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Biscuit Love Brunch
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BLT
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Karl and Sarah Worley
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Bloody Mary, Blacklock Hash
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Lindstrom salad
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Biscuit Love Brunch
Including the word 'love” right there in the middle of their name is Karl and Sarah Worley's way of saying it all: They're crazy for biscuits. But the warm fuzzies extend far beyond the brand. During the three seasons they operated their super-successful Biscuit Love Truck, the chef couple gained a fan base of countless smitten followers. When the Worleys announced last spring that they would be putting the 'truck” part of Biscuit Love to bed in order to realize their dreams of a full-service brick-and-mortar restaurant, those followers only clamored for more. Biscuit Love Brunch opened in The Gulch in Januaryand there have been lines out the door ever since.
What to Order What to Order
The Bloody, $8Southern Benny, $10Bill Neal, $14Blacklock Hash, $10Lindstrom, $9Bonuts, $7Transitioning from mobile unit to physical space brought both challenges and rewards, says Sarah.
'Are there days when I miss having it just be [Karl, our daughter Gertie, and I] on the truck together? Of course,” she admits. 'But then we arrive each morning [at the restaurant] and the equipment all works,” she continues with a laugh. 'Plus, there are so many things about the truck that we can apply here.”
The fast-casual setup closely resembles what you'd experience at the truckstand in line to place your order, then wait for the food. But instead of balancing your plate on the nearest flat surface, you can take a seat and relax, preferably with a cocktail like The Bloody, a peppery take on the brunch classic, or the Jubilee G&T, a spin on the gin and tonic with an added splash of grapefruit juice. If there are kids in your party, have them grab a toy or a book out of the bin near the front door and settle in for a proper meal.
The Worleys are usually on hand to offer a friendly hello, a recommendation, or a simple (yet fantastic) cup of coffee. 'One of our biggest fears of moving to a restaurant was not knowing who our customers are,” says Sarah. 'It was what we loved most about the truck.” When they can't be there, their staff acts as their extension. 'We're creating and building the culture,” she says. As for the food, expect the same soulful, Southern goodness.
'We get to stretch a little bit, which is especially fun and freeing for Karl because there are some things he's wanted on the menu forever,” says Sarah.
You'll still find truck staples like the East Nasty (fried chicken and sausage gravy on a biscuit) and the Lindstrom salad (shaved Brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, Parmesan, and lemon juice topped with two poached eggs), but there's also a basic egg plate with a choice of bacon or sausage (request the Chronic Bacon, which is slathered in brown sugar, red pepper, and black pepper before it's fried) and the Bill Neal, an authentic shrimp-and-grits named for the man credited with creating the dish at Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
If you've never tried a Biscuit Love bonut, drop everything and get there now. Made from leftover biscuit dough, the sweet treats are rolled in sugar and served with a lemon curd mascarpone over blueberry compote. It's a dish that Karl made for Sarah the first time they celebrated her birthday as a couple and then became a family tradition. They've also expanded their biscuit menu: There's the original 'angel” recipe, which is a vehicle for sandwiches; buttermilk, which goes with the dishes where the biscuit is a side; and beaten biscuits, which have more of a cracker-like consistency and are served with the ham offerings (more on that in a minute).
Throughout Biscuit Love, you'll find tributes to the Worleys' roots. There are locally produced décor items like the massive metal 'Nashville” sign created by Sideshow Sign Co. and schoolhouse lights constructed by Preservation Station. They've also framed and hung the computer-generated drawings of their original airstream food truck. With its white bricks and soft blue-gray walls, the space feels warm, welcoming, and, well, full of lovewhich is exactly the point. 'I walk into it every day and it feels like home,” says Sarah.
316 11th Ave S; 615-490-9584; biscuitlovebrunch.com