Of all the restaurant types we enjoy frequenting, pubs would probably have to be in the top three. It doesn't necessarily have to be an Irish pub with Irish food, but just a place with the laid back feel, comforting food, and oh yeah, can't forget the football and beer. One place we've found that does a good job of these things is The Bull & Whistle Pub in Lebanon. Housed in The Mill, it's one of the only businesses that has made it in that mixed-use development since we found out about it.

Prior to a recent stop at one of the recent Cumberland University football games, we stopped by for a quick stop before cheering the Bulldogs on. We ordered sandwiches, which were accompanied by a salad filled with bacon, almonds, sunflower seeds and cheese on a bed of romaine lettuce.

The cheese fries are heavy on the cheese, covered with bacon, and then dusted with a bit of cayenne and other tangy spices.

The grilled chicken salad was a little bit different, with a pair of chicken tenderloins on the bun as opposed to a single chicken breast. The result is a tender and juicy, if slightly unwieldy, sandwich. The bacon and cheese are your standard issue fair, but the bun is nicely buttered and toasted.

The pork loin sandwich is one of the only ones I've seen in the Nashville area. The pork was lightly fried and served on a buttered toast bun. The waitress mentioned she liked it better grilled. I'll have to try that next time!

The Bull & Whistle Pub and Eatery

300 North Maple Street

Lebanon, TN 37087

The writers of Nashville Fork are fans and supporters of locally owned Middle Tennessee restaurants and love searching out places most people just drive right by. Whether it's Middle Eastern, meat-and-three, or new southern cuisine, hopefully we'll give you some ideas when others think their only option is a chain restaurant. Our writers work in and enjoy exploring Wilson County and love to find great places to try in the area. We also hope you'll join us as we write about our travels, which often involve some good eating as well. We have found that eating well on vacation isn't as hard as it sometimes seems. You can read our blog at www.nashvillefork.com and follow us on Twitter.

On the way to Cumberland University's second home football game (we love small college football), we decided to stop at Painturo's in Lebanon, Tennessee for lunch. Instead of ordering cheese sticks, we ordered pinwheels. Pinwheels are rolled pizza dough filled with a three-cheese blend of Parmesan, Mozzarella and maybe cheddar cheese. They had a crispy exterior with a cheesy, soft doughy inside.

I couldn't resist a close-up! They were just as good as they looked.

The pizza is of the thin-crust variety, but not quite like New York's thin-style crust. It didn't have any charred bits on the bottom, but remained crisp throughout, and the cheese was broiled to a nice topping. Overall, the sauce was tangy, but the crust was what stood out on the pizza.

The Tuscan Vinaigrette salad was wonderful. It featured grilled chicken, black and green olives, Roma tomatoes and pepperoncini on a bed of fresh romaine lettuce. The salad was topped with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning and was accompanied by a very thick Italian dressing. The Italian seasoning really enhances the flavor of the salad. It is such a simple thing to add, but something I never thought about. I may try adding it at home to my salads.

Overall, we had a great experience at Painturo's.

Painturo's

522 West Main Street

Lebanon, TN 37087

The writers of Nashville Fork are fans and supporters of locally owned Middle Tennessee restaurants and love searching out places most people just drive right by. Whether it's Middle Eastern, meat-and-three, or new southern cuisine, hopefully we'll give you some ideas when others think their only option is a chain restaurant. Our writers work in and enjoy exploring Wilson County and love to find great places to try in the area. We also hope you'll join us as we write about our travels, which often involve some good eating as well. We have found that eating well on vacation isn't as hard as it sometimes seems. You can read our blog at www.nashvillefork.com and follow us on Twitter.

After a successful debut in 2009, 'Taste of Wilson County' organizers have added more icing on the cake for this year's edition, which is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5 until 8 p.m.

'Taste' partners Wilson Bank & Trust, Performance Foodservice and the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce have added a number of upgrades in response to overflow crowds at last year's first-of-its-kind event. Among the improvements visitors will observe in 2010 are increased venue space, additional parking options, a new shopping area and activities for children.

'Taste of Wilson County' will occupy more than twice the floor space at The Mill in Lebanon, where visitors can sample food from many of the county's best eateries as they chat with the chefs themselves. A new marketplace area will allow guests to purchase gift items from both food and non-food vendors and will feature a book signing by legendary songwriter Curly Putman.

More parking options will make it easier for guests to get in and out at the event. Regular parking at The Mill and Liberty State Bank will be accompanied by a free trolley service to nearby parking lots at the Music City Star station on West Baddour, First United Methodist Church on West Main and Bank of America near the Public Square. Valet parking will also be available on a limited basis for a $5 donation.

There's also more for children to enjoy at 'Taste' this year. Kid-friendly foods will be offered by many vendors, and local artist Scott Harris will lead a workshop where children can create their own work of art for $10. Interested parents can pre-register their children for the art activity by calling The Art Mill at 444-8828.

Tickets for 'Taste of Wilson County' can be purchased in advance for $10 at the Lebanon Chamber and all area Wilson Bank & Trust locations. Tickets at the gate are $15. All proceeds from 'Taste of Wilson County' benefit Chamber education programs, including Wilson Books from Birth, TN Scholars, the Teacher Grant Program and area scholarships.

More than 1,200 tickets were sold last year for 'Taste of Wilson County,' with more than $9,000 raised. More information about the event is available at www.tasteofwilsoncounty.com.

Pictured, above: 'Taste of Wilson County' drew a large crowd and raised more than $9,000 for Chamber education programs in 2009. Several enhancements have been added for this year's event on Oct. 14 at The Mill in Lebanon, including increased venue space, more parking options, a new marketplace area and an activity for children.

On a recent trip out to the Cumberland University football home opener, we were looking for something new as far as restaurants go. After having perused the reviews on Urbanspoon, we were very intrigued by a new place, Cori's Dog House. Having been raised on Oscar Meyers with mustard and/or ketchup, but hearing the anecdotal stories of Chicago dogs, Pinks hot dogs and other unique concoctions, it definitely seemed worth a try.

Not being able to decide between the more extravagant or traditional-type dogs, I ended up starting with a Chicago Dog and the Dog House's fresh cut fries. The traditional toppings made for more than a mouthful, but I felt up to the task. So, where does one begin? The dog itself was an all-beef Sabrett that featured a slight garlicy, beefy taste and most important of all, had a great pop from each bite due to the casing. The toppings of tomato wedges, sport peppers, dill pickle spear, etc. were each tasty in their own right; however, the only thing I might remove next time would be the neon-green relish - just a bit too sweet for me, but I can see how folks would swear by it.

Another result of my never being able to decide is having eyes bigger than my stomach. I also decided to give the Cincinnati (chili, ketchup, cheese and onions - though I chose to go without those) a try. The chili is very different from the Texas-style chili I'm used to and featured a thick, meaty texture with a light hint of cinnamon. A special thing to note at Cori's is their use of New England-style rolls that are buttered and grilled on the griddle before being filled with your choice. The result is a crispy, buttery, soft texture that I could eat all by itself. Cori's also earns extra points for offering fresh cut fries that are crisp on the outside and light and airy on the inside. Most places don't even try to do those right, but even fewer succeed.

If hot dogs aren't your thing, Cori's Dog House also has sausages and sandwiches. Since Sarah doesn't eat hot dogs, she decided to try a chicken sausage. The sausage was full of apples and had a nice maple flavor. Instead of french fries, she opted for fried pickles. I think the breading had dill seasoning in it, which amplified the taste of the pickles. The breading also contained a liberal dose of cayenne pepper. The flavors were divine.

Will we be the next ones on the Wall O' Wieners? I doubt it, but we'll definitely be back!

Cori's Dog House

401 South Mt. Juliet Road

Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

The writers of Nashville Fork are fans and supporters of locally owned Middle Tennessee restaurants and love searching out places most people just drive right by. Whether it's Middle Eastern, meat-and-three, or new southern cuisine, hopefully we'll give you some ideas when others think their only option is a chain restaurant. Our writers work in and enjoy exploring Wilson County and love to find great places to try in the area. We also hope you'll join us as we write about our travels, which often involve some good eating as well. We have found that eating well on vacation isn't as hard as it sometimes seems. You can read our blog at www.nashvillefork.com and follow us on Twitter.

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, an award-winning, national fast casual sandwich concept, is set to opened its doors in Mt. Juliet on Thursday, August 5. The Mt. Juliet Which Wich is located at 401 S. Mt. Juliet Rd., Suite 345, in the Providence Marketplace shopping center. The store is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am-9 pm, and Sunday, noon-6 pm. It is the fifth Which Wich in the greater Nashville area.

Which Wich offers more than 50 varieties of customizable, toasted “wiches,” from the signature Wicked(R) sandwich, loaded with five meats (turkey, ham, roast beef, pepperoni, and bacon) and a choice of three cheeses, to unique items such as the Elvis Wich with peanut butter, honey, and banana. The Which Wich menu also includes plenty of vegetarian options, such as tomato & avocado and black bean patty, as well as several healthy wiches for less than 400 calories each. Guests can dine in or take out. Catering is also available.

Which Wich is also known for its creative ordering system. Guests use red Sharpies to mark up pre-printed menus on sandwich bags. They select a sandwich from one of 10 categories, then choose the type of bread, cheese, spreads, and vegetables. The sandwiches are prepared to guests’ exact specifications and delivered in personalized sandwich bags. After they’ve enjoyed their wiches, guests are encouraged to draw on their bags using red Sharpies and hang their “artwork” on the community wall.

“I’m very excited to bring the Which Wich vibe to Mt. Juliet,” says owner Shawn Ting. “Providence Marketplace is the perfect location, with shops, movies, and, now, Which Wich! Plus it’s easily accessible from I-40 and only minutes from Lebanon, Watertown, Opryland, the airport, and downtown Nashville. My family and I love the superior quality and variety of options available at Which Wich. Mt. Juliet will love it too.”

In addition to customized, toasted wiches, customers can enjoy hand-dipped shakes, signature house chips, and just-out-of-the-oven cookies in an edgy yet inviting environment. Which Wich locations feature music from Aware Records, newspaper reading stations, free wi-fi, and a community wall showcasing the sandwich bag artwork.

For more information, visit www.whichwich.com or www.facebook.com/whichwich.

An exciting new restaurant concept called Deckers - the first anywhere in the United States - is being launched in Lebanon, according to the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. Deckers is located at 636 South Cumberland Street, under the same roof as the recently renovated White Castle restaurant.

A grand opening celebrating the debut of Deckers is scheduled for Saturday, July 10. The day-long festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring local officials and personalities such as David Rife, the White Castle family member who was featured in the CBS hit series "Undercover Boss." (see video at bottom of page)

Both Deckers and White Castle are owned and operated by the same company - White Castle System, Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio.

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free Deckers sandwich each week for a full year!

The grand opening will feature family-oriented activities, including an appearance by country music artist Jason Meadows, runner-up on the TV talent show "Nashville Star."

Here's the schedule for the day's events:

• 9:30 a.m. - Ribbon-cutting ceremony, immediately followed by give-away of free Deckers sandwich each week for a full year to first 100 customers in line.
• 10 a.m. - Other free give-away prizes for as long as they last.
• 1 until 4 p.m. - Balloon artist and face painter.
• 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. - Live performance with country music artist Jason Meadows from 1:30 until 2 p.m., followed by a Meet 'n' Greet with Jason.
• 5 until 7 p.m. - Live performance with country music artist Danielle Peck from 5 until 6 p.m., followed by Meet 'n' Greet with Danielle.

The celebration of Deckers' opening continues during July with the give-away of a "Decorate Your Deck" prize package from Lowe's. The public is invited to stop by Deckers any time and register for the summer-time prize package, which includes a deluxe gas grill and a five-piece outdoor furniture set. The drawing takes place at Deckers on July 24, and no purchase is necessary.

For more details about Deckers, visit www.deckerssandwiches.com.

The Sunset Family Restaurant is a meat-and-three in Lebanon, Tennessee. In true Southern style, the tables are covered with local advertisements. It is well worth the drive from Nashville. For planning purposes, you should know that it is closed on Wednesdays.

I had the Broasted chicken with turnip greens, green beans, and mac and cheese. The Broasted chicken was excellent. The crust was crunchy, and the meat was juicy and tender.

Cary had the country-fried steak with fried okra, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes. The mac and cheese is almost Velveeta-like, in a good way. The okra has a light breading that doesn't overpower the taste of the okra itself. The cream gravy has just enough smoothness to go with the crisp of the country-fried steak. (On a related note, the first time I tried country-fried steak was when I was on a date with Cary very early in our relationship. He called it chicken-fried steak, and I thought it was supposed to be chicken. When I tried it, I was concerned because it didn't taste anything like I thought it should, but I didn't tell him that, because he obviously loved it. It wasn't until a few months later that I could explain my misunderstanding to him. I was very relieved to figure out it was steak. Cary has enjoyed researching food much longer than I have. Obviously, I have come a long way!).

At Sunset, you have a choice of cornbread or rolls. We went with the cornbread, which was a good decision. It was a typical southern cornbread, meaning it was not too sweet, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

The turnip greens came with vinegar and chow-chow. The chow-chow is of the sweet red pepper variety, which is my favorite.

The shining gem of the menu at Sunset is the desserts. Arguably, I believe Sunset has the best pie in the Nashville area. This is their praline pie. The bottom layer is a praline, complete with chopped pecans. It is topped with vanilla pudding and Cool Whip. The combination of flavors is divine.

This is the chocolate meringue pie. The chocolate has a velvety smooth texture that pairs with the light sweetness of the meringue. All that combined with the buttery homemade crust makes for possibly the best chocolate meringue pie that I've tasted in the Nashville area.

Who do you think has the best pie in the Nashville area? Where else do we need to go try?

The writers of Nashville Fork are fans and supporters of locally owned Middle Tennessee restaurants and love searching out places most people just drive right by. Whether it's Middle Eastern, meat-and-three, or new southern cuisine, hopefully we'll give you some ideas when others think their only option is a chain restaurant. Our writers work in and enjoy exploring Wilson County and love to find great places to try in the area. We also hope you'll join us as we write about our travels, which often involve some good eating as well. We have found that eating well on vacation isn't as hard as it sometimes seems. You can read our blog at www.nashvillefork.com and follow us on Twitter.