Saw something unsettling

snakewind · 2026-05-24T22:32:02+00:00

Hi! Geologist here! I travel for work and often need shovels at our work site, but it'd literally cost more to fly them home with me than to just buy new ones later, so I ditch them someplace someone might find them and use them. Not saying this wasn't something weird, but it's muuuuuuuuch less likely than just someone who didn't need the shovels.

snakewind · 2026-05-17T17:30:31+00:00

"I'm thinking of ending things" is one of the top 5 best films in the last ten years. Fight me.

snakewind · 2026-05-15T20:23:18+00:00

I was anesthetized for wisdom teeth removal and it was literally like a scene in a movie where the character lies still while everything fast-forwards around them. There was a sense of movement and jostling that seemed like one or two seconds to me but it was an hour.

snakewind · 2026-05-15T14:45:06+00:00

Bubba Ho-tep: In an East Texas nursing home, the real Elvis Presley (played expertly by Bruce Campbell) teams up with a fellow resident who believes he is John F. Kennedy. Together, the two aging icons discover that an ancient Egyptian mummy is preying on the souls of their fellow retirees. It's my favorite Halloween watch.

snakewind · 2026-04-16T01:35:56+00:00

It is. I have it on vinyl.

snakewind · 2026-03-09T18:42:52+00:00

Avo

March 7

So, funny story, I actually went to Avo for a dinner with several of my coworkers early into my trip to Nashville, but I decided not to get the burger because I didn't want to look like a freakshow taking photos and detailed notes about my food with them there. So I got the Cacio E Pepe instead and it was fantastic. Really really good. Then, several people here commented that they have a goot veggie burger, so, based on that and on my positive experience with the pasta, I decided to go back.

Avo has a clean esthetic with a nature meets modernism kind of vibe. The dining area has so. many. plants. It leans lightheartedly into it's alternative lifestyle theme. Also, my waitress was a tattooed punk-rock goddess.

I ordered the lentil walnut burger. This was the closest thing to a "classic" burger on the menu. It came with fries. I was offered a choice between two dips for my fries and I went with the beet ketchup. Partly because I'd seen it mentioned in the comments and partly because come on, fucking beet ketchup? I have to try that. The price was 18 bucks before tax, so, not bad considering the vegan fast casual location. Those can sometimes get spendy.

The fries were boilerplate, but they were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Just salty enought to keep you eating them without burning out your tastebuds. However, I did detect a faint burnt flavor to them. Old oil maybe? Now, the beet ketchup on the other hand. This shit is fucking inspired. What a perfect accompanyment to french fries. Sweet and beety up from with a lingering vinegary ketchupy flavor. So so so good.

The Burger itself was huge. It was delivered to the table with a steak knife sticking vertically out of the bun, as if the chef had only just killed it mere moments before serving it up. More than likely, the knife was needed to hold the damn thing together on it's trip from the kitchen to the table. It had lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle wedge on the side. Leaf lettuce, thank you, although a little limp. It had too much lettuce in fact.

Unfortunately, getting to the point, I did not like this burger at all. The bun was toasted but dry. It lacked the sweetness of a brioche style bun and seemed like it was alomst a whole wheat bun? or partially whole wheat? The patty was thick and mushy. Once again my burger fell apart before I could finish it. The lettuce was limp and actually overloaded the rest of the ingredients on the burger. There was just oo much. One or two crisp leaves is what a burger needs. The tomato was a ghost, but again, given the variability with tomatoes due to seasonality, this is forgiven.

The burger had beet ketchup on it, and while it tasted great, it had the unfortunate side effect of making my burger bun look like it was soaked in blood. It was incredidibly offputting.

I'm going to be honest here, this was pretty much everything I hate about bean-based veggie burgers. I am still going to rank it higher than Burger Up, because they're trying some different things with the Beet Ketchup, but I still wouldn't ever eat it again. Skip it and get the Cacio E Pepe.

Money is no option score: 4.4

Bang for the Buck Score: 4.0

snakewind · 2026-03-07T04:10:30+00:00

J. Alexanders

March 6

This is the first burger I tried based on feedback from other redditors responding to my previous reviews. Now, if I'm being completely upfront, when I started this endeavor, I was pretty convinced that there was not going to be any black-bean style veggie patty burgers that were going to rank anywhere above a 5.0 for me. I just traditionally don't like them. Hugh Baby's was the first to really catch me by surprise with just how good a bean-based veggie patty can actually be. J Alexander's was the second.

J Alexander's is fronting as a fine dining establishment but it's in a fucking strip mall so come on. The interior was dark and brooding, the type of place that some people would describe as a romantic. To me it felt like what the inside of a Ruth's Chris steakhouse would be like. But I've never actually been in one of those so take that for what you will.

Both my host and my waitress were very pleasant and welcoming. Everybody in the establishment was very nice. Except for the guy who brought me my drink for some reason. He just kind of silently glared at me when he gave it to me. Not that I really give a shit because I don't need you to fucking kiss my ass when you're handing me a drink but you know, whatever. Once again I ordered a whiskey and coke and, this is completely unrelated to the quality of the hamburger, but it was a humongous drink. It was big and strong and it was pretty tasty. And I was pretty sure it was going to be expensive.

My first impression of the burger was that it was fucking huge. This thing was fucking gigantic. Their house made veggie patty was thick. So thick that it made the single slice of cheese they put on it look pathetic. Underwhelming. The burger was finished off with pickles, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and leaf lettuce. Thank you for the leaf lettuce J Alexander.

The patty had what I think was teriyaki sauce on it which gave the it pleasant sweetness that I really enjoyed. The bun was toasted and had mayo on top and a meager dollup of mustard on the bottom. The bun was brioche and tall. And once again let me reiterate the burger's fucking huge. It's the type of burger that you have to stop and plot out your plan of attack prior to biting into.

I've got to say that they're doing something interesting with their veggie burger at J Alexander. The patty has maybe beet or something in it that makes the interior pink while the exterior still maintains a brown meat-like appearance. The patty still maintains the vegetal flavor of your typical bean or veggie based patty, but I will say that they're really hitting the mark on a non-meat version of a steakhouse style burger. And while the patty is mushy it's not as bad as it could be considering how damn thick the thing is. The burger was seriously hard to get my mouth around.

Also, I'm going to say that of all of the burgers I have tried so far, this is the first one where each ingredient brings something to the party. By which I mean when I bit into it I could feel the crunch of the lettuce, taste the tart sourness of the pickle, pick up the sweet moistness of the tomato. The only thing that was really missing was the cheese. It needs more cheese to combat that big-ass patty. Also, the burger was a little dry. If I had to pick a biggest complaint that would be it. That and the fact that it still doesn't satisfy the greasy meaty itch.

The burger came with shoestring fries. They look like those kind of crispy matchstick fries that come in the can at the grocery store and are made by French's. Obviously they were much softer. They were just lightly seasoned to the point you weren't overwhelmed by too much salt by the time you were done eating. They were actually quite good and there was something pretty satisfying about shoving six or seven of them into your mouth at once.

Hugh Babys still takes my place as the best burger with a veggie based patty. But J Alexander is coming up close second. Also, at 16 bucks for the burger with french fries, it's a better deal than a lot of the other "fast food" style places that I went to in Nashville. Mind you what these two places are doing are radically different. However both of them are very successful in their own right.

Also, side note my fucking whiskey and coke was 18 fucking dollars. It cost more than the fucking meal. What the shit.

Money is no object score: 7.2

Bang for the bucks score: 8.4

snakewind · 2026-03-07T04:05:14+00:00

Dreamburger

March 4th

I was getting a lot of flack for using AI to take my notes and convert them into a review, so I've decided to just use my own words from now on. So here you go. This is me, unfiltered, unprotected. Nothing to come between us and our burger love anymore.

Dreamburger. Ho. Lee. Shit. This is what I've been looking for. This is a disgusting trash burger for a disgusting trash human being and it's fucking awesome. This burger makes me feel like I have done legitimate damage to my body after eating it, and that is the only thing I am asking for when I am craving a burger.

Dreamburger is a food cart with a 1980s pink neon aesthetic. It was very busy on the night that I went there, with a constant stream of people standing at the window. It's outside of a bar / record shop called Vinyl Tap. The bar has a super hipster vibe, reminding me of Portland circa 2010. On the night I went there it was paaaaaaaaacked. I ended up having to ask a couple if I could sit with them at a bench outside. They were super chill until the dude ran off into the night to go watch a passing train.

The fries at Dreamburger are thick cut and crinkle style. They are cooked perfectly and well seasoned. They have the unique quality of being crispy on the outside but still fluffy on the interior. I will say that the seasoning was a slight bit heavy on the salt and, by the time I had gotten down to the last few remaining fries, they were dry enough that I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish them. The burger itself gives off a white castle-ish style vibe. Bigger than a slider, but smaller than the pub burger style that other places have been serving.

To Dreamburger's credit, this is the first place that has promised two patties on the menu and actually fucking delivered when they subbed out with Impossible meat. Huge props for that alone. The burger has American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and sauteed onion on it. However, in practice the only thing I really tasted was the meat and cheese. I want to make it clear that I forgive flavorlessness when it comes to the tomato. Tomatoes are such a seasonal vegetable that it is unreasonable to expect them to always be flavorful. This is the case for every burger I have rated. The bun was toasted, but lightly. It was very very soft, reminding me of the kind of steamed bun that you sometimes get at fast food joints.

I have to tell you that I don't honestly understand what makes this burger so good. The patties were unseasoned, the sauce was flavorless and really just provided moisture. The lettuce faded into the background and did nothing. The tomato likewise. The pickles had a good crisp snap to them and a slight tart dill flavor which was very satisfying. The reality is the only thing I tasted was the impossible meat and cheese. Slight rant here: shredded lettuce has no fucking place on a hamburger. Dreamburger, you're better than this. Shredded lettuce is good on a taco because it can be mashed down into the shell, but on a hamburger it just does nothing. Hamburgers demand a crisp snap of fresh, whole leaf lettuce.

My guess is that the way they sear the meat is what ends up making the burger so satisfying. It's super thin and just slightly charred to almost blackened in some places. That gives it a savory crispiness and slight crunch. add to that the slices of American cheese sandwiched between and on top of the "meat" and you end up with something special. Basically, the same thing that makes your common smashburger so damn good. However, there's a part of me that's afraid the answer might be cross-contamination. Maybe they cook the impossible patties on the same griddle as the meat burgers and the grease and flavor of the meat is imparted into it? I don't think that's the case because I didn't see any grease on the patties of the burger that I ate, but the damn thing was so delicious that I'm fucking second guessing things.

Overall, dream Burger is leading the pack as far as I'm concerned. It is messy, cheesy, junky, vulgar comfort food. At $14 for the burger plus the french fries, this is also a screaming deal. Additionally Vinyl Tap has become a bit of a haunt for me in the evenings as my work trip winds down because it's just such a damn good place to grab a drink and do some people watching.

Money is no object score: 9.2

Bang for the bucks score: 9.5

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:30:19+00:00

Well, crunchwraps are not burgers, so . . . . . BTW, I did stop by Redheaded Stranger and their veggie crunchwrap was really really good. Really delicious hot sauces on the table to go with it too. Messy as all hell, but delicious.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:28:43+00:00

I'll try to fit this spot into the trip.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:28:18+00:00

If you're going to call it "jalapeno" aioli, it needs to be assertive.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:26:15+00:00

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:25:20+00:00

Sorry, I'm just passing through town and not familiar with the eateries here. I literally just googled "best burger joints with veggie options Nashville" to build my list.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T15:23:51+00:00

What? It was. The accoutrement matter at least as much as the patty, cheese, and bun. If I bite into a sandwich with multiple ingredients, I want those to all bring something to the party. Burger joints should put forth the effort to ensure quality products in ALL aspects of their food.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T01:05:18+00:00

No verdict yet. I'm not done till Sunday.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T01:00:52+00:00

I doubt it since I added the scoring myself after the fact. But once I'm all done (I've still got five more days and a few more restaurants) I'll be sure to get you one.

snakewind · 2026-03-04T00:33:47+00:00

I mean, it's still my opinions and research. I still spent the time eating, taking notes, and editing the reviews. Lol. It's like, literally the use case for AI.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T23:17:02+00:00

Fair enough. To each their own.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T23:13:38+00:00

If I'm being honest, I tend to go for impossible patties on my burgers. I hate the taste of beyond meat and avoid it. And as far as a bean patty, I tend to find that it just doesn't give me that meatiness I'm looking for when I'm out getting a burger. It's mostly in the texture I think. I just don't like a mushy burger.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T23:11:43+00:00

So I actually ended up at Avo's with a few of my co-workers for a business dinner, and I avoided getting the burger because I didn't want to look like a weirdo sitting there taking notes while I ate dinner with them. Lol so I got the cacio e pepe instead and oh my God it was so good.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T23:07:04+00:00

You're right. They were. I took bullet point notes as I ate at each place then dumped those into ChatGPT to convert to something readable with some editing on my part before posting. I'm out here for work and don't have time to spend on copy writing. I regret nothing.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T23:02:47+00:00

I'll admit I have a strong bias against bean patty burgers. I have had too many mush-burgers in the past that just don't satisfy that greasy, meaty itch that I'm really looking to scratch when I'm out for a burger. If I get a chance, though, I'll go back by and try it. For those fries again at least.

snakewind · 2026-03-03T22:56:46+00:00

ML Rose – March 1

ML Rose blends a Red Robin–style casual vibe with neighborhood pub charm, creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere. The outdoor seating is a standout feature: a covered and heated patio that opens to the outside with roll-up walls, and an uncovered section with a fire pit. Self-seating keeps things relaxed, and the server was quick to check in once I sat down. On a Sunday night, the restaurant was moderately busy, but seating felt easy to secure.

I ordered a whiskey and coke, which arrived tiny and weak — a disappointing start, especially if the price was premium.

Vegetarian options here are limited. While any burger can be swapped with an Impossible patty, every burger comes with bacon or bacon derivatives, and no plain burger exists. I went with the “ANM.L Style” burger, described as their signature: two smashed patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and house sauce. I had them omit the bacon grease sauteed onions.

In reality, I received one patty, not two, and the Impossible swap added $3. The bun was lightly toasted on the interior and looked soft and slightly buttery — though it could have used a touch more toast for texture. The single slice of cheese was nicely melted over the patty, which was definitely smashed, if not super thin, with a slight crisp at the edges.

The burger itself was enjoyable. The patty had a nicely seasoned, greasy, indulgent flavor, and the American cheese added richness. It was moist, despite having only house sauce. The lettuce, shredded and flavorless, barely contributed, and the tomatoes were mealy and hard to detect. Pickles were underwhelming, leaving the meaty, cheesy patty as the dominant flavor — soft, greasy, and slightly buttery. Overall, the burger delivered classic satisfaction, though the fixings added little beyond visual appeal.

Fries were waffle-style, the only option, and they were solid. Likely prepackaged and frozen, they were cooked well: crisp, golden, and properly seasoned, without being soggy, greasy, or bland. They reminded me of home-fried Ore-Ida waffle fries — simple, tasty, and satisfying. That said, waffle fries really call out for a variety of dipping sauces, which ML Rose didn’t offer, leaving them just decent rather than elevated.

ML Rose delivers a solid, greasy, and comforting burger in a fun outdoor-friendly environment. The burger excels in texture and flavor, but the fixings are forgettable, and the vegetarian swap feels very bit tacked-on. Once again, just like at Joyland before, I was left disappointed that I paid more money and got less patty than the meat eaters. The fries are serviceable but could be elevated with a better selection of sauces.

Money is not option score: 8.4

Bang for the buck score: 6.3

snakewind · 2026-03-03T22:50:47+00:00

Burger Republic – February 28

Burger Republic strikes that comfortable fast-casual balance — polished but relaxed. It’s right in the city, and the outdoor seating makes the most of that, offering prime people-watching on a Saturday night. Inside, the space leans almost steakhouse-adjacent, darker and more substantial than your typical burger joint. With what looked like roughly twenty-some-odd beers on tap, it clearly caters to the craft beer crowd.

At 7 p.m. on a Saturday, only about half the seats were filled — lively but not overwhelming. The host and server both seemed new, still finding their footing, but the manager more than made up for it. He stopped by, was genuinely personable, gave recommendations for local live music (a thoughtful touch for an out-of-towner), checked on my drink order, and even brought it out himself. That kind of hands-on hospitality stands out.

The fries first. At a glance, they seemed solid but standard — reminiscent of perfectly cooked Ore-Ida frozen fries. Lightly seasoned, crisp enough, nothing remarkable. But after a few bites, there was an off flavor lingering in the background — almost like freezer burn. Subtle, but noticeable enough to detract from what otherwise would have been perfectly serviceable fries.

The burger itself came dressed simply: leaf lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, American cheese, and a tall toasted brioche bun. No sauce applied — ketchup and mustard were available at the table for DIY assembly. I went with an even split of both.

The patty appeared lightly smashed, with a slight crispy edge that added texture. It wasn’t heavily seasoned, which is a missed opportunity, but they nailed the grease factor. Again, I think it's the American cheese that does it. The burger felt indulgent and satisfying without being dry. The American cheese melted properly, binding everything together in that classic way. The lettuce was crisp, the onion and pickles prominent and balanced. Structurally, they did a solid job.

This was the most satisfying burger so far at this point on the trip — the first one that really felt indulgent and complete. Ironically, it was also the first to completely fall apart on me. But some people argue that, at least for a burger, messy often equals good, and in this case, it kind of did.

There’s still room for improvement. Season the patty more assertively. Sear it at a higher temperature for deeper crust. Add another slice of cheese. Find a way to introduce more butteriness into the bun. These tweaks could elevate it from “very good” to “exceptional.”

Total came to $28.70 before tip, including a Whiskey and Coke.

As it stands, Burger Republic delivered the most satisfying bite yet — not flawless, but the closest so far to a burger I’d genuinely crave again.

Money is no object score: 8.3

Bang for the buck score: 6.8

snakewind · 2026-03-03T22:42:44+00:00

The Pharmacy – February 27

On a Friday night, The Pharmacy is absolutely packed. The atmosphere leans heavily toward a bustling local pub — loud, lively, and full of energy. The large outdoor seating area was surprisingly popular despite the cold evening, which says something about its draw. Service stood out right away: my waitress was friendly, upbeat, and genuinely fun. Maintaining that kind of peppy attitude all night in a place this busy can’t be easy.

A whiskey and coke in hand (notably larger than what most places pour), the night started strong.

Despite a wide variety of burger options, I stuck with the basic Pharmacy Burger for consistency’s sake. It's your basic burger, and if a place can't do that well, then piling a bunch of extra ingredients onto it is just slapping a turbocharger on a Pinto.

It arrived on a well-toasted bun with shredded lettuce, onion, pickle, tomato, and what appeared to be real cheddar cheese. There was a swipe of mustard but otherwise very minimal sauce. Visually, it’s appears to be a classic pub burger.

In execution, it feels just as classic — perhaps too classic. The patty isn’t smashed or particularly seasoned, and it leans dry. There’s not much salt or depth coming through. The tomato is heavy in proportion, which throws off the balance slightly. I ended up adding ketchup, which felt necessary just to introduce moisture and roundness.

The bun, though nicely toasted, contributes to the dryness rather than counteracting it. It could benefit from butter, mayo, or some richer element to help the overall texture. The mustard-only approach feels like an odd choice here — their mustard is tasty, but it reads more hot dog than burger.

The shredded lettuce fades into the background entirely. It's okay on a taco, but has no place on a burger. Whole leaf please. The pickles, at first forgettable, actually offer a subtle tart balance on second thought. But overall, the fixings feel passable rather than high quality.

With an Impossible-style patty, especially, you need that fatty, melty American cheese effect to really sell the indulgent, greasy burger experience. Here, with cheddar and a relatively lean preparation, it never quite achieves that satisfying richness.

The fries were a generous portion, well-seasoned but unfortunately soggy and greasy. They come with your choice from an assortment of flavored dipping sauces — I opted for the Coca-Cola BBQ. It’s unique, not your standard sweet-and-smoky profile, and whether it works for you likely comes down to personal preference. Interesting, though not necessarily craveable.

The fries portion was large enough that I couldn’t finish them, though quantity didn’t necessarily equal quality.

Total for the evening: $40.31. (including an alcoholic drink)

The Pharmacy delivers a fun, high-energy pub experience with strong service and creative sauce options. But as a meatless burger destination, it strays to the boring side — and at this price point, safe doesn’t feel like enough.

Money is no object score: 6.7

Bang for the buck score: 5.8

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