotte Avenue in Nashville, is the embodiment of small town American charm. Multicolored light bulbs and a shiny, metallic American flag banner outline the long-established drive-up burger joint and ice cream stand, lending the distant yet familiar nostalgia of the good old days – the ones that passed long before I was born. The long line of customers enduring the heat of the pavement in front of the sliding glass window entices passers-by to ditch their air-conditioned cars and join the crowd.

Bobbie’s Dairy Dip has been serving up burgers, fries, hot dogs, milkshakes, soft-serve ice cream, floats, banana splits, hot fudge cake sundaes, and the like to Nashvillians and tourists for over fifty years. Now that’s a long time; at least it is to a young’un like me. In my opinion, this is a “must try at least once” for anyone who lives in the Nashville area and loves ice cream. Though the place has gotten a few negative reviews on Citysearch, my experience at Bobbie’s was quite swell.

Our little trip to Bobbie’s was for their summer Ice Cream Social, featuring folksy-type artists Caitlin Rose, James Wallets, Sawgrass, and Danger and The Steel Cut Oats. A note on the music: it was intimate and entertaining. Caitlin Rose was quirky and cute, wearing an oversized sweatshirt (she told us not to ask why), side ponytail, and giant red sunglasses. Sawgrass was a pleasure. And Danger and the Steel Cut Oats ended the whole show with an audience participation version of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” that sent them into the crowd as we all sang a cappella, swaying back and forth with cell phones in the air, while cars drove by, most likely gawking and mouthing “WTF?”

The weather was nice and there weren’t any annoying children, so we didn’t mind waiting in the long, long line. For dinner, I ordered a regular cheeseburger and then shared an order of onion rings and an order of fries with a friend. We ordered their sweet potato fries, but they gave us the regular kind. This was my one big complaint for the evening. We decided we didn’t want to wait any longer to have the order changed and just went with it. The wait to hear our names called at the pick-up window was a bit long for standing in line, but I guess that just means that our burgers were made to order and hadn’t been sitting under a bacteria-multiplying heat lamp for who knows how long. If you order anything that has to be cooked, this is not fast food. Our friends who had all ordered grilled cheeses were finished eating before our burgers and fries arrived at the pick-up window.

Once our order was served, we headed over to the brightly colored picnic tables to enjoy the food and the music. We shared our table with total strangers who then became friends, further enhancing the small town feel. After reading reviews online, I didn’t expect much from my burger, but it did exceed expectations (though they were pretty small to begin with). It wasn’t small or dry like others have experienced (granted, this was a special occasion). In fact, I found it pretty homemade-ish, like it just came off the old charcoal grill in the backyard and placed on a quite lovely sesame seed bun. Of course, it’s not going to be a gourmet burger. This is a burger stand, not a five-star restaurant. It tasted like a burger from a burger stand – somewhere between McDonald’s and I guess your casual dining establishment of choice. The fries (though not the ones we actually ordered) ended up being sparse and only so-so, but the onion rings were delish. I love onion rings.

When the line had thinned, our food had disappeared into our bellies, and the fabulously quirky Caitlin Rose had finished her set, we headed back to the walk-up window to order our ice cream – the thing we really came for. To be honest, I can’t tell you exactly what all was on the menu (the usual ice cream shop stuff: shakes, sundaes, and of course, dips) because once I saw the Heath Bar Swirlie, a generous amount of crushed Heath Bar chunks mixed into rich, creamy soft-serve ice cream, I stopped looking. Ever since the Sonic (a major part of my small-town adolescence) quit serving their Heath Bar Blasts in favor of the fluffy, not quite as good Butterfinger Blast, I have been missing it something terrible. And Bobbie’s brought it back to me. Ah … it was a sweet, sweet reunion.

As I said, I would recommend Bobbie’s Dairy Dip to anyone (except for maybe hardcore dieters, as I don’t recall seeing any salads on the menu). So drive on over to 5301 Charlotte Avenue, park your car, walk on up to the slide-glass window, and get yourself some rich, fattening, marvelous ice cream. It’s what they’re know for. The rest of the menu is just there in case you get hungry. I hope I make it back before they close up for the winter. I seriously need to try one of those milkshakes and indulge in a ginormous hot fudge cake sundae. I’ve also heard the Banana Boat is a “must have,” but I don’t like bananas.

Must haves: anything from the sweet treats portion of the menu. The Heath Bar Swirlie is perfection, and the hot fudge cake sundae comes highly recommended, as does the Banana Boat.

Could have done without it: The ice cream melted pretty quickly in the sun, and the fries were nothing special. I’d skip those and pick the onion rings instead.

What makes it special: its nostalgic charm. Plus, it’s been around so long, you can almost say it’s a historic landmark … or at least a part of Nashville history.

Know before you go: There are no restrooms, so keep that in mind. And Bobbie’s does take plastic now, so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have cash.

Parking: Parking can be a little tight, but they do have a few drive-up spaces.

Price: $1-10

Website: myspace.com/bobbiesdairydip

Phone: (615) 463-8088

Address: 5301 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209-3001

Hours: Open late April through late October

Monday: 11am-7pm (kitchen close 7pm)

Tuesday-Thursday: 11am-9pm (kitchen close 8:30pm)

Friday-Saturday: 11am-10pm (kitchen close 9:30pm)

Sunday: 12pm-9pm (kitchen close 8:30pm)

Address 5301 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209-3001

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Free Root Beer Floats from A&W

So yesterday, A&W Restaurants across the U.S. gave away free root beer floats. Who doesn’t love root beer floats? Moreover, who doesn’t love free? Of course I, along with Kim, headed over to the Cool Springs A&W / KFC after my hour long kickboxing class at the Cool Springs YMCA to partake in the FREE ice creamy, root beery goodness. All through kickboxing class, all I could think about was how all this hard calorie-burning work was going to be so worth it because of the guilt-free root beer float that was soon to follow.

I was practically salivating when we got to the counter. We ordered KFC popcorn chicken and requested our free root beer floats. Yum, yes? Uh … no. The root beer was not only warm, but it was also flat, and not just root beer flat … really flat. I didn’t even finish it. And I was super thirsty from a long, hot workout. On top of all that, the whole place was kind of gross. There were flies attacking the buffet. I would not recommend the Cool Springs A&W to anyone. I would probably only go back if they were offering free floats again in hopes of undoing the damage caused to my taste buds.

Oh, A&W, why do you have to entice me with your promises of sweet root beer float goodness only to disappoint me so? Why? Why?

A picture of false promises and shattered dreams … sigh

MAFIAoZA’s Pizzeria and Neighborhood Pub: You’re Gonna Love It … OR ELSE – Nashville’s 12South District

When you sit down to open your MAFIAoZA’s menu, you are welcomed with the following greeting:

Welcome to MAFIAoZA’S and welcome to “The Family“. Please make yourselves at home and let us know if you have any special requests. We make all of our food from scratch, so fugetaboutit. Please let your server know if you have any food allergies and we’ll be accommodating to the best of our ability. Remember, you’re one of The Family now!

And the Italian mafia theme does not stop there. Keep reading, and you’ll find an appetizer called Chicken DOA and pastas with names like The Mark, The Enforcer, Ol’ Blue Eyes, and The Tuscan Kiss. For the most part, it’s all traditional Italian fare, from the bruschette and ravioli sticks to the tiramisu and gelato. Other than the kitschy names, however, I can’t tell you much about the pastas and entrees. Our little group of six came to MAFIAoZA’s for the beer and pizza.

At MAFIAoZA’s, the beer is served in Mason jars. And in their own words, the “Pizza Pies are made with the blessing of The Don himself. We make the ingredients from scratch here at MAFIAoZA’s.” Continuing with the mafia theme, the New York style pizza pies are aptly named: The Associate, The Last Request, The Fall Guy, The Irate Italian, The Greek, The Scarface, The Fed, The Long Vacation, The Teamster, Brother Fredo, The Informant, The Dolan, and Brass Knuckles Pizza. The pizza is cooked in stone ovens, visible from the dining area, and offers some atypical ingredients – artichoke, shrimp, blue cheese, BBQ chicken, scallops, meatballs, eggplant, capicolla ham, sun dried tomato, and portobello mushrooms.

We decided on The Long Vacation (For the few who might have to get away: pineapple, ham, and mozzarella cheese) and The Scarface (You are gonna love our little friend! capicolla ham, salami, pepperoni, and Italian sausage). The pizza was decent, not the best I’ve ever had, but better than your average pizza delivery joint. For an appetizer, we had the bruschette, pretty good. Then there was tiramisu for dessert, which was a little too soggy for my taste, but still all right.

MAFIAoZA’s offers an extensive wine list and an assortment of beers and spirits. It’s a nice spot for a post-workday happy hour with both an indoor and an outdoor bar. There is also a large outdoor patio for those interested in enjoying nice weather and outdoor scenery. Specials include Two For One Tuesday (2 for 1 drinks and beer, all day and night, and 2 for 1 pizza slices until 9PM.) Happy Hour is Wednesday-Friday 4pm-7pm. Catering is also available.

What makes MAFIAoZA’s fun is the atmosphere. It’s a great place to meet up with friends, especially if you are able to make reservations for the pimptastic mafia table. I would recommend MAFIAoZA’s for anyone wanting a place to hang out and have fun. It is low-key and (for the most part) family friendly. But you would still fit in if you came “dressed to kill” (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). I would not recommend MAFIAoZA’s to anyone who thinks the mafia theme is passé or who is offended by Italian American stereotyping a la The Sopranos. I will admit that as a word nerd, I was entertained by the mafia-themed wordplay. However, to some, it becomes real old, real fast.

Must have items: Well, their specialty is pizza, and my suggestion is The Scarface, but I recommend it more because I like the name, rather than for its intrinsic value. I’ve also heard good things about The Mark.

Could have done without it: Tiramisu – I’ve had better, homemade

What makes it special: If I told you, I’d have to kill you.

Know before you go: Two-for-one slices, drinks and beer are offered all day on Tuesdays, and two-for-one drafts are all day on Sundays.

Parking: There is a parking lot.

Price: $$

Web site: http://www.mafiaozas.com/nashville

Address: 2400 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Phone: (615) 269-4646

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 4pm-3am; Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3am

Address 2400 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

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Las Paletas gourmet popsicles – Nashville’s 12South District

On a beautiful spring outing at Sevier Park in Nashville’s 12South District, I was introduced to one of the city’s many hidden treasures – Las Paletas gourmet popsicles. When someone in our little group of Frisbee throwers, bubble blowers, and kite fliers suggested, “Hey, let’s all go get popsicles,” I thought to myself: Sure, why not? I’ll tag along. I’m not a huge popsicle fan. In fact, I’ve even been known to turn down a free popsicle every now and then. But I was feeling adventurous and decided to try it. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

Las Paletas is located in the art-deco style Cypress Building on the northwest corner of 12th Ave South and Kirkwood, just across the street from Sevier Park. The inside is very minimalistic, with a small counter, a couple of ice cream cases filled with the delicious treats, and an old school blackboard where the flavors of the day are listed. Since there is no sign on the building, Las Paletas can be hard to find. But once you’ve experienced the pure popsicle joy that is Las Paletas, you’re sure never to forget it.

A paleta is a Latin American ice pop usually made from fresh fruit and most often sold by street vendors. Here’s a little Spanish lesson for you: The name comes from palo, or “stick,” and the diminutive ending –eta, referencing the little flat stick frozen into each item. The stores, carts, and kiosks where they are sold are known as paleterías, and the sellers are called paleteros.

At Las Paletas, you will find what many call the best gourmet popsicles in town. These are not you’re your ordinary sticky, syrupy, artificial fruit flavored popsicles. For these homemade ice pops, only all natural ingredients are used. They come in unique flavors like chocolate wasabi, honeydew, blackberry lime, tamarind with chili, hibiscus, strawberry coconut, and pineapple blueberry. The flavors can change from day to day, and the popsicles come in two basic varieties: creamy paletas and fruit paletas. Both are equally delicious.

The two flavors I tried were the creamy strawberry coconut and the fruity blackberry lime. My personal preference leans toward the creamy variety, but both were awesomely delish. I would recommend Las Paletas to EVERYONE. At $2.50 a pop, this place is a definite must try. Be careful, though, you may be like me and develop a popsicle craving where none existed before.

Must have items: anything, everything, as long as you just try it

Could have done without it: the long line, but that just goes to show how popular these icy treats are

What makes it special: Where else are you going to find a gourmet popsicle?

Know before you go: Since there’s no sign on the building, it’s important to know exactly where you are going before you try to find the place. And bring cash; they don’t take the plastic.

Parking: There is an adequately sized lot. And if you happen to be at Sevier Park when your popsicle craving hits, it’s an easy walk from the park.

Price: $

Web site: http://www.wheresthesign.com

Address: 2907 12th Ave S Nashville, TN 37204

Phone: (615) 386-2101

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 12pm-7pm

Marché Artisan Foods – East Nashville

Since the lovely Britt S. was part of the inspiration for this little project, naturally it would make sense to write about her birthday brunch for my first post. Last Saturday, the day of Miss Britt’s birth, several twenty-something locals gathered at Marché Artisan Foods for a lovely birthday brunch.

Marché (a French word meaning “marketplace”) is a European-style cafe and marketplace specializing in brunch but also serving breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. With large, weathered farmhouse tables and wicker chairs, the atmosphere of Marché reminds me of Sunday dinner on my great grandmother’s back porch. The market area stocks specialty items in pastoral wooden cabinets, and diners who want to order at the counter can claim seats at one of the large rustic communal tables nearby. Two steps down, in the full-service dining room, you’ll find marble-topped tables with natural light streaming through two walls of floor to ceiling windows, giving the look of a Parisian sidewalk café brought indoors.

Marché is the epitome of shabby chic – the perfect place for a Bridesmaids’ brunch or an afternoon croissant and café au lait with your best girlfriends. Though Marché is a little on the girlie side, it wasn’t too terribly frou-frou for the guys in our diverse group. However, one of them did end up eating a sandwich from another establishment afterwards, as the Marché menu was not quite as filling as he would have liked. The dining room is small and intimate, but larger groups can be accommodated if a reservation is made.

Marche’ has separate menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menus also vary seasonally. Selections include breads, pastries, cheeses, French toast, soups, salads, omelets, sandwiches, quiches, and crêpes. Desserts include crème brûlée, yogurt with fresh berries, biscotti, and a selection of cookies, tarts, cakes, and pastries. Specialty drink selections include mimosa, sangria, a marvelous café au lait, and a choice of wines.

While waiting on our entire group to arrive, I sipped on café au lait, which was served in a large bowl-like cup atop a little white saucer. The natural sugar available at the table added just the right amount of sweetness. For brunch, I had a small bowl of house made granola with vanilla yogurt (a favorite of mine) and a fruit cup that included pineapple, grapes, and strawberries. The granola and yogurt was delicious (best I’ve ever eaten), and the fruit cup was definitely fresh.

For the guys, I would recommend the croissant French toast, topped with Vermont maple syrup and powdered sugar, and a side of chicken sausage. I was able to sample my husband’s, and it was delish. I don’t usually like French toast, but I quite enjoyed Marché’s version. The difference for me was that it was made from a croissant as opposed to toasted bread. It was crispy, not soggy. As for the chicken sausage, which I have never tasted before, it was a large link sausage, and I have to say that I’m a fan.

There was also a vegetarian with our group. There were several vegetarian menu items available, and she settled on an omelet with tomato, onion, and peppers. She did, however, have to send it back to be remade because the original omelet brought to her contained chicken. Other than that, the service was pretty average – no grand atrocities, but nothing special, either.

Marché is a place that I would love to revisit, especially since I didn’t get a chance to sample any of the beautiful desserts. I could only hope that they tasted as good as they looked. I would recommend Marché to anyone who is looking for a light, café style brunch (breakfast and lunch as well). As I said earlier, it does lean more toward the girlie side, but your husband, boyfriend, father, etc. won’t complain too much if you bring him along. The setting is perfect for a stylish Bridesmaids’ brunch, a casual Sunday lunch, an afternoon gabfest with your besties, a Mother’s Day indulgence, ladies who lunch. I would not recommend Marché for date night, a Super Bowl party, your husband’s birthday, or anything that predominately involves males. Hint to guys, this is a great place to take your lady for brunch if you want to show her that you have a sweet, romantic side.

Café au lait

Croissant French toast with chicken sausage

House made granola with vanilla yogurt and a fruit cup

Must have items: café au lait, croissant French toast

Could have done without it: Sangria

What makes it special: shabby-chic atmosphere, French-inspired menu

Know before you go: If you have a large group, it’s best to make a reservation. Everything on the menu is available for take-out. There is also a large selection of marketplace items for your pantry if you abhor corporate supermarkets.

Parking: There is an adequately sized lot across the street – no parking fee.

Price: $

Web site: www.marcheartisanfoods.com

Phone: 615.262.1111

Address: 1000 Main Street, East Nashville, TN 37206

Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 8am – 9pm (Dinner served 5-9pm); Saturday Brunch: 8am – 4pm;Sunday Brunch: 9am – 4pm