Hungry for Everything? Check out Fat Shack!

 If you're really wanting anything and everything to eat today, Fat Shack is the place you'll want to go! With only 26 locations in the United States, Clarksville is lucky to have one of these unique 'late night' food shops. Featured on Shark Tank in 2019, Fat Shack has a wide array of food from 'fat sandwiches' to deep-fried desserts.

While Fat Shack certainly doesn't have food I feel I could eat every day, I can see the appeal-- especially when it comes to college students. As someone who recently graduated, I know how much a lot of food at a low price is valued. Looking over the menu? There is a lot of food on the fat sandwiches alone. While you might be thinking of something with extra pickles, bacon, onions, and tomatoes, that isn't exactly right. Take the namesake sandwich, the Fat Shack. This one sandwich houses the following: cheesesteak, chicken fingers, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and onion rings. Every side right on the main course! Of course, next time I make my way to Fat Shack, I think I'll be trying the Fat Cow which is filled with both mac & cheese and mozzarella sticks. 

With deep-fried Oreos, Twinkies
, chocolate chip cookies, and more? Fat Shack is the perfect destination if you're wanting the kind of food you'd expect at a fair with the chill atmosphere of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Even if this kind of food isn't your usual, I'd suggest checking out this spot at least once at 1715 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. It's an experience through and through.

Craving Hawaiian?: Kimo's Hawaiian Bar and Grill

Downtown Clarksville is full of unique eateries that provide delicious food to the community. Recently, I've decided I want to check out more of these little restaurants in the heart of the city so my boyfriend and I dipped into the Hawaiian grill, Kimo's, for lunch on Wednesday. The servers were incredibly friendly from the start. The restaurant itself was calm and trendy with a beachy theme to go along with the food, but it has the charm that's a staple to many downtown buildings with the exposed brick walls. In a comfortable booth, the real challenge started-- deciding on a meal.

Kimo's offers a good selection on their menu. To start off, patrons have options of appetizers like Longboard Nachos with Kahlua pork and beer cheese or even an Ahi tuna poke bowl. If you ask me, these options could also serve well as main course type meals and next time I stop in I might have to try the poke bowl! While Kimo's has some burger, sandwich, and salad options, the house dishes tended to be where my attention was. With meals available such as Kalua Pork & Cabbage, Mahi Mahi, and Loco Moco Beef & Eggs, you can try out dishes that I personally haven't seen elsewhere. I decided to try the Dakine Chicken & Beef. It was love at first bite. Marinated in the signature Kimo's barbeque sauce, the meat was absolutely delicious and it was a perfect summer lunch paired with rice. 

If you're wondering about the burgers, I have answers to that, too. My boyfriend decided to try out the Kimo's Local Burger, and it was happily devoured. This burger with teriyaki sauce and grilled pineapple was "the best burger I've had in a long time," according to the happy patron of Kimo's. Long story short: this place is an absolute must. 

A Name that Says it All: Juicy Seafood

With restaurants reopening their seating areas, I have been enjoying going out to eat more lately. Yesterday, I was introduced to a new place that took the place of a closed buffet at 2355 Madison St-- next to the Sango Walmart. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting much of a seafood restaurant in a very landlocked state. I was incredibly surprised by how amazing my meal was.

Juicy Seafood holds a rather kitsch interior that I loved-- large parties may be able to eat at a table within a pirate ship addition, and anyone can pose with the beloved pirate captain Jack Sparrow on a bench within the restaurant. There's also a wall of Pirates of the Caribbean pictures towards the back. If you're a fan of the series, I would suggest going for that alone.

The food, though, is obviously the main attraction. Advertised as a 'cajun style' seafood eatery, there is no disappointment in what you'll be getting. Something I found notable was the options given for seasonings and spice level-- an important aspect for people more sensitive to spicy foods, or for people who just don't like it. My mother, realtor Pam Cash, and I tried out one of the combo meals consisting of crab, shrimp, mussels, boiled potatoes, and corn on the cob with a mild spice and garlic butter seasoning. It was incredible. Most cajun-styled food I've had has been too spicy for me to really dig in, but the allowance of just how spicy the diner wants their boil made all the difference. After emptying our boil bag into its tray, we dug in. Juicy Seafood provides guests with bibs and gloves, to prevent excess mess, but I passed them up to get right to the crab legs.

My expectations for Juicy Seafood were far exceeded, and I have to say I'll be excited for any opportunity to get back to the pirate-themed restaurant. If you have a craving for some cajun-style seafood, Juicy Seafood should be at the top of your list.

A Magical Coffee Experience at Ravenwood!

 I feel my age shows in how many coffee shops in Clarksville that I absolutely adore. A twenty-something is always in need of coffee, and Clarksville has provided some excellent experiences to find a good frappachino (as well as some less milkshake-esque coffee for those who actually enjoy how coffee tastes). While Ravenwood isn't as close to the Austin Peay campus as it once was, it is thankfully still open and in range of anyone seeking something a little more special than a Starbucks drink.

Ravenwood coffee can be considered a magical experience as their little shop brings in elements of fantastical media such as Harry Potter. Their Butterbeer drink, one of many alternatives to coffee they offer, is Universal Studios quality-- maybe even better. With an upbeat staff and cozy space, this little coffee shop is a great spot to go by with friends if you're on Fort Campbell Blvd! You can find it specifically at 2609 Fort Campbell Blvd Suite B.

Wicked Good is Wicked Good!

Wicked Good Sandwiches in Clarksville, TN, is definitely a college student favorite (this post being college student approved). I have been getting lunch and dinner from this killer sandwich shop since I was introduced to it a little over a year ago-- I have gone more times than I can possibly count. Being the adventurous person I am, I have tried about half the menu at this point and I can tell you right away that everything I have tried has become my new favorite. It's always such a struggle to decide what to get when I go! Should I go with The Green Monstah, featuring bratwursts and pepperoncini? Or maybe the College Street Burger, which was the first thing I ever had at Wicked Good, with crispy tortillas instead of a bun. One way or another, I know I'm going to get Gov's Sauce with my fries. I would probably buy Gov Sauce by the bottle if it was sold that way.

If you have doubts, though, I can give you my mother's raving review! After getting my hair cut last month, she decided we should go to the restaurant I called my favorite in town. "I want to see if it's everything my daughter has been telling me it is," she told the waitress who came to our booth. Of course, it definitely was. After my mom struggled with what to get, she let me order for us both. She got the College Street Burger, a good first Wicked Good meal, and I tried out the Southwest Burger because I was craving something spicy-- definitely satisfied by the cheddar-jack cheese and jalapeños! And of course, we both got our fries with Gov Sauce.

The first thing mom spotted was the tortillas. She was so inspired by those that she made our turkey burgers with tortillas the next day! But after that first bite into a College Street Burger, she was sold. When the waitress came by to ask how we were doing, my mother kept her a minute just to tell her how much she loved the food.

Wicked Good is also a great spot to check out up and coming musicians and bands. Just in March, their schedule shows six cool events-- a St. Patrick's Day dance party, a few bands, and Family Fun Karaoke? Sign me up! But if you're looking for a quiet dinner, don't worry, most events are on Saturdays, or you can even call and pick up your food for a movie night at home!

A two-time award winner of Best of Clarksville, and the Leaf Chronical's Reader's Choice Winner for Favorite Place for a Quick Lunch 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, rest assured a lunch at Wicked Good is well worth the money. It's mom approved! So be sure to go and check it out at 605 Cumberland Dr. in Clarksville, Tennessee. It is open every day but Sunday, 10am to 8pm. And remember to ask for Gov Sauce with your fries!