Any spendthrift or savvy socialite knows the best way to get more bang out of your evening out is to hit up 2-4-1 specials. This week, I've had the chance to partake in two trendy hotspots' hot deals.
For anyone living west of the River, Tuesday night means Mafiaoza's. This 12th South staple offers BOGO pizza slices and beer all day every Tuesday until closing time (well, the beer specials stop at 9--gotta be safe, right?). Anything you can pile on a pizza or pull from a tap can be yours for a low, low price. Well, actually the low price depends on how many toppings you choose. I had 2 slices of Mafiaoza's New York-style stone oven pizza topped with fresh basil, black olives, chopped prosciutto, and gooey mozzarella for just $5 and change. Add in a round of Blue Moon from the iconic Mason jars, and my Tuesday night was complete for less than $10. Plus, the slices were so big they took up the entire plate, and had I not had a such a lackluster lunch I could have easily saved one slice for the next day. (Wanna talk about being a spendthrift?)
I will say, the noise and crowd levels can get pretty high the closer the hour hand get to 12, so a quiet, romantic evening this is not. But if you're in the mood to hang out with some friends and get good food and beer for the same price as a meal at any chain restaurant, head on down to the bustling 12th South neighborhood for this Nashville favorite.
And when Wednesday rolls around and you are still looking for a great deal and a little less chaos, please check out Taco Mamacita, the anchor of the Edgehill Village area (between Belmont University and Music Row). Once a struggling strip of entrepreneurial ventures, Edgehill Village seems to have blossomed in the 6-8 months since Taco Mamacita took over the space formerly occupied by Rosario's. If you could classify a taco as "upscale" or "trendy" that's what you'll find here. Tacos are sold individually for about $4 each or as part a plate with your choice of side. (I'm partial to the sweet potato fries myself, but a friend recently introduced me to the Mexican street corn, which is also delicious.) Perhaps my favorite taco is the Memphis, an unexpected combination of flour tortilla, cole slaw, and pulled pork drenched in a tangy BBQ sauce. I also like Baja fish taco and the vegetarian jerk, if you're looking to complete your platter.
Unfortunately, the tacos are not twofers, but the margaritas certainly are! For $7, you get your choice of the Elvez or El Camino margaritas (pretty standard formula for the former, add a splash of OJ and you get the latter) in a 24oz. glass served over crushed ice. Yum! Also unfortunately, T.M.'s popular Skinny Margarita is not included in the special, but really, if you're gonna have pizza and beer one night and tacos and margs the next, does the skinny version really make that much difference?
Another trendy spot for the vaguely descriptive "young professionals sector", I recommend arriving early to secure both good parking and a good seat. We arrived tonight around 6 and nabbed a table outside in the shade, under a fan, and were glad to have a place to sit when the crowds started lining up down the sidewalk. On a night like this you can have as much or as little to eat or drink as you want and still come away with a bargain.
Oh, and for those of you who haven't been to Taco Mamacita in several weeks--yes, they do have their beer license now and can serve several beers on tap and many domestic and imports by the bottle. Yazoo's Dos Perros makes a nice compliment to a taco.
Next week, when you're planning your dinner menu, consider one of these Belmont-area nightspots. You won't regret it!
The End Notes:
- Good bargains are worth planning your calendar around
- Great for after-work drinks and dinner with friends, but arrive early to avoid ridiculously long wait-times.
- Anything goes as far as attire, so there should be no excuse not to visit (unless you don't like crowds and noise. Then maybe visit on another day.)
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