Nick's Grill — Review by Brennen Taylor
Pulaski, United States — American Burger/Sandwich
Nick's Grill is a restaurant attached to a Motel 6 in Pulaski, Tennessee that serves creative sandwiches and loaded fries with impressive homemade sauces. The standout items are the Dirty Cowboy burger and Triple Cheese Philly Cheesesteak, which deliver bold, complex flavors that exceed expectations for a motel restaurant. While some dishes like the mushroom burger and Euro were underwhelming compared to the exceptional sandwiches, the overall experience showcases an owner passionate about creating unique flavor combinations.
What was great: Dirty Cowboy burger, Triple Cheese Philly Cheesesteak with jalapenos, Dirty Fries, house-made sauces (especially honey gold and zinger), generous portions, personable owner Nick who provides cell phone number for feedback
What could improve: Mushroom burger lacked punch compared to other items, Euro sandwich had too much sauce, fries got soggy under toppings and could use more crispness
The Dishes
Nick's Grill offers an impressive menu with creative names and flavor combinations. The Dirty Cowboy burger on a hoagie bun was the star of the meal, featuring seasoned ground beef, buffalo cheese, and queso that melded together perfectly. The reviewers praised how the hoagie bun held all the sauce and meat better than the loaded fries version, preventing sogginess. The Triple Cheese Philly Cheesesteak with provolone, mozzarella, and cheddar proved to be a knockout, especially when paired with grilled jalapenos and the house-made redneck ranch sauce. The juicy jalapenos and bold flavoring packed a punch that exceeded expectations. The Dirty Fries were generously topped with melted buffalo cheese and queso, though they suffered from the inevitable sogginess of loaded fries. The Traditional Euro (lamb gyro) came with generous white sauce but felt underwhelming compared to the sandwiches. The burgers with mushrooms and grilled onions looked impressive but lacked the oomph factor of the standout items.
The Experience
The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere connected to a Motel 6 lobby, with a casual yet clean dining space. Service was friendly and attentive, with staff members enthusiastically recommending the Philly Cheesesteak as their number one seller. The owner Nick made a personal appearance, chatting with customers and explaining his menu creations. A notable touch was the personalized letter from owner Nick at each table, including his personal cell phone number for customer feedback. The staff explained various menu items like what mole and ceviche were, showing engagement with customers. The restaurant appeared to be a popular spot, though it had a casual, unpretentious vibe.
Value and Pricing
The reviewers ordered approximately one hundred dollars worth of food across multiple items and generous portions. Each entree came with complimentary sides including a choice of seasoned fries, non-seasoned fries, beer-battered onion rings, or specialty options like dirty fries. The abundance of house-made dipping sauces available at a wall station added extra value. Given the portion sizes and quality of the standout items, the pricing appears reasonable for a casual restaurant.
Notable Moments
Oh my god, bro. What were you on when you made some of this? Cuz this is insane.
This quote captured the reviewers' amazement at owner Nick's creative menu items. Another memorable moment was discovering that Nick was indeed the owner when they asked his name, making his presence and passion for the restaurant evident. The reviewers also marveled at the thickness of the burger patties and the excessive layer of cheese on the dirty fries, describing it as thicker than expected.
The Verdict
Both reviewers gave Nick's Grill a score of 92 out of 100. They emphasized that despite some underwhelming items, the exceptional sandwiches and creative sides make this a must-visit destination. The Dirty Cowboy and Triple Cheese Philly Cheesesteak are worth the trip, and the house-made sauces add significant flavor depth. The reviewers highlighted that finding this level of culinary creativity in a small Tennessee motel restaurant is unexpected and impressive. Owner Nick's personal touch and willingness to innovate with bold flavor combinations sets this establishment apart. They recommended telling everyone about this hidden gem, noting it offers Florida-quality food in a small town that doesn't look inviting from the outside but delivers exceptional taste.