🌟 Nashville is So Delicious!

Last week, I flew to the Midwest for a 6-day road trip 🚗💨 (I’ve already shared the full itinerary—check my previous post!). This is the foodie follow-up: all the delicious details, ranked by how much I loved them! ✅ A separate post on carb-loaded bakeries from the Midwest trip is coming soon! 1️⃣ Shotgun Willie’s BBQ 🍖 Brisket & Ribs 📝 We lined up right before our flight for this super popular BBQ joint. The brisket was juicy, the ribs fell off the bone—so good my roommate literally teared up 😭 Says it rivals Texas BBQ! I loved the sides too—the baked beans were soft and flavorful. 2️⃣ Hattie B’s 🍔 Chicken Sandwich 📝 We hit up this Instagram-famous spot in The Factory at Franklin so my roommate could finally have their legendary spicy chicken sandwich again. We tried “Damn Hot” (level 2)—spicy enough to make my forehead sweat 💦! Made with breast meat, but still super juicy. 3️⃣ Arnold’s Country Kitchen 🍖 Meat & Veggie Plate 📝 Discovered thanks to Somebody Feed Phil! Cafeteria-style serving and super affordable. The roast beef was moist and smothered in savory gravy. The beef ribs fell apart with a fork 🍴! So many side options—the mashed potatoes were incredibly smooth. 4️⃣ Loveless Cafe 🍽️ 3-Meats Sampler 📝 Also inspired by Somebody Feed Phil. This place isn’t just a cafe—it has a barn, market, and souvenir shop selling their own mixes, jams, and seasonings. They give you 🆓 complimentary biscuits: floury, soft-centered, a bit dry but great with their jam and butter. The sampler included meatloaf, pulled pork, and bacon. The bacon came with “coffee-flavored” red-eye gravy (which Phil raved about), but we found it too thin and the bacon way too salty. The meatloaf was delicious though—tender and finely textured! 5️⃣ Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken 🍗 3-Piece Dark Platter 📝 Gus’s chicken isn’t just spicy on the outside—the marinade goes deep into the meat! The crust is crispy, the inside piping hot and juicy 💥. Solid stuff! The fried okra was also great. Only downside: portions are a bit small. 6️⃣ Red’s Hot Chicken 🌯 Crunch Wrap 📝 Highly recommended by locals—a hidden gem in a simple, no-frills spot. The menu is guiltily indulgent and portions are HUGE. Three of us couldn’t finish one chicken and mac & cheese wrap 😳. The chicken is mildly seasoned but crispy and juicy; the wrap is packed with flavor. 7️⃣ Peg Leg Porker 🍖 Rib & Pulled Pork 📝 The meat looked super dry… but surprisingly wasn’t tough! Especially the dry-rub ribs—which were not only extra-dry looking but also crazy spicy 🌶️?! The rub is made with paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, etc.—a mix of savory, sweet, and a hint of heat. I personally wished it was a bit softer and juicier. Not a fail, but just okay. #WinterTravelFavorites #Nashville #NashvilleEats #FoodieDiary