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These days, with the proliferation of steakhouses, sushi bars, bagel shops, pizzerias, and more across our city, it gives credence to the adage: More is better. We agree. More choices mean an increase in variety. An embarrassment of riches.
Case in point: these two recently opened burger joints, Cledis on 8th Avenue South and NADC in the Arcade. Both have their distinct and delicious styles, proof that there are endless ways to enjoy America’s favorite handheld. Check them out.
Cledis
719 8th Ave. S., Nashville
(615) 621-2189
There’s a lot to love about this family-owned restaurant. After achieving his goals as an award-winning pitmaster at HoneyFire BBQ, Shane Nasby turned his attention to making the best smash burgers and doing it with heart.
Named after his grandfather, Cledis Nolan, who was a generous-spirited restaurateur, Cledis has a mission not only to serve a mouthwatering array of burgers, fries, wings, and brews, but also to feed people experiencing homelessness in partnership with People Loving Nashville on the last Monday of each month.
Nasby opened his third Cledis in The Gulch, in the former Party Fowl location, decorated with fun, campy ’80s memorabilia. His menu offers 15 signature burgers. You can’t go wrong with the namesake. The Cledis follows tradition: a quarter-pound burger with American cheese, pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, and the special Cledis sauce.
But say you want one with grilled mushrooms, bacon, and pepper jack. Or stacked with fried green tomatoes, house pimento cheese, bacon, and five-pepper jam. Or spiced with grilled jalapeños and onions, white queso, and Bandito sauce. Order up.
NADC
10 The Arcade, Nashville
(855) 328-6232
As in, Not A Damn Chance.
When friends and collaborators, Chef Phillip Frankland Lee and professional skateboarder Neen Williams, created their quintessential smashburger, they felt confident in its perfection: one burger, one way. Not a damn chance you’d find a better one. Sure, you could get it modified, but to be honest, you wouldn’t want to.
The NADC way consists of two 3-ounce, well-seasoned Wagyu patties, grilled onions, pickles, slightly tamed jalapeños, New School American cheese, and their Secret Sauce on a soft brioche bun.
Head downtown to the newly renovated historic Arcade. Get your NADC burger, a side of fries cooked to a crisp in beef tallow, and some of the house chipotle ketchup for dipping. If you need anything else, and that would be a stretch because this is hearty fare, finish your feast with a brown butter chocolate chip cookie.