meatball | Off-road Vegan

On a recent weekend, we decided to explore a new city in our newly native Tennessee. So we pointed the Land Cruiser south on highway 27, and did some reseaerch on vegan options in Chattanooga.

Cashew came up as a pretty popular spot, and the menu seemed good, so we decided on Cashew for lunch.

Parking in this area was a little challenging, but it was Fall break here, and there were lots of festivals going on. I think Chatt is suffering from the “loved-to-death” syndrome we saw Bend, Oregon suffering from (where every weekend was another festival and parking issue). But the overall area Cashew is located in was funky, and had a really awesome city park with views of the river and bridges.

Cashew sits downstairs in a half-basement, half-first floor setting. The space was very well designed – super bright, welcoming, and modern. They have a pretty awesome baked goods selection, as well as a small refrigerated wall with some grab and go items (their own ‘chicken’ salads, Louisville Jerky, craft beers, and others).

Itv was cool to see Herbivore clothing for sale in the corner.

Staff was very friendly and awesome. We didn’t notice much of a southern accent on anyone, but I think that is testament to the sheer number of people flocking to the South as a much saner place to live. Chattanooga is not immune to the influx, sadly.

Baked good included fresh made donuts, cookies, cupcakes and more.

We were all starving and brought the ARB fridge with us, so we overordered (as typical) and planned to bring home the left overs.

Kids both got a hearty order of their mac and cheese, served with fruit on the side. I went with the meatball sub (served with chips), and Kristin ordered the Thai Sweet potato. We added an order of nachos to top it all off.

The mac and cheese was actually really good. It was thick, but also not as warm as I would have liked it. But the kids had no problems.

The meatball sub on the other hand was pretty lackluster. First, it wasn’t a “sub” but a few balls of fake meat on a bun. The cashew cheese sauce on top added very little in my opinion. The chips seemed like an after thought, and were a weird addition.

Kristin seemed to like the Thai sweet potato, with the peanut sauce and a side of broccoli cheese soup (which she raved about).

The real star of the meal? THE NACHOS. Holy wow. I am not a jackfruit fan at all. But it was prepped perfectly, and whatever sauce they use it purely magic and delish. This was possibly the best vegan nacho plate I have ever had.

Overall, Cashew is a super awesome spot in a fast growing Southern city. We love that it will be a reliable spot for us to return to. While I will not get that “sub” again, we will for sure be back and will 100% get those nachos!

Address: 149 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

There was a study (er, an article I saw on the internet, so it MUST be true) that there is a certain color of red that instinctively makes humans hungry.

Think about one fast food brand that does not have this same red in it: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr., In ‘N Out, etc.

It just so happens that the vegan meatballs at Brass Tacks are the EXACT same red. That must be the reason I am drooling like a Pavlov dog each time I walk into the place.

Their meatballs bring all the boys to the yard. Damn right, they’re better than yours.

Brass Tacks is in a non-descript building facing Vancouver at Fremont. The interior is austere and a bit cold, attributed mostly to the huge glass windows along the front that make for great people watching.

Hmmm Dovetail must be operating under a secret bunker somewhere in Alberta. How are they still making cookies!?

While BT is very accommodating and knowledgeable about veganism, they do serve meat, so keep an eye out on the menu.

But what a menu.

What the menu lacks in quantity (there are 4 options + 1 special), Brass Tacks makes up for in quality. The white bean meatballs are housemade, and they are some of the best I have ever had. The housemade “ham” is also amazing.

I have yet to try the Salamigeddon, as the word “spicy” scares off this New Englandah. Their new Curry Chicken Salad will be my next choice for sure. But those meatballs are just amazing and I find it hard to order anything else.

Melanie tried the Velveeta Underground along with the potato salad, claiming to love both. The sammy looked really good, but paled in the sloppy beauty of my meatball sub. I tried the potato salad and it was good, but I am not a huge potato salad fan, so take my criticism with a grain of salt. Or paprika, as there was a metric ton of it on the salad.

Velveeta Underground, sans Velveeta. Or ground.

Brass Tacks is an in-and-out place with not much in the way of comfort. But that is part of the allure of the joint. It’s utilitarian yet the kraft paper tray liners harken back to a 1940s lunch bell place, where lunch was scarfed and you went back to riveting the bridge together before your 20 mile uphill walk back home to milk the cows.

Not sure who Lou or Neil are, but how do you get your own cup at this place?

And that is why Brass Tacks will be on my fav lunch spot list along with the Veggie Grills, Homegrowns, and DC Veg’s of the world. They offer enough difference to make it awesome. In Portland, no two lunches are ever created equal.