Riff Burgers: Taste that Tune

"Hey look, there's a burger joint there. When did that happen? Are they open?"

I feel like the first day I noticed Riff Burgers, on the corner of Main and 1st, they already had a crowd. Since it was right before spring break, and right before family travel time, we didn't get a chance to try it out until tonight.

"I hope it's like Five Guys where I can name the toppings I want," I told Jay.

Success #1 = You build your own burger.

And the building has never had so many options. You pick your meat, your bun, and your toppings. Though the meat selections range from beef and chicken to lamb and salmon, we played it simple for this first visit. Jay had a beef burger with a Kaiser bun, American cheese, BBQ sauce, and hickory bacon.

As we were filling out the small menu-type sheets provided, checking off what we wanted in order to build our dream burgers, I noticed a kid's (okay, it's called a baby) burger.

"I wonder what toppings I can get on that?" I asked Jay. Then I asked the lady at the register.

"Whatever," she replied.

Success #2 = You can put any toppings you want on your baby burger.

I handed her the form I had filled out for a regular burger and told her to make it the kid's version. There was a rejoicing of my small appetite paired with my hatred of throwing away food mingled with my bad habit of leaving leftovers in the fridge to rot.

On my baby burger I had lettuce, mustard, pickles, and mushrooms. Jay said his burger tasted a little bland, and that he might mix into the meat some different items next time (which is another options Riff Burgers offers). I didn't notice the meat being bland, but perhaps my mustard was giving me flavor enough.

The skinny fries weren't quite delectable, but several other sides are available, including fried okra. And guess what crept its way onto Jay's plate, hiding covertly under his fries--one tiny okra. I'll be ordering that next time, thank you.

The only problem I can foresee with Riff Burgers is this: this burger establishment is far too close to my home. Let the temptation begin.

My baby burger: I apologize for the poor photograph. I shouldn't always rely on the camera on my phone for these outings; the food looked much taster than this.

Sweet CeCe's with a cherry (or three) on top

Have you seen those mixing bowls that come together like nesting dolls? You know the largest one? My family would jokingly hand it to my Granddaddy Jones or my brother when we were scooping out ice cream. They shared the same intense fondness for this frozen treat.

I always enjoyed ice cream, but during my last two months of pregnancy with my now-seventeen-month Jack, this dessert became an obsession. If it weren't for Sweet CeCe's, I'd probably be about three dress sizes bigger. 

That's a slight exaggeration.

But since the frozen yogurt (better for you than ice cream) shoppe is within walking (exercise!) distance from my home, it is a much healthier alternative for my sweet tooth's latest desire.

A wall of various frozen yogurt options, spouts and a small buffet full of topping possibilities: the potential flavor options seem endless. And until today my favorite was cake batter topped with a sprinkle of white yogurt chips, a dash of ground graham crackers, almond slivers, and three cherries. I would branch out some on the yogurt base, but usually kept the same toppings. 

But this afternoon, at approximately 1:50pm, as I stood with my student worker, celebrating her victorious triumph over Thoreau's Walden, I got a little wild. 

"What's the Original Tart taste like?"

She tried to describe it, and then suggested I try a sample. Not one to cause a fuss or make a special request, I would have greatly missed out if a worker (who was off duty, in a sweatshirt and athletic shorts, and probably trying to move us along in the line so she could make her own favorite concoction) asked if we'd like to try anything. 

One taste. That's all it took. I'm still talking / writing about it, eight hours later. I ended up swirling an orange sorbet with the Original Tart. Unsure of perfect topping pairings with my new base, I tried only coconut and strawberries (and far more than three of this fruit).

If that weren't lovely enough--it was two-punch Tuesday.

This is a picture of a previous Sweet CeCe's experience: Red Velvet base with white yogurt chips, ground graham crackers, and the three (though one is hiding in the corner) cherries. I ate today's with too much passion to remember to photograph it.

Franklin Foodies: A Love of Food Local and Beyond

This year I started a group called the Franklin Foodies. Our mission (which we hungrily chose to accept) was to try the eating establishments of Franklin, beginning in the downtown area and working our way out. Admittedly, Franklin Foodies became my excuse to eat out.

"Oh my goodness, I forgot to take a picture of my lil' spinach salad at Mellow Mushroom. I guess we have to go back again next week."

Then, Franklin Foodies became less of a specific group of people, and more of a hodgepodge of whomever I may ask out to share in local culinary wonders at any given date.

"You've never eaten at McCreary's? We'll have to go soon."

And with this blog I ask you to join in on my taste-journey. Mostly I will focus on the food of Franklin, but I shall also offer some of the meals I experience as I travel. I don't claim to be a culinary expert, and my perspectives will not be written as such. I am just a lover of food, from a long line of lovers of food, and I would like to share that love with you.