*All are relatively close, not a big chain, and all are staff-tested
Meat-and-Threes – Nashville’s gift to the culinary world. Most cater to working folks, and are open lunchtime hours, weekdays only.
City Café – Nothing fancy, just good food. 1455 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210 (psst! It’s really on Spence Lane, near the corner of Lebanon Pike).
Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Two-time James Beard Award winner. Always busy, but the line moves fast. 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203. 10:30am-2:45pm M-F Call to confirm open – schedule varies.
Ramzy’s Meat and Three – Soul-food, serving chicken rice and gravy, meatloaf, and other classic comfort fare. 306 E Thompson Ln, Nashville 37211
Bar-B-Que – Nashville’s “style” is Carolina + Memphis + Kansas City + Texas, sometimes all on one menu!
Bar B Cutie SmokeHouse – No-frills chain for standard BBQ fare (ribs, pulled pork, brisket) plus family packs & a kids’ menu. 501 Donelson Pike, Nashville 37214.
Peg Leg Porker – Right around the corner from Arnold’s Country Kitchen. Award winner. 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203. Closed Sundays.
Martin’s – Another award winner, with an in-town location at 3108 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212; open 11am-9pm. Also at 410 4th Ave. S, 37201, open 11am-10pm daily.
Tex’s World Famous BBQ – Plates, sandwiches & classic sides doled out in rustic-funky digs. Weekday lunch hours only. 1013 Foster Ave, Nashville 37210.
Nashville Hot Chicken
BJ Hot Chicken – Fast-casual hot chicken and other offerings. 818 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville 37217.
Party Fowl – Nashville hot chicken dishes plus beers, cocktails, and boozy slushies. 2620 Lebanon Pike, Nashville 37214.
Burgers and Dogs
Cledis Burgers and Beer Garden- Homemade burgers with a variety of local brews in a laid-back setting. Located at 1011 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. Closed on weekends.
Gabby’s Burgers – Another small place, but worth the short drive. Burgers on a flat-top, sweet-potato fries. 493 Humphreys St, Nashville, TN 37203. Open for lunch 10:30-2:30 M-Th plus 11-2:30 Saturday, open 10:30-7:30 Fridays; closed Sunday.
The Lost Paddy – Irish pub with an award-winning burger. 11am-3pm M-F; 7am-3am Sat & Sun. 715 Spence Lane, 37217
Homerun Burger – Louisville, KY based chain, featuring Angus burgers, Cajun fries, 28 toppings as well as veggie options. 581 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville 37210.
Homegrown Taproom – Homemade burgers, sandwiches, and craft beers. A staff favorite. 2720 Old Lebanon Pike, Nashville 37214.
Mexican
Oscar’s Taco Shop – Small chain based in Arizona, Oscar’s serves Southern California-style tacos, burritos, and fajitas. 521 Fessler’s Ln, Nashville, TN 37210. Closed on weekends.
Pie Town Tacos- Street tacos & rice bowls in an unpretentious counter-service locale featuring a patio. Open Mon-Sat, 10am to 3pm. 614 Ewing Ave, #4628, Nashville 37203.
El Mariachi – easy to find on Thompson Lane, this Tex-Mex style place is a staff favorite. 614 Thompson Ln, Nashville 37204.
Pizza
TennFold Pizza – Interesting pizza, sandwiches, and more, plus housemade beers. 2408 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. 11am-9pm, Tuesday-Sunday; closed Mondays.
Fox’s Pizza Den – Laid-back chain serving specialty pizzas in varied sizes. 2828 Elm Hill Pike #108, Nashville 37214.
Asian & Other
Vinh Long offers Vietnamese as well as Japanese dishes. 1061 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217. Closed Monday and cash only.
Dragon Phoenix Chinese Buffet – Traditional American-Chinese buffet. 2828 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. Closed Saturdays.
McNamara’s Irish Pub and Restaurant – Classic Gaelic tavern food with a variety of whiskeys & beers. 2740 Old Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. Closed Sunday and Monday. Live music nightly starting at 6pm.
The Horn –Café serving Somali chais and street food such as sambusas, as well as excellent coffee. 619 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville 37210.
Kebab Gyro Greek & Italian (Yes, that’s the name) – Gyros and other Greek offerings for lunch and dinner. 389 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville 37210.
Sandwiches and Salads
Phat Bites has many inventive offerings. 2730 B Lebanon Pike, Donelson, TN 37214. Closed Sunday.
Peachtree Grill combines Middle Eastern staples with Southern Comfort food, sandwiches, and inventive burgers. 329 Peachtree St.,, Nashville, TN 37210. 11am-8pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.