A Thai and Texas BBQ mashup that’s worthy of Lou’s old space - Review - Nashville - The Infatuation
"Curry Boys, a Texas BBQ spot with a penchant for Thai flavors, is a fast-casual operation that’s become our new go-to for a late lunch, casual dinner, or a round of whiskey and thai lemonade cocktails on the patio. It comes to us from San Antonio, so there’s some real Texas BBQ pedigree happening here. The grind on the snappy hot links strikes the balance between not too smooth and not too grainy, and the brisket has a smoke ring as thick as a stalk of lemongrass. The curry queso here is legit—it couldn’t be more different than the gloopy stuff that resembles Elmer’s glue from other Tex-Mex joints around town. It’s thick and sports just the right hue of Velveeta yellow with earthy notes of curry spice. photo credit: OysterCat Media The line can get pretty serious here, sometimes stretching out past the doors and onto the walkway. Your best bet is an early lunch or dinner, hopefully beating out the crowd and staking your claim on some of that brisket. The sellout risk is pretty high, and there’s nothing sadder than being late to the brisket party. East Nashville’s beloved brunch and wine hangout spot Lou left some pretty big shoes to fill. We were skeptical that any successor could fill the verlasso-egg-shaped hole in our heart. Turns out, great queso goes a long way. Food Rundown Curry Queso & Chips When it comes to consistency, we like our queso thick—it shouldn’t feel like you’re trying to scoop up milk. Blessedly, Curry Boys falls in the former category, rich and golden with a warm hint of curry spices swirled in. This is the new standard for queso in Nashville. The Missing Link The satisfying snap of the smoked pork sausage here is probably one of the best textural things happening here. And while the rice almost feels superfluous in this bowl, you soon realize it’s soaking up all of that rich and creamy penang curry. You might even wish they’d added a little bit more. Brisket Smoke Show We’re not sure what we like more, the subtly sweet green curry sauce marinating the brisket and rice in the bowl, or the tender, oak-smoked prime brisket itself. Let’s call it a draw, because these two were clearly meant to be together. photo credit: Curry Boys Curry Creamed Corn This is a solid version of creamed corn. They’ve sprinkled some curry powder on top, but it doesn’t make a huge impact in terms of taste. It’s fine, but other sides here deserve your attention. Cheesecake The dessert can change on a whim here, but both the yuzu and ube versions of the cheesecake should make their way into your order. The yuzu brings a bright, juicy note to the creamy cake, while the ube is smoother and sweeter. photo credit: OysterCat Media" - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
