Joyland, Nashville TN

June 25, 2025

Part of a walking food tour in East Nashville.

Another stop on our food tour was Chef Sean Brock’s Joyland, home of the legendary Crustburger, a fast-casual spot where serious food doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The vibe? Bright, playful, and clean, think minimalist diner meets modern color pop, with the savory aroma of beef, cheese, and grilled onions swirling in the air like a meaty perfume.

And when in Rome, or in this case, East Nashville, you have to try the Crustburger. This is Chef Sean’s elevated smashburger: high-quality beef smashed so thin, I needed a micrometer to measure it. Then comes the magic. Fresh raw onions are added directly onto the beef while it’s still on the griddle, allowing them to steam and melt into the meat, creating that perfect sweet-savory balance.

A slice of American cheese (aka the GOAT of cheeseburger cheese) is laid on top, bringing a rich, velvety hug to the whole thing. The potato buns? Grilled, then flipped and grilled again for that double-sided golden glory. And just when you think it’s done, the whole burger gets flattened again, building that signature crust, yep, Crusty, get it?

The result is a flavor bomb of crispy, juicy, melty brilliance. It’s simple, it’s smart, and it’s downright James Beard-worthy. I tip my toque to Chef Sean.

Oh, and we can’t forget the Joy Sauce. Sweet, tangy, creamy, and just the right amount of mystery. It complements the burger without trying to steal the spotlight. Everything works together in harmony, no show-off ingredients, just good old-fashioned burger bliss