Nashville Food Reviews

A meal I ordered from Hattie B's

Foreward:

I am no culinary expert. I intend for this page to be the common man's food reviews. Also, as a note, I only moved to Nashville in June of 2021, so I have not been around long enought to try most or even a lot of restaurants here. I will continue to update this page as I try more places. DISCLAIMER: This ranking incorporates Price, Quality of Food, Overall Taste, and Atmosphere of the restaurant. Therefore, some affordable restaurants are ranked higher than classier restaurants that I would choose to go to if money was no object to me.
Here are my current overall rankings (grouped by type of cuisine), with individual restaurant reviews below.

ASIAN

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Vui's Kitchen (Berry Hill)
2 Panda Express (Berry Hill)
3 Soy Bistro (Brentwood)
4 Umami (Lenox Village)
5 Rollin' Thai (Food Truck)
5 Siam Cafe (Berry Hill)
6 Vui's Kitchen (Nolensville)
7 The Eastern Peak (Berry Hill)
8 Fulin's Asian Cuisine (Brentwood)

BBQ/Roadhouses

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Martin's BBQ (Nolensville)
2 Edley's Bar-B-Que (Lenox Village)
3 Puckett's Restaurant (Franklin)
4 Martin's BBQ (Belmont)
5 Swett's BBQ (Airport)
6 Logan's Roadhouse (Berry Hill)
7 Santa Fe Cattle Company (Opryland)

BREAKFAST

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 The Puffy Muffin (Brentwood)
2 Kitty Hawk Eat + Drink (Airport)
3 Crieve Hall Bagel Co. (Oak Hill)
4 Maple Street Biscuit Company (Brentwood)
5 Sunflower Bakehouse (Donelson)
6 The Perch (Brentwood)

BURGERS

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Brother's Burgers (Nolensville)
2 Brother's Burgers (Berry Hill)
3 The Pharmacy Burger (Assembly Food Hall)
4 M.L. Rose Craft Beer & Burgers (Melrose)
5 Hoss' Loaded Burgers (Food Truck)
6 Burger Republic (Lenox Village)
7 Shake Shack (Airport)
8 Hoss Loaded Burgers (Nolensville)
9 Mooyah Burgers (Brentwood)

CHICKEN

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Bishop's (Franklin)
2 Hattie B's (Melrose)
3 MommaJoy's Hot Chicken + More (Food Truck)
4 55 South (Brentwood)
5 Chick-fil-A (Brentwood)
6 Chick-fil-A (Cool Springs)
7 Chick-fil-A (Brantioch)
8 Hattie B's (Airport)
9 Prince's Hot Chicken (Brantioch)
10 Elliston Place Soda Shop (Food Truck)
11 Tasty J's and Sweet Tea Y'all (Food Truck)
12 Zaxby's (Nipper's Corner)
13 Bojangles (Nipper's Corner)
14 Chick-fil-A (Airport)
15 400 Degrees Hot Chicken (Airport)
16 Cock of the Walk (Opryland)

DESSERTS

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 The Baked Bear (Midtown)
2 Five Daughter's Bakery (The Factory)
3 Bruster's Real Ice Cream (Brentwood)
4 Dairy Queen (Brantioch)
5 Cookout (Midtown)
6 Coldstone (Brentwood)
7 Legendairy Milkshake Bar (Downtown)
8 Bradley's Creamery (Food Truck)

GREEK & INDIAN

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Brentwood)
2 Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (The Gulch)
3 Tasty and Delicious Burger (Food Truck)
4 House of Kabob (Berry Hill)

PIZZA

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 PHAT PIZZA (Food Truck)
2 Sicilian Pizza (Nipper's Corner)
3 Sal's Family Pizza (Nipper's Corner)
4 Blaze Pizza (Brentwood)
5 Pieology (Franklin)
6 Papa John's (Brentwood)
7 Costco Food Court (Hillwood)
8 Jet's Pizza (Nipper's Corner)
9 Lil' Caesars (Brantioch)

SANDWICHES

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 McAlister's Deli (Nolensville)
2 McAlister's Deli (Brentwood)
3 Unique Flavors Cafe (Oak Hill)
4 Jersey Mike's (Nipper's Corner)
5 Panera (Brentwood)
6 Subway (Oak Hill)
7 Jimmy John's (Nipper's Corner)
8 Newk's Eatery (West End)
9 The Grilled Cheeserie (Food Truck)
10 Jason's Deli (Brentwood)
11 Wendy's (Nipper's Corner)
12 McDonald's (Nipper's Corner)
13 McDonald's (Nolensville/Brentwood)

TEX-MEX

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Chile Burrito (Brentwood)
2 El Sombrero (Lenox Village)
3 El Chilangos (Assembly Food Hall)
4 Chipotle (Berry Hill)
5 Chipotle (Brentwood)
6 Mojo's Tacos (Franklin)
7 Mojo's Tacos (Nolensville)
8 Blue Coast Burrito (Lenox Village)
9 Baja Burrito (Berry Hill)
10 Sopapillas (Franklin)
11 Las Palmas (Nolensville)
12 Las Palmas (Nipper's Corner)
13 Las Palmas (Melrose)
14 Velvet Taco (Midtown)
15 El Mariachi (Berry Hill)
16 Cabos Mexican Restaurant (Nolensville)
17 Uncle Julio's (Brentwood)
18 Chuy's (Brentwood)
19 Yayo's Original Mexican Gourmet (Food Truck)
20 Oscar's Taco Shop (Nolensville)
21 The Local Taco (Brentwood)
22 Moe's Southwest Grill (Brentwood)
23 Calypso Cafe (Berry Hill)

GENERAL/OTHER

Rank Restaurant (Location)
1 Sonic (Downtown Brentwood)
2 Sonic (Nolensville)
3 Sonic (Brentwood, Franklin Pike)
4 Bag Lady's Fry Joint (Food Truck)
5 The Pub (The Gultch)
6 Chili's (Cool Springs)
7 House of Cards (Downtown)
8 Brooklyn Bowl (Downtown)
9 Urban Cookhouse (Midtown)
10 Double Dogs (Hillsboro)
11 True Food (Green Hills)
12 Sonic (Harding Pl)

Individual Reviews

ASIAN

Vui's Kitchen (Berry Hill) - I had never had been to a Vietnamese restaurant (but had tried Pho in the past) before coming here, and boy does this set the bar high. I got a noodle bowl with some kind of seasoned pork belly in it and it was amazing. The pork was the tenderest pork I've ever had, the rice noodles were delicious, and the texture of the whole mix was great. The atmosphere was interesting, it was a pretty busy place but they did little things that I really liked like being the first restaurant I've noticed to ever play "Get Down on it" by Kool and the Gang. Looking forward to going back.

Panda Express - I love Panda. It's just such good, cheap Chinese food. Not going to spend a ton of time reviewing it as it's a national chain though.

Soy Bistro - This place had amazing food. I got a "Cheesy Skillet" that tasted so dang good. The only reasons that this is not higher on my list is because of the location/atmosphere. I went here at lunchtime on a weekday and the place was jam-packed. It was so packed, that we could not get a table. I guess that's because the food is so good, but it sucks that we couldn't eat inside. However, I came back a few weeks later and was much more satisfied with the evening atmosphere. I tried the Hot Chicken skillet, which was also pretty good. I also learned that this place was featured on Triple Ds which really did improve my appreciation of this restaurant knowing I have eaten where Guy Fieri has.

Umami - This place was surprisingly upscale. However, the music they were playing sounded like generic gym music which instantly made the place feel less upscale. Regardless, the food was good and not too expensive. I got a Korean fusion hot chicken sandwich that was really good but didn't feel Korean at all. I've now been to this restaurant half a dozen times, and I still haven't reached a verdict on it. It's a weird atmosphere but I really like the KHC sandwich. I have ordered the KHC sandwich every time and have never been disappointed, but the overall atmosphere is still slightly unsettling for me - I'm not a big fan of K-pop music videos on one screen and the news on other screens.

Rollin' Thai - I have had very mixed experiences with food trucks, and I had never had an Asian food truck before. This food truck wasn't a ton to look at, but the food itself was really good. I got the pad thai and it was very delicious. Prices were reasonable for a food truck, service was good, and the overall experience was worth it. However, upon eating it I realized that perhaps Thai food just isn't my jam for some reason. I do really like eating it, and I don't know if I've ever been disappointed in pad thai, but I'm almost never craving Thai food. I really enjoy the food while eating it, and after finishing it I'm satisfied. But it just seems like Thai food is never something I think about unless a food truck literally pulls up in front of my apartment for some reason.

Siam Cafe - This was a real hole-in-the-wall place, and it was good. The place itself wasn't much to look at (not in the best area) but the food was quality and the service was phenomenal. It felt very authentic and that was very good as I got some pretty good Pad Thai. Prices were very reasonable too, my only two complaints is just that 1) the building itself is somewhat in disrepair and 2) it wasn't the most amazing Asian food I've had in Nashville. It was good, don't get me wrong, just nothing to write home about.

Vui's Kitchen (Nolensville) - I know the Berry Hill location is rated significantly higher than this location, and the reason is that I was disappointed in my experience here. I really love the Vui's location in Berry Hill, but this time the food was just not as good. This location was larger (much less cramped, which was good) than the Berry Hill location, but overall it felt like a gentrified version of the Berry Hill location with country music and everything. The pork belly which is normally amazing was chewy and just not as good. After some reflection, I've determined the race of the restaurant staff probably contributed to the lackluster taste. You could definitely tell that the Berry Hill location has Vietnamese staff while this location had a bunch of white guys.

The Eastern Peak - I like Thai food (unlike my sister who once uttered the unforgettable quote of "The only country whose food I can't stand is India. I hate Thai food.") This place was a very nice establishment. It was casual yet classy. The food itself was very good and the service was exceptional. Why is it rated so low, then, you ask? I word: price. While not outrageously expensive, I ate $22 worth of food and was not even full. Thankfully I didn't have to pay for my meal here as it was with work - I will probably return here with people from work in the future as it was a very good experience. But as long as I am trying to keep my expenses down, I will probably avoid this place.

Fulin's Asian Cuisine - I was so excited to try this restaurant, as I love asian food. And I did really enjoy the food I got here. It was good orange chicken. However, for $20 I would like substantially more than an Innovasian (frozen chinese food) $4 quality meal. If not for the price and slightly ghost-town-ish atmosphere, I would come back here much more as I have no complaints about the food itself. I just can't rationalize spending this much on something that's good but not great.

BBQ/Roadhouses

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Nolensville) - My life can be divided into several key events. One of them is now the first time I tried Martin's Brisket Burger. Even though my doctor has recommended I stay away from red meat, I cannot help but return over and over to eat one of the most delicious culinary creations I have ever experienced. The atmosphere here is great and there is lots of room, even when the place is super busy. While I was previously not impressed with the other location, I am now a Martin's-maniac.

Edley's Bar-B-Que This restaurant recently (Dec of 2022) opened near me, and I was very excited to try it out as it is jam packed all the time. I now see why, as it was really good food. The prices were a little high, but the food itself was worth it. I had good Nashville hot chicken, with amazing banana pudding and baked beans as a side. Now (as of June 2023) it's considerably less busy, but I've been back a lot as it's very good BBQ. The hot pork platter is great, and I've tried a few other things too - all of which have been quite delicious (except for the burger which was mediocre.)

Puckett's Restaurant When I heard this place was sometimes reservation-only, I was worried it would be snobby upscale/hipster nice. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon arriving here. Free parking across the street, reasonable menu prices and large food portions, a casual/nonexistent dress code, and normal BBQ restaurant decor combined with really good food makes me understand why this place is so popular. I will definitely be returning here at some point.

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Belmont) - I thought this was some very good BBQ. Now I know it's not Memphis, KC, or Austin BBQ, but it was very good. The BBQ tacos were very good, and the overall atmosphere was good. A little pricey for what it was I felt like, but overall I'm a fan of Martin's.

Swett's BBQ - Let me just say, "Swett's" is a horrible name for a restaurant. But the food here (at the airport) was surprisingly good for airport food. It was airport prices, which suck, but I'm thinking the food at a Swett's not in the airport would've been amazing, as airport food is usally significantly less tasty than standalone restaurants.

Logan's Roadhouse - Despite this being a national chain, I had never had it before coming here. I really liked their bread, and the atmosphere was alright. But the burger I ordered did not taste good. It was a good size, and looked delicious, but was just not great. Perhaps if I ordered steak or ribs I'd be more satisfied with my experience, but I can't give a ranking based on a hypothetical experience. Update: I tried a different burger that wasn't covered in cheese, and it was pretty good. I like this place much better now, but still like the other places better.

Santa Fe Cattle Company - This place felt exactly like Logan's Roadhouse almost. I thought it was good food and a good atmosphere, but it wasn't anything special. I tried this burger they referred to as "The Death Burger" as it was covered in Jalapenos and other spicy things, but it wasn't spicy at all. It was a good burger, but I'm ranking this place a little low due to the false advertising.

BREAKFAST

The Puffy Muffin - This was a slightly more upscale breakfast place than I was expecting and the food was very good. It was moderately expensive, and the restaurant was very busy, but the service didn't suffer. They had a lot of great options on their menu, including for those who unfortunately have gluten allergies. Probably my favorite breakfast place I've been to so far in Nashville, while acknowlegding that I haven't been to that many places.

Kitty Hawk Eat + Drink - While I had low expectations of this place (given that it was in the airport), I was pleasantly surprised. The prices were a little high as could be expected, but the service was actually great (a rarity at BNA) despite me showing up at 4:00a.m. The breakfast sandwich I ordered was also actually really good. It came on a brioche bun, had great flavor and texture, and was decently large/filling. I will probably eat breakfast here again sometime in the future.

Crieve Hall Bagel Co. - I'll admit, this is a slightly uninformed review. A sales rep brought some bagels into our office from this restaurant. They were very good bagels, but I didn't know how much they cost or what the atmosphere of the restaurant is. But solely based on the bagel taste, I'm ranking this here.

Maple Street Biscuit Company - In terms of breakfast places, I really like this place's food. The biscuits they have are some of the best restaurant biscuits I've ever had (I've had better homemade ones made by my friend's Lousianan step-mom) and the waffles were incredible too. However, I was disappointed in their lack of gluten free options, as I figured since they were a pretty trendy place surely they'd have that. It was my bad planning to take my gluten free girlfriend here, although I think she was able to enjoy their eggs and potatoes. Overall, very good place as the gluten free thing isn't an issue to most people.

Sunflower Bakehouse - As a red-blooded American man, I was not a fan of the atmosphere of this place. It is to be expected that a vegan and gluten free place would feel a certain way, and it did feel exactly as you would expect. The sandwich I had was actually pretty good (could've used some real meat) and the cupcake was decent but overall I do not wish to return here even though my wife and her family like it.

The Perch - This breakfast joint was very highly rated. It has a posh coffee shop feel, which is good if you're into that kind of thing. Their crepes are pretty good, but not at all filling for the price. Very good food, but I would probably need to spend $40 on crepes next time to be filled.

BURGERS

Brother's Burger Joint (Nolensville) - See my review for the other location of this restaurant. I'll just reiterate here that the Jumpback Jack burger is amazing. I liked this location better than the Berry Hill one as this one was full of less insufferable hipsters (as they often frequent Berry Hill) and felt more family/sports bar oriented. Bartender was a little annoying but the freedom to not have to park in the tiny parking lot (or the "Tooth Lot") that the other location has was worth it.

Brother's Burger Joint (Berry Hill) - This small burger joint doesn't look like much, but it is. The Jumpback Jack burger here is one of my favorite burgers ever. On top of that, the fries are great (sweet potato fries slap) and the overall atmosphere is good, provided it's not too busy. It's not the cheapest, nor the healthiest I'm sure, but I really like this place.

The Pharmacy Burger (Assembly Food Hall) - I had heard good things about this restaurant, so was excited to try it. I was very surprised at the burger I received. It was incredibly juicy - both the meat and toppings. I had the "Mission Burger" with black beans, pico de gallo, and several other delicious toppings. The prices were reasonable (for downtown) and the atmosphere was decent, although it can't be attributed only to this restaurant as it's in the middle of the biggest food court I've ever seen. Overall, I would definitely come here again.

Hoss' Loaded Burgers (Food Truck) - I had a burger from this place's food truck, so I'm not super informed on this restaurant as a whole. But as for the food truck, I really liked my burger. It was a very good burger (albeit a little small). I would've preferred to get more than just a small burger for $10, but otherwise decent food truck experience.

Burger Republic - First off, I love the name of this restaurant. I've been here a few times, and always had a decent experience. However, I've never been blown away by the food. The fries are good, and the burgers have some good flavor for sure, but I've never felt like it was an absolutely amazing burger. I don't know if it's just because I think they overcook their burgers (for "food safety" reasons), or if the burgers are just dry for other reasons, but I just don't feel like I need to come back to this place frequently.

Shake Shack - I had never had Shake Shack before, but I had heard good things. It did not disappoint - it was a pretty good burger and really good fries. I should've tried a shake but I was in the airport about to take a 4 hour flight and figured my mildly lactose-intolerant stomach would not appreciate that. Prices were airport prices but still decent. Looking forward to trying this at a real location.

Hoss' Loaded Burgers (Nolensville) - I was excited to try this place as the burger I had from this food truck was decent (see my above review). But boy was I disappointed - it was a very below average burger. I now see why this restaurant closed permanently 2 days after my wife and I visited it. The burger (which I watched get cooked by a 14 year old) was hastily thrown together and had a slice of loose, uncooked cheese on top. The prices weren't stellar either as they were the same as the food truck. The one redeeming quality was the fries. We got some loaded fries that were very good. Even if this place was not closed, I would not be returning.

Mooyah Burgers, Fries, & Shakes - I really enjoyed this place the first time I went, as the burger was really good. However, it gave me terrible bowel movements. But, I thought that was an unrelated thing, until I went back a second time and experienced the same problems. If it happened once, it would be a fluke, but since it has happened twice, I'm pretty confident the burgers here do cause the awful intenstinal pain. Plus, their milkshakes, although good, are not even close to worth their price. I know everything in Nashville is more expensive, but the shakes were incredibly small and not worth it. I'd rather get a milkshake at McDonald's that's 75% as good, twice the size, and half the price.

CHICKEN

Bishop's - The reason this is my number one chicken place is because it is the exact same chicken as Hattie B's (same owner), but without waiting for 60 minutes or more. The overall atmosphere and prices weren't spectacular, but the food was really good. It was great soul food (heavy as it was) and I really enjoyed my meal. If you want Hattie B's exceptional chicken but at a more casual place without the long lines, this is the place. It's about as quintessential of Nashville food as you can get.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken - This is perhaps the most hyped up restaurant in Nashville, and it deserves it. This is hands down the best chicken I've ever had. The only reason I don't go here more often is the massive lines that can accumulate. I've had to wait for over 45 minutes outside in the hot sun each time I've been here, but somehow, it's been worth it (and I'm pretty impatient when it comes to food usually). I like the medium chicken so much, and the sides are great too. I'm a big fan of their mac and cheese, fries, potato salad, baked beans, etc. This is a Nashville staple, and if you're visiting, you really should make an effort to visit here, you'll just have to make sure you have enough time as the lines are brutal.

MommaJoy's Hot Chicken + More - This is the second best food truck I've had in Nashville. The hot chicken was really really good, and it was reasonably priced for a food truck. It wasn't too spicy (I honestly thought it'd be hotter) but still had lots of flavor. All in all, I'd eat here again if this food truck comes by again.

55 South - I had no idea what to expect of this place when a vendor of my company took a few of my coworkers and I here. I came here for lunch, and was surprised at the atmosphere, which felt classy but not stuffy. I then proceeded to order an amazing bbq chicken sandwich and awesome sweet potato fries. It was honestly one of the best meals I've had since moving to Nashville. It was an okay price, and overall a very good experience.

Chick-fil-A (Brentwood Location) - Everyone knows and loves CFA. It's a staple of most of the country. This location is pretty nice location.

Chick-fil-A (Cool Springs) - Another solid CFA location.

Chick-fil-A (Brantioch Location) - This CFA location is a little worse than the Brentwood one but still a typical CFA.

Hattie B's (BNA Location) - Normally, airport locations are huge downgrades for restaurants. But the Hattie B's in BNA was pretty solid. The texture of the chicken (and particularly the fries) was way off, but the flavor was decent. Decent option in the airport if the line's not too long.

Prince's Hot Chicken - I had heard this was the original Hot Chicken restaurant of Nashville, but I don't know if that's true. I was excited to try this place, but unfortunately was let down. The chicken itself was good hot chicken, but it was a little dry. I'd say it was almost equivalent to Hattie B's/Bishop's hot chicken. But the sides were a large disappointment. I ordered two sides, not realizing they were $3 a piece. The mac and cheese was good, but the portion size was so small. The fries were small and disappointing as well. Overall, the atmosphere was fine and the chicken good, but the overall experience was not the best given the cost.

Elliston Place Soda Shop - I was really excited to try this food truck as it looked pretty good. The service was phenomenal and I got my food super quickly. The price was reasonable ($10) for a food truck, so I was excited to try my hot chicken sandwich. Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed. It was a good sandwich, but the hot chicken itself was super weakly seasoned. So much so, that the onion on the sandwich overpowered the chicken seasoning - which is not what I'm looking for in hot chicken. However, it still was a decent sandwich (albeit small portion sizes) and the side of fries was really good and crispy. Mixed review, don't think I'll eat it again but it wasn't bad.

Tasty J's and Sweet Tea Y'all - I ate at this food truck on the 4th of July. I was so excited to try their "famous hot chicken sandwich." Much to my chagrin, the sandwich was not a "Nashville Hot Chicken" sandwich, but was just a buffalo chicken sandwich. Don't get me wrong, I like buffalo chicken, and the sandiwch itself was decent, but the weight of the disappointment of not getting Nashville Hot Chicken was too much. I way overpaid for what was a decent (but not spectacular) sandwich, so ultimately this one is ranking pretty low.

Zaxby's - I saw an ad for Zaxby's and it worked on me as I was craving their sandwich. However, after ordering and eating it, the illusion was broken and I was reminded that Zaxby's is a typical fast food joint. I also have not eaten at Zaxby's at a time that I was not either in physical or emotional pain, but that's a distinct issue.

Bojangles - I had never had Bojangles before moving to Nashville, but I had heard good things about it from Southerners online. Upon trying it, I concluded it was just your run of the mill fast food fried chicken place. It was good, but it's not like it blew KFC out of the water or anything.

Chick-fil-A (Airport Location) - Fake CFA, ridiculous prices and much lower quality because it's in the airport. Do I still eat here? Yes.

400 Degrees Hot Chicken - I thought about getting Chick-fil-A from the airport as I was waiting for my flight here, but instead elected to try out this restaurant as my gate was right next to it. I regretted this decision. This was some of the worst (in both taste and texture) hot chicken I've had it Nashville. The service was okay and the overall atmosphere was pretty good for an airport restaurant, but that does not make up for the food quality, or rather, lack thereof. The fries were crispy, and pretty good, but the chicken was just lame. Underseasoned (no flavor except minorly hot), and terrible texture as it was not crispy whatsover. I will never eat here again.

Cock of the Walk - This place had to have been one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The food was okay but was dripping in grease and made me sick. But what made this terrifying is they took me and my family into this back room that had no one else in sight, and then closed and locked the door behind us. The whole time we talked with and saw no one except our waiter, which would've been normally a good thing but we all felt like we were going to be murdered. The cole slaw was really good though.

DESSERTS

The Baked Bear - One of my favorite ice cream places. Funny enough, there aren't that many Baked Bear franchises around the U.S., but one is in Norman, OK (where I used to live) and one is here in Nashville. If you like ice cream sandwiches (who doesn't?) this is the place for you.

Five Daughter's Bakery - In terms of donut places, this might be my favorite ever/anywhere. The 100 layer donut is extremely good, and the number of selections is really solid. I really enjoy this location in The Factory as well.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream - I was curious to try this place, and was shocked when I saw the prices inside. However, the portion sizes of ice cream were massive, and a way better value than I thought. The ice cream itself was also really good. I don't plan on coming back here too often, but it was a good experience.

Dairy Queen - Everyone knows what Dairy Queen is as it dominates the national ice cream game (see this article). I feel as though because of this I don't have to spend that much time explaining my stance on it. I really like their Blizzards even though they're expensive. They're better than McFlurries and Sonic Blasts for sure. Service is never exceptional but it wasn't bad at this location so I'd say that makes this one a decent DQ location.

Cookout - This ranking is not in regards to Cookout's food, as I have not tried that. I have heard that their sandwiches are straight grease. But, I went here and tried their milkshakes, which were good milkshakes. However, I think because I got a limited edition one with fresh watermelon in it (which did taste very good), it was over $4 per milkshake which I am dissatisfied by. If I'm going to a grease shop I want to pay grease shop prices.

Coldstone - Don't get me wrong, I love Coldstone ice cream. But I have such a problem with their prices. It's absolutely ridiculous that they charge that much for such a small amount of ice cream, I hate that.

Legendairy Milkshake Bar - This place was pretty neat to see once. They really made some cool milkshakes. But the milkshakes cost literally $14 for a milkshake which I cannot ever justify spending.

Bradley's Creamery - Nice looking food truck. Sold ice cream I could get at Walmart for $1 /serving for $7. I know those are food truck prices but I can't do it when it's stuff I can make myself.

GREEK & INDIAN

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Brentwood) - I love Taziki's, and I love Greek food. It's just so good, at a reasonable price, and with a good atmosphere.

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (The Gulch) - Pretty standard Taziki's location - kind of weird how you have to go down from the street level to enter here but otherwise equivalent to the other locations I've been to.

Tasty and Delicious Burger - You can tell this was going to be authentic Mediterranean food based off the name of the food truck. I know I should've ordered a burger from the place with "burger" in its name, but but I really wanted a gyro. And ultimately I did not regret this decision as it was a very good gyro. The service was good and fast, I would eat here again if the food truck arrived at my place of residence again.

House of Kabob - This place had pretty good food. I had a really good gyro, and if you want (what at least looks like) authentic persian food, this is a good option. Prices were reasonable for the large portion sizes, and the service and atmosphere was decently nice.

PIZZA

PHAT PIZZA - Looking at this unassuming food truck, I had no idea I was going to be knocked off my feet by this pizza. While the prices were typical overpriced food truck prices, all that didn't matter to me once I took my first bite into my pepperoni pizza. I don't know how to describe it fully, but the almost french-bread style crust was the perfect texture and firmness. The obviously cured pepperonis had such flavor, I scarfed down this pizza. It was a perfect single serve size for me, and I finished eating feeling full and quite happy. I've been looking for amazing pizza in Nashville for awhile, and I'm glad to say I've found it now.

Sicilian Pizza - This place was very unfortunately located, as I would constantly drive past it but never knew it was there. However, I decided to try it out and regretted not checking it out before as it was very good pizza. It wasn't a great deal or anything (wasn't particularly expensive, though) but it tasted very good.

Sal's Pizza - This felt like authentic Italian food. I also loved this restaurant for two reasons: 1. They've got an amazing painting of The Joker hanging in their lobby. 2. They're called Sal's Pizza, and I love Sal Vulcano from Impractical Jokers. The Pizza was very good, a wee bit greasy, but still very good and somewhat economical.

Blaze Pizza - I liked this pizza place. I'm always a fan of quickly getting food, but it's extra cool when it's pizza. They've got a lot of options and you can be as adventurous or as safe as you want here, which I like. It's not the best pizza in the world, but you get it fast and relatively inexpensive.

Pieology - If we were going purely off taste, this place would definitely be higher as it was really good pizza. It was a chill atmosphere in downtown Franklin too. The problem I have with this place is the speed of service. There were 3 employees trying to take care of everyone (they were working hard but were clearly in over their heads) and we waited probably an hour from the time we got in the door to when we got our pizza. That being said, I was very hungry when our food arrived so I do not trust my taste buds' review of the pizza. I would very much recommend coming here at non meal hours as that would probably remove the busyness factor.

Papa John's - I've always had a soft spot for Papa John's. While I won't condone Papa John's personal words (one word in particular) or actions, John Schattner makes a good pizza. It's great, but not as cheap as it used to be.

Coscto Food Court - I am not commenting on any of Costco's other food, just the pizza. It was very good for how cheap it was. However, I still prefere Papa John's and other places.

Jet's Pizza - I'll be honest, I did not particularly enjoy this pizza. It was just not spectacular or a great value. Plus, while I was fortunate to escape terrible bowel pain, friends have told me that Jet's gives them uncontrollable diarrhea, which I want no part of.

Lil' Caesar's - Let me preface this by saying I am not a Lil' Caesar's hater. It is hot, it is ready, and it is cheap. However, this location in particular was not good at all. The pizza itself was okay, but I felt unsafe as I parked and went into this location off Nolensville Pk and Old Hickory. I will not go here again.

SANDWICHES

McAlister's Deli (Nolensville) - I know McAlister's is a pretty big chain, but I had never been to one before this one. Upon walking in, I was impressed with the clean, casual, and calming atmosphere of this restaurant. I was not particularly pleased with the portion size of my sandwich given the price I paid for it, but upon starting to eat it I was blown away. Their signature jalapeno something sandwich (I don't remember the actual name) was one of the best sandwiches I've had, and immediately upon finishing it, I wanted another. It doesn't mean a ton to be on top of the sanwiches category here, but this was still a very good restaurant that I'm looking forward to returning to.

McAlister's Deli (Brentwood) - See above review. The Brentwood location is pretty much the exact same as the Nolensville one, but slightly older and more crowded.

Unique Flavors Cafe - I've eaten these catered sandwiches a few times, and they've been really good every time. I don't know how much they cost, but unless they're ridiculously overpriced, this is one of the best sandwich places I've had in Nashville. I don't know how to describe it, but they've got this really good signature sauce, and I'm just a big fan of the food.

Jersey Mike's - I will never eat at Subway again as long as there's a Jersey Mike's close by. This was one of the best fast food ish submarine sandwiches I've ever had.

Panera - Another national chain, so I won't take up a ton of space writing about it. I like Panera, a pretty decent place.

Subway - I will say, I never was a huge Subway fan, but I did eat there pretty frequently as it is super convenient. However, I do very much like their new menu. It seems as though I overreacted on my Jersey Mike's review in trashing Subway. It's still not the best but it is still very convenient and solid.

Jimmy John's - I had this Jimmy John's catered, so I'm not sure on the actual restaurant atmosphere or anything, but I can do Jimmy Johns. It's freaky fast and pretty good. Very reasonable sandwich shop.

Newk's Eatery - As with a lot of these sandwich places, I only had it catered, so I know I don't have the full experience. But I was satisfied with my box lunch from this place. It wasn't anything earth-shattering or anything, but it was a solid sandwich, no complaints here.

The Grilled Cheeserie - I was excited to try this food truck when it came near me, as my parents had told me I needed to try out this restaurant. After trying it out, I had mixed reviews. It was a very good grilled cheese sandwich, but the portion size was far too small for the exorbitant cost. I don't have a full review of this restaurant as I only ate at the food truck. Conclusion - good food, not necessarily good everything else.

Jason's Deli - I ate a turkey sandwich from Jason's Deli and let me just say, I was satisfied, but not blown away. It was a solid sandwich, but not spectacular.

Wendy's - You might think it's stupid that Wendy's is even on this list. But overall, I like Wendy's. Even though the food and service isn't the best, it's cheap and sometimes tastes good. I am a big fan of the variety the 4 for $4 gives, and who can pass up a Frosty and fries? The only reason it's this low on the list is that I know it's not quality food I'm eating.

McDonald's (Nipper's Corner) - The McDonald's near me is a typical MacDondald's. No comment needed as everyone knows how Mickey D's works.

McDonald's (Nolensville/Brentwood) - This location I'm ranking lower than the other McDonalds near me as it was not as nice. The service was slower and the clientele were sketchier.

TEX-MEX

Chile Burrito - When I walked into this place, I thought it was just another Chipotle spin off. Boy was I wrong, as this was one of the best burritos I've ever had. What differentiates this place is that they quickly grill your burrito in the middle of making it, which results in a crispier tortilla which is ideal. The prices are incredibly reasonable (the most reasonable outside of fast food that I've found, especially for being in the middle of Brentwood) and I really like the chill atmosphere. The chorizo wasn't the most flavorful or anything but they've got some great salsas and choices.

El Sombrero - This was a surprisingly good Mexican restaurant. It had a nice atmosphere and really good food at reasonable prices. Very satisfied.

El Chilangos - This place smelled good as I was walking by looking for something to eat. I'm normally not a huge street tacos guy (I prefer regular tacos) but when I saw they had birria I knew I had to try it. I've only had birria once before, but this was definitely as good or better as that time. The cheesy shell and delicious slow cooked meat mixed with the sauce - it's so dang good. The portion sizes were decent for the overpriced food which is to be expected on Broadway. I will be eating this again as I don't know where else you can get this good of birria in Nashville.

Chipotle (Berry Hill) - Refer to my writeup on the Brentwood location for my overall feelings on Chipotle. I like this location slightly better as it's a really cool feeling place - I know all Chipotle's have franchise design standards, but this one seems to really meet the ideal Chipotle vibe well. There was also a lot of Spanish being spoken here which means the food is more authentic.

Chipotle (Brentwood) - I really like Chipotle's food, but not so much what their company's about as I don't like posers. I'm thankful they bring us mostly fresh and high quality ingredients, but they act like they're "one of the good ones" in terms of corporations while that's simply not true. Do love the food and the prices though. And I respect how they are basically the standard for a burrito restaurant these days.

Blue Coast Burrito - This burrito restaurant is very close to where I live, and that may be part of why I love it. But on the whole, I do really love this place. The ingredients may not be as fresh as Chipotle (or at least they don't feel that way), but the amount of options here are great. Their pineapple salsa is great, and so is their spicy chicken. And I always like to be able to put cucumber and jalapenos on my burritos. And the prices here are hard to beat. Really good restaurant.

Mojo's Tacos (Franklin) - This place had a very long line, and I now see why. These were some of the best tacos I've ever had. I tried the fried avocado taco, which was delicious, and the hot chicken taco, which tasted like an authentic Nashville dish. The tacos were so amazing, I scarfed them down and wanted more, despite the large serving sizes. The cost was a bit high, but relatively reasonable for Franklin prices and given the large sizes. The atmosphere is pretty neat being in The Factory, but don't go here expecting an authentic Mexican experience or anything.

Mojo's Tacos (Nolensville) - In terms of food quality, this Mojo's location had slightly worse food quality than the Factory location. But the atmosphere was pretty neat as it has a neat two-story space.

Baja Burrito - This was a much hyped place for me, and it somewhat lived up to it. It was very good, very comparable to Chipotle. However, this had a much more lively atmosphere and much more personality than Chipotle, which has caved to modernity in my opinion.

Sopapillas - I was not super excited to go to this restaurant because I wasn't feeling well when a group of us went here. I was not very hungry, so I just ordered some huevos rancheros. These were some of the best huevos rancheros I've ever had. I will definitely have to come back here when I have a fuller appetite as I know I wasn't able to fully appreciate it. The atmosphere was okay (gentrified Mexican restaurant vibes) and the prices were kind of expensive, but it wasn't unreasonable.

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant (Nolensville) - Las Palmas restaurants are great. Always super fast service, really good, affordable food, and good service. This is probably my favorite location (so far) that I've been too as it's got a pretty nice atmosphere.

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant (Nipper's Corner) - Las Palmas was a very enjoyable experience overall. I really liked the loaded nachos I ordered. However, I would not recommend the Cucumber Jalapeno magarita (my girlfriend ordered it, not me) as although the flavors weren't bad, I did not like the cold spiciness of it as it was a super weird feeling.

Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant (Melrose) - Very good Mexican restaurant. However, I liked the Nipper's Corner location better as this place was smaller and more crowded. Food was still delicious and reasonably priced.

El Mariachi - This was a pretty standard Mexican restaurant. However, the building and atmosphere itself seemed kind of old and run down. That and the service was just okay, which is why this is so lowly rated. In terms of the food (and cost) this place was really good. My go-to order of Quesadillas Rellenas is usually the same at all the other restaurants, but it was different here. Somehow, the quesadilla itself was a much softer consistency (I don't know how they did it) than normal, which was amazing. Really tasty.

Cabos Mexican Restaurant - I liked this place. But it was not really any different than Las Palmas or El Sombrero, it was just a generic Mexican restaurant. It had very good food and a standard Mexican restaurant atmosphere. I think it had the same exact menu as El Sombrero. The only reason I've rated this place lower than the other two restaurants is because the food was slightly less good. But overall, good experience.

Uncle Julio's - My ranking for this place was definitely a difficult one as I had quite the mixed experience. On one hand, the food was incredible. On the other hand, it was some of the worst service I've ever received at a restaurant. I had some really, really good fajitas, but also ended up spending an hour and a half there for no reason. It just took forever to get our order taken, our food and drinks delivered, I got basically no refills on their tiny little water cups - overall just left a bad taste in my mouth in that regard. But the food being so good bumps it up to where it is on this ranking.

Velvet Taco - I had no idea what to expect about this place but in hindsight I should've as the name says it all. As I walked in, I immediately knew what to expect, and that was okay, as I really liked the atmosphere. There was a guy who looked like Aaron Rogers handing out food, and the music was pretty good. There were so many choices on the menu that all sounded so good. I panic ordered a chicken and waffles taco and a korean BBQ taco and both were really good. But that was the first time I went. I've since been several times (it's a fun, unique place to take people) but each time my experience has not been nearly as good as the first time. The buffalo chicken, beef burger tacos, and a few others I've ordered have been butt. I still really like the chicken and waffles and korean pork tacos, but I've become disenchanted with the prices for slightly overrated tacos.

Chuy's - As a disclaimer, I don't hate Chuy's. I really the atmosphere, even though it's not authentic Mexican at all. They've got basketball on TV and 80s music in the background, and it's a really fun place to meet with friends. However, I am not a fan of their prices. The food is decent (good chips and salsa) but the last few times I've gone I've forgotten what I ordered and chosen their Boom Boom Enchiladas which are just not good. Overall, I'm ranking them this low on the list because if I'm going to pay $40 for my wife and I to eat Mexican food I want authentic, flavorful, good Mexican food.

Yayo's Original Mexican Gourmet - Credit where credit is due, this was perhaps the cleanest food truck I've ever seen. The 100 score on their health inspector report was also very encouraging. The pictures of the food looked so appetizing and it smelled so good. But overall I was not particularly pleased with my meal from here. I got their famous mahi mahi tacos, which had decent, but not spectacular flavor. I also am a corn tortilla hater. Flour tortillas are 10,000 times better than the tortillas that fall apart as you try to hold them, even if it's a double wrapped taco. I also could not finish my meal as I felt incredibly sick after two tacos. I'm not saying the tacos caused it, as I have been known to have upset tummy problems, but I am suspicious. All in all, decent experience and prices, but disappointing meal.

Oscar's Taco Shop - I was excited to try out this restaurant as it got pretty good reviews online. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The tacos were reasonably priced, and didn't taste bad. The service was great, and I liked the atmosphere/decorations. But the reason why I'm not huge on it is because the food wasn't amazing. The tacos were underseasoned, and felt like some tacos I could easily make myself. It felt like decently authentic Mexican food, which is good, but if I'm going to have Mexican food I would much rather go to a nicer restaurant like Las Palmas or El Sombrero. It just wasn't outstanding or even that good of food for an eating at a resturant experience.

The Local Taco - This was a very highly rated taco shop in Brentwood, and I was super excited to check it out. It had a nice atmosphere but the first thing that bothered me was the menu. There were no prices on the menu, and the waiter immediately asked us upon sitting down if we wanted to order some chips and salsa or anything. I am not a rich man, I don't order anything without looking at the price first. The prices didn't seem too bad at first, but upon getting our food I realized it was a terrible value for the amount of food we got. I got 4 tacos for $15 but ate them all and still had room to eat more afterwards. The bowls were also small and not put together well at all (very poor presentation) and in no way worth $14. The taco selections were also kind of lame. The only reason why this place isn't rated last is that I liked some of the tacos. The "Nashville Hot Chicken" taco was great and the "Local BBQ" one was pretty good. Also they had a fried avocado one where the avocado itself tasted amazing but the rest of the taco was a stinker. Overall, probably not coming back to this place unless someone else is paying and nowhere else is available.

Moe's Southwest Grill - I had Moe's catering multiple times and enjoyed it. However, upon actually visiting a Moe's I was greatly disappointed. The food did not feel fresh at all. It did not taste particularly good at all. Someone I know said Moe's was better than Chipotle, but that was simply not true.

Calypso Cafe - (This was technically Caribbean food, not Hispanic, but I feel like it fits best in with the Tex-Mex cuisine) Caribbean Food is known for its strong flavors. But the chicken I ordered here was remarkably bland. I also was not a fan of getting a bag of Lays potato chips as a side - I literally eat that every day for my lunch at work already. The place was also extremely cramped and loud to the point of me (even with my relatively undamaged, youthful ears) being unable to participate in the conversation with the sales rep sitting at the other end of the 6 person table, making him think I was some weird, anti-social loser (even more than I am in reality).

GENERAL/OTHER

Sonic (Downtown Brentwood) - This may be another hot take, but I really like Sonic. It's casual, quick, and quite tasty, all at an affordable price. Is it healthy? absolutely not, but that's not why I'm eating here. And when you throw in the deals that the apps give you, it's one of my favorite places to go. I wanted to put this in the chicken category as I normally order their boneless wings, but I love their milkshakes and slushes too much to ignore their dessert offerings.

Sonic (Nolensville) - This Sonic location is pretty good and by all metrics equivalent to the Brentwood location.

Sonic (Brentwood, Franklin Pike) - This Sonic location is also pretty good and by all metrics equivalent to the other locations above.

Bag Lady's Fry Joint - This food truck was pretty good. Got some loaded fries with brisket and bacon on them that were really good.

The Pub - As much as I do not like British "people" I did enjoy this place. It was a neat atmosphere (classier than a bar and in a cool location in The Gultch) and pretty good food. We had a work party here so I just ate a bunch of random appetizers they had laid out, but it was all really good food. I think if I was an alcohol fan I would've enjoyed this place even more. I'm not saying anything else as it hurts me to compliment the English at all.

Chili's - Not as much as a white person staple as Applebees, but I still really like Chili's. Casual dining, affordable and tasty food, and a comforting atmosphere.

Cheesecake Factory - This chain is a well known and widespread chain, but I never went here growing up. My parents told me it was because "Cheesecake Factory is too fancy for kids." I now see that was a lie. This place was just too expensive for my parents to take my sister and me here. Don't get me wrong, it is a somewhat fancy place compared to an Applebees or Chili's, but isn't that crazy of an atmosphere. The food is pricy, but it is very good and large portioned. I was very satisfied with my meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and the cheesecake itself was very good. But it was expensive, and if I didn't have a gift card I would not be that apt to come here. But on special occasions I would definitely take my wife here as it is a very nice experience overall.

House of Cards - Ranking this place was definitely my hardest ranking yet. Not because of the food, but because of the restaurant in general. House of Cards is a very fancy restaurant in the basement of the Johnny Cash museum where it's also a magic show place. It's definitely the most unique dining experience I've ever had. I will say, the place is kind of creepy, and I'm not used to guys dressed in suits coming up to me as I was walking on the street to usher me to my destination. It certainly was pretty cool at first, but also I felt a little out of place. The whole reason I went was because my fiancee's parents got me/us a $100 gift card. However, the two of us ended up spending $190 (including tip) which was more than I've ever spent on a meal. And the food itself, in my opinion, wasn't worth it. I got $65 lamb that was okay, but wasn't seasoned particularly well and was overly fatty. The mashed potatoes were good, but I can make good mashed potatoes myself for $1.50. My fiancee ordered a really good drink called "The Bullet Catch", but it was about $2 per sip and again, it's hard for me (as a middle class man) to justify spending that. They also had some creme brulee that was really good but also expensive compared to portion sizes. So overall, I was not thrilled with the dining itself. However, I was extremely delighted in the entertainment. I love magic tricks, and this place had 3 guys doing card tricks. Plus, with the price of our entrees, we got tickets to their main show of the night, which were these two pretty entertaining mentalists. So while the night overall was very good, my wallet did not like it, nor did my stomach particularly. On one hand, it was definitely an unforgettable experience. On the other, I will probably never do it again. So that's why I've placed this in the middle of my rankings.

Brooklyn Bowl - This is a super weird place. It had decent bar food, but nothing to write home about. However, I did not particularly care for the atmosphere as it was (apologies for lack of creativity in my description) a super weird place. You'd have to go there to feel what I'm saying, but I would not really recommend it.

Urban Cookhouse - This downtown shop may not look like much from the outside, but it was pretty good. It kind of had a weird feel to it, but I really liked the BBQ chicken sandwich I got here. Overall though, this place wasn't too memorable. Probably overall a good choice for a place to bring your in-laws to.

Double Dogs - This was an interesting restaurant that I had mixed feelings about. One on hand, the food was decent, and it seemed like they had a lot of neat food options (e.g. Chicken Pot Pie, buffalo burgers, etc.) but somehow nohting on the menu sounded phenomenal when I was in the moment. I got a buffalo chicken sandwich that was decent, but wasn't anything special. Likewise I though their fries were subpar. The atmosphere was enjoyable (felt like a BWW) but wasn't anything revolutionary. The prices I thought were a little high (I'm not spending more than $10 on two hot dogs) and unfortunately they lost my friend and I's order when we went so we did not get food for an hour. However, the manager was really understanding and gave us our meals for free which was really awesome. I did like that, despite the below average service from our waitress. All in all, I really have no desire to come back here. But I can see how some people could really like this place, and I do not want for my review to negatively influence anyone.

True Food Kitchen - I hate this place. The food was definitely better than some of the other places on this list, but the atmosphere was unbearable. I am no stranger to high society (or at least upper middle class society) but this was just too much for me. This was a decent restaurant acting like it was the best thing since sliced bread. The only thing that made this experience here bearable were my cool coworkers and the fact that my lunch was paid for.

Sonic (Harding Pl) - This Sonic's food is similar to the other locations, but because of this location I will never return to this Sonic. I knew the area around Harding Pl/Nolensville Pk intersection was rough considering they cleared out a huge homeless camp awhile back, there's the murder IHOP, and tons of people walking in the street all the time. However, I was alarmed when picking up food from this Sonic a homeless guy climbed out of a nearby planter and came at me quickly in the dark. Not a fun experience here, and I would recommend staying away, escpecially after dark.