Truck’s Picks: Nashville Grub and Happy Hour Guide
By: Fuck Truck @FuckTruck122919
GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTS! I’ll be giving the rundown on food and happy hour recommendations for upcoming Widespread Panic runs for the good people to consider checking out and enjoying. I’m really excited about the Nashville Food and Happy Hour Rundown—I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the city over the years, and it’s packed with fantastic dives for food and, of course, booze. I’ll make a point to cover all the daily meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and my go-to late-night snack spot—and I’ll also include my top happy hour picks. And no, I’m not going to give you my favorite hot chicken place because you’re gonna wait in line for an hour just to burn your bum up before the show. I plan on only setting y’all up for success. Now sit your ass down and let me learn you a thing or two…
Breakfast Joints
PROPER BAGEL
Proper Bagel is a place that I have to hit any time I’m in Nashville. The menu is everything I want in a bagel shop. They keep the menu in line of what a bagel shop truly should be, by staying within New York tradition. Pork Roll? Got it. Mortadella? Got it. Fresh fish flown in from northern Atlantic waters daily? Got it. This place does typically have quite the wait but if you are looking for something easy to put down after a long night sitting around the kitchen table solving all the world’s problems and reflecting over last nights show with your squad…Then buddy, this is the place for you.
TRUCK’S PICK:
THE SANGWICH - egg, grilled mortadella, American cheese, hashbrowns, and spicy brown mustard.
Address:
2011 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee 37212
Menu:
https://properbagel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/proper-bagel-daily-menu.pdf
SUN DINER
Had to include Sun Diner as my second option. It just makes sense, chicken on the logo and diner in the name. Seems relatable for a Widespread Panic run in “The Music City”. What’s really cool about this place though is that they pay homage to the world famous “Sun Records” who were responsible for cutting record deals for artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and B.B. King. This place has a little bit of everything to satisfy a hungover Panic fan as it is a little bit heavier and heartier than the first option, but there are some lighter options on the menu as well. There is a full bar available here for the folks that want to keep the bender going though.
Truck’s Pick:
Short Rib Hash - potato hash, beer braised short ribs, caramelized onions, béarnaise sauce, provolone cheese, and topped with a runny egg and arugula.
Address:
107 3rd Ave. S, Nashville, Tennessee 37201
Menu:
https://thesundiner.com/menu-nashville/
Lunch Spots
FLEET STREET PUB
Let’s be honest with ourselves, who doesn’t like a classic English Pub? Fish and chips with an ice cold pint of Carlsberg has never done me wrong once in my life. Not a Carlsberg guy? GET THE DAMN CREAMER! Fleet Street is located in historic Printers Alley, which has tons of other great eats available, but for lunch…this one makes the top of my list with ease. Very low key place to grab good food and a beer with your crew. I know I already mentioned fish and chips, but this place has plenty of other options that are just as good, if not better. Take the trip to Printers Alley and hit this dark hollow of a pub.
Truck’s Pick:
Bond Street Bangers and Mash - English bangers, mashed potatoes, rosemary gravy, thyme roasted onions, and malt butter sautéed brussels
(AND A DAMN CREAMER)
Address:
207 Printers Alley, Nashville, Tennessee
Menu:
https://www.fleetstreetpub.com
BILL’S SANDWICH PALACE
At Bill’s you can go heavy or light. This place has some insanely good sandwiches that will fit any taste you might be in the mood for. They have a rotating sandwich menu and it isn’t super big, but when the sandwiches are as fresh tasting as they are at Bill’s, you don’t really have to have a huge menu. They always are running a sandwich of the day special as well which is always going to be delicious. They are only open Thursday thru Sunday and are only open for a few hours 11:00 to 3:00, but they do close at 2:00 on Sunday’s. Honestly there’s not too much you can say to hype up a sandwich place, but the quality of the meat, bread, and house made spreads will speak for itself. With that being said…just go. It is important to note that there is no alcohol at this sandwich shop. But these sandwiches are so good, you won’t even be thinking about alcohol. Plus, it's Nashville, there’s probably a bar within a few steps you can hit immediately after, you degenerate.
Truck’s Pick:
Ode To Big Bob - Crispy chicken thigh, BBQ dry rub, Alabama white sauce, spicy dill pickles, white onion, lettuce, on a garlic butter toasted Charpier’s sesame seed bun.
*with a side of house potato salad
Address:
311 N 16th St, Nashville, Tennessee 37206
Menu:
Rotating menu. Check website the day of. The menu is always great and super creative.
Happy Hour -> Dinner
BLACK RABBIT
If there is any place you are going to go to on this entire list of places I’m naming, you need to go here. I can’t stress this enough. Black Rabbit is the best bang for your buck when it comes to happy hour. They make high quality drinks at a surprisingly cheap happy hour price. All happy hour liquor drinks are $6 and ALL beers are $2 off regular menu price. If I am ever in Nashville, this is the one place I will always go out of my way to make it to. Happy hour is from 4:00 - 6:00 Monday - Friday and on Saturday happy hour goes from 10:00AM - 6:00PM…so all day long on Saturday. They blast some great tunes for happy hour. The owners are big Panic fans. I actually found out about this place on Panic Stream about 5 years back from the owner himself. Don’t let the fancy decor scare you away. This place is chill and easy going. If you are hungry, the happy hour pork tacos are fantastic to pair with the drinks and an order of 2 is only $8 but they are only at that price from 4 - 6. If the drinks are flowing, tunes are good, and you have enough time and room in your stomach before hitting the show, make sure to stay for dinner. It is on the pricier side after happy hour ends, but the food will not disappoint one bit. They have an open pit wood fired grill in the middle of the restaurant where they serve up incredible grilled meats such as steaks, pork chops, fresh trout, and even elk. It’s ok to spoil yourself on a run at least one night. This is the place. Now go get after it!
Truck’s Pick:
(HAPPY HOUR PICKS: Depends on my mood. But it would be between the $6 Old Fashioned or the $6 Margarita. You will not get this high quality of a drink anywhere else in Nashville for $6. Get an order of pork tacos too.)
(DINNER PICKS: Bone in Pork Chop with Smoked Mac and Cheese and Brussels Sprouts)
Address:
218 3rd Ave N, Nashville, Tennessee 37201
Menu:
https://www.blackrabbittn.com/menus
THE RED DOOR SALOON (MIDTOWN)
Red Door Saloon is going to be my more casual low key pick for happy hour and dinner. It’s ok to go in blind for this one, they have a full bar and almost anything you can think of to eat. They have a very eclectic menu that features way above average bar food. They have been in business since 2002 and now they have 3 locations…but make sure to go to the Midtown location because they are the OG. This place is famous for their bushwhackers (Red’s Whacker) and they are amazing. But for the people that like a 1-2-punch, order the Chicago Handshake a few different times during your visit (Can of Old Style and a shot of Malort). They have all day happy hour specials that last until 7:00 every evening. Outdoor seating is also available here as well. So if you are feeling something casual and a little more divey before the show, definitely go check this place out!
Truck’s Pick:
Red’s Whacker and 10 Jalapeño Molasses Glaze Wings
Address:
1816 Division Street Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Menu:
https://thereddoorsaloon.com/midtown-nashville-menu
Late Night Snack
(THERE IS ONLY 1 PLACE THAT IS WORTH MENTIONING)
ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD
Guthrie Trapp, Brent Mason, JD Simo, Daniel Donato…any of these names ring a bell? Well of course they do! These great guitarists all got their start at Robert’s Western World by playing with the world famous honky tonk dive bar band, “The Don Kelley Band”. Other than absolutely ripping guitars all these musicians have one very important thing in common…they all ate the “Recession Special” at Robert’s late night Honky Tonk Grill. What is the recession special you might ask? It’s a fried bologna sandwich, served with chips, a MoonPie, and an ice cold PBR for only $6…yes all that for $6! If you think you’re too good for a fried bologna sando, a MoonPie, and a PBR though…(you’re not) Then I guess you could get your hands on some of their other late night Honky Tonk Grill options. People also rave over the chicken tenders, but I can’t speak for those because I’m not too good for a proper recession special. Head to Robert’s for one hell of a post show after party with great music and delicious late night grub!
Truck’s Pick:
Recession Special and Ice Cold Cheap Domestics until 3AM
Address:
416 Broadway # B, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Menu:
https://www.robertswesternworld.com/honky-tonk-grill
Thanks for the read and wishing you great shows ahead.
-Fuck Truck