Nashville’s known for music. But you need good food to power all those performers. Not fancy, just good. This city doesn’t put on airs, and neither does its cuisine. Consider:
Martin’s BBQ It’s located just south of town, in Nolensville, Tenn. Featured on The Food Network and named by Bon Appetit as one of America’s “Top Ten New Barbecue Restaurants,” the place is a magnet for folks in search of the real thing: slow-cooked, whole hog BBQ and fixins’.
Owner Patrick Martin says, “Low heat and slow smoke [are] always worth the time.”
Fast food this isn’t. Try the “notorious redneck taco” and wash in down with a tall glass of sweet tea. Ambience is authentic, and frills are not favored.
“Glitz ain’t got no flavor. So we don’t waste much time with it,” Martin says. Follow the smell of wood smoke to 7238 Nolensville Rd. If you get lost fire up the CB radio and tune in channel 21. Someone will tell you how to get there.
Burger Up No mere greasy spoon, Burger Up builds burgers for carnivores and herbivores alike. The neighborhood in which it’s located hints as much. It’s in 12 South, a trendy, in-touch part of town. Burger Up gets its beef from Triple L Ranch in Williamson County, Tenn. Triple L treats its animals humanely, rendering real respect for the creatures. The menu is amazing. Try the Woodstock, served with true Tennessee white cheddar and Jack Daniel’s maple ketchup. Don’t believe in eating animals? Order a Marathon, a quinoa-and-black bean concoction that redefines what veggie burgers are all about. Burger Up can be found at 2901 12th Ave, South in Nashville.
Cabana specializes in “casual southern comfort cuisine.” That translates into things such as lump crab hush puppies, lobster brie mac and cheese and grilled venison extraordinary pizza. The ambience is laid back, with a hint of electricity in the air. Locals love happy hour here. Cabana is located in Hillsboro Village, at 1916 Belcourt Ave.
Marché Artisan Foods offers further proof (as if you needed any) that Nashville is not drowning in grits. This European style café and marketplace can be found near Five Points, in historic East Nashville. The cuisine has a decided seasonal (as in fresh) focus. Home made pastries go nicely with coffee and espresso bar. Fresh fish abound, and the meats and cheeses are classic. All of this fare is served up in sun-suffused ambience. Marché is more than reminiscent of sidewalk cafes in Italy and France. Head to 1000 Main St., #101.
If all this makes you hungry, the good news is that the money you didn’t spend on airfare can be put to proper use at a plethora of Nashville restaurants. Once a southern hub for American Airlines, discount airline Southwest is the major player at Nashville International Airport these days. BNA Southwest – among other routes – offers nonstop Nashville flights to Baltimore/Washington, Nashville flights to Chicago, Nashville flights to Phoenix, Nashville flights to Houston, Nashville flights to Las Vegas, Nashville flights to Los Angeles and Nashville flights to Orlando.
Search and compare cheap flights to Nashville.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Kerry Woo)
