Red Door Saloon

People have told me they love the Red Door Saloon.  I think they're liars.  I think they might get free drinks.  I think they have a lower, more base understanding of what love is.  One cannot love a bar that has potentially the worst service in the CST.  I'm not Kidding.

From the outside Red Door looks like a creative upgrade for an older house, that at some point in the not too distant past was falling apart.  The patio looks inviting, and on occasion it can offer some fantastic sunsets (try early April).  Inside it has an over the top style decoration theme going, you can almost imagine the decorator thinking 'I need more old-timey beer ads to hang up.'  The bar top itself is the laminated penny variety, very cool and somewhat trendy.   But after all that you run into the major problem with this bar.  You must be THIS COOL to order a beer.

I've never been a fan of businesses that act like I should kiss their ass to get moderately decent service, and I baulk at the idea of puckering for someone who is going to ignore me for 5 minutes no matter how much money I'm waving in their face.  Such is the case at the Red Door Saloon.  It is in the end, a bar for the bartenders friends, a who's who of the East Elite, and overall a poor place to get beer.  If it's hot dogs you want, there is a better option right around the corner.

Worth the Call-In:  Not an Option

Worth the Walk:  On Buy 1 Get 1 Night (but plan on waiting)

Worth the Drive:  Not unless you are on a Harley.

Pizzereal

  To be fair I have not invested the money to eat here more than just once...however once was enough to let me know that no amount of front lawn upgrades would persuade me to invest again.  Ordering a pizza to go is one step up from microwaving your own, and I was therefore surprised with the length of time and seeming effort it took to make this happen. 

  On this particular night they appeared understaffed despite the fact that there were only two full tables, a 3 top and 5 top.  As someone who has worked many a food and beverage position it was hard to manifest sympathy while being repeatedly ignored.  Still, service not withstanding, the smell issuing forth from kitchen promised that the wait would be worth it.  Again I was disappointed.

  Have you ever had the cardboard pizza at an 80's Roller skating rink?  It was a culinary delight of my youth to win the speed race and get your free Roller Kingdom pizza.  Part of it was the power....who do I share this with?  Who do I grace with my favor?  But by far the best part was being able to gorge yourself without parental approval, since most of us were dropped off in an informal daycare manner on Saturdays.  We were undiscerning gluttons back then, but times have changed.  The nostalgia not withstanding, the simple half pepperoni half cheese pizza was possibly in my top 3 worst of all time.

  Disclaimer:  I have never dined in at Pizzereal, the duo running the place seemed friendly enough, but too busy to give everyone the attention they needed, and I did not get a chance to try the Kabob.  Is that strange to anyone besides me?  How does one go about focusing on Pizza and Kabobs?   

Rating:

Worth the Call-In:  Maybe

Worth the Walk: NO

Worth the Drive:  Definitely Not

Dine The East

East Side living has become increasingly fashionable and desirable, but what about the Food Scene across the Cumberland? Do you still have to drive into town to get your favorite dish or drink? Are there any restaurants without drive-through windows in East Nashville? Are they worth the drive or the walk? This blog aims to seek out the highs and lows of the culinary scene in Nashville's fair East Side. Hope you Enjoy.