Nashville food and beverage scene

[smeagolsfree]

I have your answer………….https://www.sadiesnashville.com/

[markhollin]

From NASHtoday:

This summer has been a busy season for new dining options in the Nashville area. To help us navigate our lunch + dinner plans for the last few months of 2021, let’s take a look at 30+ restaurants that have opened or are coming soon.

NowOpen

Parlor Doughnuts | 1720 West End Ave. + 500 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | Craft doughnut and coffee shop serving layered doughnuts (ProTip: vegan, gluten-friendly + keto-friendly options available)

Condado Tacos | 418 11th Ave. N. | Ohio-based taco shop with 10+ varieties of queso, guac, andsalsa

Gandy Seafood Cajun Market | 6917 Lenox Village Dr. | Seafood restaurant open for dine-in and takeout

Ella’s on 2nd | 210 Molloy St. | Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner inside the new Hyatt Centric Hotel.

EG & Mc | 924 Jefferson St. | Craft cocktails and small plates from the owners of Slim & Husky’s

Tacos 1989 | 600 9th Ave. S. | A variety of street tacos as well as burritos, ceviche, empanadas, and more on the menu

InnerG Juice & Yoga | 1807 9th Ave. N. | New brick-and-mortar location offers juices + yoga classes.

E+Rose | 10 Lea Ave. | Local company’s 5th location features a full menu, including juice, superfood bowls, and vegan eats

Chuy’s | 100 E. Park Dr. | Tex-Mex chain’s 5th Middle Tennessee location opens today (Tues., Aug. 24)

Chicken Guy | 139 2nd Ave. N. | Guy Fieri’s chicken restaurant chain

Chilangos | Assembly Food Hall | Authentic street-style tacos created by chef Joel Mendoza

Blue Room Bar | 623 7th Ave. S. | Located inside Jack White’s Third Man Records.

Wilco Fusion Grill | 9040 Carothers Pkwy. | Latin American- and Caribbean-inspired menu featuring arepas, empanadas, plantain sliders, and more

Tamale Joe’s | 2000 Mallory Ln. | Restaurant known for its 100-year-old tamale recipe

Wild Berry Acai | 819 Main St. | Soft-serve açaí bowls named after Five Points, East Park + other local spots

Koi Sushi & Thai | 2214 Elliston Pl. | New location operated by Bluefin Sushi & Thai owner Dara Danh

ComingSoon

Tomacco Tacos + Tequila | 1120 4th Ave. N. | Street tacos, tequila, and a Dolly Parton mural coming to Germantown by the end of August

Rooftop Bar + The Supper Club | Fifth + Broadway | Swanky dining destination backed by Justin Timberlake opening 2 new concepts next month

The Dutch + Carne Mare | 300 12th Ave. S. | 2 new restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini coming this fall inside W Nashville

Teriyaki Madness | 7115 Southpoint Pkwy. | Made-to-order bowls at new location opening Thurs., Aug. 26

Church and Union | 201 4th Ave. N. | Chef Jamie Lynch’s new concept expected to open next month

The Wash | 1101 McKennie Ave. | Eastside Pho, Soy Cubano, and more on tap for new East Nashville micro-kitchen expected to open this summer or fall

Roberta’s | 2405 12th Ave. S. | Brooklyn-based pizzeria planning to transition from pop-up to permanent location

Snooze A.M. Eatery | 975 Main St. | Opening date TBA at East Nashville food hall Hunters Station

Chark’s Laneside Diner | 1508 Gallatin Pk. S. | Diner coming to Eastside Bowl this fall

Raising Cane’s | 36 White Bridge Rd. | Louisiana-based chain known for its chicken tenders planning first Tennessee location in White Bridge area

Molly’s Cupcakes | Opry Mills + TBA | Chicago-based cupcake biz plotting 3 area locations, including 1 inside Opry Mills

[TKJones]

On 8/20/2021 at 10:08 AM, Melrose said:

Here's a question for this thread,  anyone know what is being worked on in the former Taco Mamacita space in Edgehill Village? I peaked in the windows and the new restaurant is well along the way, the space has been reconfigured a bit,  the new, larger bar has a lot of new tile work done already  and there were new light fixtures installed (Will take some photos next time).   

I can't seem to find any permits related to this work.  Anyone know anything?  

I'm still shocked they gave that one up, unless it was outside their control. Location was practically a landmark and seemingly always slammed with customers.

[smeagolsfree]

Going to be running the story on the new tenant tomorrow I think.

[markhollin]

New Restaurants coming soon courtesy of NashToday:

Church and Union, 201 4th Ave. N. | Chef Jamie Lynch’s new concept expected to open later this summer

Chark’s Laneside Diner, 1508 Gallatin Pk. S. | Diner coming to Eastside Bowl this fall

Emery, 2500 12th Ave. S. | Wood-fired cuisine + craft cocktails coming to 12 South in mid-September

Molly’s Cupcakes, Opry Mills + TBA | Chicago-based cupcake biz plotting 3 area locations, including 1 inside Opry Mills

Raising Cane’s, 36 White Bridge Rd. | Louisiana-based chain known for its chicken tenders planning first Tennessee location in White Bridge area

Red Perch, 4101 Charlotte Ave., G120 | Seafood restaurant coming to Sylvan Supply

Roberta’s, 2405 12th Ave. S. | Brooklyn-based pizzeria planning to transition from pop-up to permanent location

Rooftop Bar + Supper Club, Fifth + Broadway | Swanky dining destination backed by Justin Timberlake opening 2 new concepts next month

Snooze A.M. Eatery, 975 Main St. | Opening date TBA at East Nashville food hall Hunters Station

Teriyaki Madness, 7115 Southpoint Pkwy. | Made-to-order bowls at new location opening Thurs., Aug. 26

The Butter Milk Ranch, 2407 12th Ave S. A bakery offering brunch and lunch is setting up shop soon in 12 South.

The Wash, 1101 McKennie Ave. | Eastside Pho, Soy Cubano, and more on tap for new East Nashville micro-kitchen expected to open later this year.

The Dutch + Carne Mare, 300 12th Ave. S. | 2 new restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini coming this fall inside W Nashville

Tomacco Tacos + Tequila, 1120 4th Ave. N. | Street tacos, tequila, and a Dolly Parton mural coming to Germantown by the end of August

[MagicPotato]

raising cane’s is adding another location on lower broadway. That’s a pretty smart move.

[Binbin98]

On 8/31/2021 at 7:19 AM, markhollin said:

New Restaurants coming soon courtesy of NashToday:

Church and Union, 201 4th Ave. N. | Chef Jamie Lynch’s new concept expected to open later this summer

Chark’s Laneside Diner, 1508 Gallatin Pk. S. | Diner coming to Eastside Bowl this fall

Emery, 2500 12th Ave. S. | Wood-fired cuisine + craft cocktails coming to 12 South in mid-September

Molly’s Cupcakes, Opry Mills + TBA | Chicago-based cupcake biz plotting 3 area locations, including 1 inside Opry Mills

Raising Cane’s, 36 White Bridge Rd. | Louisiana-based chain known for its chicken tenders planning first Tennessee location in White Bridge area

Red Perch, 4101 Charlotte Ave., G120 | Seafood restaurant coming to Sylvan Supply

Roberta’s, 2405 12th Ave. S. | Brooklyn-based pizzeria planning to transition from pop-up to permanent location

Rooftop Bar + Supper Club, Fifth + Broadway | Swanky dining destination backed by Justin Timberlake opening 2 new concepts next month

Snooze A.M. Eatery, 975 Main St. | Opening date TBA at East Nashville food hall Hunters Station

Teriyaki Madness, 7115 Southpoint Pkwy. | Made-to-order bowls at new location opening Thurs., Aug. 26

The Butter Milk Ranch, 2407 12th Ave S. A bakery offering brunch and lunch is setting up shop soon in 12 South.

The Wash, 1101 McKennie Ave. | Eastside Pho, Soy Cubano, and more on tap for new East Nashville micro-kitchen expected to open later this year.

The Dutch + Carne Mare, 300 12th Ave. S. | 2 new restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini coming this fall inside W Nashville

Tomacco Tacos + Tequila, 1120 4th Ave. N. | Street tacos, tequila, and a Dolly Parton mural coming to Germantown by the end of August

 

I have literally told some friends of mine who visited Nashville over the summer that whatever they want to eat they likely have it there unless it’s In-N-Out of course. Nashville’s food scene has literally exploded from nothing, back when I was a kid (which was like the mid to late 2000s) there wasn’t much variety at all so it has really grown fast. 

[MagicPotato]

3 hours ago, Binbin98 said:

I have literally told some friends of mine who visited Nashville over the summer that whatever they want to eat they likely have it there unless it’s In-N-Out of course. Nashville’s food scene has literally exploded from nothing, back when I was a kid (which was like the mid to late 2000s) there wasn’t much variety at all so it has really grown fast. 

Nashville, has a bit of everything. The only weak part of Nashville is the authentic Asian foods, excluding Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Nashville has some decent Latin American food outside of TX and CA. Arguably, Tennessee is starting to look like a mini TX with the current Latin and Hispanic population growth. 

[gannman]

15 minutes ago, MagicPotato said:

Nashville, has a bit of everything. The only weak part of Nashville is the authentic Asian foods, excluding Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Nashville has some decent Latin American food outside of TX and CA. Arguably, Tennessee is starting to look like a mini TX with the current Latin and Hispanic population growth. 

There are also some great Korean places already here.

[MagicPotato]

3 minutes ago, gannman said:

There are also some great Korean places already here.

Yeah there is, but in comparison to other similar sized cities, Nashville is a bit weak on the Asian side.  In addition, Clarksville does have some decent Korean spots too.

[gannman]

3 minutes ago, MagicPotato said:

Yeah there is, but in comparison to other similar sized cities, Nashville is a bit weak on the Asian side.  In addition, Clarksville does have some decent Korean spots too.

I would agree that the volume of authentic places is quite low. 

[BnaBreaker]

Nashville is strong for it's size in several types of international cuisine, and very weak for others.   I could be wrong, but to me Nashville really has almost nothing when it comes to Moroccan, Peruvian, Colombian, Brazilian, Portuguese, West African, Greek, Scandinavian, German, Polish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, Persian, Filipino, Korean, Japanese beyond sushi/hibachi, and several others.  Now, don't get me wrong, most of these aren't going to be super abundant even in huge metropolises, but I'm just making the point that, at least for food nerds like myself, Nashville has a ways to go before we can really make the claim that one can find 'anything' in Nashville.

[MagicPotato]

19 minutes ago, BnaBreaker said:

Nashville is strong for it's size in several types of international cuisine, and very weak for others.   I could be wrong, but to me Nashville really has almost nothing when it comes to Moroccan, Peruvian, Colombian, Brazilian, Portuguese, West African, Greek, Scandinavian, German, Polish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, Persian, Filipino, Korean, Japanese beyond sushi/hibachi, and several others.  Now, don't get me wrong, most of these aren't going to be super abundant even in huge metropolises, but I'm just making the point that, at least for food nerds like myself, Nashville has a ways to go before we can really make the claim that one can find 'anything' in Nashville.

Nashville does have really good Thai food compared to other cities of its size. Our African cuisine isn't bad either, but as you said Nashville is a little lopsided when comes to authentic cuisine. Most of the stuff in Nashville is either fine dining, or Americanized "fusion" crap. Not saying Americanized cuisine is bad, but I prefer the authentic stuff.

[Binbin98]

5 hours ago, BnaBreaker said:

Nashville is strong for it's size in several types of international cuisine, and very weak for others.   I could be wrong, but to me Nashville really has almost nothing when it comes to Moroccan, Peruvian, Colombian, Brazilian, Portuguese, West African, Greek, Scandinavian, German, Polish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, Persian, Filipino, Korean, Japanese beyond sushi/hibachi, and several others.  Now, don't get me wrong, most of these aren't going to be super abundant even in huge metropolises, but I'm just making the point that, at least for food nerds like myself, Nashville has a ways to go before we can really make the claim that one can find 'anything' in Nashville.

There are cities larger than Nashville that I have been to that have less cuisine options which is crazy. Like I was in Phoenix in June and it was 90% Mexican food (which is fantastic there but like I’m saying Nashville has a lot for it’s size). Also finding southeast Asian food anywhere on the east coast, even in New York can be tricky. We JUST had our first Indonesian restaurant open here in Miami.

[markhollin]

I have a monthly dinner party group called N.E.D.S. (Nashville Ethnic Dining Society) that meets in various restaurants trying international cuisine.  We have gone 23 straight sessions without repeating any nationality.  So, Nashville's offerings in this realm have come a LOOOOOONG way in the last few decades.  I recall when I moved here the first time in the early 80s that outside of Italian, Chinese, and Mexican, there were hardly any international choices. And nearly everything that was of a domestic style was built around fried offerings. 

[Armacing]

16 hours ago, BnaBreaker said:

Nashville is strong for it's size in several types of international cuisine, and very weak for others.   I could be wrong, but to me Nashville really has almost nothing when it comes to Moroccan, Peruvian, Colombian, Brazilian, Portuguese, West African, Greek, Scandinavian, German, Polish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, Persian, Filipino, Korean, Japanese beyond sushi/hibachi, and several others.  Now, don't get me wrong, most of these aren't going to be super abundant even in huge metropolises, but I'm just making the point that, at least for food nerds like myself, Nashville has a ways to go before we can really make the claim that one can find 'anything' in Nashville.

For Korean I would recommend "Korea House" on Charlotte Pike.  Pretty authentic if you ask the Koreans running the place.  I have been going there for years and I still think it's the best Korean food in town.  There are probably 5 or more other Korean restaurants around town, and a few more in Clarksville because of the military influence.

Years ago we used to have "Rumba" on West End (not sure if that's how they spelled it).  There were several Indonesian items on the menu, but it was really more of a fusion restaurant.  Sadly it went out of business.

Now we have "Sunda" in the gulch which is another asian fusion place, and at least some of the items on the menu appear to be Indonesian-inspired.  But I haven't eaten there so I can't speak to the authenticity.

There are two Persian restaurants on Nolensville road, plus a Kurdish restaurant named "Edessa".  Remember that Nashville has one of the largest Kurdish populations in the US.  Disclaimer:  I haven't eaten at any of these.

Not authentic (as in cooked by Germans), but there is a German restaurant in Opry Mills mall of all places called "Bavarian Bierhaus".  I ate there one time and it was almost as good as the old Gersthaus.  Still miss the old Gersthaus!

I don't count the "Brazilian Steakhouse"-type restaurant as authentic cuisine.  I heard several years back there was a real Brazilian restaurant on Nolensville road (maybe named "Minhieros" - referencing the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais) that I never went to.  So we don't have one now, but that is nationwide phenomenon across the US - - lack of Brazilian food.  Which is a great culinary crime against our taste buds if you ask me.  Brazilian food is as amazing and varied as Mexican food, and yet it is insanely hard to find many of the most iconic dishes.  Last I checked there was only one food truck in Miami selling authentic Acaraje.

There used to be a Russian restaurant in Cool Springs maybe 10 years ago but it's gone now.

I have never seen West African food in Nashville.  Our African food offerings are mainly limited to Ethiopian, and there are a few of those.  One could argue that some of the Caribbean restaurants we have here feature dishes and flavors that are not that different from what you would get in West Africa.  However, I will add that when I visited Liberia, my Americanized palate was incapable of appreciating West African food.   On the contrary, Ethiopian is delicious.  So as is true with all international food, there is the question of does it agree with local tastes.   

You didn't mention Chinese, but authentic Chinese food is pretty hard to find anywhere.  I have only been to Lucky Bamboo on Charlotte Pike once, but as far as I can tell it is the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Nashville.

In conclusion, Nolensville Road, Charlotte Pike, and Murfreesboro Road appear to be areas of higher ethnic diversity, which leads to the existence of more authentic restaurants than you would find in downtown because those downtown restaurants cater to tourists.  And you won't find authenticity in East Nashville or Germantown or West End or the Gulch or 12th South because those areas cater to both tourists and local hipsters.  However, you will find a bunch of Asian-inspired or Asian-fusion restaurants in those places.

[jkc2j]

19 minutes ago, Armacing said:

For Korean I would recommend "Korea House" on Charlotte Pike.  Pretty authentic if you ask the Koreans running the place.  I have been going there for years and I still think it's the best Korean food in town.  There are probably 5 or more other Korean restaurants around town, and a few more in Clarksville because of the military influence.

Years ago we used to have "Rumba" on West End (not sure if that's how they spelled it).  There were several Indonesian items on the menu, but it was really more of a fusion restaurant.  Sadly it went out of business.

Now we have "Sunda" in the gulch which is another asian fusion place, and at least some of the items on the menu appear to be Indonesian-inspired.  But I haven't eaten there so I can't speak to the authenticity.

There are two Persian restaurants on Nolensville road, plus a Kurdish restaurant named "Edessa".  Remember that Nashville has one of the largest Kurdish populations in the US.  Disclaimer:  I haven't eaten at any of these.

Not authentic (as in cooked by Germans), but there is a German restaurant in Opry Mills mall of all places called "Bavarian Bierhaus".  I ate there one time and it was almost as good as the old Gersthaus.  Still miss the old Gersthaus!

I don't count the "Brazilian Steakhouse"-type restaurant as authentic cuisine.  I heard several years back there was a real Brazilian restaurant on Nolensville road (maybe named "Minhieros" - referencing the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais) that I never went to.  So we don't have one now, but that is nationwide phenomenon across the US - - lack of Brazilian food.  Which is a great culinary crime against our taste buds if you ask me.  Brazilian food is as amazing and varied as Mexican food, and yet it is insanely hard to find many of the most iconic dishes.  Last I checked there was only one food truck in Miami selling authentic Acaraje.

There used to be a Russian restaurant in Cool Springs maybe 10 years ago but it's gone now.

I have never seen West African food in Nashville.  Our African food offerings are mainly limited to Ethiopian, and there are a few of those.  One could argue that some of the Caribbean restaurants we have here feature dishes and flavors that are not that different from what you would get in West Africa.  However, I will add that when I visited Liberia, my Americanized palate was incapable of appreciating West African food.   On the contrary, Ethiopian is delicious.  So as is true with all international food, there is the question of does it agree with local tastes.   

You didn't mention Chinese, but authentic Chinese food is pretty hard to find anywhere.  I have only been to Lucky Bamboo on Charlotte Pike once, but as far as I can tell it is the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Nashville.

In conclusion, Nolensville Road, Charlotte Pike, and Murfreesboro Road appear to be areas of higher ethnic diversity, which leads to the existence of more authentic restaurants than you would find in downtown because those downtown restaurants cater to tourists.  And you won't find authenticity in East Nashville or Germantown or West End or the Gulch or 12th South because those areas cater to both tourists and local hipsters.  However, you will find a bunch of Asian-inspired or Asian-fusion restaurants in those places.

There's actually a Nigerian/West African restaurant called Nico's Lounge Restaurant and Bar on Nolensville Rd. Never been but it  looks to have some authentic Nigerian dishes like Jollof rice and fufu. I can also vouch for Korea House on Charlotte Pk. I've worked at Hankook in the past and very familiar with a lot of Korean dishes and they definitely have some authentic food there. Also VN Pho on Charlotte has some fantastic Vietnamese food.

Edited September 8, 2021 by jkc2j

[jmtunafish]

On 9/5/2021 at 6:29 PM, MagicPotato said:

raising cane’s is adding another location on lower broadway. That’s a pretty smart move.

And I take issue with the earlier post that said their White Bridge Road location will be the first Raising Cane's in Tennessee.  There's already a Raising Cane's in Knoxville.  They're also opening a location in Cookeville.

[bnacincy]

On 9/5/2021 at 7:29 PM, MagicPotato said:

raising cane’s is adding another location on lower broadway. That’s a pretty smart move.

Wonder if they will serve alcohol and have live music like the Taco Bell Cantina on 2nd Ave?

[Rick Dalton]

Epice in 12 South struck me as relatively authentic (albeit upscale) Lebanese

[LA_TN]

Sunda, in the Gulch, is Asian fusion, it is Philippines food. Once a month they have a Kamayan feast - it's not cheap, but worth 2x the price. Boodle fight. Traditional to eat with fingers!

Speaking of Philippines, Maemax in LA Vergne has authentic Philippines food 

[jmtunafish]

17 hours ago, LA_TN said:

Sunda, in the Gulch, is Asian fusion, it is Philippines food. Once a month they have a Kamayan feast - it's not cheap, but worth 2x the price. Boodle fight. Traditional to eat with fingers!

Speaking of Philippines, Maemax in LA Vergne has authentic Philippines food 

Meanwhile, little Cookeville has two Filipino restaurants, one which is also a Filipino/Asian grocery store / market where I can get my calamansi juice, corn ice cream, prawn crackers, and passionfruit Kit Kat fix.  A Taste of the Philippines (the one that's just a restaurant) has regular Boodle Fights.  There are also four very good, very authentic Thai restaurants in town, a wonderful Korean place, and an excellent Vietnamese restaurant downtown around the corner from an Indian restaurant where everything is homemade by a sweet little Indian grandmother.  There's even a place with Japanese crepes and rolled ice cream.  I grew up in the Philippines and Hong Kong and love having these places around.  It's actually one of the reasons I enjoy Cookeville so much.  I suppose there might be more "authentic" Thai and Filipino places in Nashville, but I doubt it.  We also have Venezuelan and Peruvian restaurants in Cookeville.  Alas, our Egyptian restaurant didn't last through the covid shutdown although the guy who ran it said he might reopen sometime soon.  (The building is now another Thai restaurant.)

Edited September 9, 2021 by jmtunafish

[Douglas]

13 hours ago, jmtunafish said:

Meanwhile, little Cookeville has two Filipino restaurants, one which is also a Filipino/Asian grocery store / market where I can get my calamansi juice, corn ice cream, prawn crackers, and passionfruit Kit Kat fix.  A Taste of the Philippines (the one that's just a restaurant) has regular Boodle Fights.  There are also four very good, very authentic Thai restaurants in town, a wonderful Korean place, and an excellent Vietnamese restaurant downtown around the corner from an Indian restaurant where everything is homemade by a sweet little Indian grandmother.  There's even a place with Japanese crepes and rolled ice cream.  I grew up in the Philippines and Hong Kong and love having these places around.  It's actually one of the reasons I enjoy Cookeville so much.  I suppose there might be more "authentic" Thai and Filipino places in Nashville, but I doubt it.  We also have Venezuelan and Peruvian restaurants in Cookeville.  Alas, our Egyptian restaurant didn't last through the covid shutdown although the guy who ran it said he might reopen sometime soon.  (The building is now another Thai restaurant.)

I live in Cookeville as well. Do you mind posting a list of your favorite locally-owned restaurants up here? I think I know most of the ones you referenced, but wanted to ask anyway! Thanks! 

[LA_TN]

23 hours ago, jmtunafish said:

Meanwhile, little Cookeville has two Filipino restaurants, one which is also a Filipino/Asian grocery store / market where I can get my calamansi juice, corn ice cream, prawn crackers, and passionfruit Kit Kat fix.  A Taste of the Philippines (the one that's just a restaurant) has regular Boodle Fights.  There are also four very good, very authentic Thai restaurants in town, a wonderful Korean place, and an excellent Vietnamese restaurant downtown around the corner from an Indian restaurant where everything is homemade by a sweet little Indian grandmother.  There's even a place with Japanese crepes and rolled ice cream.  I grew up in the Philippines and Hong Kong and love having these places around.  It's actually one of the reasons I enjoy Cookeville so much.  I suppose there might be more "authentic" Thai and Filipino places in Nashville, but I doubt it.  We also have Venezuelan and Peruvian restaurants in Cookeville.  Alas, our Egyptian restaurant didn't last through the covid shutdown although the guy who ran it said he might reopen sometime soon.  (The building is now another Thai restaurant.)

The bigger Nashville gets, the more appealing Cookeville becomes! 

[tragenvol]

On 9/9/2021 at 9:47 PM, LA_TN said:

The bigger Nashville gets, the more appealing Cookeville becomes! 

We're closed!  Only kidding,  One thing that does confound me...and indirectly connected to this topic:  the lack of Nashville-based restaurants here e.g. , brands from Fresh Hospitality like Martin's, Big Bad Breakfast or Tazikis (there has been talk of 55 South coming to town, but please...no thanks).  Fresh Hospitality owns Taco Mac, that would be a dream come true almost anywhere north and/or west of Chattanooga in the mid-state.  Restaurants like Jonathan's Grille or any lunch/brunch venue like Big Bad Breakfast would kill it here....as they'd be well above any competition.

Oh well, we do have great local restaurants...so, one shouldn't complain or rue over greener grass.