03/01/08

Come back Mothership, we miss you!!!

by adsfan

My boyfriend and I went down to Nashville for a Preds game a year and a half ago. We travel a lot and my boyfriend, always looking for the best local food where ever we go, researched great bbq restaurants before leaving home. He discovered Mothership BBQ online weeks before we left and got in touch with the owner/ operator (Jim) who was so friendly and helpful. We were really excited about eating there even before leaving Milwaukee. When we got there, it was as described, a small kitchy place.... but with awesome bbq. I got a sandwich that was so good, I could have eaten 3 of them if they weren't so big to begin with. And my boyfriend got ribs that he said were the best he's ever had. We were only in Nashville for 3 days and we ate there twice. We even ordered a 2 pound tray of pulled pork bbq to bring back with us to Milwaukee. It was precious cargo in the cooler.

And now that we may be going down that way again soon, our hope to stop in and eat at Mothership BBQ has been squashed. Jim has closed it (hopefully temporarilly) until further notice. So we really hope the next time we pass through or stay in Nashville, our beloved Mothership is back open. Good luck Jim!!!

• Pros: Everyting!
• Cons: closed until further notice.

11/17/06

Mothership, beam me up!!

by hankatya

I took my wife there tonight for some quick takeout... well actually she requested that we go there! (Yep, I'm lucky.) I had been there before with my stepfather and loved it! I was completely happy to go again tonight! I got the rib and pulled pork combo with green beans and the newly added mac and cheese. All of it was delicious! My wife got the smokey chicken and from now on, no more deli smoked/roasted chicken. The Mothership is the destination! Now, I am normally a pork guy when it comes to barbeque, but that chicken was downright heavenly! With that, she had the yummy cole slaw and the best pinto beans ever. The addition of cumin is genius! Now... for the bonus points. My wife had a crown put on today, and had a pretty sore tooth, but everything at Mothership is SO tender and delicious that it was the perfect dinner even for someone with dental trauma! I WOULD RECOMMEND MOTHERSHIP BBQ TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR CULINARY NIRVANA. Jim is the man!

• Pros: Outstanding food and service. Gotta check out the album covers!
• Cons: ...umm... nope.

10/09/06

Poor ribs

by stemember

I'm always looking for good bar-b-cue in Nashville, and unfortunately I am still looking. The ribs at Mothership are just bland. I'm a fan of dry ribs, but there was nothing going on with these ribs. Beyond the ribs, the place is just a dump, and not in an endearing way. It looks like a thrown together set for a no-budget high school play.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Poor food, slow service, bad atmosphere.

08/13/06

The Mothership Beckons

by rpburk

If you are looking for pretentious atmosphere, petite portions, and grandiose presentation, I strongly suggest you avoid Mothership BBQ altogether. If, on the other hand, you are looking for the new definition of casual and, hands down, the best BBQ you will ever have, then I highly recommend you make the effort to swing by this destined-for-legend joint in the heart of Berry Hill.

Whether you prefer dry-rubbed ribs over pulled pork or vice versa, you simply cannot make a wrong choice here. For the gluttonous, indecisive, and/or appreciators of all things pork (i.e., someone like me), there is the pulled pork and ribs combination platter. With its two accompanying sides (I dare say the pinto beans and potato salad are unlike Ive had anywhere), I am nearly certain this dish is what they order in BBQ Heaven. The rib meat falls off the bone without falling off the bone; the pulled pork is an anomaly of succulence with crisp ends; the sides truly defy adequate descriptionexceptional does not do them justice.

The lone dilemma you may face is whether or not to use one of the two readily available sauces. The pork requires nothing added. But the hot sauce (which is superior but not very hot) is so enticing it is nearly impossible to keep from indulging. You may be tempted to take a shot of it on the side when no one is looking.

The hands-on ownership adds to the considerable charm. You consistently know what you are getting because you know consistently who is providing it.

Dont expect to be doted onit aint that kind of place. And if your preference is sloppy and slathered, this may not be the fare for you. But I cannot recommend The Mothership highly enough.

So head to Berry Hill for the new institution of BBQ. Now! Because when the Vandy kids discover this joint, you wont be able to find a seat.

• Pros: Best BBQ around; Casual; Comfortable
• Cons: Limited kids menu

08/11/06

Outstanding Nashville BBQ

by floridaswimming1

Rejoice! Nashville finally has a recommendable BBQ joint. The ribs and shoulder at Mothership are tender, meaty and, most importantly, smoky. Because the pork has so much flavor, Mothership's sauce doesn't need to be gloopy. It's a vinegar-based brew, just a little thicker than N. Carolina-style (management calls it 'Tennessee-style'), which compliments the meat instead of smothering it. The sides are amazing--especially the pinto beans, which are laced with cumin. The M-ship's atmosphere is cas-u-al: walls are decked with 70s album art and the furniture is suitably mismatched (be sure to check out the art installation in the ladies restroom). Tell your foodie friends about The Mothership with your head held high--Dr Funkenswine will not let you down.

• Pros: smoky meat
• Cons: location, maybe.

08/11/06

Great que, I'm telling you

by dawsonator

I am in the middle of a Mothership combo plate I got to go, and all I can say is wow. The pulled pork is juicy and smokey, and the ribs are great even without the sauce. But the sauce is great, too, esp. the HOT. The beans are good and spicey, and the slaw is sweet and crunchy. Best que I've had in a long time.

• Pros: Food, vibe
• Cons: hard to find

08/07/06

Best BBQ in Nashville - bar none - Jim knows BBQ

by hutchmo

Nashville BBQ has generally been a pale imitation of bbq to the east. We generally stay away from the 'sweet' sauce to the west, but we really haven't had our own style.

Mothership fills the void - not overpoweringly hot, with sauce that doesn't hide the smokey flavoring, and in fact complements the flavor. The meat is tender and never dry.

The ribs are succulantly outstanding, but I like the simple plate with sides...and the sides, wow! Jim knows how to cook and spice his pintos. Great cole slaw as well.

I am a huge bbq fan. I've eaten at pretty much every 'joint' in Nashville. The Mothership trumps em' all.

• Pros: Fun place to eat with the 'album cover' decor. The owner is friendly and knows his 'stuff'
• Cons: if you are looking for 'fancy' and white tablecloths, skip this place..

Some tasty barbecue lands in a Berry Hill neighborhood restaurant with a simple menu: ribs, pulled pork and sides.

by Contributor

In Short
The emphasis here is on the food, but the mismatched chairs and the cheesy '70s album covers that line the walls definitely have their own appeal. Many of the customers are 20- and 30-something hipsters who keep up with the restaurant through its blog. Owner Jim Reams serves what he calls Nashville-style barbecue, using dry rub on the ribs and serving a sauce somewhere between the sweet, Memphis style and the vinegary, Carolina version.

08/04/06

Sorry, quite bad!

by jcaland

I went hoping for some good local BBQ, unfortunately I received a sandwich which contained two dried out hunks of crusty meat masquerading as BBQ. The hunks were large leftover crusts of pan scrapings, dry and tasteless. (the owner informed me that he had just prepared a large take-out order) I assume I got what was left.

• Pros: Relaxed environment
• Cons: BBQ

07/24/06

Thanks for saving me 3 hours on I-40!

by ceeelcee

I used to regularly drive to Memphis for ribs and shoulder sandwiches. When the highlight of a trip is the Tennessee River Bridge, you know you need a change.

The Mothership is just what the Doctor (Funkenswine) ordered! While not exactly Memphis-like in style, I personally like it better than Neely's, Interstate or Rendezvous. The hot sauce is not excruciatingly spicy, but rather just warm enough to make you break a sweat after a half slab of ribs.

I'm a big fan of putting the smoke to my pork, and the Mothership doesn't disappoint. There is a perfect purple ring of smoke around the meat, but not so much that it dries out or overpowers the porkiness. And whatever Dr. Funkenswine does to include such a high percentage of crunchy ends in his pulled pork sandwich raises him high above his competition. It is much better than some of the other boiled pork that passes for smoked shoulder in town.

The only possible drawback would be the shortage of parking if they're busy, but that's only if you don't look for the lot behind the building or the abundance of on-street parking around the small park across the street. It's not really a problem. I can't think of anyplace else to buy bbq between Brentioch and downtown; and I can't think of anyplace better within a hundred mile radius. Check it out!

• Pros: Unique and savory bbq
• Cons: Not within walking distance of my house