Make Joe Drive

Winner of the Photojojo Book…

There were 31 comments/entries on the Photojojo Book Challenge post. Using the random number generator at random.org, the number 8 was chosen. Comment #8 was left by Katelyn Hoffman. We’ll be sending her a copy of the Photojojo book!

We’ve got a couple more copies that we’ll give away during the rest of the trip, at least one of which will be in person!

When in Rome (or Nashville)

Hey, look what I bought at a Nashville Goodwill.

How should I use these two sweet things along the way? Any ideas?

Gotta think quick - I’m getting back on the road heading south. The adventure continues.

Frothy Monkey, Nashville

I think this is the sixth Americano I’ve had in the past twenty-four hours. It’s good though.

The Frothy Monkey on 12th is a casual comfortable spread of bench seats and tables and chairs. Finding a seat took a little trying but an Americano and their fresh baked blueberry muffin made this yet another quality joint to report.

Sarah posed behind the counter with a “Joe Was Here” sign. Thanks!

Good work Frothy Monkey. Quality.

Pancake Pantry, Nashville

The traveling couple sitting next to us in Pancake Pantry is talking about the last time she was and saw Vince Gill eating pancakes. She wished she had a camera phone back then.

The Pantry is a big corner brick building where the drawling wait staff aren’t putting on airs if they call you honey and don’t try to impress you with anything but what you’re here for- Nashville’s most famous tradition of pancakes. I’m told that a line goes out the front door on weekends and everyone from businessmen to travelers and locals fill the place this morning.

Nine dollars gets the bacon, egg, and pancake platter and the opportunity to try to figure out what makes these pancakes so good. Secret ingredients or not, this place speaks silently for itself by its name, traditional menu, and through the resounding echos of its patrons.

Belmont University

Saw this quote outside Belmont University’s Leu Center Visual Arts so I posed a “Joe Was Here” sign for a quick pic. After realizing that I was looking quite studious with the trip notebook in one hand and an Americano in the other I walked inside with the rest of the art students and posted the JWH sign on a bulletin board.

P.M. Casual Dining, Nashville

I can’t remember the last time a server had a beard and wore a sweater and jeans at a kind of “casual fine dining/bar” place. P.M. on Belmont (I’m just gonna use Yelp to give you more info but it’s right near Bongo Java mentioned previously) reminded me of Octane in Rockford, Illinois, with it’s chill and clean environment.

A marinated cheeseburger and fries dinner cost just under nine dollars. Unprecedented. This was the kind of meal you could easily pay fifteen dollars for at any chain restaurant across the States. The service was sharp and they were more than happy to hang a few signs up and give away some WallBlank gift certificates before wishing good luck on the rest of the journey.

P.M. on Belmont is a sweet place. Definitely a worthy stop, a drive, or both.

Nashville

I’m starting to see that Nashville is less of the shiny city on a hill it appears from the highway and more of the spread of cafes, shops, and venues that are the source of the legendary images of music and creatives that bring this place international recognition.

Difficulty in crossing a twenty foot street starts to feel like a real-life version of Frogger until I’m told that most of Nashville is filled with artists and musicians who don’t stick to a nine-to-five routine. A friend in Portland has connected me with a friend in Nashville who’s been helping to show me the best places to visit. Hopefully you’ll take a chance to see these places too next time in.

I Just wanted to mention this in case anyone was disappointed about the lack of tweets regarding more nationally known Nashville landmarks. The grassroots arts scene seems most vibrant away from the hilly concrete jungle of downtown and “Make Joe Drive” signs have appeared at many of the coolest coffee and restaurants I’ve seen anywhere in my travels.

These are the places that give character to cities and make this mission so worthwhile.

Thanks for your help and support. Keep up the good work. I’m heading out of Nashville in a couple hours. Where to next?

The best is yet to come.

Verdict

Portland Brew Coffee VS Bongo Java

I took an Americano straight up at both places within an hour or so of the other. Portland’s brew definitely had my vote for wholeness and taste which is simple, deep, and strong. However, Bongo definitely boasts an eclectic menu and seating arrangement so the chances are that you’ll notice Bongo first if you’re looking for a place to sit outside and do homework.

Both places are solid choices with Portland’s brew and simpler and quieter environment the perfect contrast to Bongo’s menu and popular flexible meeting spaces.

Bongo Java Coffee, Nashville

Big thanks to Jonathon in Boston (via twitter) for his Nashville coffee house challenge. He saw my tweets concerning Portland Brew Coffee and challenged me to visit Bongo Java on Belmont and see who’s coffee took preference. Verdict to come.

Bongo Java welcomes coffee-goers with a massive front porch and plenty of tables and chairs inside for the likes of college study groups or solo computer workers. They also offer breakfast and dinner meals in addition to their coffee concoctions to the steady flow of customers along with an after-hours theater advertised on the staircase. Various works of art hang for sale around brightly colored walls of the cafe but the steady flow of customers and busy staff left me to opt for hanging a “Joe Was Here” on the bulletin board along with a WallBlank gift certificate with a message from make joe drive and a thanks to Bongo for their board.

Portland Brew Coffeehouse, Nashville

I got a tip to check out Portland Brew Coffee in Nashville. They boasts ‘A Taste of the Northwest’ on this Southwest side of town and even though the building is a simple and strong structure of naked cinder blocks and a corrugated iron ceiling they have a good environment for sitting around with open computers. Mary Ellen and I talked about their locally roasted beans and their Americano was a stunningly even balance of dark beans and heavy roast. Solid brew taste.

They gladly allowed a “Joe Was Here” sign on the front window and I gave Mary Ellen a “Joe Was Here” t-shirt for the good chat and her interest in the journey. I’m back tonight to see that almost all the pins are gone off the back community corner table/

Check for the “Joe Was Here” sign at Portland Brew Coffee on 12th South in Nashville and please order an Americano.